HOW TO

PREPARE FOR
MBA
ENTRANCE
EXAMS
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 TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PAGES

03 Introduction

04 Top MBA Exams in India

14 Marking Scheme of Top MBA Exams

15 MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus

17 Books to Read for MBA Entrance Exams

19 Section Wise Prep Plan

21 How To Make The Best Of Your Prep Time

22 Mock Tests

24 Expert Tips On Right Exam Strategy

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25 Revision Strategy: Identify Your Strengths And Weaknesses

26 Tips For Offline Exam And Online Exam

27 Key Points To Remember For Computer Based Test

28 Topper Tips
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 INTRODUCTION
All those who aspire to make it big in the
world of business, face the first hurdle at
academics level, i.e. how to get into the
best institute offering the most sought after
MBA programme. In order to allow equal
opportunities to all the aspirants various
common admission tests are conducted in
India, at national as well as state level. Most
of the private institutes conduct in-house
entrance tests as well. In India, Common
Admission Test or CAT is the most popular
centralized entrance exam for MBA. CAT
was introduced as early as in 1950. Over
the years, other centralized exams like MAT,
CMAT, NMAT by GMAC etc were introduced.
For a candidate, the challenge is to crack
these entrance tests as there’s a huge gap
between number of aspirants and number
of MBA seats on offer. In CAT only, over 2
lakh aspirants appear for the exam every
year. So what should an aspirant do to stay
ahead?

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 TOP MBA EXAMS
IN INDIA
COMMON
1.
ADMISSION
TEST (CAT)
The biggest and most popular entrance
examination of India, CAT is conducted by
the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM).
CAT scores are used for admission by 19 IIMs
and various other management institutes
across the country. More than two lakh
students appear for the exam each year.
The exam started in 1950 and graduated
to being an online-entrance test in 2009.
Candidates need to attempt 100 questions
in 180 minutes. Registration for CAT begins
in August-September and the exam is held
in November-December.
COMMON
2.
MANAGEMENT
ADMISSION
TEST (CMAT)
The second largest management entrance
examination of the country, CMAT is taken
by roughly 1.5 lakh candidates. Conducted
by All India Council of Technical Education
(AICTE), CMAT is a relatively new addition
to the list of MBA exams. The first CMAT
exam took place in 2012. However, it has
fast become one of the most popular exams
of the country. The exam is accepted by
more than 500 MBA institutes across the
country.

CAT exam primarily consists of four
segments: Verbal, Quantitative, Data
Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
These segments are accordingly grouped
into sections. CAT has three sections:
The CMAT exam is held in January every
year.
CMAT is a computer-based exam (held for
180 minutes) and tests the candidate’s
aptitude in four main sections:
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• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• Quantitative Technique
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning
(DILR)
• Language Comprehension
• Verbal Ability and Reading
Comprehension (VARC) • General Awareness
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 XAVIER
3.
APTITUDE
TEST (XAT) 4.SYMBIOSIS
Another top management entrance, XAT
is an online management aptitude test.
NATIONAL
Conducted by Xavier Labour Relations
Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur, XAT is taken by APTITUDE
approximately one lakh candidates every
year. (SNAP)
XAT is held on the first Sunday of the year
(January). XAT scores are accepted by more Conducted by Symbiosis International
than 100 management institutes. University, SNAP is also a national-level
management entrance examination. SNAP
XAT tests the candidate on four fronts: scores are primarily used for admission to
15 institutes under Symbiosis International
• Quantitative Ability University. However, many other MBA
• English Language & Logical Reasoning colleges use SNAP scores for admission.

