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17 Mar 2026, 10:20
Kudos
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Profile: 26, Gen, Engg, Female. Graduated from DTU (73%), 82% in AISSCE, and 92% in ICSE.
I’ve been working as a business analyst for the past 38 months. Received a promotion and a few awards at work. My current CTC is 12 LPA (which is too low). Due to circumstances at home, I couldn’t afford to quit work to attend a 2 year program previously.
The situation had improved over the past year and I was considering taking CAT this year to apply for the 2 year PGP programs across the IIMs. I feel my CTC is too low for consideration at an Executive MBA Program at one of the old IIMs.
I do plan on applying to ISB again this year (was rejected last year) but I also want to keep other options open.
I would like to stay in consulting or switch to a product management based role however, I’m unsure of being at a disadvantage based on all that I’ve read so far about having a work experience > 48 months upon applying/interviewing.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve been working as a business analyst for the past 38 months. Received a promotion and a few awards at work. My current CTC is 12 LPA (which is too low). Due to circumstances at home, I couldn’t afford to quit work to attend a 2 year program previously.
The situation had improved over the past year and I was considering taking CAT this year to apply for the 2 year PGP programs across the IIMs. I feel my CTC is too low for consideration at an Executive MBA Program at one of the old IIMs.
I do plan on applying to ISB again this year (was rejected last year) but I also want to keep other options open.
I would like to stay in consulting or switch to a product management based role however, I’m unsure of being at a disadvantage based on all that I’ve read so far about having a work experience > 48 months upon applying/interviewing.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
27 Mar 2026, 08:27
Kudos
Bookmarks
You are correct with the experience part. As someone with 2.5 years of work ex, I appeared for CAT 2025. I would say 2-3 years of work ex gives you the maximum advantage. And the more it accumulates the less points in your profile then. So ideally you would need a very high cat percentile to overcome that. And the fact that you are gen eng makes it way more difficult. On top it of 10th/12th/UG grades do matter and they not only decide the short lists but also influence summer internships and placements after making it into an IIM.
What I would have done had I been in your place is to give the best shot at CAT and GMAT. Try to get the best school convert I can after that and definitely join it the earliest I can. I think that’s the best approach at this point. Can’t afford more years in that role and an MBA definitely helps - even if it means things slightly better it is worth it.
Feel free to double down on any doubts you might have. All the best!
What I would have done had I been in your place is to give the best shot at CAT and GMAT. Try to get the best school convert I can after that and definitely join it the earliest I can. I think that’s the best approach at this point. Can’t afford more years in that role and an MBA definitely helps - even if it means things slightly better it is worth it.
Feel free to double down on any doubts you might have. All the best!
