Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Tag

BMS

Browsing
DUB Speak

BMS Entrance Exam to be scrapped? Here’s why that’s a bad idea

By

A recent edition of a national daily, along with rumors being circulated in Delhi University, reported that the next major change DU is ready to implement is the abolition of the entrance exam for Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) from the next academic session. The proposal, if seen through, would render the admission process of BMS the same as most other commerce based courses, largely class 12th Board Exam percentage driven.

Last year, following the implementation of the Four Year Degree Program, Delhi University revamped a lot of its course structures. Some courses were completely done away with. The implementation of BMS was a result of one such policy decision. DU combined three of its most sought after management degrees, BBE (Bachelor of Business Economics), BFIA (Bachelor of Financial and Investment Analysis) and BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies) to form BMS. Adding fuel to the frenzy surrounding its implementation, the colleges offering this course were also changed. And now, the entrance test is being considered for cancellation.

This decision, if seen through, can prove to be a major setback. The whole purpose of having an entrance exam was to test the basic logical and analytical abilities of a student opting to pursue a career in management. Removing the entrance exam and admitting students solely on their board result is the same as having IIT and AIIMS remove their exams also, the flimsy logic being that students are anyway taught everything once they enter, so why test if they fit the course or not. The one logic that eludes me is that if a degree in management is the same as any other field in commerce, then why teach this degree program at all? The students might as well be taught Economics or Mathematics as their main subjects.

In hindsight, the one blunder DU has already committed, in addition to implementing FYUP, is the abolition of the previously held group discussion round in the BMS admission procedure, on the premise that group discussions don’t really point out a students ability to become a good manager. Being able to sit in a diverse crowd and still make your point is in fact the very definition of the quintessential CEO.

For what it’s worth, the existing procedure does subject students to a personal interview round, thereby requiring that the candidate has a more holistic personality, rather than just the super power to cram up piles of books and blurt them out on empty sheets. But apparently, that is also being abolished. But on what grounds? That a good manager does not even need to have basic skills of being able to address a stressful situation?

The plan, if implemented is yet another debacle in the long list of controversial moves that DU is very unapologetically making.

Illustration by Mehr Gill for DU Beat

Update (20th May): Entrance exam for BMS will be held in 2014 as well. Read this article for further details.

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2014

Admission procedure for BMS likely to change

By

The admission process for Bachelor in Management Studies (BMS), one of the popular courses of Delhi University at the undergraduate level, can undergo major changes.

Till last year, an entrance test, interview, and the class 12th score formed the basis of getting admission into this course. But this year, the entrance test can be removed altogether. As per the sources, such a proposal has been put forward by the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), but still needs to be approved by the University of Delhi.

According to a senior officer of the university, if the entrance test is removed then a different criteria will have to be made for the admissions to take place according to class 12th scores since the students of all the three streams, i.e., Science, Commerce and Arts, are eligible to opt for this course. Giving equal opportunities to the students of all the streams will have to be taken care of and the rules of admission will be different for the students of the three streams.

This course was earlier called BBS but the duration of the course was made four years, last year. The responsibility of conducting the entrance test was handed over to FMS. Many questions were raised regarding the entrance test and the matter was taken to the court. There were mistakes in the answer key which was uploaded on the website.

According to some people, the course will lose its value if the entrance test gets removed as it has a lot of demand in the market. The present procedure ensures that the selection process is tough for the students. At present, fifty percent weight-age has been given to entrance test.

The university is expected to reach a conclusion regarding the matter shortly.

Source: Navbharat Times dated 17th March, 2014.

Update (20th May): Entrance exam for BMS will be held in 2014 as well. Read this article for further details.

 

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2013

FMS goof up leaves students in anguish

By

This year, the three business related courses under DU i.e. Bachelor of Business Studies, Bachelor of Business Economics and Bachelor of Financial Investment and Analysis, were merged to form Bachelor in Management Studies, a course that combined the best of all three courses. The move also put this new subject under the umbrella Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, which is widely regarded as a premier institute for post graduation in Business Administration. Unfortunately, a major goof up on the part of FMS has left students dejected and angry.

Around 22000 students sat for the Entrance exam for BMS in the month of June, which was followed by Personal Interviews of the shortlisted candidates. The interviews were held between 10-13 July, after which the final merit list was announced and two counselling sessions have already been held. Classes under the course have also begun.

It has recently been revealed that the Answer Key to the Entrance Exam posted on the FMS website has 7 wrong answers marked for Question Paper Series 11. In all probability, this mistake has affected the scores of thousands of aspirants, especially since the paper had negative marking as well. Given the number of students who sit for the exam and the level of competition, students are often neck to neck; multiple people getting the same rank and scored differing in decimals. In such a scenario, 7 questions can make a huge difference.

Further inquiry indicates that there might even be errors in up to 40 questions in the other series as well. Parents and students are agitated by this goof up and rightly so, as it may have cost them a seat and higher ranks may have been given to students who do not actually deserve them as per the correct answers. Written statements of protest have been submitted to the Dean of FMS, Dean Student’s Welfare, VC and the Registrar of DU on 24th and 25th July. FMS has announced that a Panel will be set up to discuss the matter and a report on the same will be submitted in two days. Sneha Bajaj, a BMS aspirant told us via Twitter, ‘When I and a few other students contacted FMS, they simply told us that they were reviewing the matter’.

A revaluation of marks would be the right thing to do on FMS’s part, but it may not be a feasible idea. Revaluation would mean releasing a completely new list of shortlisted students for the interview, after which interviews would have to be held once again. Following that, a list of final ranks will have to be issued based on which multiple counselings will have to be scheduled. The basic problem is that though students who deserve a seat can be given one, the University cannot cancel the admission of students who might have got a seat based on the incorrect answer key, especially since the admission process in most colleges is now about to close.

All that the anguished BMS aspirants can now do is to wait for the judgement of the Panel.

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2013

Tips for BMS Interviews

By

Now that FMS has released the list of candidates selected for the Personal Interview round for BMS admissions, it’s time to prepare for the next stage! Though interviews may seem daunting, they are actually quite easy to ace if tackled properly. We bring you some important points to keep in mind while preparing for the same.

  • Though every interview is different depending on the candidate, you can expect to be asked some of the following questions:
    *Introduce yourself/Tell us something about yourself.
    *What are your hobbies and interests?
    *Why do you want to study BMS?
    *What do you plan to do after completing your graduation?
    *If you had to pick one college out of the 6 for BMS, which one would you take up?
    *What are your weaknesses and strengths?
    *What have been your main achievements in school?You could try and prepare a few of these answers beforehand. Do some research on the course i.e. the syllabus, DC II options, applied courses, etc.
  • It always helps to sit and make a list of your interests and achievements. Even if you think you haven’t achieved too much in your school life, it’s highly probable that there must have been some activities you took part in. So just sit down and collect your thoughts. Once you’re done with that, think about how you want to highlight each point.
  • Focus on achievements over responsibilities. For example, rather than simply saying that you were the President of the Debate Club in your school, talk about how you helped train the team or which competitions your team won.
  • Definitely talk about any competitions you might have won, NGO work or internships you might have been involved in and your academic achievements.
  • Remember that in a lot of ways you direct the path of the interview based on your answer. This will help you prepare for the same. For example, if you plan to mention reading as a hobby, you should expect the next question to be about the latest book you’ve read or your favourite book. Similarly, if you’re asked what your favourite subject in school was, the next few questions to follow will be on the same.
  • Try not to bluff your way through the questions. Interviewers can usually see right through people who lie and exaggerate. Be honest as far as possible.
  • Pay attention to your body language and posture. Sit up straight, relax and don’t be fidgety or distracted.
  • Remember to dress smartly. It’s best to stick to formals. For guys, this means an ironed pair of trousers and crisp shirt. If you’re a girl, you could wear a skirt or pair of pants with a shirt. Do wear formal shoes and make sure your hair looks neat. Don’t forget to smile!
  • Do not be impolite or rude to the interviewers. Be respectful and courteous. This includes wishing them when you walk into the room.
  • If possible, try arranging a mock interview. Even if you’re not enrolled into any coaching centre, you could ask a friend or senior to help you out.
  • Lastly, relax and be yourself. It’s perfectly natural to be a little nervous. Maintain a calm and composed stance no matter what the question may be. Remember that confidence is key!

You can check the PI schedule for 2013 here.

Image Credit: freedigitalphotos.net

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2013

Bachelor of Management Studies: Course Analysis

By

While BMS aspirants wait for the result of the entrance, we take a look at what you can expect out of the four year undergraduate programme in Management Studies.

BMS or Bachelor of Management Studies replaced three courses i.e. Bachelor of Business Studies, Bachelor of Business Economics and Bachelor of Financial and Investment Analysis. Under the FYUP, the course is now overlooked by the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University, a reputed institute for management education. However, studying BMS for a year will make you realize that the Faculty of Management Studies has nothing to do with it apart from its sole contribution being the redesigning of the syllabus and the scrapping of the interview that was followed earlier in the admission process.

BMS, like the three courses it replaced, is a course that is meant for students who wish to go beyond theoretical education. Since the admission is based on the Board marks, the entrance exam, it gives students an opportunity to study at reputed colleges in DU, even if their Board marks are on the lower side.

Here’s a look at some aspects of this relatively new course:

Syllabus
The syllabus for BMS is very similar to that of BBS, with certain elements from the syllabi of BBE and BFIA like Basic Econometrics and Financial Modeling and Derivatives added to it.

Some topics, which were earlier simply a part of subjects in the 3 courses, are now full fledged papers under the new syllabus like Database Management System and Consumer Behaviour. BMS students will have to study a language under the new syllabus as an Applied Course.

Students can choose from the following subject areas for their DC II papers: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Management of Services, Management of Global Business and Tourism Management.

On one hand, this is a plus because the students have more choices now, as the old courses had less number of options for specialization. Moreover, students can choose a DC II paper from their second year. This gives the students an added advantage of studying a specialization subject for three years which was previously taught for only a year (final year).

