Inside the MBA: A Complete Breakdown of What Really Happens in an MBA

A two-year MBA is often described as a life-changing journey, but very few people tell you what it actually looks like. Once you step into campus, you’re thrown into a whirlwind of academics, networking, committees, and placements. If you’re about to begin your MBA, or you’re a CAT aspirant wondering what lies ahead, this detailed guide will walk you through the month-by-month reality of MBA life.

From the first day to convocation, from CV proofing to summer internships and final placements—this is your practical, no-nonsense roadmap.

---

Understanding the MBA Structure

Most top Indian MBA programs—including the IIMs—follow a trimester system:

• Year 1: Term 1, Term 2, Term 3
  
• Year 2: Term 4, Term 5, Term 6
  

Each term lasts about 10–12 weeks, making the curriculum fast-paced and packed. Some institutes like FMS Delhi and DSE follow a semester system, but the trimester format is the norm in most B-schools.

---

Key Milestones You’ll Encounter

MBA life revolves around a few high-impact phases:

• Induction and orientation
  
• Club and committee selections
  
• CV building and freezing
  
• Summer internship process (and PPOs)
  
• Final placements
  
• Electives and specialization
  
• International exchange (for some)
  
• Convocation
  

Let’s now break it all down month-by-month.

---

Year 1: Terms 1 to 3

Term 1 (June to September)

June-July: The Chaos Begins

• MBA batches start in mid or end June: Most B-schools commence academic sessions around mid to late June, marking the beginning of coursework, orientation, and early networking opportunities with peers and faculty.
• Selection for clubs and core committees (Placement, Cultural, Academic): Most B-schools initiate recruitment for student-run bodies in July, including high-impact ones like the Placement Committee (PlaceCom), Cultural Committee, and Academic Council. These roles demand commitment but give strong exposure and resume value.
  
• CV proofing starts: Every student is asked to submit documentary evidence for every single line on their resume—internship certificates, emails from previous managers, competition awards, etc. Without proof, you cannot retain the point on your CV.
  
• First case competitions are launched: Many top companies release early case competitions in July. Participating (and winning) can sometimes lead directly to internship shortlist opportunities later.
  
• Academics pick up pace: Lectures, quizzes, and group assignments come thick and fast. Students often feel overwhelmed at this stage, especially while juggling club recruitments and case comps.
  

---

August: The CV Freeze

• Final resume version is submitted and locked: After proofing, your resume is “frozen”—you can’t make changes beyond this point. This is the version recruiters will see.
  
• Placement Committee starts sending resumes to companies: PlaceCom now begins sharing resumes with potential internship recruiters based on students’ applications and role preferences.
  
• Academic performance becomes crucial: Your Term 1 GPA will soon become a key filter in recruiter shortlists, eligibility for foreign exchange, and access to certain electives.
  

---

September: Recruiter Interaction Begins

• Job Descriptions (JDs) are released: Companies begin sharing the details of the roles they will hire for during the internship process. These include job profiles, location, required skills, and expected responsibilities.
  
• Application windows open: Students begin applying to roles that align with their interests. You can often apply to multiple firms, but choices must be strategic.
  
• Placement shortlists start rolling in: Recruiters review the applications and select candidates for interviews or further assessments. This process can feel intense and unpredictable.
  
• Term 1 exams take place: The first academic term concludes with final exams, followed by a short 2–4 day break before the second term begins.
  

---

Term 2 (October to December)

October: A New Challenge Begins

• Mock interviews, resume feedback sessions, and case prep are in full flow: The placement ecosystem (and peer groups) become intensely focused on prep—every conversation is geared toward improving your odds.
  
• Summer internship interviews begin: Companies start interviewing shortlisted candidates for summer internships. Processes may include GDs, case interviews, and personal interviews.
  
• Term 1 GPA is released: Students receive both subject-wise and cumulative GPAs. This becomes a benchmark for recruiters as well as for internal academic planning. However, many recruiters may not even consider the GPA and instead shortlist candidates primarily based on their CV. Factors like GPA, CAT percentile, and even category can act as silent filters in the process—though these criteria are rarely disclosed openly.
  
• Academic performance now directly impacts shortlists: Recruiters often use GPA cut-offs for interview eligibility. A strong academic showing early on opens doors.
  

