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It goes without saying that the popularity of an <keyword id="6360839" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MBA">MBA</keyword> as a preferred post-graduate degree is unprecedented, with more and more students slogging it out giving numerous exams in the hope of joining an elite B-school and landing a cushy job. 
 
Incase, you're one of the lucky one about to start an MBA, we have some advise. Pause for five minutes and read this. Remember, an MBA degree would be useless if you don't make the most of it. On the other hand, don't let the course rule your life. 
 
To help you, we dug up this <a href="https://www.quora.com/My-MBA-is-about-to-start-What-things-should-I-keep-in-mind-so-that-I-do-not-regret-later-in-life/answer/Deepak-Mehta-2">post</a> by Quora user Deepak Mehta, who went to IIM-Ahmedabad himself. Mehta addresses some key things every MBA student should keep in mind lest they don't have any regrets later. Mehta has divided his ten tips in two sections each- Pre-MBA and during MBA. 
 
Read on: 
 
 
Things you should keep in mind pre-MBA 
 
1. Have a realistic view of the current job scenario: 
Today is not the best time to do an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=mba&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">MBA</a>. The market is already flooded with thousands of us. Plus, the whole Euro crisis is still lingering and particularly the investment bank scenario doesn't look really good. 
 
Growth is still slow. i-Banks are not hiring currently. And even if the entire economic downturn was to completely go away (for example, by magic), they still wouldn't. The reason being that during the boom and just before the bust, they over-hired. 
 
2. Keep a check on expectations: 
It's just another degree. Yes, they do teach you a lot of stuff in 2 years, but that's it. There is nothing magical about the course. It's just that currently the MBA degree is in hype, so you will get he perceived benefit of it. But do not expect that the course will make you the perfect manager or a suave entrepreneur. 
 
3. The news are crap: 
You know, the ones that your family and relatives rub your nose in once every year? The one that glorify a bunch of young, clueless people for having a 2 crore package? It's all crap. No one gets a 2 crore package. The highest you get in India would be Rs 40-45 lakh pa. And that too for i-Banks which are not hiring currently. Anything else would be a maximum of Rs 30lakh pa. And this too would be raked in by the top 5% of the batch. International salaries seem pretty high in absolute terms, but do remember to also factor in the PPP index to get a more realistic view. 
 
4. Be ready to slog it out: 
The MBA will be far more hectic than your undergrad. This is true irrespective of the college. So be ready for sleepless nights, multiple simultaneous deadlines, a few failures and stressful times.Also, there will be a lot of people far more intelligent, hard-working than you. So be ready to face really tough competition. 
 
5. If you have time, develop your resume: 
Admission is just the beginning. There's an entire trilogy after that - summer placements, final placements and then finally long-term job satisfaction.For the first two, you will need a stellar CV in order to maximize your chances of landing your dream job. So, utilize all the time you have now. Pep up your resume. Start reading up about economics and finance. There's literally thousands of resources - free e-books, blogs, courses, certifications on the internet. 
 
Things you should keep in mind during the MBA 
 
1. Academics: 
Make the most of what you get during these 2 years. Attend all classes. Read as much as you can.Work smart. Exams aren't the perfect measure of ability and intelligence. However, they are the norm and you have to deal with it. So game the system. Go through previous years' papers. Know the most crucial and oft-asked concepts. Research about the type of questions that are asked for various subjects - case studies, MCQs, theory, calculation-intensive. Customize your prep plan accordingly. 
 
2. Co-curriculars: 
Make sure you have a decently diversified resume. Participate in case study competitions, B-plans, paper presentations. The exposure will be a really intense learning experience. 
 
3. Clubs: 
Follow the golden rule: Be part of 3 clubs - one that will help you with the placements, one that is in line with your interests and will help you hone your skills, one for fun.Do not overload yourself. Know when to say "no" or to walk away. People usually take on more responsibilities than they can manage. Don't do it. 
 
4. Having fun: 
As goes with everything, do not let one part of your life dominate the others. Hang out with friends, get drunk, go out on unplanned excursions, say yes to that late night movie even though you are extremely tired. Friends are always good to have. Make sure you have a few to last you more than 2 years. 
 
