Question

The CEO of Aarya’s IT firm tied up with a premier business school to reserve thirty seats in an online management certificate program, aimed at grooming working professionals. The CEO, however, declared that the employees participating in this program will have to sign a three-year bond with the firm. Further, the CEO added that though good performance was a criterion for selection, he would hold authority to take a final call.
Aarya, well aware of her academic limitations, was unsure about the time available to prepare for the MBA entrance exams. She contemplated going for the management certificate program, instead of preparing for the MBA entrance exams.
Which of the following considerations will BEST help Aarya decide whether to apply for the online management certificate program?

• A. Aarya keeps getting appreciated for her performance by the HR department.
• B. Aarya wants to be part of a very good alumni network.
• C. Shruti attempted the MBA entrance exams twice, before she could get selected.
• D. Aarya feels that the online program is light enough to manage while working full time.
• E. Those who complete this online management certificate program do well in their career.
• A. Aarya does not have the confidence to spend another year in MBA entrance-exam preparation.
• B. The agribusiness program is not the flagship program of the premier business school.
• C. The unique structure of the executive MBA program has gained a lot of attention from the new start-ups.
• D. Aarya has a better chance of furthering her career in a field of her interest through the executive MBA program.
• J. The executive MBA program offers generous scholarships to women with IT experience.
• A. A similar incident happened three years back in another business school, and all deferred candidates eventually got good placements.
• B. A deferment by a year will give her a chance to build on her work experience.
• C. The business school owned the mistake, and tried their best to help the affected candidates.
• D. The business school runs many management training programs on ethical leadership for corporates.
• O. Many top-tier business schools faced technical glitches in the past.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understand the dilemma.
Aarya is uncertain whether to continue preparing for MBA entrance exams, which demand significant time and effort, or to pursue the online management certificate program offered through her company. She is particularly worried about balancing workload with study.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option A: Appreciation from HR does not address Aarya’s key concern—whether she can balance the program with her job. - Option B: Alumni networks are valuable, but they do not solve her immediate dilemma of workload and preparation. - Option C: Shruti’s experience is not directly relevant to Aarya’s context, since her own academic limitations and situation are different. - Option D: This directly addresses Aarya’s concern. If the program is manageable alongside her full-time job, it provides a realistic alternative to MBA entrance prep. - Option E: Career benefits of the certificate are important, but unless Aarya can realistically complete the program while working, they are meaningless.
Step 3: Choose the best consideration.
Since Aarya’s major concern is time and balance, Option D provides the most relevant guidance for her decision-making.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{D}} \]

Answer 2

Step 1: Clarify Aarya’s dilemma.
She has two offers: - A premier B-school in a field (agribusiness) she does not care about. - A mid-tier, new but promising executive MBA in General Management, aligned with her IT background. Her concern is whether, with limited experience, she would fit into the executive program.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option A: Lack of confidence in exam prep is irrelevant to program fit. - Option B: The agribusiness program’s standing is not the key factor—her lack of interest in the domain is. - Option C: Popularity among startups is appealing but does not resolve whether it benefits Aarya’s career path. - Option D: This directly aligns with her goals—General Management matches her interest and IT background, making it more suitable than agribusiness. - Option E: Scholarships are attractive but secondary; fit and career alignment matter most.
Step 3: Select the best consideration.
Option D is most important because it ensures that Aarya chooses a program aligned with her career interests, increasing her chances of long-term success.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{D}} \]

Answer 3

Step 1: Understand Aarya’s concern.
Aarya feels betrayed due to the admission glitch. She is questioning the credibility and trustworthiness of the business school. The key is not just placements or reputation, but whether the school handled the situation with integrity.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option A: Referring to a past incident in another school may give some reassurance, but it doesn’t address her current trust issue with this school. - Option B: A deferment might help her personally, but it doesn’t rebuild faith in the school’s credibility. - Option C: By owning up to the mistake and helping affected candidates, the business school demonstrates accountability and ethical responsibility. This is the strongest factor in restoring her trust. - Option D: Offering leadership programs is irrelevant to whether the school can be trusted in its own admissions process. - Option E: Knowing that others have had glitches too doesn’t excuse this school’s mistake or restore Aarya’s trust.
Step 3: Select the best answer.
Option C directly shows responsible behavior by the school, which is the most likely to restore Aarya’s confidence in associating with them.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{C}} \]