---

November: Internship Season in Full Swing

• 70–75% of students from Tier-1 and Tier-2 colleges get placed: By mid to late November, most students in top B-schools secure their summer internships.
• Top recruiters wrap up early: Leading firms in consulting, FMCG, and investment banking usually finish hiring in the early slots, making this period critical for high-preference roles.
• Unplaced students keep prepping: Those still awaiting offers gear up for niche companies and sector-specific roles in later rounds.

---

December: Wrapping Up

• Remaining interviews continue: Students still unplaced keep appearing for interviews as more companies visit campus.
  
• Academics and club activities continue in parallel: Despite the placement focus, coursework continues with quizzes, group work, and presentations.
  
• Final exams mark the end of Term 2: The trimester ends with academic evaluations, and most students look forward to the short winter break before Term 3 begins.
  
• A short winter break follows: Usually one or two weeks, beginning before or around Christmas—enough time to breathe, travel home, or catch up on what you’ve missed.

---

Term 3 (January to March)

A Breather Before the Internship

• Comparatively lighter academic load: This is often considered the calmest term. Fewer deadlines and relatively less intensity in class allow for strategic planning.
  
• Time to reflect and upskill: Many students use this period to learn Excel, analytics tools, or presentation skills to prepare for their upcoming internships.
  
• Opportunity to start networking on LinkedIn: This is the best time to begin connecting with alumni, industry professionals, and past internship mentors—before you actually need referrals.
  

---

March: Planning for Year 2

• Elective selection guidance begins: Student academic councils and faculty conduct sessions explaining how elective bidding and allocation work.
  
• Your first-year GPA determines elective eligibility: Higher GPA scores give you better chances of getting your preferred electives and specializations.
  
• Final exams conclude Term 3: With first-year academics wrapped up, students now gear up for their summer internships.

---

Bridging Year 1 and Year 2: The Role of the Summer Internship

The summer internship marks the turning point between Year 1 and Year 2. After three intense terms filled with academics, competitions, and self-discovery, you finally step out of campus and into a corporate setting. This 8-week internship is more than just a résumé requirement—it’s your first real test in the industry.

A strong performance here can earn you a PPO (Pre-Placement Offer), significantly reducing the pressure in your final year. It’s also an opportunity to validate (or rethink) your career direction. Whether you’re working in marketing, consulting, operations, or product management, the internship gives you a chance to apply what you’ve learned and gain clarity on where you want to go next.

As you return to campus, you come back with more confidence, clearer goals, and a stronger sense of purpose—ready to take on the final year of your MBA. 

---

Year 2: Terms 4 to 6

Term 4 (June to September)

June: Return to Campus as a Senior

• You now lead the induction process for juniors: The same induction process you once went through is now your responsibility. You’ll help onboard the incoming batch into clubs, committees, and student culture. This is a leadership opportunity and a great chance to mentor.
  
• Room reallocations and administrative formalities repeat: Most institutes reassign hostel rooms in the second year. Some students return to the same rooms; others get fresh allocations based on lottery or preferences.
  
• Live projects and case competitions resume: With the pressure of internships off, students take on more live projects with companies to build their resumes or explore new domains.
  

---

July to August: Building Momentum Again

• CVs are updated and frozen again—this time with internship achievements: You now include your summer internship experiences, quantifiable impact, and feedback into your resume. This becomes your final CV for full-time placement opportunities.
  
• Final placement preparation begins: Institutes begin offering resume review sessions, mock interviews, and alumni panels. This is your window to polish your positioning and plan which roles to apply for.
• If you had networked well earlier, now’s the time to ask about job openings: This is when earlier LinkedIn connections or alumni you engaged with can potentially offer referrals or live project opportunities. It’s much easier to reach out now if the relationship already exists. If you haven’t started yet, begin by making harmless connections with industry professionals—reach out with genuine curiosity to learn about their journey and insights. These low-pressure conversations can build trust and open doors when opportunities arise later.

---

September: International Exchange & Term Close

• 30–35% of students go on foreign exchange programs: Selected students travel to partner universities abroad for an entire term. France, Germany, Singapore, and the U.S. are common destinations. This is a great opportunity for international exposure and cultural learning.
  