• Decision Making SNAP is held in December and the

• GK & Essay Writing
However, essay section is used only after
candidates have been shortlisted for XLRI
courses. Test duration is 170 minutes.
registrations go on till November. SNAP test
is a computer-based exam and held for two
hours. It tests a candidate on:
• General English
• Quantitative, Data Interpretation &
Data Sufficiency
• General Awareness: General
Knowledge, Current Affairs, Business
Scenario
• Analytical & Logical Reasoning
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 NMAT BY
5.
GMAC
NMIMS Management Aptitude Test (NMAT)
is also one of the important MBA entrance
exams. It has recently been acquired by
GMAC and was rebranded as NMAT by
GMAC. Scores for this exam are accepted
for admission by Narsee Monjee Institute
of Management Studies (NMIMS), Alliance
University, SRM University, BML Munjal
University, VIT University, ICFAI Business
School (IBS) and Ansal University.
The computer-based exam is held over a
75-day testing window, between October
and December. Candidates need to attempt
120 MCQs in 120 minutes.
NMAT has various candidate-friendly
options. For instance, candidates can
appear for the exam a total of three times
and the best of three scores will be used for
admission.
The exam has three main sections:
• Language Skills
• Quantitative Skills
• Logical Reasoning
MANAGEMENT
6.
APTITUDE TEST
(MAT)
MAT is also one of the most popular MBA
entrance exam. More than 600 institutes
accept MAT scores for admission to
management programmes. Conducted by
exam is conducted by All India Management
Association (AIMA), MAT is held four times
a year – February, May, September and
December. The exam is held in both online
(computer-based) and offline (written)
modes.
Held for 150 minutes, the test has 200
questions. The aspirant is tested in the
following five areas:
• Indian and Global Environment
• Language Comprehension
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency
• Mathematical Skills
• Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
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 INDIAN
7.
INSTITUTE
OF FOREIGN
TRADE (IIFT)
EXAM
IIFT entrance test is an institute specific
entrance test. The exam is held for
admission to the Indian Institute of Foreign
Trade (IIFT). It is held in pen and paper
mode.
IIFT test is conducted in November for two
hours and consists of 200 multiple choice
questions. It tests a candidate’s aptitude in
the following areas:
• English Comprehension
• General Knowledge & Awareness
• Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative Analysis
8.AIMS TEST
FOR
MANAGEMENT
ADMISSIONS
(ATMA)
ATMA is also a national-level management
entrance test. It is conducted in online as
well as offline mode and held four times a
year-February, May, July and August.
ATMA scores are used for admission in by
several management programmes. Held for
three hours, ATMA tests a candidate on the
following areas:
• Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 1
• Analytical Reasoning Skills Part 2
• Quantitative Skills Part 1
• Quantitative Skills Part 2
• Verbal Skills Part 1
• Verbal Skills Part 2
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 ICFAI
9.
BUSINESS 10. MICAT
SCHOOL
APTITUDE
MICAT is the online entrance test for MICA’s
flagship two-year Post Graduate Diploma in
Management - Communications (PGDM-C).
TEST (IBSAT) Candidates first need to apply with CAT, XAT
and GMAT (2012 onwards). All applicants
will be called for MICAT entrance test which
IBSAT is an institute level entrance test.
is held in December.
The exam is conducted by ICFAI Foundation
for Higher Education. IBSAT test scores Held over 125 minutes, MICAT has two
are used for admission to MBA and PhD sections:
programs at nine ICFAI Business School
(IBS) campuses – Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, • Section 1 assesses the candidates’
Bangalore, Dehradun, Gurgaon, Jaipur, analytical skills, logical skills, verbal
Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. skills, divergent thinking, written
communication skills and general
IBSAT is held over a period of 15 days awareness.
wherein the candidate can book a slot as
per convenience. • Section 2 consists of a Psychometric
Test.
The computer-based test (CBT) tests the
applicant’s ability in the following:
• Verbal Ability
• Reading Comprehension
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation
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 11. MAHARASHTRA
COMMON
ENTRANCE INSTITUTE
12.
TEST OF RURAL
(MAH-CET) MANAGEMENT
MAH-CET is a state-level management
entrance exam. The exam is conducted
ANAND (IRMA)
by the Directorate of Technical Education,
Maharashtra, for admission to various ADMISSION
management courses such as MMS, PGDBM
and PGDM in various institutes in the state
of Maharashtra.
TEST
IRMA Admission test is an institute-level
MAH CET is generally held in the month of entrance examination. It is conducted for
March. Candidates need to attempt 200 admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Rural
questions in 150 minutes. Management (PRM) and Fellow Programme
The exam two sections: in Rural Management (FPRM) at Institute
of Rural Management, Anand. The exam is
• Verbal Ability and Reading held in the month of January.
Comprehension
IRMA uses CAT scores for shortlisting
• Quantitative Aptitude and Logical / candidates in the first round. Shortlisted
Abstract Reasoning. candidates are then called for IRMA written
test on the subject of “Issues of Social
Concern”.
Candidates need to answer 40 questions in
80 minutes.
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 KIITEE
13.
MANAGEMENT ODISHA
14.
TEST (KIITEE JOINT
MBA) ENTRANCE
KIITEE is also a national-level computer-
based MBA entrance test. The exam is EXAMINATION
(OJEE) MBA
conducted by KIIT University in January
every year. The exam scores are primarily
used for admission for two programmes:
OJEE is a state-level MBA entrance test
• MBA at KIIT School of Management conducted by the Government of Orissa.
(offered at KIIT University) The test scores are used for admission to
• MBA (Rural Management) (KIIT School various MBA courses in Odisha. The exam is
of Rural Management) conducted in the month of April/May.

