You do not need work experience as a factor for selection. Only a good score on the Common Entrance Test (CET) is sufficient. It is likely that the same process will be followed next year as well. The only exception to this was during the 2015 admissions where work experience was considered, as the admission process included Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).
However, it is advisable for you to have some work experience as it will assist you in having a deeper understanding of the subjects covered in your MBA program. The lack of work experience may or may not impact your chances of securing a good job placement. To gain further insight on this matter, it is recommended that you read my answer on the topic of whether freshers are able to secure good job placement.
To begin the MBA/CET preparations to get into JBIMS, you need to familiarize yourself with the paper pattern, if it is your first time writing the exam. You should also have a complete understanding of the syllabus and be able to recall each topic in detail.
Examine previous year's papers to get a better idea of the exam pattern and the weightage given to each topic. Approximately 90% of the questions in the CET exam are taken from banking exams such as IBPS PO, SBI PO, and Canara Bank PO, which are conducted by the Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection (IBPS). The CET exam is also conducted by the IBPS since 2016.
Note that the IBPS is known for tweaking sections and introducing new question types in their banking exams, but these changes may or may not be introduced in the CET due to the lower number of applicants.
To prepare for CET, you should start by establishing a clear understanding of each topic. Conceptual clarity is essential as even if you practice many questions, a lack of understanding will impede your progress. Next, focus on solving easy questions for each topic as this will lay the foundation for solving more difficult questions.
After building a solid foundation, take mock tests to simulate the real exam environment and familiarize yourself with the time constraints. You should aim to take at least 30 to 40 mock tests and analyze each one in detail. Quality mock tests include Oliveboard, Testfunda, and IMS.
To maximize your preparation, avoid watching too much free content, read for at least an hour every day, devote quality time to your studies, and stop procrastinating. Develop a habit of finding the meaning of unfamiliar words, complete Word Power Made Easy, and do not join any classes as you can do it yourself. You can also request electronic study material. Stay away from negative environments.
JBIMS, Mumbai is a highly respected management institute in India that offers a variety of programs including MHRD, MMS, M.Sc Finance, and Part-time MBA. Admissions to JBIMS MMS are divided into two categories: "Maharashtra State Candidates" and "Other than Maharashtra State Candidates." For candidates from Maharashtra, the MAH CET score is considered, while for candidates from outside Maharashtra, JBIMS accepts CAT/MAH CET/CMAT/GMAT scores.
Shortlisted candidates are required to attend the CAP conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell. JBIMS only accepts valid MAH-CET scores for admission to its full-time MMS course, which is affiliated with Mumbai University. In the previous year, the highest cutoff for MAH-CET 2021 was 99.97%, recorded by JBIMS. For round 2 of MAH-CET, the score was recorded as 99.95%. MAH-CET releases cutoffs with merit lists for two distinct categories, the Maharashtra State (MH) category and the All India (AI) category, following a normalization method.
There is no fixed CET score that will guarantee your admission to JBIMS. The raw score keeps changing from 120-165+. It actually depends on the level of difficulty of the paper during the particular year. Sometimes the paper is quite difficult and the highest score is just around 130. Other times the paper was so easy that even a 165 did not guarantee admission.
Many people suggest targeting 150. But I personally feel it hampers the entire process as you are under pressure and then flunk the paper terribly. One should focus on solving the paper rather than targeting a specific score. Your high target will refrain you from attempting the paper to your fullest potential.
Know that if the exam is tough it is so for everyone, and if it is easy it is so for everyone. So unnecessary stressing yourself will do you no good in the end.
Rather than answering your question subjectively, I have listed some major pros and cons of the institute that makes it a great choice for an MBA.
Pros
Cons
I will say that forgo an offer from JBIMS only if you are confident that you might clear CAT and make it into IIM next year.
Your speed while you are attempting CET or any other exam, depends on three main factors: your knowledge, how quickly you can recall, and how quickly you can convert your knowledge into words and solve problems. The more knowledge you have acquired, the more confident you are at taking risks and not wasting substantial time on trivial questions. For this, you need to have solid basics. Some basic strategies you can adopt are
Most importantly, give as many mocks as possible because the more questions you have solved, the more the solutions have become a part of your muscle memory.
JBIMS has a CET cutoff as high as 99.99 because it’s a direct ticket to the corporate world. You don’t have to go through GD-PI or any profile checks. This may sound easy but here is the tricky part. Around 100k students sit for the exam every year and the available seats are only 120. This results in high competition and thereby higher cutoff.
My friend was lucky enough to get through the tough procedure and shared his strategy. He divided his entire time for preparation into 3 stages.
Planning stage
Testing stage
Polishing stage
There is still some polishing left so get down for last-minute revisions and give atleast 5 mocks every week. Increase your efficiency in your weaker areas and speed in the stronger ones. With this as the final strategy give 5 final mocks.
The elaborate thoroughness and consistency adopted while preparing will ensure that you are confident in the D-Day and don’t flunk the exam. At any given point in your preparation, you need to have maximum motivation, consistency, and determination. Only then will you be able to sail the boat.
Some of the famous JBIMS alumni include the following: