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How to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams: A candidate who wants to join the Master of Business Administration is required to sit for the entrance examination. Instead of chasing competition, students who opt for a smart preparation strategy are ace in MBA entrance exams. However, MBA exam preparation requires some challenges that include the breadth of the syllabus, the difficulty level of the questions, and the level of the competition but they are not the only ones. Read this article to know more about MBA entrance exam preparation and how to start preparing for MBA entrance exam.
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Before starting the preparation for MBA entrance exam, it is important to come up with a study plan to deal with the exam preparation, considering every aspect of the MBA entrance exam. This plan does not have to be perfect in every sense and you have to work hard enough to help you join the desired MBA colleges in India. In this article, we have provided the best study tips and MBA exam preparation strategy. Take a look at these tips to see which of these can be incorporated into your study routine, how to prepare for the MBA entrance exams, and how to prepare a smart study plan for participating in the MBA admission process in India.
Choosing the right MBA entrance exams for you is very important when preparing for MBA admission. It depends on personal decisions and many factors:
Here is a list of the most popular MBA entrance exams conducted in India.
Name of the MBA Entrance Exam | About the Exam |
Common Admission Test (CAT exam) | National-Level Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). It is the most widely accepted choice by MBA colleges, but it is mainly taken to join Tier-1 MBA colleges. |
Management Aptitude Test (MAT exam) | MAT is again a national-level examination conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It is conducted 4 times every year and is mostly accepted by Tier-2 and Tier-3 MBA colleges. |
Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT exam) | Another national-level entrance examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). CMAT is conducted to enroll for AICTE and UGC-recognized MBA colleges in India. |
Maharastra Common Entrance Test (MAH-CET exam) | Also known as MAH MBA CET or MAH MBA/ MMS CET, it is a state-level MBA entrance examination conducted by the State Common Entrance Cell of Maharashtra and accepted for admission to MBA colleges within the state. |
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT exam) | XAT is an MBA entrance exam conducted by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) in Jamshedpur. However, this exam is very popularly accepted by many MBA colleges across the country. |
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT exam) | GMAT is another popular entrance exam for MBA colleges. It is administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). This choice is often chosen by the candidates because it has a different overall approach to testing. However, it is accepted by a limited number of colleges compared to the many MBA entrance exams on this list. |
These are the popular exams for MBA admission. Many MBA entrance exams are conducted in India, in which specific institutes conduct their courses. Check out the schedule of MBA Entrance Examinations and go through our CAT vs other MBA Entrance Exam comparisons to choose the best MBA exam for your needs.
People also search for; Top Specialized MBA Entrance Exams
Exam Pattern of MBA Entrance Exam | |||||
Exam | Section | Duration | Question | Marks | Negative Mark |
CAT | 3 | 120 Min | 100 | +3 | -1 |
MAT | 5 | 150 Min | 200 | +1 | -1/4 |
CMAT | 5 | 180 Min | 100 | +4 | -1 |
MAH CET | 4 | 150 Min | 200 | +1 | No Negative |
XAT | 5 | 180 Min | 95 | +1 | -0.25 |
IBSAT | 4 | 120 Min | 140 | +1 | No Negative |
A thorough preparation for MBA entrance exams requires a strategic approach. Candidates must focus on three crucial sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
For VARC, candidates must focus on strengthening their English language skills, including grammar and comprehension. In DILR, they should practice interpreting data and sharpen their logical reasoning ability. QA assesses mathematical skills with a focus on fundamental concepts, so candidates should concentrate on basic mathematical functions, numbers, and their applications.
Below are the outlined key topics for each section to help candidates get started with the preparation for MBA entrance exam, but one must also refer to the official syllabus for a detailed study plan. To know what to study for MBA entrance exam and get a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus along with the best book for MBA entrance exam and preparation tips, read the detailed points mentioned below. They will provide candidates with a solid foundation for their MBA entrance preparation.
The exact exam pattern for each MBA entrance exam is different. However, there are some basic elements that are common to every MBA entrance exam in India.
Section | Short Description |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | This section tests a candidate's English language use and comprehension skills. Students must develop good grammar and reading skills to ace this section. |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | In the DI section, candidates will be provided with data that will be presented using a graph, chart, or other visual representation. Using this information, you will need to answer the given questions. For the LR section candidates should use their logical and analytical reasoning skills to solve questions. Questions test a candidate's ability to think out the box and solve complex problems quickly and accurately. |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | This section tests a candidate's mathematical ability. However, it is not a test to see if a candidate is familiar with complex theories in mathematics, but rather to check their simplicity and familiarity with numbers and number functions. |
Often, the syllabus for the MBA entrance preparation is very common. The table below mentions what to study for MBA entrance exam and gives details on the section-wise syllabi of the MBA Entrance Examinations in India.
Section | Topics |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
Quantitative Ability |
Students should note that this is not a complete syllabus for MBA entrance exams. Take a look at the official syllabus provided by the MBA entrance exam you take to make sure you cover all the topics for the exam.
Know more about;
Now that we have gone through the exam system and syllabus, here are some tips on how to start preparing for MBA entrance exam. These will help candidates in a thorough preparation for MBA Entrance Exam in India by covering every topic section-wise.
The Reasoning Ability section is considered very difficult by the majority of MBA candidates. This is an area where tricks fail and students have to trust their skills to solve questions.
Here are some preparation tips for reasoning ability in MBA entrance exams.
Questions in the Verbal Ability section can ask a student to find an error in a particular part of the sentence, fill in a paragraph with the correct parts of grammar, answer questions based on a paragraph, and other tasks.
Here are the best tips for the verbal ability section in MBA entrance exams.
Quantitative Ability questions in MBA entrance exams are based on the basics up to class 10. However, questions are made more difficult by the use of a number of tactics, including adding unnecessary information to the questions and presenting questions with long or difficult numbers.
Below are some tips to help you in MBA entrance preparation for the quantitative ability section.
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The table below contains the best book for MBA entrance exam for each and every topic that will help you in MBA entrance preparation.
Section | Book | Author |
Verbal Ability | Wiley's ExamXpert Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Captain AK Kalia |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhayay | |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | |
Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R S Aggarwal |
Complete Guide for MAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams | Disha Experts | |
Concepts of LR - Logical Reasoning for CAT & Other MBA Exams | Gajendra Kumar | |
Quantitative Ability | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum Cat | Sarvesh K Sharma | |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | S Chand PublishingR S Aggarwal |
Check out the below points on how to crack MBA entrance exam at home.
Candidates can begin preparing for MBA entrance exams at least 6-12 months in advance. They should establish a structured study plan and gradually cover all sections to ensure thorough preparation.
The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.
Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
But you could opt for:
Postgraduate Studies:
Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.
Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.
Professional Certifications:
Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.
Job Entry via MBA
After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.
In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.
Hello Pratik,
If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .
Here's what you can do:
Email the CAT authorities
: Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the
General
category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.
Documents and Proof
: Make sure you have a valid
OBC certificate
and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the
General
category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.
General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.
To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.
For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:
Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hi Shreya ,
Having a tattoo on your wrist should not create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .
For a safe side , it is recommended :
1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .
2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .
Hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST .
To know about this please prefer our college predictor
Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
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Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
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In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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