Test Conductors' Viewpoint

The test-conducting body aims to design such a question paper that tests the IQ, personality, analytical skills, verbal skills and decision-making ability of the aspirants. They try to minimise the differences created between students who study from coaching and those who do not. However, this is not always practically possible.

Coaching Centers' Viewpoint

Coaching centers claim that to have experienced faculty who have consistently scored a high percentile in such entrance exams; their study material is very similar to the previous years’ question papers, there is an immediate doubt-solving system. Such institutes highlight how people who have studied in their coaching in the past years are now pursuing MBAs from top colleges, which very few aspirants can reject.

We can divide coaching into classroom coaching and online coaching. Below are the pros and cons of classroom coaching, online coaching and self-study that includes mock tests and recorded videos.

Pros of Classroom Coaching

There are many benefits of classroom coaching, like getting the topic explained by experienced faculty, regular mock tests in which all-India percentiles are known, regular doubt-solving exercises and understanding the viewpoints of your peers.

Cons of Classroom Coaching

When it comes to the disadvantages of classroom coaching, travel time is one of those. In metros, it can go upto 1 hour or sometimes even more from one side. The second drawback is the class strength. There are around 50 students in one coaching class, and each individual gets divided attention, with the major focus being on the top students only.

Pros of Online Coaching

The topic is explained by experienced faculty, videos can be seen at home or anywhere else. No travel time, regular mock tests to evaluate your performance and doubt-solving methods.

Lecture videos are recorded and can be seen repeatedly, any number of times. 

Cons of Online Coaching

Personal attention is not possible, with delayed doubt-solving exercises and no peers for discussions.

Pros of Self-Study using mock test and Recorded Videos

This method is very popular nowadays because mock tests are not very expensive from top coaching institutes, and recorded videos are available for free or at a very low cost. Students or working professionals can decide the time and frequency of study or mock tests as per their convenience.

This method is best for those people who were unable to get into their dream college even after taking coaching for one year.

Cons of Self-Study Using Mock Test and Recorded Videos

One mentor is required to guide you through the exam strategies and the cut-off of various colleges otherwise a lot of your time will be wasted. Self-arrangements will have to be made for doubt-solving exercises and practice of personal interviews. Many coachings have telegram channel where the students can send their doubts, however one cannot guarantee a quick solution through this method. 

Conclusion

Out of those who aim for top colleges through MBA entrance exams, very few are able to get a good college in the graduation year itself, most students take a gap of one or two years. 

Everyone has to make this decision after looking at his strong and weak areas but it can be said that nowadays most of the aspirants are preferring online coaching or self study over classroom coaching.