— Nitin Verma, Neha Sharma

For many MBA aspirants in India, the Common Admission Test (CAT) serves as the gateway to a coveted MBA programme. This exam tests candidates on analytical abilities, language proficiency, reading comprehension, and verbal and logical reasoning. However, while CAT effectively evaluates these cognitive skills, it overlooks softer attributes essential for a successful management career.

CAT, like most standardised tests, is designed to assess quantifiable hard skills. It excels in identifying problem-solving abilities and logical reasoning, yet fails to measure creativity, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence — qualities critical for effective leadership and management.

Management, by its very nature, demands navigating complex team dynamics, fostering teamwork, and driving innovation. These softer, yet essential, skills cannot be adequately captured by competitive exams. This disconnect raises an important question: Can CAT alone identify the true potential of a future manager? The answer lies in acknowledging the limitations of such assessments.

Another critical challenge is the motivation driving students to pursue an MBA. Many aspirants are influenced by FOMO (fear of missing out), family expectations, or dissatisfaction with an uninspiring undergraduate education. These external pressures often lead to a lack of clarity about their goals and the true value of an MBA.

An MBA is not merely a degree; it’s a transformative experience dedicated to shaping business-ready leaders for the dynamic corporate landscape. Without a clear understanding of their motivations, students risk missing out on the full potential of their MBA journey.

Also, the rapid advancement of AI and automation is reshaping industries, making many traditional management roles obsolete. This underscores the need for business schools to adapt their curricula to better prepare students for the future ready skills. As noted in Microsoft and LinkedIn’s 2024 Work Trend Index, AI skills outweigh experience, with 80% of leaders in India preferring to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced candidate without them.

To address these challenges, management education must evolve to bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world demands. Business schools can implement the following changes: — Developing the ability to interpret and leverage data should be a key focus of the curriculum — Core competencies like communication, leadership, empathy, and negotiation should be integral parts of the curriculum. — Simulations, case studies, group activities and role-playing exercises can provide students with hands-on experience in solving real-world challenges. — Including sustainable business approaches in the curriculum, empowering future managers to tackle environmental and social challenges while creating long-term value.

The end result is a business-ready manager who is sensitised to the needs of the organization as well as society. For MBA aspirants, preparation should go beyond simply clearing CAT. They must invest in developing their soft skills, defining their motivations, and aligning their career goals with what an MBA can truly offer. Similarly, business schools must take the lead in reimagining their curriculum and teaching methods to equip graduates with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving professional landscape.

By addressing these gaps, both aspirants and institutions can ensure that management education fulfills its promise of producing competent, innovative, and socially responsible leaders for tomorrow.

(Nitin Verma is GM, marketing and admissions and Neha Sharma is senior manager, branding and marketing communications from Great Lakes Institute of Management)