Candidates need to answer 150 questions OJEE is a pen and paper mode test where
in 150 minutes. There are five sections in candidates need to attempt 120 questions
the exam: in 120 minutes. The exam has five sections
to be attempted in two hours:
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Verbal Reasoning
• Analytical Reasoning
• Analytical Reasoning
• English
• General Knowledge
• General Knowledge
• English Language and Comprehension
• Issue of Social concern
• Computer and Business fundamentals
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 15. KARNATAKA
MANAGEMENT
APTITUDE TEST ANDHRA
16.
(KMAT) PRADESH -
KMAT is also a state-level entrance INTEGRATED
COMMON
examination for admission to post graduate
level programmes offered by MBA colleges
and B-schools in the state of Karnataka. The
exam is held thrice in the months of May,
July and September. Registration schedule ENTRANCE
is announced in April.
Conducted by Karnataka Private Post
TEST (APICET)
Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA),
APICET is a state-level MBA entrance
KMAT scores are used for admission by
examination conducted for admission to
more than 169 colleges across the state.
various B-schools and MBA colleges in
Candidates need to attempt 120 questions the state of Andhra Pradesh. The exam is
in 120 minutes. The test consists of the generally held in the month of May. APICET
following sections: is a paper-based entrance test. Candidates
need to attempt 200 questions in 150
• Language Comprehension minutes.
• Mathematical Skills The exam consist of three sections:
• Basic Aptitude • Mathematical Ability
• Analytical Ability
• Communication Ability (English)
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 TELANGANA
17.
STATE TAMIL NADU
18.
INTEGRATED COMMON
COMMON ENTRANCE
ENTRANCE TEST (TANCET)
TEST (TSICET) TANCET is a state-level written entrance
TSICET is a state-level written MBA examination conducted for admission to
entrance test. It was held for the first time MBA courses in the state of Tamil Nadu. The
in May 2015. The test scores are used for exam was conducted by Anna University,
admission to various MBA courses in the Chennai, on behalf of the Government of
state of Telangana. In 2016, the test was Tamil Nadu.
conducted by Kakatiya University, Warangal, The exam, held in May, is for two hours (100
on behalf of Telangana State Council of questions) and tests the candidates’ ability
Higher Education, Hyderabad. in:
No of sections in the exam: • Analysis of Business Situations
• Analytical Ability • Reading Comprehension
• Mathematical Ability • Quantitative Ability
• Communication Ability (English) • Data Sufficiency
• English Usage
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 TATA
19.
INSTITUTE
OF SOCIAL
SCIENCES
NATIONAL
ENTRANCE
TEST (TISSNET)
TISSNET is an institute-level exam conducted
by Tata Institute of Social Sciences for
all Masters programmes offered in TISS-
Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad, Guwahati,
IMHST Chennai, MHAT Calicut and G-SET
Ranchi.
A computer-based exam, TISSNET asks
questions related to Social Sensitivity,
Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability and
Knowledge on Contemporary issues. The
exam is held for 100 minutes (1 hour & 40
minutes)
GRADUATE
20.
MANAGEMENT
ADMISSION
TEST (GMAT)
Graduate Management Admission Test
is conducted by Graduate Management
Admission Council for admission to over
2100 universities across the globe. In India,
about 100 B-Schools accept GMAT scores
for admission their various management
programmes. The GMAT exam can be taken
up to five time and its pattern consists of
mainly four sections to test the candidates’
abilities on various parameters. These are –
• Writing Ability
• Reasoning
• Verbal and Quantitative skills
The GMAT exam will be conducted in a time
span of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

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 MARKING SCHEME OF
TOP MBA EXAMS
EXAM NAME DURATION NO OF MARKING SCHEME NEGATIVE
QUESTIONS MARKING
CAT 180 mins 100 3 marks per right Yes
answer
MAT 180 mins 100 4 marks per right Yes
answer
XAT 170 mins 97 1 mark per right answer Yes
CMAT 180 mins 100 4 marks per right Yes
answer
NMAT by GMAC 120 mins 120 1 mark per right answer No
SNAP 120 mins 150 1 mark per right answer Yes
MAH-CET 150 mins 200 1 mark per right answer No
IIFT Exam 120 mins 123 1 mark per right answer Yes
for QA, LR, RC; 0.75 for
each DI, VA questions
and 0.5 for each GA
question
IBSAT 120 mins 140 1 mark per right answer No
MICAT 165 mins 144 1 mark per right answer Yes
ATMA 180 mins 180 1 mark per right answer Yes
IRMA 80 mins 40 1 mark per right answer Yes
TISSNET 100 mins 100 1 mark per right answer No
TANCET 120 mins 100 1 mark per right answer Yes
TSICET 150 mins 200 1 mark per right answer No
APICET 150 mins 200 1 mark per right answer No
KMAT 120 mins 120 4 marks per right No
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answer
OJEE MBA 120 mins 60 4 marks per right Yes
answer
KIITEE MBA 150 mins 150 3 marks per right Yes
answer
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 MBA ENTRANCE EXAMS
SYLLABUS (TOPICS TO STUDY
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY
Arithmetic Algebra Geometry
Number System Modern Mathematics Higher Maths
Mensuration Trigonometry HCF
LCM Arithmetic Progression Arithmetic Mean
Geometric Progression Geometric Mean Harmonic Mean
Median Mode BODMAS
Ratio and Proportion Percentage Average
Partnership Time, Speed, Distance Work and Time
Profit and Loss Installments and Payments Partnership
Clocks Work and Time Pipe and Cisterns
Lines Angles and Triangles Cubes and Cones

LOGICAL REASONING AND DATA

INTERPRETATION
Family Tree Strong Arguments and Weak Multi-dimensional
Arguments Arrangements
Course of Action Puzzles Visual Reasoning
Arrangement Series Numeric Grid
Pie Chart Blood Relations Critical Reasoning
Calendars Coding & Decoding Syllogisms
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Statement Conclusions Column Graphs Graphs representing Area

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 VERBAL ABILITY
Verbal Reasoning Syllogisms Fill In the Blanks
Contextual usage Analogies & Idioms Different usage of
same word
Antonyms & Synonyms Sentence Completion Jumbled
paragraphs
Foreign language words Sentence correction One word
used in English substitution

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Current Affairs Awards and winners Business and
World news
Economy Government and Politics Science
Famous Personalities History Geography

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 BOOKS TO READ FOR
MBA ENTRANCE EXAMS
First step in preparing for any entrance test is to select the right reference books. Here’s a list of
recommended books one should study while preparing for CAT and other MBA exams.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS RECOMMENDED

