Preparing for General Knowledge (GK) is a critical aspect of cracking many MBA entrance exams like XAT, IIFT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, and MHT-CET. However, it's worth noting that CAT itself does not include a GK section. GK questions primarily come up during interviews for IIMs or in exams like IIFT and XAT. This blog will focus on how I approached GK preparation, which helped me during my interviews for CAT and other management entrance exams.

While I tailored my preparation for CAT, many of the strategies I used are adaptable to other exams. Let’s break down the preparation for GK into key sections:

1. Current Affairs

  • Expected Questions: Major national and international news stories like political decisions, social movements, and economic reforms. For instance, expect questions on topics like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Article 370, the COVID-19 pandemic, or global economic trends.
  • Preparation Strategy: The interviewers are typically less concerned about your recall of specific facts and more interested in your interpretation and understanding of events. In my experience, simply browsing through the front-page headlines of The Hindu newspaper for an entire year was more than sufficient to stay updated. I didn’t focus much on memorizing details; instead, I made sure I understood the significance of major events.
  • Resources:
    • Newspapers: I highly recommend following The Hindu for detailed and balanced coverage. If you don’t have a subscription, the online version is accessible.
    • Apps: The Knappily app was my go-to resource for staying informed about current affairs. It provides insightful articles that break down complex events in a simplified manner, perfect for exam preparation.
    • Magazines: Business magazines like Business Today or The Economist can also help you stay updated on global economic issues, which often come up in interviews.
  • Quick Tips:
    • Focus on why an event is significant, not just what happened.
    • Have an opinion or an analytical perspective on current issues like policy reforms or international relations.
    • Review headlines and news summaries to stay up-to-date, especially in the months leading up to interviews.

2. Questions Related to Your Background

  • Expected Questions: Interviewers may ask about your hometown, school, college, hobbies, or extracurricular activities. For example, if you mentioned being part of a cricket club or a dance group, expect detailed follow-up questions about those activities.
  • Preparation Strategy: You should be prepared to explain any hobby or experience in-depth. The idea here is to demonstrate your passion and involvement in the activity. Interviewers will test how well you know your own background and experiences.
    • If your hometown is famous for a historical monument or cultural event, ensure you can talk about it in detail.
    • Hobbies like reading, painting, or playing chess will require you to know famous personalities, historical significance, or technical details associated with those fields.
  • Resources:
    • Reflect on your own experiences and rehearse answers.
    • Use your CV or résumé as a preparation tool. Know every single point you mentioned, as interviewers will cross-check your involvement in these activities.
  • Quick Tips:
    • Ensure you’re well-versed in the history, culture, or specifics of your hometown or any activity you participated in.
    • Don’t exaggerate your involvement in extracurriculars. Be genuine, and prepare factual, personal stories.
    • If you play a sport like cricket, understand the latest trends, famous players, and technical rules of the game.

3. Follow-ups to Standard HR Questions

  • Expected Questions: These questions typically emerge as follow-ups to your responses in the interview. If, for example, you mention Elon Musk as your role model, the interviewer might ask detailed questions about his recent tweets, SpaceX developments, or Tesla's stock performance.
  • Preparation Strategy: The best way to handle these questions is to think of them as extensions of the HR questions you’ve already prepared for. Familiarize yourself with the key aspects of people, places, or subjects you mention in your answers. The trick is to prepare for these follow-up questions in advance.
  • Resources:
    • Research famous personalities or companies related to your field of study or interest.
    • Review interviews or articles about the people you admire or refer to during your interview.
  • Quick Tips:
    • Write down or have a clear understanding of your responses to common HR questions like, “Who is your role model?” or “Why do you want to pursue an MBA?”
    • Anticipate follow-up questions. If you mention a famous person or company, make sure you can discuss recent developments, controversies, or achievements related to them.
    • Practice answering these follow-ups by taking the role of an interviewer.

4. GK for MBA Entrance Exams like XAT, IIFT, CMAT, NMAT, and SNAP

  • Exam-specific Focus:
    • IIFT: The IIFT exam has a dedicated GK section, which includes questions on both static and current GK. Static GK covers topics like geography, history, and economics.
    • XAT: XAT’s GK section typically focuses on a mix of current affairs and general knowledge, particularly business-related news.
    • NMAT & SNAP: These exams also include GK sections, with an emphasis on current events and business awareness.
    • CMAT & MHT-CET: For these exams, expect a combination of static and current GK with questions related to general science, Indian polity, and business awareness.
  • Preparation Strategy:
    • Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and Business Standard.
    • Use apps like Knappily and GKToday to stay updated.
    • Focus on key areas such as business, economics, and current political events.
  • Quick Tips:
    • Make concise notes of important events for easy revision before the exam.
    • Use mock tests specifically designed for each exam to practice GK-based questions.

Conclusion

Having a solid grasp of General Knowledge not only helps you in cracking exams like XAT, IIFT, CMAT, and SNAP but also plays a crucial role during interviews for IIMs and other top B-schools. Whether you're preparing for current affairs or questions about your background, the key is to stay informed, practice mock interviews, and keep your understanding of major events sharp. A habit of reading newspapers and business magazines will not only serve you during exams but will also be beneficial in your MBA placements and throughout your career.