5. The dreaded <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=SOCIAL+MEDIA&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">social media</a>: 
When you are a student, it is fine to have an archaic<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=LINKEDIN&amp;sortorder=effectivedate"> LinkedIn </a>profile or a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=FACEBOOK&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Facebook</a> feed filled with stupid stuff teens do. However, recruiters nowadays actively scourge the social media profiles of potential candidates. So clean up your act, especially before placements. Do not let something as random as a stupid website ruin your chances.

10 things every MBA aspirant in India should keep in mind

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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"><html><body><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Have you ever wanted to see Earth from space? Or ask a question at a conference without having to climb over people to get to the mic? Or maybe tip someone when you've run out of cash?Fortunately, some of the brightest entrepreneurs in the tech industry have made those things possible. Startups like World View Enterprises, Crowd Mics, and Tip.ly have worked diligently to find solutions to problems many of us face on a regular basis. Because of World View, astronauts will no longer be the only ones who can enjoy the mind-blowing views of Earth from space. The creators of Crowd Mics are boosting audience participation at conferences and meetings by allowing audience members to turn their phones into microphones. And the brains behind Tip.ly are working to make our reliance on cash become obsolete. At first glance, these startups sound like ventures we'd expect from tech hotbed cities like Silicon Alley or New York. But in reality, these exciting enterprises are located in a part of the country currently experiencing a radical tech transformation: Arizona. Here's a look at the tech startups that are working to disrupt industries such as medicine, education, space, and payments. <h3 class="p1">A round-trip ticket to space. </h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Company: <a href="http://worldviewexperience.com/" target="_blank">World View Enterprises</a>Located: Tucson, ArizonaAstronauts that have been to space often attest to the awe and beauty of seeing Earth from the stratosphere. Fortunately, the founders of World View Enterprises have developed a way to bring that life-altering experience to those outside of NASA. Using high-altitude balloons, passengers (which World View refers to as Voyagers) are transported up to space within a comfortable, technology-equipped space capsule. The capsule takes roughly two hours to ascend into space, and once it reaches maximum altitude, Voyagers can enjoy breathtaking views of Mother Earth for two hours before descending. Throughout the trip passengers have access to refreshments and even WiFi (because nothing beats taking a selfie from space). Tickets aren't cheap, priced at $75,000 for early birds, with a $7,500 non-refundable handling fee (included in the $75,000 ticket). World View recently <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/world-view-balloon-lofts-nasa-experiments-near-space-heights-n320216" target="_blank">rented out its helium balloons</a> to NASA to carry out experiments for Montana State and the University of North Florida. <h3 class="p1">Making sure everyone's voice is heard.</h3>Company: <a href="http://crowdmics.com/" target="_blank">Crowd Mics</a> Located: Mesa, ArizonaHow many times have you been to a conference and wanted to ask a question but were just too shy to walk up to the microphone? With Crowd Mics, you can now ask questions and engage with large audiences without leaving your seat. Crowd Mics transforms any smartphone into a wireless microphone during live events with no additional hardware. The moderator plugs a mobile device into the sound system and connects to the WiFi. Audience members simply download the Crowd Mics app for free and connect to the same WiFi. Once their phones are connected, their voices can be projected throughout the room. If people are too shy to speak, they can text their questions to the moderator directly from their seat. Organizations like Arizona State University, Salesforce, and Univision have already embraced the audience interaction technology. <h3 class="p1">Say good-bye to cash tips. </h3>Company: <a href="https://tip.ly/" target="_blank">Tip.ly</a>Located: Phoenix, ArizonaEver wanted to tip a delivery guy more but found you didn't have enough? Or worse, didn't have anything at all? Well, there's an app for that. With Tip.ly, users can send tips to service employees through a click of a button. First, register to give tips through the app with your PayPal or banking information, take a photo of the person you want to tip (the app uses "Face Tip Technology" to recognize faces), then select the amount you want to send - and voila, you're done.The person receiving the tip can claim his money within 14 days by creating a Tip.ly account of his own. Entrepreneurs Stephen Campbell and Tim Baldwin developed the peer-to-peer mobile payment application to help tippers gain freedom from cash and tippees acquire more tips. As a bonus, business owners in the service industry can save money on processing credit card tips when patrons tip employees through Tip.ly. <h3 class="p1">Revolutionizing how students and professionals learn medicine. </h3>Company: <a href="http://picmonic.com/" target="_blank">Picmonic</a>Located: Tempe, ArizonaIt's no secret that everyone learns differently, but scientific evidence has shown that audio and visuals are extremely useful with memorization. Enter Picmonic. The software company, founded in 2011, helps medical professionals and students retain life-saving knowledge using interactive audiovisual mnemonics. Users are able to craft individualized study cards using fun and engaging audiovisuals, helping them retain information longer and score higher on exams. The breakthrough software is already being used in 74 countries with users boasting a 331% improvement in memory. <h3 class="p1">A dress rehearsal for surgery.</h3>Company: <a href="http://endovantage.com/" target="_blank">EndoVantage</a>Located: Scottsdale, ArizonaEndoVantage's technology is helping surgeons prep for major surgeries like never before. Within the EndoVantage Interventional Suite (EVIS), doctors can utilize real patient data to plan specific endovascular treatments and then review those outcomes before they even step into the operating room. A doctor uploads a patient's medical images, selects a treatment device, watches simulations of these devices being deployed, and then receives 3D results to determine which treatments work best for his patient. EVIS is also being used to design and test endovascular devices without endangering any patients.This post is sponsored by <a href="http://www.azcommerce.com/" target="_blank">Arizona Commerce Authority</a>.Find out <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sponsor-posts">more about Sponsored Content</a>.</body></html>Follow BI Studios on <a href="https://twitter.com/bi_studios_" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BusinessInsiderStudios" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.