FOR QUANTITATIVE
APTITUDE
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude
for CAT by Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill
Education)
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT
Common Admission Tests for Admission
Into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant)
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive
Examinations by Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw
Hill Education)
• The Pearson Guide to Quantitative
Aptitude for CAT by Nishant Sinha
(Pearson)
• NCERT Mathematics Books for Standard
8, 9 and 10
BOOKS FOR DATA
INTERPRETATION AND
LOGICAL REASONING
• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation
for the CAT by Arun Sharma (Mc Graw
Hill Education)
• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for
the CAT by Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill
Education)
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha (Pearson)
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 RECOMMENDED TO STRENGTHEN
BOOKS FOR VERBAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
ABILITY AND READING AND GENERAL
COMPREHENSION KNOWLEDGE ASPIRANTS
• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and MUST SUBSCRIBE
Reading Comprehension for the CAT by TO THE FOLLOWING
Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education)
NEWSPAPERS AND
• The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and
Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit K JOURNALS
Sinha
• The Hindu
• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-
Verbal Reasoning by Dr R S Aggarwal ( S • Financial Express
Chand)
• Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical
• Economic Times
Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA
Examinations by TIME
• The Financial Times
• Wall Street Journal
• Hindu Business Line
OTHER USEFUL BOOKS • Business Today
ONE CAN STUDY TO
IMPROVE VOCABULARY • Business World
AND GRAMMAR: • Management Compass
• Wren & Martin English Grammar
Career Launcher
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman • Competition Success
Lewis Review
• Business English and Communication by
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John O E Clark
• 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary
by Norman Lewis
• The Students’ Companion by Wilfred D
Best
• A Communicative Grammar of English
by Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik
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 SECTION WISE PREP PLAN
HOW TO APPROACH
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
SECTION
• Do not rely heavily on on-screen
calculator for it eats up crucial time.
Keep practicing through short cuts and
tricks
• Try to attempt all non-MCQs as there is
no negative marking for them. However,
the questions must not be solved
through guesswork. Focus on analytical
and logical deduction to crack the
questions
• Mock tests plays a vital role in
familiarizing the candidate with the
new exam pattern and making them
comfortable in attempting the test.
Some students might still be struggling
with their weakness. So start attempting
at least one sectional test every week
• Quant section is numerical and problem-
based where students have to choose
one out of four given options. Coaching
centres or books teaches various
shortcuts to get the correct answer
faster than the normal way of solving it
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• Candidates following coaching centre
routine should complete the study
materials provided on time. Thereafter
practice from a few other important
books and tests. This will help strengthen
basics in Quant and further improve
problem solving skills
HOW TO APPROACH DATA
INTERPRETATION AND LOGICAL
REASONING SECTION
• DILR is not like Quant. Hence what
matters here is practice and analysis.
And for that nothing’s better than mock
tests.
• For DILR, speed in calculation is crucial,
hence try increasing your speed
with each mock test. Do not depend
on calculators – focus on mental
calculations, use vedic mathematics,
memorize all the root formulas, squares,
cubes roots, percentage formulas etc.
• Focus on time management. Dedicate
a particular time slot to every section
and take up a mock test. Make sure you
finish the exam within the time frame
you decided. Here, reliance on mental
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calculations and short cuts come into
use
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 • Candidates must keep in mind that it
is not important to answer maximum
number of questions; it is important to
answer maximum questions correctly. If
you attempt less number of questions,
but with accuracy rather than attempting
more number of questions incorrectly,
you can still score fair marks in the exam
• One of the mistakes many candidates
make is that they finish the easy questions
first and then move on to the difficult
questions. One of the wise things to do
is to dedicate a specific time frame for
the difficult questions and finish them
off first rather than keeping them for the
last. Not to forget, do not spend more
than the decided time on the difficult
questions else you will might miss out
on solving both difficult as well as simple
questions
HOW TO APPROACH
VERBAL ABILITY
AND READING
COMPREHENSION
SECTION
• Vocabulary can be approached through
etymology - understanding root
meanings. Knowing the meaning of a
Latin root like ‘loqui’ will enable one
to understand words like eloquent,
that apply, or you practice the kind of
questions that are asked and you take an
approach of learning the kind of errors
which lead to questions based on error
detection or sentence correction. Once
there is familiarity with the error types,
a lot of practice helps you cross the line.
• Verbal Reasoning questions rely on
application of logic or reasoning and
regular practice may help you to build
proficiency in this area. Since most of the
question types involve comprehension
and strong command over the language,
students who are regular readers will
have an advantage
• Reading skills can be improved through:
1. Reading: Cultivate the reading habit.
Read, read and read. Start with
simple fiction, newspapers and blogs.
The components of reading include
sustained concentration and retention
of information while reading.
2. Speed Building: Speed of reading being
a critical component of any aptitude
exam, you must cultivate speed. Target
nothing less than a reading speed of
about 300 words per minute depending
on the level of the text.
3. Diverse Reading: Read more but read
diverse. Choose to read those topics
that are out of your comfort zone. RCs in
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aptitude exams can be drawn from any

