GMAT Score(690)---->XLRI (with Csquare Learnings-GMAT Training Center @ Bangalore,Hyderabad and Delhi)

Hi MBA Aspirants,

I wanted to write this mail a long time back since I got a confirmed offer from XLRI Jamshedpur for their 1 year GMP program but just could not find the time. Now that this is due for a long while and I sincerely feel what I am going to write down, I knew I had to do it now.

Just to give you some background about me:

I am an Electronics Engineer by qualification but was in IT when the MBA bug bit me firmly in 2008. I had planned it some years back but got busy with my job. It was my wife, a doctor by profession who gave me the confidence to go with it again and hence I started looking out for GMAT coaching. This got me connected to Csquare Learnings. Before I go any further let me furnish the details of GMAT and colleges I applied to.

GMAT: 630,650,690

Average Acads

Total Work Experience: 6 years 8 months,1 year of entrepreneurship experience

ISB

Great Lakes

XLRI: got an admit to GMP 1 year program

The journey was a satisfying experience overall starting with Maths coaching from Rashmi and English from Kirtin.

I found everyone very dedicated and hard working be it Rashmi, Reddy, Vinita Maam or Kalyan himself. This is the only reason I could keep myself egging on when I faltered badly on my initial 2 attempts at GMAT. They all gave me the confidence and motivation that I can do well. In the end, I could not cross the magical figure of 700 and I was a bit disappointed but then I knew I had given it my all.

I had decided to go for the Admission assistance course and enrolled for the essay writing and mock interview sessions with Vinita Maam. This was the phase during my preparation when I got to know about myself. The document that Vinita Maam gives to know about yourself and your profile is something that gives you an exact picture of what you have done in your personal and professional life. I made one mistake of not allowing Maam to identify the best colleges for me in India itself because I made that decision too late but fortunately I didn't had to pay for it. Essay writing session began with me not knowing what to write and how to write but Maam gave the confidence to go for it and was patient enough to correct it always. In the end her patience and persevering with me paid off and I was able to come up with real good essays which didn't look a possibility before I joined the sessions.By this time I was convinced about the Interview session with Maam and it really did a lot of good towards building up my preparation. The mock interviews were relevant and made my confidence of handling the real college interviews many notches up. By the time I ended my interview, I was completely satisfied and convinced that, Had I not joined the course and didn't have Vinita Maam's guidance I would not have been able to write a good application to various MBA colleges. My wife who was a witness to this journey had the same opinion. It is a pity that I could not meet everyone from CSquare in person, particularly Vinita Maam before joining in XLRI because of unforeseen hospitalisation of my Dad.

Pardon me if I wrote such a big mail and believe me I am not in habit of writing such long mails, but all that I have written is completely true. I am completely convinced that my stint has played a major role in getting me to XLRI and particularly the brain storming sessions with Vinita Maam. Now I know the importance of those sessions and the reason why Maam puts a high value to those sessions.

Thank you all for the support provided to me during my course and bringing me to this platform of MBA. I hope I can justify the confidence shown by all of you at CSquare in me.

Regards

Giri Shankar

XLRI GMP 2010-2011

GRE Instead of GMAT

GRE Instead of GMAT – More than 300 Business Schools ( including the TOP B-Schools) are NOW accepting GRE for MBA admissions... does it mean Csqrl is also exploring the option of starting with GRE; wait n watch…

http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/best-business-schools/2010/05/14/gre-is-fast-becoming-a-gmat-alternative-for-b-school-applicants.html?PageNr=1

ISB student from Csquare Learnings(GMAT Training Institute)-Ashwin Krishna

Ashwin Krishna ISB Co 2011

I found that GMAT preparation is a different ballgame and I didn’t want to join yet-another-institute who specializes in CAT coaching and “claims” to provide mentoring for GMAT!

I did a lot of research on institutes who are catering GMAT coaching. As a reality check I visited Csquare, Jamboree and TIME. Unarguably, the energy level, which I saw in Csquare was indomitable. I loved the passion in Rashmi, the way she answered my questions and the way she directed me for my GMAT dream. I was a lost kid not knowing my way forward for cracking GMAT. Rashmi’s mentoring was indeed a “ray of hope” for me. I went ahead with the intuition of “First impression is best impression” and I am happy to say that taking up Csqaure is one of the best decisions of my life.