5 Arizona-based tech startups that are disrupting industries like medicine and space

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>FA Insights is a daily newsletter from Business Insider that delivers the top news and commentary for financial advisors.<a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2015/02/12/wall-street-battle-for-derek-jeter-and-his-wallet/">Wall Street banks are fighting Derek Jeter's business </a>(Fox Business) There is a battle brewing on Wall Street between Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley over control of Derek Jeter's vast fortune, which is worth an estimated $200 million.Fox Business' Charlie Gasparino reports Jeter is being recruited "not only as a brokerage client to manage his enormous net worth, but also to serve as an investment banker to finance Jeter's business ventures, including his dream of purchasing a major league baseball team." It appears Morgan Stanley has an early leg up as Jeter was spotted having dinner with an executive from the company earlier this week in Midtown Manhattan. <a href="http://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/20150212-streettalk-live-rising-interest-rates-long-term-stock-returns">A look at how stocks respond to rising interest rates</a> (Advisor Perspectives)As expectations mount the US Federal Reserve will move off the zero bound, more analysts have begun to discuss the impact a rate hike has on stocks."While rising interest rates may not "initially" drag on asset prices, it is a far different story to suggest that they won't. In fact, there have been absolutely ZERO times in history that the Federal Reserve has begun an interest rate hiking campaign that has not eventually led to a negative outcome," writes Lance Roberts. <a href="http://www.fa-mag.com/news/no-plans-for-more-advisor-fees--congressman-says-20806.html">Congressman suggests fees for advisors will not increase</a> (Financial Advisor) "The House subcommittee overseeing the SEC has no plans to allow the regulator to impose fees on financial advisors to increase exams," reports Financial Advisor. Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters is expected to proceed with legislation seeking new fees on advisors, but even she admits the chances of passage are small. "The industry wants it. We have to show this is the kind of public policy we want to fight for," Waters said.<a href="http://wealthmanagement.com/retirement-planning/planning-alzheimer-s">Some tips on preparing financially for Alzheimer's</a> (WealthManagement.com)The costs of long-term care are high, and that is why it's best to plan in advance. According to Genworth data, the average length of care requires three years and costs $260,000 in a nursing home and $136,000 in-home. "Wealthier families may be able to self-insure, although experts say that you would need about $500,000 to $750,000 to have a 95% assurance of having what you might need," suggests Wealth Management.<a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20150213/BLOG12/150219965/consumers-are-saving-at-the-gas-pump-but-not-spending-at-the-mall">The money consumers are saving from low gas prices is not being spent</a> (MarketWatch)The recent crash in oil prices was expected to provide a boost to consumer spending; however, that has not exactly played out.Jeffry Bartash reports, "Some analysts suggest the scars from the Great Recession still linger in the minds of millions of Americans and that their cautious behavior is unlikely change anytime soon. Other analysts also to point to higher housing and health-care costs as potentially siphoning off some of the gas savings and leaving consumers not much better off." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-men-cheat-affair-love-sex-psychotherapist-2015-1">Research Reveals Why Men Cheat, And It's Not What You Think</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="9vdnlycjo8Di2vj5XaYNQCb3Cc2NYbee" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Two Wall Street firms are trying to get Derek Jeter's business