loquacious, soliloquy, ventriloquize, field.
circumlocution, grandiloquent,
magniloquent etc. Add to your
understanding of roots, the meanings
of prefixes and suffixes and you have
considerable control over vocabulary.
• There are two approaches to solving
grammar based question – one is the
classical approach wherein you go by
rules and learn the various parts of
speech and their usages and the rules
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 HOW TO APPROACH
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
SECTION
• The only key to crack General Knowledge
/Current Affairs section is to keep oneself
updated. Besides reading recommended
books and journals; read newspaper
daily and watch news and business
channels regularly to keep a check on
the happenings around the world and
across industries
• Use social media to stay updated.
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. are a
good means to acquire knowledge, so
put your internet bandwidth to a better
use
• Install News and GK apps on your smart
phone. You can brush up your GK on the
go
• GK section in all the MBA entrance
exams contain MCQs with four options
as answers to choose one from. The only
way you can crack this is by knowing the
right answer
• Do not spend too much time on one
question. If you don’t know the answer,
move on. Remember there’s negative
marking for wrong answer. Focus on the
questions you can answer correctly
• Practice previous year GK question
papers to familiarize yourself with the
kind of questions asked in this section
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HOW TO MAKE THE BEST
OF YOUR PREP TIME
Your daily routine can play a huge role in
your preparation and eventually in your
performance in the final exam. Here we list
a few things you need to pay attention to.
A Good Night’s Sleep: A good night’s sleep
is essential for everybody. More so for
students as the key here is sharp memory
and alertness. Experts say, it is important
to sleep for a minimum of 8 hours in the
night so as to be fully energized, alert and
attentive in the day time. To ensure there’s
no daytime fatigue, you must fix a time of
your sleep. Sleep and wake up at the same
time every day. This routine will fix your
body clock and optimize the quality of your
sleep. The better your sleep, the better
you will be able to concentrate on MBA
preparation. There’s no point in burning
the midnight oil if you can’t recall in the
morning what you studied at night.
Healthy Diet: To be able to optimize your
exam preparation you have to be fully fit.
Along with sleep, you need to watch your
diet. Avoid fried and fatty food as they tend
to induce lethargy. Add fresh fruits and
vegetables to your diet for protein, vitamins
and other important minerals. Dark leafy
vegetables, fish, berries, walnuts and food
rich in omega-3 fatty acids are good for
the brain. Also, avoid eating out to prevent
upset stomach or any sort of illness that
may hamper your studies.
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Recreational Activities: While there is
no argument on the fact that you should
dedicate your maximum time towards
studies, we would like to emphasize that ‘all
work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ Too
many hours of solving LRDI questions and
wracking your brain over Quant problems
etc. can slow you down. Take a break and
engage in some recreational activity. Listen
to music or watch your favourite cartoon
[2 1]
show. Or take an hour off to play video
games or any outdoor game to rejuvenate
 yourself. Basically, take some time off and
do whatever energises you and refreshes
your mind and then get back to preparations
with renewed vigour.
It is also important for you to practice some
kind of physical exercise to keep away from
laziness and lethargy.
Besides these three main lifestyle activities,
you also need to pay attention to other
small details like your study table, lighting
system at your place of study and place and
the time of studying.
Study Desk: Make sure your study table
and chair are at the right height that
supports your posture as wrong posture can
lead to discomfort which can affect your
concentration. You also need to ensure that
your seating arrangement is not causing
back pain to you. Don’t study continuously
for long hours. Take small breaks of 5-10
minutes in between. This way you will be
able to give rest to your eyes and brain too.
Lighting System: Long hours of study can
severely affect your eyes. Tiredness of eyes
is common to all of us. That’s why your
study area should be well lit. It should be
neither too bright nor dim. Try to study in
natural light as much as possible. It provides
a soothing effect that’s absent in artificial
lights.
Time and Place of Study: Since studying is
going to be your main occupation for the
next four months, you need to create the
right environment for it, free from noise
and disturbances. Set up your study area
away from your living room, where family
members watch TV, listen to music or
converse with each other. Don’t study in a
room which invites noise from outside.
Also, you need to set a time table for
studying. Experts say, early morning is the
best time to study new concepts and solving
problems as the mind is fresh after sleep.
Post-dinner study time is good for revision
and studying relatively lighter topics.
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Last but not the least, uninstall gaming,
shopping and other recreational apps from
your smartphone temporarily in order to
not waste a single minute allotted for exam
preparation.
MOCK TESTS
In competitive exams, mock tests are of
utmost importance. Practising mock tests
not only help you get familiar with the
actual question paper, but it also helps you
analyse your strengths and weaknesses
vis-à-vis exam pattern, success, topics,
difficulty level, speed, accuracy and time
management.
