MBA Study
Many undergraduate students are able to excel in an academic environment simply by memorizing course material and repeating it verbatim on tests and exams. Studying for an MBA is quite different. There are a few major differences between undergraduate and MBA study.Application vs. memorization
As an MBA student, it is no longer enough to simply memorize information. Most schools will be looking for your ability to apply this information to case studies or real world situations. For example, you may understand the concept of price elasticity, which may have been enough to do well in your first year economics course, but during your MBA you will have to be able to determine how price elasticity (or lack thereof) can affect various industries and/or a specific company.Independence vs. collaboration
Undergraduate degrees usually require students to complete most course requirements on their own. Studying for an MBA at many schools, however, is quite different. Top business schools often encourage debate and discussion. For example, your professor may present you with a case study outlining a difficulty currently being faced by a corporation. Students are then required to formulate a possible solution and present it during their next class. The goal is not to arrive at a correct answer, but to explore the topic from as many different angles as possible. In this way, the student gains a better understanding of the complexity of the challenges faced by many businesses.Frequency of assessment
A typical course in an undergraduate degree is based on a small number of high stakes tests and assignments. A student who does well on exams will typically do well in the course, even if they do not make a consistent effort. While studying for an MBA, however, students are always being assessed. This is evident in the large number of assignments that must be completed for most MBA courses. In addition, some schools base a large percentage of course grades on student participation, so the MBA student must be consistently prepared for class and actively engaged during class time if they hope to do well in the program.