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Starting in freelancing is tough, and mistakes can easily put you under.</li><li>These successful freelancers overcame their mistakes, but advise that you avoid them from the beginning.</li><li>Avoid giving too much of your time away for free and always specify a contract, they said.</li><li>They also recommended vetting your clients to ensure that you would be a good match and constantly selling yourself.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/prime">Click here for more BI Prime stories.</a></li></ul>Making rookie mistakes in your freelance business can doom your enterprise to failure before you've even had time to gain traction. But even veteran freelancers are not immune to the occasional slip-up or setback that can lead to the loss of clients or steady income."It's not that surprising that so many freelance businesses go under, when many freelancers don't think about staying afloat," wrote freelance writer Rajiv Sighamony in a 2017 <a href="https://speckyboy.com/freelance-business-failure/">blog post</a>. "They set out to seek their fortune, giving no thought to the fact that they've set sail in a colander."As an alternative to the leaky-boat approach, Business Insider interviewed several freelancers on the biggest mistakes that they've made while practicing their trade, with their rear-view insights on how you can avoid a similar fate.<h1>1. Sharing too much expertise for free</h1>Freelance virtual assistant and blogger <a href="https://www.phyllispometta.com/">Phyllis Pometta</a> confessed that the biggest mistake she's made as a freelancer has been giving away too much billable information to prospects without getting paid for her time and expertise. Pometta recalled times when potential clients had arranged for a discovery call with her - presumably to explore her services - and ended up picking her brain and extracting valuable information that was part of what she was supposed to be selling. "I would often provide information - sometimes detailed - as to what I could do and would do during our 30-minute discussion," said Pometta. "However, I'd also give some tips/advice that should have been paid for. I like to show my kindness as well as my knowledge, but sometimes that can be taken advantage of." As a result of this error in judgment, the freelancer found out more than once after sending a proposal that the prospect was hiring another virtual assistant because they charged less - and most likely took Pometta's trade secrets to her competitor. Because of this experience, Pometta no longer offers her expertise for free as part of exploratory calls, and she recommended that other freelancers follow her lead.Now, she "sticks to the script," not offering any additional information until she has a signed contract in hand. By doing this, the freelancer has controlled her time and avoided being taken advantage of, and works only with people who value her worth and skills. "Previously, as I was talking to potential clients, I would brainstorm while I was on the call," Pometta explained. "Their 30-minute consult then turned into an hour conversation on what they could do. Now, I stick to what they specifically asked for in their discovery interview and don't go into so much depth right off the bat." To help keep these conversations focused, she aims to keep the discussion within the scheduled 30-minute time slot without running over. She does like to give prospects one key take away from that initial conversation that makes them think, "I never thought of that ..." and encourages them to hire her.<h1>2. Working without a contract</h1>Marc Andre currently does some part-time work as a freelance writer for <a href="https://vitaldollar.com/">Vital Dollar</a> and previously was a freelance web designer as a sole proprietor. He remembered that several years ago, when he first started freelancing, he made the mistake of working with clients without a contract. "I knew that I should be using a contract to protect myself, but I was just starting out and I felt like I wasn't good enough or experienced enough to use a contract," Andre admitted. "I felt insecure being a beginner and thought that if I asked clients to sign a contract, they would think I was overstepping." Andre recognized that this mistake hurt him in two specific situations. In one case, he had started working with a client, putting time into her assignments, but she disappeared and stopped communicating with him mid-project without paying him. Since the client hadn't signed any contract with Andre, he had no definitive recourse to take action and recover his pay. In the second situation, Andre was working with a client that had some unrealistic expectations about the scope of work for the project. Since he didn't have a contract that specified the work, the project kept growing and took much longer than anticipated.Andre now advises other freelancers to use a contract with each and every one of their clients, whether they are first starting out or have been in the game for a while. He said that based on his experience, there is no reason to dread talking about contracts with a client - especially because, assuming the contract is fair and balanced, having it protects both parties, so most clients will probably prefer to sign one to have some protection as well. "I think my fears [of using a contract] were unjustified, and once I started using contracts, clients seemed to view me as being more professional," he said. "That client probably deals with contracts whenever they hire other contractors or freelancers." In terms of how and when to introduce a contract into the conversation, Andre suggested talking about the contract whenever you're discussing the terms, timeline, and payment schedule of the project. "You'll probably estimate the amount of time that you'll need in order to complete the project, and you'll present them with a proposal or a quote," he said. "Your proposal should lay out the timeline and order of events. If the total price of the project is $3,000 and you want to get 50% up front, the proposal or quote should cover those details." Andre added that you should tell the client that the project will begin when both parties have signed the contract and the initial payment has been made. That way, the client will know that they should expect to receive a contract, and if they have any questions about it you can work out those details together before moving forward.