Every CAT topper or MBA academic experts
will reiterate the same thing – Keep taking
mock tests at regular intervals and keep
analysing these tests.
“It is necessary to attempt mocks as they
familiarize you with and prepare you for all
kinds of scenarios-easy, moderate, difficult,
lengthy, vague etc. If you’ve attempted
good enough numbers of mocks, nothing
will surprise you. It helps you keep your
cool while writing the test,” believes CAT
2016 topper Avidipto Chakraborty.
“Tests cannot be taught. It has to be taken
on their own. Candidates need to build
their strategy with practice and analysis. So
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take mock tests, analyse it and figure out
the drawbacks. Don’t end up making similar
mistakes both at the beginning and end of
preparation,” says MBA expert Tarun Mallik
Mock exams and sample papers for various
MBA entrance exams are available with
a number of coaching centers and online
resources. But how should one take
and analyse mock tests? Here are some
effective methods to analyse your mock
test performance:
[2 2]
 1. Set Targets
Before attempting mock tests, set some
realistic targets. Decide how much score
are you targetting in a particular exam and
how many mock tests would you like to
attempt. Both experts and toppers suggest
that around 18 to 20 full-length mock tests
are good to attempt. Maintain a sheet of
your current score and your desired score.
Slowly work on strategies, attempts and
speed to improve your overall score along
with maintaining sectional scores. We’ll
discuss these over the next few points.
2. Focus on Exam-Taking Strategy
Next comes exam taking strategy. Over
and over again, we have repeated that
candidates need to have a solid test-taking
strategy. Strategies can be developed with
adequate practice over a period of few
time. Shiksha.com can recommend a tried
and tested strategies for your preparation:
Suppose you have 60 minutes to attempt
each section. So attempt the section in two
to three rounds.
Round 1: Give the entire section a quick
scan/read. While reading the paper,
solve the easy and direct-formula based
questions. So if you think, a question can
be solved in less than one minute, go for it.
Else, move to the next question.
Round 2: Next, go back and attempt the
moderately difficult questions. Allot a fixed
time to attempt the question. Don’t take,
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let’s say – more than 35-40 minutes in
round. Be selective in your approach and
choose to attempt just 10-15 questions.
The important thing here is accuracy.
Round 3. Now go back, and finally attempt
the most difficult questions. For this, give
yourself 10-15 minutes.
Round 4: In the last 10 minutes, revise your
answers.
This is just one of the numerous strategies
you can adopt while attempting a mock
test.
3. Analysing Mistakes
Now that you’re done with mock test,
it’s time to analyse the paper. Check your
scores. Now look at the problems where
you erred. Was it a calculation mistake or a
formula-based mistake or something else?
Irrespective of the reason, make note of
the problem and reattempt it once more
– this time with work with the suggested
solutions.
“Solving and analysing mocks is the best
way to understand your weak areas and
improve them. Most of the students just
attempt mocks but do not spend enough
time to analyse the mocks. It is a good idea
to go through the solutions and analyse
what could have been done better,” says
Anil Narayan from IIM Calcutta.
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4. Reattempt & Problem-solving
Analysing mocks don’t end at recognising
the problem and solving a select few
questions. We suggest you to attempt the
entire paper once again in an untimed
setting. Make sure you solve every question
accurately and understand the basics of
problem-solving approach.
[2 3]
 5. Shortcuts, tips and tricks
Analysing mock tests also mean re-
evaluating the questions you attempted
correctly. How can you attempt the
question in a shorter period of time? For
instance, if you took four (4) minutes to
solve a problem, try to solve it in 1 or 2
minutes. This is where shortcuts, tips and
tricks come in handy. MBA experts have
shortcuts for every question. Discuss the
solution with your peer group or academic
experts or read recommended books exam
prep. Solve it better and quicker.
6. Action Repeat
The best way to perform well in mock tests
is to keep taking more mock tests. Refine
your strategy with each test. Revisit every
point (from 1 to 5) mentioned above and
figure out on how to solve the test with
accuracy and speed. Focus on formulating
better strategies.
But remember! Results of mock exams don’t
matter. What matters is how you perform in
the final exam.
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EXPERT TIPS ON RIGHT
EXAM STRATEGY
Hitesh Devalia
Director and Co-Founder, Endeavor Careers
Aspirants should play it carefully on the day
of exam. Candidates mostly commit errors
in the last 10-15 minutes. So don’t give up
patience in the last few minutes. At the end,
one simply wants to increase the number
of attempts and end up making errors. For
example, at the end of 50 minutes, you’ve
attempted 18 question. So suddenly, you
press a panic button and you push yourself
for 4-5 more attempts and that is where
you get maximum wrong. So, stay cool.
Alok Bansal
Director, IMS Learning
Many blogs tell test takers to attempt
less number of questions and focus more
on accuracy. This is incorrect. Attempt
questions according to your level of
preparation. Also, read the instructions
carefully at the test centre. Take out the
first few minutes during the test and read
the instructions properly.
Parasharan Chari
COO, Endeavour Careers
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For Quantitative Aptitude, do enough
practice of basic summation, subtraction,
