Unlike CAT, RAT (Research Aptitude Test) is not a unified exam. Evert IIM conducts its own admission process for FPM and thus the pattern of RAT varies from IIM to IIM. One of the patterns is termed as minor RAT followed at IIMB and at a few other IIMs. The RAT consists of different types of CAT questions including questions on verbal skills, logical reasoning, quantitative etc. However, the quantity of questions is less and the questions are distributed differently. Questions are designed to determine minimum eligibility requirements and are not meant for elimination thus the overall test is not too difficult.
It's important to note that the RAT pattern for each of the IIMs changes every year. Though some preparation definitely needs to be made for these exams, I would not suggest giving more time to prepare for interviews than the written exam.
IIM Rohtak offers a full-time doctoral program in management or FPM (full-time). This program is designed for working professionals. The exams accepted for admission to this program are CAT/GMAT/UGC-NET/GRE/GATE (in relevant disciplines). Those who did not appear for any of these exams can sit for the RAT (Research Aptitude Test).
Here are a few highlights pertaining to the program
Duration |
4 years |
Fees |
INR 7.46 lakh |
Common eligibility |
PG degree in any discipline/ CA, ICWA, or CS/ 4 year or 8 semesters Bachelor’s degree |
Selection |
CAT/GMAT/UGC-NET/GRE/GATE/RAT |
The Ph.D. specializations offered under this program are in the following disciplines
Overall, IIM Rohtak FPM is a great choice for those working professors who are looking for a decent program to upgrade their managerial skills and climb the corporate ladder.
NITIE Mumbai offers a doctoral-level fellowship program. Recognized by the Ministry of HRD, this program is equivalent to a Ph.D. of any Indian Institute.
NITIE Fellow program is interdisciplinary in nature and covers different facets of industrial, business, and social issues. Finance, Marketing, Economics, Operation Management, Organizational Behaviour, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility & Ethics are some of the specializations of the fellow program.
There are two types of Fellow program admission, i.e. regular full-time candidates and sponsored candidates. Regular full-time candidates with valid GATE or NET JRF scores get financial assistance from the institute.
The course work for the first year is the same for all departments except three steam-specific courses. During the second semester of the program, the institute will assign you a guide as per the research proposal that you will submit during the time of admission.
It is to be cleared first that the FPM course is completely equivalent to a Ph.D degree. It takes approximately 4-5 years to complete, along with accurate learning and research work.
The fact is that ISB generally pays Rs. 40000 as a stipend along with House Allowances to the candidates who are doing FPM on a full-time basis. Thereby you are not required to pay anything from their own pocket, but they can earn 40 thousand per month.
However, the most important thing is that FPM requires accuracy to complete the study without spending money. So, you have to study with full accuracy, and earn support from this institute to carry on your personal and family expenses. You have to enroll as a full-time candidate and should not have any other source of income.
If you have any other second income, then it will not work. After completing this program, the student will get unlimited rewards, considering their knowledge and income.
The FPM program at IIM Kozhikode is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career in research and academia. It’s recommended to be less dependent on your guide and then your program will be easier. The only disadvantage is that married students get their degree first and then married accommodation. There is intense competency for married accommodations here. Here are a few pros and cons to determine the worth of IIM Kozhikode
Pros
Cons
FPM eligibility criteria
For the IIM Kozhikode FPM program, candidates are shortlisted based on their academic performance, Qualifying examination scores, and Research Proposal. After shortlisting they are called for a Personal Interview. The minimum cut-off for the CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, and IIMB Tests is mentioned in the table below:
Category |
Cutoff |
General |
60 |
NC-OBC/ EWS |
55 |
ST/ SC/ PwD |
50 |
Chicago and MIT are at the top university for a Ph.D. in finance. Then comes college like Stanford, Wharton, Berkeley, UCLA, and some other options are Duke, NYU, CMU, Northwestern, and Columbia.
Other schools are good but in a particular area. These include Harvard which is best in Corporate Finance, Maryland in Market Microstructure, Washington University in Mathematical Finance.
You can also do finance as a field in the best economics departments. Besides the schools already mentioned that have great Finance Departments.
Finance Programs are remarkably hard to get into. The top schools get 200 to 400 applicants and choose 2 to 4 students per year. High GPA, GMAT, and strong math skills are expected from the students.
When deciding on an MBA program, it's important to consider your interests and career goals. If you have an inclination towards rural management, then IRMA would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a general MBA degree and specific profiles post-MBA, then TAPMI may be the better option.
If rural management is your area of interest, then IRMA should be at the top of your list. IRMA has a strong reputation for its rural management program and provides excellent opportunities for students interested in the field. On the other hand, if you're looking for a broader MBA degree and want to explore different profiles, then TAPMI may be a better fit.
When it comes to post-MBA profiles, TAPMI provides a variety of specializations to choose from, including finance, marketing, human resources, and operations. This means that you can choose a specialization that aligns with your interests and career goals. Additionally, TAPMI has a strong reputation in the industry and attracts many top recruiters, which can enhance your job opportunities post-MBA.
Ultimately, the decision between IRMA and TAPMI will depend on your individual interests and career aspirations. Make sure to research each program thoroughly and weigh the pros and cons of each before making a final decision.
The difficulty of getting into the FPM program at XLRI varies from person to person depending on several factors. Some of these determining factors are the number of applicants, their qualifications, and the admissions criteria of the program. Here are the eligibility criteria of the FPM program that might give you an insight into the toughness of getting into FPM XLRI.
However, in general, the FPM program at XLRI is considered to be quite competitive, with a rigorous selection process that includes an application, an interview, and a written test. To increase your chances of being accepted into the program, it is important to have a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and a clear research proposal.
My cousin recently joined the institute and has seen students frequently vacate the FPM program of IIM Rohtak. There can be several reasons for this. However, it is somewhat unlikely and vague as well. Especially, when considering the issues concerning the director, as is known by the students.
Nobody can vouch for the scenario taking place at the institute. Thus, it is always the right choice to analyze what you are going for. It is suggested to stay updated with any information at all.
Becoming a professor from the new IIMs is definitely possible but rare. The FPM program offered at the new IIMs has varied peers some being freshers while some with Masters from foreign universities.
The following things matter when selecting an Assistant Professor in a new IIM
The chances are rare because most of the new IIMs have professors who have done Ph.D. from older IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta. Ph.D. is a program that totally depends on your performance and research. The initial years focus solely on research training and cannot be enough to make you eligible for faculty positions.
So your chances are rare but not null.