<h1>3. Ignoring your intuition and red flags </h1>Digital marketing consultant Michael LaLonde has been a freelancer and operated his own small agency, <a href="https://londes.com">LDM</a>, for almost a decade. LaLonde pointed to failing to listen to his own instincts during initial conversations with potential clients as his biggest mistake as a freelancer."Those initial calls are crucial for understanding the kind of businessperson you're working with and whether or not you'll get along," LaLonde said. "There are a lot of different styles, approaches, and philosophies when it comes to not only the projects themselves, but the kinds of relationships that form between the company and you as a freelancer. LaLonde explained that being aware of this reality - and recognizing relationships that will work and those that won't - are key to doing good work, as well as just keeping your sanity as an independent worker. Long-term relationships are vital to freelancing successfully without constantly selling, which many freelancers would prefer to avoid. So figuring out how to effectively evaluate potential relationships during initial calls, looking for red flags, and honestly evaluating whether a client is the right fit for you are key to establishing a long and happy freelancing career.LaLonde recalled several times when he ignored his instincts to abandon a new client and regretted it. In his case, red-flag clients included people who thought they knew more than he did about his specialty, were more focused on learning what he was doing than working together, or who vented a long list of complaints about previous providers. "Some freelancers are happy to babysit clients like that, but I'm not one of them," LaLonde stated. "Sooner or later, things will come to a head, and you'll part ways not on the best of terms due to these incompatibilities." To help other freelancers avoid his own mistakes, LaLonde suggested evaluating yourself and how you work best, as that allows you to recognize clients who are compatible with your working style - as well as those who are a poor fit. "If you can afford to, don't compromise it," LaLonde said. "Stick to your strengths, and look for those great matches."<h1>4. Only marketing yourself when you need work </h1>Cyrus Vanover, founder of the <a href="http://www.frugalbudgeter.com">Frugal Budgeter</a> and freelance copywriter, told Business Insider that he still struggles with his biggest freelance mistake: stopping his marketing efforts when he is fully booked, rather than continuing to search for new business. Vanover shared a recent example of making this error. Last spring, he landed a writing project with a company that offers online courses. His job was to go through each chapter of a textbook and create PowerPoint slides, write study questions, and also create a bank of test questions for the chapter and final exams.It was a three-month project to complete the course, and the client indicated that he was pleased with Vanover's work, assuring the freelancer that he had "many more courses that needed to be developed" after this one was completed."Thinking I had hit the freelancing jackpot, I completely stopped marketing my services," Vanover confessed. "I thought I had enough work to keep me busy full-time through the end of the year, and possibly longer."After completing the first course, however, the company made the decision to pause the development of new courses for the foreseeable future. "And just like that, I was out of work," Vanover said. "I then had to start marketing my services again to land more work. In some ways, the experience felt like starting my freelancing business all over again."He added, "It's easy to become complacent as a freelancer when you have more work than you can handle and think the good times are going to continue without marketing your services. But it rarely works that way."To put an end to the "feast or famine" cycle of freelancing, Vanover said to constantly market your services, even during periods when you have work coming out of your ears. He suggested that there are many different ways that freelancers can effectively market their services, including the popular method of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/six-figure-freelance-writer-cold-email-land-new-client">cold emailing</a>."In a cold email, you both introduce yourself and offer your services," he explained. "A variation of this is the warm email where a connection is first made with a client (to warm them up), and then you offer your services."His own marketing strategy involves the use of LinkedIn rather than email. "People on LinkedIn are much more receptive to pitches than with email," Vanover said. "LinkedIn is for business, after all. It's expected. After connecting with a marketing manager on LinkedIn, a freelancer can then initiate a conversation to make an introduction and pitch his or her services."He added that after optimizing his LinkedIn profile with keywords that people are searching for (for example, "freelance financial writer"), he does occasionally have people contact him about his services. "Like Google, LinkedIn is a search engine," Vanover said. "The main difference is instead of getting links to websites when you do a search, you get people's profiles."Vanover concluded that marketing is so important that it should be the first thing you do in the morning before starting work on any freelance projects."This doesn't guarantee you will always have freelance work, of course, but it can go a long way in stabilizing your income," Vanover said.