• Final exams wrap up Term 4: For those not going on exchange, classes and exams continue as normal, closing out the fourth term.
  
• A brief break follows before Term 5: Usually just a few days long, this break marks the end of core courses. Term 5 is all electives and final placement pressure.
  

---

Term 5 (October to December)

Final Placement Season

• Resume books are sent to recruiters: Your updated and verified resumes are now formally shared with recruiting firms for full-time roles. These are reviewed before companies visit campus.
  
• Cohort-based or Day-Zero placements begin: Depending on your B-school’s placement model, companies either arrive in cohorts (by domain) or on designated days like Day Zero, Day One, etc.
  • Day Zero takes place only at select top-tier B-schools like IIM Ahmedabad, where the most prestigious recruiters—such as elite consulting firms and global investment banks—interview and extend offers to shortlisted candidates.
  • Day One and subsequent days follow with other high-preference firms across industries. The earlier the slot, the higher the prestige and competition typically associated with the roles.
    
• Off-campus roles are also an option if you’ve built relationships early: If you’ve already engaged with professionals in your desired company, you may choose to explore off-campus hiring and even “sign out” of campus placements if successful.
  
• Mock interviews and application prep continue: The Placement Committee and alumni networks often conduct domain-specific interview practice sessions—consulting, product management, finance, etc.
  
• Term 5 ends with final exams: After placements, academic momentum slows down slightly, and the fifth term concludes with evaluations in your chosen electives.
  

---

Term 6 (January to March)

Transitioning Out of B-School

• Fewer academic hours (all electives): Since Term 6 only includes elective subjects, students have more free time. Classes are lighter, and the environment becomes more relaxed.
  
• Start focusing on your post-MBA career path: This is the time to begin preparing for your first job—learning key tools, industry trends, and connecting with future colleagues.
  
• Final exams are conducted in early March: These mark the official end of your MBA academic journey.
  
• Convocation usually happens in late March or April: Graduation ceremonies are held shortly after Term 6 concludes. For most students, this is a time of reflection, celebration, and bittersweet farewells.
  

---

Practical Advice to Maximize Your MBA

• Plan early and stick to timelines: Your MBA schedule will move faster than you expect. Assignments, CV deadlines, case competitions, and placement processes come in rapid succession. The students who succeed aren’t always the most talented—they’re the ones who stay organized. Use a planner or digital tool to map out key deliverables and keep track of dates from Day 1.
  
• Prioritize academics: Your GPA is not just a number—it directly influences your internship shortlists, eligibility for international exchange programs, and access to popular electives. A strong academic record in Term 1 can create momentum for the rest of the program, while a weak start can be hard to recover from.
  
• Build your resume with proof: Everything you list on your CV—internships, projects, leadership roles, certifications—must be backed by verifiable proof. This could be emails, certificates, LinkedIn endorsements, or published work. Start maintaining a dedicated folder from the very beginning, or you’ll scramble when proofing begins.
  
• Network before you “need” something: One of the biggest mistakes students make is reaching out to professionals only when they’re desperate for a job. Instead, start building authentic connections early—talk to alumni, engage with seniors, comment on posts, and ask for advice, not favors. By the time placements come around, you’ll already be on their radar.
  
• Don’t skip mock interviews: Just like you prepared for your MBA interviews, you need to prep for placement interviews—with structure, feedback, and repetition. Practice domain-specific interviews (consulting cases, product management guesstimates, HR questions, etc.) and get feedback from peers or mentors. Mock interviews often reveal gaps you didn’t even know existed.
  
• Focus on mental and physical health: MBA life can be overwhelming—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Late nights, constant pressure, and competition can wear you down. Make time for regular workouts, eat nutritious food, and prioritize sleep. Just as importantly, stay socially connected and speak up if you’re feeling low. Your well-being is the foundation of your performance.

---

Final Thoughts

An MBA isn’t just a degree—it’s a deeply intense, two-year pressure cooker designed to reshape how you think, work, and lead. Every case comp, group project, late-night slide deck, and rejected application contributes to your growth.

It’s exhausting. It’s confusing. But it’s worth it.

Whether you’re heading in or still preparing, keep this roadmap handy. Use it to plan, prepare, and stay ahead. Because when you know what’s coming, you stop reacting—and start leading.