PGP MFAB eligibility and requirement
PGP MFAB
Eligibility and Requirements
Who Are We Looking For
The PGP MFAB programme seeks next-generation family business leaders poised to transform their enterprises while honouring an enduring legacy. We build diverse cohorts representing various industries, yet united by these essential qualities:
Legacy Stewardship
We seek individuals who value their family enterprise heritage while bringing fresh perspectives to evolve traditions for scale and sustained growth.
Strategic Acumen
We value those who demonstrate critical decision-making skills, analytical thinking, financial acumen and the capacity to balance business imperatives with family values.
Collaborative Governance
We look for early traits of building connections with stakeholders across generations, developing effective systems, and inspiring teams while scrupulously navigating family-business dynamics to build enduring frameworks.
Transformative Mindset
We seek individuals with intellectual curiosity, adaptability to market changes, and readiness to pursue opportunities while maintaining family principles.
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification (e.g., CA). Applicants should have completed their degree at the time of application.
- A valid BAT (Business Admissions Test) score is mandatory for the application to be evaluated.
- No mandatory work experience is required; however, we recommend 2–3 years of relevant experience to enhance your learning experience.
- Candidates must be members of a family business intending to carry it forward.
Round 1 Application Deadline:
November 09, 2025
Admissions Process
The PGP MFAB admissions process is structured across clearly defined stages to comprehensively assess each candidate's suitability, ensuring alignment with the programme's goals and values. Admission is based on merit, with a highly competitive selection process that favours candidates demonstrating genuine passion for scaling the business with a commitment to transforming their family enterprise.
Application Stages
PGP MFAB admissions are structured across clearly defined stages, ensuring a transparent experience for prospective candidates:
| Stage 1: Application Submission | Complete the PGP MFAB online application with all required supporting documentation. |
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Stage 2: The Business Admissions Test (BAT) |
All applicants undergo the Business Admissions Test (BAT). |
| Stage 3: Application Verification | Your application undergoes a completeness check within 20 days of submission. Any identified insufficiencies must be addressed within 3 days of notification. Once verification is complete, the application will be marked as 'Verified' in the application portal. Only verified applications proceed to further evaluation. |
| Stage 4: Shortlisting for Interview | All 'Verified' applications undergo evaluation based on academics, BAT test scores, professional experience, if any (preferred, not mandatory), essays, awards and achievements. Based on this holistic evaluation, applications are shortlisted for interview. |
| Stage 5: Interview Process |
Shortlisted applicants receive interview invitations following structured application review. You can indicate your preferred interview format: in-person at available Tier-1 city locations or virtual via Zoom. The Admissions Team assigns your final format based on preference and scheduling availability. You will receive 3-7 days advance notification for your 30-minute interview conducted by ISB faculty and alumni panels. Both virtual and in-person formats are evaluated equally with no advantage to either. During the interview process, you will complete 1-2 on-spot essays. Your interview forms part of ISB's holistic admissions process where every application aspect contributes to building a diverse cohort. Use this opportunity to address professional achievements or distinguishing factors not fully conveyed in your application form or resume. |
| Stage 6: Admissions Committee Review | Following interview feedback, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation before presentation to the Admissions Committee—comprising faculty and alumni—who make final offer decisions. |
| Stage 7: Decision Notification | You will receive final decisions via email according to the published timeline for their respective application rounds. |
PGP MFAB online application comprises essential sections designed to capture your distinctive journey in a systematic manner:
Provide educational qualification details for academic assessment—whilst degrees and scores are considered, they don't solely determine evaluation. Enter qualifications chronologically, latest first. At least one bachelor's, integrated, or professional degree is mandatory.
For unlisted institutions, raise service requests via 'Got Queries'. Exclude study abroad/exchange programmes (covered in home transcripts). For credit transfer systems, list final degree-issuing institution; others go under ‘Other Courses’. Merge original and translated documents into one PDF and upload in the relevant section for non-English materials. Only one degree per type; additional degrees go to ‘Other Courses’. Certificate programmes and non-degree courses go to ‘Other Courses’ section as well. No overlapping full-time activities allowed.
No mandatory work experience is required; however, we recommend two years of relevant experience to enhance your learning experience.
List all professional experiences including full-time jobs, internships, on-campus employment, student work, and degree-related traineeships to help the admissions committee understand you better. State your current or most recent experience first, with primary roles prioritised. Employment information will be verified if selected, so ensure accurate reporting. Only one activity can be marked full-time during overlapping periods—others must be part-time.
The Awards and Activities section enables you to showcase achievements that demonstrate your impact beyond professional accomplishments. You may list awards from any stage of your life: educational, professional, or extracurricular, with contextual explanations of why you were selected.
Focus on awards carrying personal significance rather than quantity. Reflect thoughtfully on why these achievements matter to you and how they represent your journey. We seek to understand what motivates you beyond work through significant milestones, community contributions, and societal impact that have shaped your development. For truly exceptional achievements such as patents granted, armed forces medals or commendations, national or international recognition in sports or other fields, select the dedicated checkbox and upload supporting documentation. These standout accomplishments distinguish your application.
When reviewing this section, ensure your selected awards provide insight into who you are outside professional contexts. Additional recognitions that don't fit these categories can be included in your resume or discussed during your interview.
The Business Admissions Test (BAT) serves as your gateway to PGP MFAB—a standardised assessment designed specifically for family business applicants. This mandatory entrance evaluation gauges your business acumen, analytical thinking, and decision-making capabilities through case study interpretation and real-world business scenarios.
You may attempt the BAT up to three times, with your highest score considered for admission. The online test features remote proctoring via webcam and microphone, conducted from ISB campuses or designated testing locations. You will need valid identification, a laptop with reliable internet connectivity, and a functioning webcam.
Begin preparation with the Business Test Methods™ portal for test format, sample drills, and timing strategies. Access additional sample papers through the BAT webpage. The optional BAT Official Guide ($50) provides structured preparation for comprehensive readiness. Register for the BAT by emailing mfab@isb.edu.
Your essays are a window into your experiences, motivations, and aspirations, offering insights beyond titles, metrics, and achievements. They help us understand your approach to learning, leadership, and legacy in a family business context through three mandatory essays and one optional essay.
Essay 1 (Mandatory): What professional experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue PGP MFAB at ISB?
Essay 2 (Mandatory): Describe an important initiative that your business has undertaken during the past 5 years. Explain why you consider it important. You may share an initiative taken by your company even if you were not necessarily involved or associated with it.
Essay 3 (Mandatory): According to you, what are the main challenges faced by your business and how would you address them?
Additional Essay (Optional): Use this space to highlight anything you wish to bring to the notice of the admission committee which could not be highlighted elsewhere. Examples include explanations for gaps in work or education, inconsistent or below-average academic performance, work and non-work-related awards & achievements adding value.
Craft responses that go beyond job descriptions. Be specific, authentic, and unmistakably you.
Apply now for a chance to transform your family business and take control of your legacy.
Round 1 Application Deadline:
November 09, 2025
Evaluation Criteria
The comprehensive evaluation process assesses:
- Leadership Vision: Ideal candidates exhibit strong leadership skills rooted in business understanding, commitment to family business goals, and a desire for sustained relevance and growth.
- Learning Mindset: Successful applicants bring a thirst for knowledge and learning that can be applied to growing your family's legacy.
- Academic Evidence: A solid academic foundation, evidenced by undergraduate degree performance and motivation to engage fully in the programme, will play a role in the final decision.