The 4 biggest mistakes to avoid as a freelancer and how to overcome them if you've already made them, according to veterans who've been there, done that

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/5518035282/">Official U.S. Navy Page/Flickr</a></div></div>It doesn't matter how old you are: next time you interview for a job, be prepared to share your SAT scores.
In the timeless quest to predict future success in employees, a number of employers are turning to candidates' SAT results. Big-name consulting firms such as <a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/" target="_blank">McKinsey</a> and <a href="http://www.bain.com/" target="_blank">Bain</a>, as well as banks like <a href="http://www.goldmansachs.com/?cid=PS_01_05_07_00_00_00_01" target="_blank">Goldman Sachs</a>, are among the companies that ask newly minted college grads for their scores in job applications, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303636404579395220334268350" target="_blank">according to an article in the Wall Street Journal</a>. Some other companies request scores even from candidates in their 40s and 50s.
For all these job seekers, the SATs are a distant memory. Even the newest Bachelor's recipients tend to be at least four years removed from the test. So why is it that even after people go to college, mature, and gain work experience, employers still care about a standardized test taken in high school?
Jonathan Wai, an intelligence expert and researcher in <a href="http://tip.duke.edu/" target="_blank">Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP)</a>, says the SATs are considered to be a measure of "general intelligence and general ability." That's important because research has shown that general ability "actually predicts occupational success across a range of occupations," he explains. 
The SATs also appeal to many hiring managers because they're standardized. In theory, these test scores serve as an equalizer and mediate some of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-problem-with-job-interviews-2013-6" target="_blank">well-documented biases</a> that normally influence the hiring process. For example, it's been found that managers generally prefer hiring people that are similar to them - be it in education, background, interests, or personality. This is called a "similarity bias."
The beauty of the SATs is that everyone takes them at the same time, with roughly the same level (if not quality) of education. In the broadest sense, someone's score on the SAT offers a glimpse of how they compare to other candidates in terms of general knowledge and ability. "It's standardized, and it's objective in that sense," Wai says.
Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder and CEO of Amazon, is one of the most famous proponents of using SAT scores in hiring decisions. Bezos scored highly on a standardized IQ test when he was only 8 years old, and in his early days as a manager, he liked to ask candidates for their SAT results in interviews he conducted. <a href="http://qz.com/163262/even-as-a-child-jeff-bezos-was-a-data-obsessed-workaholic-genius/" target="_blank">He has said that</a> "hiring only the best and brightest was key to Amazon's success."
Despite the benefits of using SATs in hiring, Wai admits the test is "not a perfect measure by any means" and questions how widespread its use as a hiring tool really is. He's also not sure how long the scores should be considered valid for. After all, he points out, scores on the GRE, the graduate school entrance exam, are good for only five years. That raises an obvious question for companies like Cvent Inc., which asks for SAT or equivalent ACT scores from job applicants of all ages, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303636404579395220334268350" target="_blank">the Wall Street Journal reports</a>.
Wai hopes the emphasis employers like Cvent Inc. put on standardized tests won't encourage recent college graduates and experienced workers to start retaking the SATs. For one, people's scores probably wouldn't change much, he says. Additionally, the SAT would no longer offer the benefit of standardization if people were reporting scores from all different points in their lives instead of the score they got in high school.
 Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through his
personal investment company Bezos Expeditions.

