Texas McCombs MBA Video Assessment

Texas McCombs has always been at the forefront of innovation and continuous improvement, consistently seeking new ways to enhance the application process for prospective MBA candidates. In line with our school mission and values, we are introducing a dynamic video assessment component, offering an alternative approach to a more traditional essay and interview format. Given all applicants will complete the video assessment, MBA candidates will have increased access to the Admissions Committee and the opportunity to share their stories with us in their own voice. Through the video assessment, the Admissions Committee will have a chance to experience the “real” you, beyond a resume, test scores, and transcripts. Lastly, the video assessment will enable Texas McCombs to reduce bias in the admissions process by providing all applicants with a structured and consistent assessment experience.
All applicants will be required to complete the Video Assessment shortly after submitting an application. Applicants have 7 days to complete the assessment upon receiving access to the video submission platform.
There will be 5 question prompts and applicants will have 1-3 minutes to answer each prompt.

What is the Admissions Committee Looking For?

This application requirement helps the Admissions Committee better understand who you are in your own voice and allows us to assess your communication skills. Within the video assessment we are evaluating the following competencies, important for every Texas McCombs MBA student:

Adaptability/Resilience

We are looking for applicants that demonstrate adaptability and resilience through their positive mindset and ability to navigate unexpected circumstances and change. Successful applicants see failure as a learning experience and an opportunity to grow, demonstrated by their coachability and openness to feedback.

Motivation

The Admissions Committee is looking for applicants with a genuine interest in pursuing an MBA and a clear understanding of how it will help to achieve their professional goals. Applicants should understand why Texas McCombs is the right place to pursue their studies and show enthusiasm for their goals and our MBA program.

Empathy/Inclusivity

Texas McCombs MBA students demonstrate empathy by understanding others’ perspectives. The Admissions Committee is looking for candidates that advocate for under-represented voices and navigate difficult conversations/situations appropriately. Successful applicants embrace and work within diverse teams.

Collaboration

We are looking for applicants that demonstrate strong collaboration skills with their ability to strategically position themselves in a group due to their self-awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. They are easy to work with and comfortable relying on others’ strengths.

Ambition

The Admissions Committee is looking for candidates that demonstrate ambition and have the ability to deliver results. They show the potential to strategically synthesize information to solve complex problems at a high level. They utilize an enterprising and tenacious approach to problem-solving and are intellectually curious.

Goals

A strong applicant puts significant thought and consideration into their decision-making in applying for this program. They have a long-term vision of how they plan to achieve their goals.

Well-Roundedness

We are looking for applicants that are able to explain what drives them outside of work and career. They are well-rounded and display interests and passions in their personal life. Their personality is shaped by various hobbies or interests.

Verbal Communication

The Admissions Committee is looking for candidates that are excellent verbal communicators. They are proficient and skilled in speaking and presenting in the English language, and they can articulate their thoughts clearly. Strong applicants are engaging, and they can think on their feet.

Professionalism/Poise

Strong applicants display maturity, poise, answers questions, and conduct themselves in a professional manner. They present themselves professionally and can conduct themselves appropriately in a business setting.

Tips for Completing Your Video Assessment

The video assessment is your official opportunity to share your story, provide examples, and tell us why you chose McCombs in your own voice, like no one else can. Take advantage of this opportunity! It can be just the thing the Admissions Committee needs to understand the rest of your application elements and gives us the chance to get to know you better.