However, though initially these six courses were meant exclusively for the students pursuing BMS, Delhi University revoked its decision and made it available for the students pursuing any course subject to the guidelines mentioned here. Therefore, the exclusivity that students pursuing BBS/BBE/BFIA had of specializing in a subject has been taken away from the course.

A bonus year
An extra year for BMS students, brings with it various opportunities. The 3 courses it has replaced have always laid emphasis on extra curricular activities. Students can intern for another summer and try their hand at working in different industries, start ups, NGOs and so on. Apart from that, it is another year full of B Plan competitions, Mock Stocks, B Quizzes etc. Those who wish to take up this course are usually inclined towards gaining practical exposure. With a bonus year, students can apply themselves in a much better way and hone such skills. Additionally, a student graduating after 4 years will be awarded an Honours degree, though 2 of the earlier courses were not Honours courses.

The exit options
The exit options might prove to be a boon for those students who aspire to be entrepreneurs. They can finish their graduation in 2 or 3 years and use the knowledge acquired to set up a business. This route is not for the faint hearted, of course. This option may also prove useful for students who plan to join their family’s business post graduation.

College Choices
Though BBS, BBE and BFIA were taught in 3, 10 and 1 college(s) respectively, BMS will be taught in only 6 colleges, namely:

Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (or CBS)
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College (DDUC)
Keshav Mahavidyala (KMV)
Bhimrao Ambedkar College (BRAC)
Maharaja Agrasen College (MAC)
College of Vocational Studies (CVS)

This move came as a surprise since reputed colleges like SGTB Khalsa, Gargi and SGGS College of Commerce were not given a green signal by the University to start this course. In all, 840 seats have been allotted to this course.

Based on the counseling sessions of last year, CBS was the first choice for most students. KMV and DDUC followed next, and were more or less equally popular. CVS too, saw many takers especially since they have 300 seats for this course. MAC and BRAC were the next options taken up by students.

Overall, the changes made were mostly positive, with fairly decent to good placements depending on the college, a myriad of extra curricular activities and a balance of theory and practical exposure.

 Tushar Diwan and Priyanka Banerjee

(For analysis of other courses click here)

Keep Reading
By
Admissions 2013

Entrance Gyaan: Bachelor of Management Studies- Last Minute Do’s and Don’ts

By

image
Another year, another batch and yet another bunch of earth shattering cut offs. If you’re a class 12th student about to enter college, you’re in for a treat. SRCC and St. Stephens are having yet another bumper year with all the aspiring economists vying for a golden ticket. All the budding engineers are hoarding to get into IIT Delhi (or any other, for that matter).And all the others students pursuing different streams are holding their breath as they eagerly await the first cut offs.

Among the various questionable changes being introduced in the curriculum from this academic year, the introduction BMS-Bachelor of Management Studies- is the most engaging. It is a four-year undergraduate program that has been formulated after combing BBS, BBEand BFIA. To everyone’s surprise,More than 22,000 students have applied for the course. So it’s just going to be you and 21,999 other students competing for a few hundreds seats, to say the very least. Not to dampen your spirits further and to make this article actually worth reading, let’s focus on what exactly is the entrance exam going to be like.

The marks are distributed as follows:

50% The Entrance Exam
30% The Board Result
20% Personal Interview

In order to actually reach the personal interview round, an applicant first needs to clear the written exam. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts that can be helpful in preparing for the exam:

  • The Test Structure: The exam will have a total of 100 questions. Although there is no set syllabus, the exam aims to test:
    • General/ Business Awareness
    • Quantitative Abilities (Mathematics)
    • Reasoning Skills
    • English.

    The format of the exam itself is still the same, so practicing from past year papers can be of great help. Practice questions can also be found on the Facebook pages of prominent institutes like Pratham, IMS, Edumentor etc. Another very useful website I stumbled upon is ‘www.indiabix.com’. It has general practice questions on most of the sections for BMS. Also, continue reading the newspaper (no, not HT City and the Delhi Times, but the main paper).

  •  Segment wise Division: Every candidate has only 120 minutes to complete the exam. So it’s better to think of a strategy before entering the exam hall. The section on General Awareness is the shortest, so that should be attempted first. The Mathematics and Critical Reasoning sections, being the lengthiest, should follow it. The English Section is relatively easy so that can be attempted in the last, keeping in mind the time constraints. It’s better to attempt an entire section at once as it helps to maintain a flow of thought.
  • Negative Marking: 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer and correct answers fetch you 3 marks each. So if your unsure of an answer, it’s better to leave it blank. Also, DO NOT mark multiple answers for the same question.
  • The Examination Day– Irrespective of what you have or haven’t done, stay calm and confident. Do not clutter your mind with new things. Either you know it or you don’t know it and there is nothing you can do to change that a few hours before the exam.
  • Last Minute Worries– Last minute hassles can cause more troubles than the exam itself. Make sure that all your documents, stationery, admit card etc. are in place well in advance. Read all the instructions carefully a day or two before the exam to make sure you don’t ignore an important instruction.

Keeping all pointers apart, work hard; there is no substitute for that. Study smartly and plan your time well. These two always seem to work.

All the best!

Illustration Credit: Megha Sarogi

(For entire Admissions 2013 coverage click here)

Keep Reading
By