Moreover, I got an amazing feedback from Csquare alumni – Niara Ahmed ( who is student at ISB Co 2010 and Amit. )

Thus, being a rational human being I cherry picked Csquare among the mediocre rest!

Csquare is Certainly the master in GMAT Preparation.

Sometime during august 2009: My entrepreneurial journey needed a big leap and MBA was the best way forward. I spent 4 full years to decide about my GMAT journey. I was exhausted… Csquare was the booster, which empowered my entrepreneurial journey by helping me to tame the GMAT bull.

Empowering GMAT dreams

§ Right from Day 1 when I met Rashmi, there was lots of “positive energy” around. I strongly feel this seeded confidence in me to crack GMAT.

§ The strong foundations laid in the class helped me to understand the basics and mend my mistakes.

§ The repeated, exhaustive practice tests empowered me to get rid of “fear of committing silly mistakes in objective-type exam”.

§ The techniques taught were undoubtedly simple, whacky and effective. Unarguably, these techniques helped me to optimize time in GMAT.

§ There was string focus on “Individual development”. It was indeed great to be in a small batch of 10.

§ Test Taking Strategies made me to think and perceive GMAT is ridiculously easy.

Empowering Admissions dreams

§ Hours of 1-1 classes on admissions was impeccable. Those sessions not only gave me a headstart to applications process but also guided me to the right path for ISB. Even though I had a great profile, I wasn’t clear how to sell my USP. Vinitha & her admissions team at Csquare did a commendable job by analyzing my profile and mentoring me at every stage till I landed at ISB.

Empowering my Life

§ The eclectic Csquare students and the “GMAT ecosystem” at Csquare indeed brought a new “me” in me.

§ I have not only made some of the best friends of life through Csquare but also carry the same positive energy, which I have evidently seen in whole of Csquare family!

I am strongly inclined to giving back to the system. I will spend substantial amount of time in sharing my knowledge about essay writing and admissions to Csquare students. My extensive knowledge of essays and admissions that I gained through Csquare Admissions team, will be put to best use in Csquare! I will be more than happy to give sessions on “How to get into ISB”.

Before I finish my stint in ISB, I will write a research report on “Market potential for GMAT coaching in India”, which will be exclusively presented for Csquare. I feel it’s a nice way to say “thank you” for folks who helped me realize my dream of “cracking GMAT conundrum”.

I would like to be a good-will ambassador of Csquare and help in all fronts for marketing Csquare.

Csquare Learnings welcome's all the woman MBA aspirants!!!

Today our women have a great part to play in the progress of humanity. The role of women in society is a measuring rod and true index of its civilization and cultural attainment. Thus their education plays a pivotal role in the society leading to participation of women in various fields of work. In the modern era various top B schools offer the best and the most flexible programs to intelligent, business-savvy women by supporting female faculty, by sponsoring the course fees, and encouraging the development of social and professional organizations that cater to female student interests. These endeavors have led to an increase in the percentage of female candidates which averages at 35% for the top 15 B Schools. However this figure still remains low.

We at Csquare want to reach out to as many women as possible and foster their growth in the MBA world. Hence we are proud to announce that we offer special GMAT course preparation discounts of 20%to women candidates and help them connect to women centered B schools such as HEC- Paris, Stanford to name a few. This is an endeavor not only to help the women but also contribute towards the society and its growth. We hope that our efforts will promote many more female candidates to make the best use of the opportunities and encourage them to pursue their Dreams.

Hurry up and reach your dreams ! What more you are waiting for???

Offer valid till this month end.