Why Goldman Sachs, Bain, And McKinsey Ask Job Candidates For Their SAT Scores

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"></div></div>
Not everyone has a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/when-to-hire-a-financial-adviser-2014-11">financial adviser</a>, and not everyone has the time to read a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance-books-young-people-2014-9">personal finance book</a>.
Luckily, there's the internet.
We've made learning about money easier for you by compiling a list of some of our go-to websites for money advice.
Happy browsing.
<h3>1. Investopedia</h3>
Why we like it: <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/">Investopedia's</a> dictionary is great for finding easy-to-understand, comprehensive definitions of financial terms or concepts.
It also provides tutorials on everything from income taxes to becoming a landlord. The site even features study guides for nationally administered finance exams.
Best for: Looking up the definition of a <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/qtip.asp">QTIP Trust</a> and figuring out if you need one.
<h3>2. Kiplinger</h3>
Why we like it: The digital component to the magazine "Kiplinger's," the site features a broad range of topics from investing to real estate. If your eyes usually glaze over a few paragraphs into an article about money, <a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/">Kiplinger</a> is a good option because its insight often comes in the form of slideshows and quizzes.
Best for: Keeping on top of the latest investing news.
<h3>3. Wise Bread</h3>
<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>Why we like it: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/">Wise Bread</a> refers to itself as "personal finance and frugal living forums." If you want to learn how to save money from everyday people, this is the place to go. Wise Bread writers share both their own experiences and tips.
Best for: Advice on the everyday challenges of spending less and saving more.
<h3>4. Credit.com</h3>
Why we like it: Creating a free account with <a href="https://www.credit.com/">Credit.com</a> gives you access to your credit score, which has far-reaching effects on aspects of your life such as the interest rate you pay on loans and mortgages, and even the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bad-credit-raises-insurance-2014-10">price you pay for insurance</a>.
Plus, the site has a regular lineup of articles examining the intricacies of credit, as well as diving into topics such as identity theft and homeownership.
Best for: Figuring out why your credit score keeps dropping.
<h3>5. LearnVest</h3>
Why we like it: Working with a LearnVest financial planner costs money, but the articles on its website are free. <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/knowledge-center/">LearnVest</a> offers personal stories about money and advice from financial planners, but it also has a wide range of tools: calculators, videos, checklists for major life milestones, and a budgeting tool that also comes in the form of an app. 
Best for: Reading what certified financial planners think about budgeting, spending, saving, and more.
<h3>6. NerdWallet</h3>
<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>Why we like it: <a href="http://www.nerdwallet.com/">NerdWallet</a> is all about comparison. You can compare credit and debit cards, mortgages, investment accounts, and banks, to name a few.
Every year they pick the best for each category and feature that on their site as well. 
Best for: Finding the highest-yield savings account to store your money.
<h3>7. Quora</h3>
Why we like it: <a href="https://www.quora.com/">Quora</a> requires you to create a free account, and you can sign up through Google, Facebook, or Twitter. The site describes itself as "the best answer to any question," so next time you're struggling with a specific money issue, search Quora to see if anyone else has experienced the same struggle and provided a solution. You might also come across some unsolicited - but very helpful - money advice. 
Best for: Readers who already have a basic understanding of financial concepts.
<h3>8. CNN Money</h3>
Why we like it: If you're more interested in breaking news that has to do with money, you'll like <a href="http://money.cnn.com/">CNN Money</a>. The site is great at answering the question of how current events apply to and affect your finances. CNN Money covers personal finance as well as featuring articles on the economy, small businesses, and luxury.
Best for: Learning how the news affects your money.
<h3>9. I Will Teach You To Be Rich</h3>
<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>Why we like it: The author of the bestselling "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761147489?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=iwillteachyou-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0761147489">I Will Teach You To be Rich,</a>" Ramit Sethi, created his <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/">website of the same name</a> for people who are looking for the "big wins."
Sethi provides advice on topics like finding your dream job, making more money, and starting your own business. 
Best for: Psyching yourself up to earn more.
<h3>10. New York Times: Your Money Section</h3>
Why we like it: If you prefer reading longer pieces with more of a narrative, the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/your-money/index.html">New York Times Your Money section</a> is the place to go. While the larger paper provides news and insight about changes in the financial industry and the global economy, Your Money distills this news and tackles money management for the individual.
Best for: Following the ins and outs of new financial regulations, rules, and changes.
<h3>11. Rockstar Finance</h3>
Why we like it: The creator of <a href="http://rockstarfinance.com/">Rockstar Finance</a>, "J. Money," also has his own personal finance blog, <a href="http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/">Budgets Are Sexy</a>. He curates the best money articles from a wide web of personal finance bloggers and writers - "rockstars" - and then shares them on Rockstar Finance. You can sign up by email to stay up to date and receive the new rockstar articles daily. 
Best for: Reading essays and reflections from personal finance bloggers across the web.