Practice: You will have the ability to practice responding to test questions for as long as you wish. Take advantage of the opportunity! The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be with the technology when answering the real prompts.
Test Technology: Virtual Assessments are conducted through the Kira platform. It will require a desktop or laptop computer (no iPhones/iPads) with a functioning webcam, microphone, and internet connection. We recommend connecting directly to your internet for the most reliable internet connection – and make sure you have plenty of charge on your laptop or that you are plugged in! Most browsers are compatible (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera) but the platform will not work well on Safari.
Pace Yourself: A big reason that we limit responses to three minutes is because it is GREAT practice for your MBA experience. Keeping responses concise, yet clear, is important when recruiting for U.S.-based jobs. However, make sure you are answering the question in full! Those practice questions will be a great way to gauge what three minutes actually feels like when responding to a question.
Be Professional, but Loosen Up: If you still find yourself nervous, practice your answers in front of a mirror or with a friend or colleague and ask them how you did. Did you answer the question? Did you rush through it? Take a moment to outline your answer in your mind first, and then address it calmly and confidently.  Don’t get too comfortable, though. While we’re an easy-going group, maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism is always a good idea. This includes professional language and attire.

Examples of actual video questions:

Tell me about a time when you failed. What did you learn from it?
What do you expect to get out of the McCombs MBA program? What do you expect will challenge you?
Tell me about a time you were on a project team and one member of the team was introverted/shy. How did you get him/her involved and what was the result?
What are your immediate career goals and backup plan?
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Tell me about a project you spearheaded where you had to use multiple types of leadership. What was the result?
Tell me about a complex problem you solved. How did you solve it?
What is your short term goal and why. What is your backup plan in case the short term plan and why. How do these plans fit in with your background.
Time you had to overcome challenges when working with a diverse team and practice inclusivity. How did they feel about it. What was the Outcome?
Time when you had to change your plans at the last moment and how you handled the situation. What was the result?
What do you do in your free time and what do you gain from it?
Some question revolving about why McCombs. Don’t remember the specific prompt.
What is your biggest passion outside of work, and why?
What makes you unique and how will you contribute to the class and McCombs community? Please be specific in your answer.
Tell us about a time when you overcommitted yourself to multiple initiatives or responsibilities and failed to deliver on some of them. How did you react to this situation? What were your next steps and what was the outcome?
How does an MBA from Texas McCombs fit into your professional trajectory?
Tell us about a time when you stood up for someone who you felt was being mistreated. How did you navigate this situation? How did that person respond?
Please tell me about a time when you worked in a team environment with individuals who had difficulty collaborating. How did you approach the situation and what was the outcome?
Tell us about a time you had to consider a lot of different information to solve a complex problem. How were you able to accomplish this and why was it important to you? Please be specific and detailed in your response.
Walk us through your short-term goals after obtaining your MBA from Texas McCombs. If your goals do not materialize, what other positions or industries would you consider post-MBA employment?
What drives you outside of your work or career? Explain why it motivates you.”
How does McCombs MBA program fit into your professional journey?
Time when you had someone in your team who wasn’t lifting his/her weight. What did you do?
Time when you received poor feedback for a job you felt you did well. What was your response?
Tell me about something you like to do outside your work (I mentioned my volunteering experience)
ST goals + Plan B
Tell me about a time when you were in a challenging situation
Tell me about your greatest achievement.”
Short term goals + Plan B
Time when you had someone in your team who wasn’t lifting his/her weight. What did you do?
Time your supervisor/colleague misunderstood you. What did you do?
Time when you had to innovate during a complex problem. How did you do it? Be detailed but precise.
Time when someone in your team was mistreated and what was your response? 6. How does McCombs MBA program fit into your professional journey?
What are your interests and hobbies? And why?
What is your short term goal and why. What is your backup plan in case the short term plan and why. How do these plans fit in with your background.
Tell me about time you had to overcome challenges when working with a diverse team and practice inclusivity. How did they feel about it. What was the Outcome?
Tell me about time when you had to change your plans at the last moment and how you handled the situation. What was the result?
Tell me why I should visit your home town
Who are 3 historical people you’d invite to a dinner party and why
What do you do in your free time and what do you gain from it?
Some question revolving about why McCombs. Don’t remember the specific prompt.
What is your biggest passion outside of work, and why?
What makes you unique and how will you contribute to the class and McCombs community? Please be specific in your answer.