Regards

Csquare Learnings Team

7 CSQRL students at ISB, Hyderabad PGP (2010-2011)

7 CSQRL students at ISB, Hyderabad PGP (2010-2011)

Today, excellence has its own shine for the 7 ISB admits, who were not aware that a major transformation was under way until they were well into it. We at Csquare made them work with vision, strategy belief and persistence. After getting admits, other students heard them saying, “Look, it just wasn’t that complicated! Once we understood the concept, we just moved straight ahead and the journey brought us to ISB”. Aristotle rightly said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” We agree, excellence at Csquare is not an act but a habit. Take a look..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTqR3YwxzZ0

GMAT SCORES OVER CAT

GMAT SCORES OVER CAT

Number Of Aspirants Shoots Up As GMAT Gives International Exposure; Process Better Organized

TOI| Bangalore

March 26: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is gaining ground among students with numbers shooting up sharply over a five-year span and fairly significantly over a one-year period.

According to Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the total number of Indian GMAT test takers has increased to 32,000 in 2009 from 25,000 in 2008. The number is high compared to the number of test takers in 2005 which was only 13,000. Candidates whom The Times of India spoke to said taking GMAT provides an opportunity to study in colleges abroad as they accept GMAT score. Also, many feel that the GMAT process is more organized.

Raveena Gupta, a software engineer, expressed her unhappiness over CAT 2009 computer-based test. Terming it an “unfair process”, she said there was no uniformity in papers unlike previous years. “Some students got easy papers while others tough ones. The entire process was not carried off well,” she said.

“GMAT , an universal test, is more organized. I am seriously thinking of taking GMAT. It’s more of application-based test unlike CAT where emphasis is more on mathematical part,” she added.

For Raghavendra D, an engineer, CAT 2009 was one of the reasons for his switch over to GMAT. “CAT 2009 was unpredictable. The problem with its format is that at initial level it’s highly score-based and only at the interview time weightages are given to other areas,” he said.

Raghavendra who got a seat in Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, said with his work experience it might be difficult for IIMs to get him a placement. “I have nearly six years of work experience. I have got some reviews from my friends in IIMs who said it might be difficult to get a suitable role for a person with over five years’ experience. I might feel out of place among the peer group,” he added.

But for Apratin Mukherjee, working in IT industry, it’s the international exposure that matters. “I wrote CAT 2009 and it was ok. However, I always wanted to go abroad and study. Hence, I am looking at GMAT,” he said.

Rashmi Gowda, director, Csquare Learnings, a Bangalore-based GMAT training institute, said with majority of IIMs shifting their focus from CAT and giving more importance to work experience and leadership potential, there is more focus on GMAT. “Many B-schools are now considering GMAT an alternative score in lieu of CAT,” she said.

Rashmi said once taken, the GMAT score is valid for five years, which means a student, can decide to study MBA anytime within five years. “Also programmes like MS in Management from London Business School have specially been designed for management aspirants with no work experience. Hence, the young management aspirants who wish to seek international exposure in addition to seeking just a degree, now have more options beyond CAT and IIMs,” she explained.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIBG/2010/03/26&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00400&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

Seven ISB Admits from CSQUARE Learnings

Congratulations.........

Csquare Learnings takes this opportunity to Congratulate all the seven admits to ISB this year (the names are mentioned below). We know all of you were waiting for this moment since a long time and we are thrilled to see your DREAMS come true. We are proud of all the seven students of Csquare who have accomplished their goal and made it to ISB. It is indeed an invigorating moment for Csquare to have all of you as our alumni.

This journey to success has not been a cake walk for all of you right from searching the Best institute for GMAT to clearing the interview. We can recall the days with some of you when you prepared day and night for GMAT and went through all the brain storming sessions to draft essays, and at the end must say IT HAS ALL PAID OFF!! This truly shows that hard work and dedication can lead you to your DREAMS. Time and again all you have showed the zeal and motivation to make it into a Big Bschool of your choice and finally here it is-Indian School of Business!!

Once again we have proved that at Csquare we strive not only to teach our students just the strategies or subjective concepts but also streamline the thought process to get a super score in GMAT and finally get admission into the DREAM College.

Finally heartiest congratulations to all the ISB admits for the splendid performance so far. Csquare wishes the ISB admits All the Best for future and continuous success and May you be bestowed with many such enlivening moments.

The ISB admits for 2010-2011 from CSQRL are-

Kavita Singh

Ashwin Krishna

Vijay Kumar

Surabhi Sawant

Subhadip Majumder

Raghavendra

Varun Rai Bansal