11 Websites That Will Make You Smarter About Money

<div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image">REUTERS/ Eddie Keogh </div></div>FA Insights is a daily newsletter from Business Insider that delivers the top news and commentary for financial advisors.
<a href="http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=624015">5 Things Everyone Needs To Keep In Mind As They Prepare To Rebalance Their Portfolios</a> (Morningstar) 
Stock market gains have been strong in recent years, many might consider rebalancing their portfolios now. Christine Benz, director of personal finance at Morningstar has five tips to get this done. 1. "Assess asset allocation across multiple asset pools." Investors might have different "pools of money" but asset allocation is more important for all of them as a whole than it is for individual portfolios of IRAs, company retirement accounts and so on. 2. "Address asset-class/sub-asset-class weightings all at once." Look at asset, sector or geographic allocations, do them together. 3. "Keep tax efficiency in mind." 4. "Be prepared to tinker." This is more likely in the case of actively managed funds. 5. "Get over your trepidation about buying bonds." 
<a href="http://www.fa-mag.com/news/target-date-fund-use-in-401-k--plans-increasing-16405.html">The Use Of Target-Date Funds In 401(k) Plans Rises In 2012 </a>(FA Mag)<a href="http://www.fa-mag.com/news/target-date-fund-use-in-401-k--plans-increasing-16405.html"></a>
Target date funds are funds that rebalance assets based on a future date, and typically get more conservative closer to retirement. And the use of target date funds inf 401(k) plans continues to increase, according to a report by the Investment Company Institute and the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The report found that 41% of 401(k) participants held target-date funds in 2012 with 15% of their assets invested in them. This compared with 39% that held target-date funds at the end of 2011 the previous year, with 13% of their assets invested in them.
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/patrick-chovanec-on-the-spike-in-chinese-interbank-rates-2013-12">The Biggest Financial Story In The World Is Playing Out In China</a> (Business Insider)
Forget the Fed taper, the biggest financial story in the world right now is playing out in China, according to Patrick Chovanec, chief strategist at Silvercrest Asset Management. China's seven-day repurchase rate climbed to 8.94% and some argue that this is a repeat of the credit crunch we saw in June. But what's the biggest take away from this? "I think it's starting to dawn on people just how fragile, and what's the word I'm looking for, tangled China's financial system has become," Chovanec told Business Insider. "A lot of people say they hold $3.5 trillion in reserves, they own the banks, which is all true, though the bit about the $3.5 trillion in reserves is irrelevant. But people would say stuff like it's inconceivable that we would see any form of financial instability in China. Well what we're seeing is a form of financial instability. "It takes place in the context of a week ago when a major trust blowing up. So it's not some kind of isolated thing, we see yields rising across the board, we've seen a major trust product blow up, the latest of many that did not garner the same attention. Credit risk is rising, you talk to most Chinese officials, they'll admit credit risk is rising. And we see overall debt levels rise dramatically in China. And we've got the interbank lending market, which is keeping everyone from defaulting, is on the verge of a breakdown. Because once you get above 10% the market begins to break down."
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sp-500-returns-after-strong-years-2013-12">Strong Years For Stocks Are Followed By More Strong Years For Stocks</a> (LPL Financial)<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sp-500-returns-after-strong-years-2013-12"> </a>
The S&amp;P 500 is expected to give 25 - 30% returns in 2013 and some worry that we're in for a correction in the new year. But LPL Financial's Jeff Kleintop writes that 25-30% returns aren't that rare, and have occurred in five other years. The S&amp;P 500 has offered 15%-20% returns in eleven years. 
"Historically after a one-year total return in the 25-30% range, the S&amp;P 500 has followed it up by more solid years of gains," according to Kleintop. "In fact, most of the years were actually followed by several years of strong gains, as was the case in 1943, 2003, and 2009."
<div class="image-container"><div class="image">LPL Financial</div></div>
<a href="http://www.finra.org/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2013/P412648">FINRA Is Proposing A New System To Spot Red Flags In Sales Misconduct</a> (FINRA)<a href="http://www.finra.org/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2013/P412648"> </a>
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is looking for comments on a proposal called Comprehensive Automated Risk Data System (CARDS) that could help it spot "'red flags' of sales practice misconduct and help us identify potential business conduct problems with firms, branches and registered representatives," FINRA's executive vice president Susan Axelrod said in a press release. 
"In its first phase, the CARDS program will increase FINRA's ability to protect the investing public by utilizing automated analytics on brokerage data to identify problematic sales practice activity. FINRA plans to analyze CARDS data before examining firms on site, thereby identifying risks earlier and shifting work away from the on-site exam process."

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