Comprehension

Business schools’ (B schools) curriculums are filled with group assignments and case competitions. Even when students have just joined the B schools, corporate houses try 38 to catch good talent early by promising them internships based on case competitions. These competitions involve solving the problems presented by the organizations, analyzing the challenges they currently face, and presenting solutions in a manner that convinces the organizations’ representatives.
For students who are just joining a B school, the capability to actually solve such problems is quite limited. Because of that, the corporate houses generally are more focused on the presentations made by groups. Hence, the groups that communicate better, most often, win these competitions.
Abirami joins MBS, a B school. As a fresher, she believes she needs to learn a lot about how organizations work and wants to work with others who have joined MBS and have work experience.

Question: 1

The first step that Abirami wants to take is to join a group, having members with extensive work experience. Meanwhile, students with prior work experience have come together and formed groups. She reaches out to one such group. However, the group members are not interested since she is a fresher. They are unsure whether she can bring any value to case competitions that involve understanding, recommending and presenting solutions to organizational problems.
Which of the following reasons, IF TRUE, will BEST convince the group members that Abirami will be a valuable member of the group for case competitions?

Show Hint

In problem-solving situations, being able to listen and quickly understand the problem is a critical skill, especially when collaborating with others.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
  • The MNC, where her father is employed, floats the most popular case competition for MBS students.
  • She is a good listener, and can grasp key aspects of the problem at hand very quickly.
  • She has interned with her father's firm for two weeks, during her graduation.
  • She is a good debater who can logically think and argue on the go.
  • She has closely observed her mother working and hence understands the way organizations work.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the scenario.
Abirami is a fresher and does not have work experience, but she wants to join a group that already has experienced members. The group members are unsure of her ability to contribute to the case competitions because she lacks work experience. We need to identify the reason that will convince them that Abirami can still be a valuable member.
Step 2: Analyze each option.

- (A) The MNC where her father works may provide a popular competition, but this does not directly relate to Abirami's individual abilities or skills for solving case problems.
- (B) Being a good listener and quickly grasping key aspects of the problem would be a crucial skill in case competitions, especially for a fresher. This skill allows her to understand the problem, communicate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to the team’s success.
- (C) Interning for two weeks with her father's firm may not provide enough evidence of Abirami's ability to grasp and solve case problems on her own, especially since the experience is limited.
- (D) Being a good debater may be helpful, but it does not necessarily indicate the ability to contribute effectively to case competitions, which require a comprehensive understanding of organizational issues.
- (E) Observing her mother working can help her understand organizations, but this is not as strong a reason as being able to quickly grasp the problem, especially in a competitive context like case competitions.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason to convince the group members that Abirami can be a valuable member is that she is a good listener who can quickly grasp key aspects of the problem at hand, making option (B) the correct answer.
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Question: 2

Abirami cannot join groups having members with work experience; they reject her for being a fresher. Meanwhile, three of her batchmates, all freshers, are interested in forming a group with her. Abirami likes being with them as two of them are from her undergraduate college; however, Abirami fears that they may all come up with similar ideas during case discussions.
Which of the following reasons, IF TRUE, will BEST persuade Abirami to join them?

Show Hint

When addressing concerns about group dynamics, focus on highlighting individual strengths and diverse perspectives that will enrich the team's work.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
  • MBS’s professors generally appreciate these three batchmates' inputs during case discussions.
  • These three batchmates were toppers in their respective streams during graduation.
  • These three batchmates are Abirami’s closest friends at MBS.
  • Some organizations prefer the industry opportunities offered to freshers over those with work experience.
  • Students with work experience have formed their own groups, rejecting freshers.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the situation.
Abirami is hesitant to join a group of freshers due to the fear of everyone bringing similar ideas to the table. The best way to persuade her to join them would be to highlight something that sets this group apart from the others and addresses her concerns.
Step 2: Analyze each option.

- (A) While professors appreciating the batchmates’ inputs could indicate their value, it does not directly address Abirami’s concern about originality in ideas.
- (B) The fact that these batchmates were toppers in their respective streams is a strong reason, as it implies that their academic background and intellectual abilities will likely lead to diverse and valuable contributions, alleviating her concern about similar ideas.
- (C) Being close friends could make the group dynamic pleasant, but it does not address Abirami’s concern about the quality of contributions to case discussions.
- (D) While some organizations may prefer freshers, this does not solve Abirami's problem of working with others with similar ideas.
- (E) The fact that students with work experience have formed their own groups does not help Abirami feel more confident about joining the group of freshers.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Abirami to join them is that these batchmates were toppers, which suggests they will bring a variety of ideas and contribute to more dynamic discussions. Therefore, the correct answer is (B).
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Question: 3

Abirami eventually joins a group, largely comprised of students with work experience. Whenever competition calls are announced, the group meets to discuss the competition. As competitions go by, Abirami observes that her views are hardly heard in meetings, though the other group members make it a point to invite her to every meeting. Since Abirami doesn’t get acknowledged for her ideas in group discussions, she starts reflecting on what she has gained so far by being a part of the group.
Which of the following pieces of information will BEST convince Abirami that being in the group is beneficial to her?

Show Hint

Sometimes, success in group work can be a balancing act; it is important to focus on personal priorities, such as academics, while also reaping benefits from collective achievements.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
  • Members of other groups shared with her that, while her group worked together, their groups rarely met, and worked in silos.
  • Her group has already been shortlisted for the final rounds of three of the four competitions they have participated in, so far.
  • Her only responsibility is to submit the final presentation to the company concerned after reviewing for language errors.
  • The group meetings that she has attended so far have taught her a lot about how organizations work.
  • She can focus on her academics and still reap benefits from the group’s success, if any.
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The Correct Option is

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Analyze Abirami’s situation.
Abirami is part of a group where she feels her ideas are not being acknowledged. To convince her that being part of the group is still beneficial, we need to identify an advantage that would appeal to her given the current dynamics.
Step 2: Analyze each option.

- (A) While it’s true that her group is more organized compared to others, this doesn’t directly address how Abirami benefits from the experience.
- (B) Being shortlisted for final rounds of competitions indicates group success, but it does not highlight how Abirami benefits from her involvement.
- (C) This option suggests a minimal role for Abirami, which is unlikely to convince her that the group is beneficial.
- (D) Learning about organizations is helpful, but it doesn’t focus on the specific benefits Abirami gets from the group’s success.
- (E) Focusing on academics while benefiting from the group’s success, if any, would be the best option, as it presents a way for Abirami to focus on her priorities while still gaining value from the group.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the best piece of information to convince Abirami that being in the group is beneficial is (E), as it aligns with her current need to focus on academics while still potentially benefiting from the group’s success.
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