tables and fractions. Remember, solving
the chapters for the first time teaches you
Mathematics. Second time, it brings speed
in solving. Aspirants are advised to solve all
the chapters twice to get the advantage of
speed in the exam. For Logical Reasoning,
approximately 5 hours of LR solving every
week should be good. This should be 5
sittings of 1 hour each. Ensure that all
[2 4]
major varieties are given importance while
choosing material for practice.
 REVISION STRATEGY:
IDENTIFY YOUR
STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES
1. Diagnosis
It is imperative, for each student, to diagnose
his/her problem correctly. It should be
the first step. One should not just keep
solving more and more questions without
understanding whether the core issue is
speed/accuracy/basics/weak application.
2. Analysis
The identification of strengths/weaknesses
should be on the basis of analysis of
performance in the practice tests and not
on the basis of what student perceives to
be his/her strength or weakness. The area
in which the student has been able to
attempt more questions with high accuracy
is the area of his/her strength while the
area in which the student has not been
able to attempt too many questions and/
or with less accuracy is the area of his/her
weakness.
3. Execution
Once the areas of strengths and weaknesses
are identified, students are advised to
build on their strengths and work on their
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weaknesses by solving questions from
different areas. Analysis of every question is
essential. Student should identify the reason
for every question he/she got incorrect--
whether the mistake was because of lack
of understanding of important concepts or
whether it was because of mere oversight
or a calculation mistake. If the mistake
was because of lack of understanding of
important concepts, student is advised to
spend time on understanding the concept.
Student should also see if there is any easier
or faster method of solving the question for
the questions he/she got right.
4. Preparation
Most importantly student should ensure
that he/she is adequately prepared in all
the areas so that he/she can answer at least
easy questions from all areas, including
the areas in which the student is weak as
at times these competitive exams throw
surprises.
5. Revision
In this remaining time, prepare like your life
depends on it. Learn from your mistakes. Be
open to revising your strategy once you see
the questions in the paper. You should have
various plans in place for various possible
scenarios. Once you have decided your
strategy, at any moment during the exam,
you must think only about the question at
w w w . s h i k s h a . c o m
hand.
[2 5]
 TIPS FOR OFFLINE EXAM
AND ONLINE EXAM
What to do? What not to do? When to reach
the exam venue? What all to carry? Here are
a few tips:
Before the exam:
• Visit the test centre a day prior to the exam
day so that you can decide upon the mode
of transport.
• Report at 7:30 am for the 9:00-12 noon
session and by 1 pm for 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
session.
• You will be barred from the exam if you
arrive late.
• Don’t forget to carry the print out of your
admit card.
• Carry the original copy of any ID proof.
• Do not carry any electronic gadget. There’s
no arrangement of lockers at the test
centre.
• Persons accompanying the test takers will
not be allowed inside the test premises. So,
if your parent/guardian is accompanying
you to the exam centre, make ample
arrangement for them during waiting
hours.
Inside the exam hall:
• At the notice board check allocation for
your seat number and exam room.
• Inside the room, you will be then asked to
sign in the attendance sheet.
• Please ensure there’s no discrepancy in
your signature on the admit card/ID proof
and the attendance sheet.
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During the exam (online):
• Do not touch the keyboard, only use mouse
to mark the answers.
• Login to the test screen only after the
invigilator’s announcement to do so.
• Login to the system. Read the instructions
CAREFULLY and then proceed.
• Sigh the declaration, displayed onscreen to
open the test link.
• In CAT you won’t have the option of solving
the sections as per choice, but in other
exam’s you will have this option. So choose
the section of your strength first
• There will be a timer running at one corner
of the screen. Keep an eye on it but don’t
panic
• Pen and rough sheets will be provided
to you at the exam centre. Mention your
name and registration number on each
rough sheet.
• Don’t forget to return the pen and rough
sheets at the exam centre.
During the exam (offline)
• Carry extra pen, pencil and other stationary
• Use only blue/black ball point pen or pencil
to mark the answer
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• Read all the instructions printed on the
test booklet carefully
• Do not write anything on the question
paper or the answer-sheet
• Do calculations on rough paper
• Do not carry mobile phone to the exam
hall
• Ensure you have received the complete
booklet
[2 6]
 • Revise your answers once before
submitting the answer-sheet. Also check
that you have seen and attempted all the
sections of the question paper
Key Points To Remember For
Computer Based Test
India’s top management entrance exams,
CAT, MAT, CMAT and NMAT by GMAC, etc.
are conducted online. Many more exam
conducting bodies are moving towards
computer-based exam. Hence, it is important
to point out important factors that separate
the two and factors one needs to keep in mind
while taking an online test. Because, it’s not
how much you know but how well you use the
knowledge that matters in the exam.
• Do your reading practice on the computer.
Reading newspapers and business articles
is not enough. You need to develop a habit
of reading on screen. This will be beneficial
in the RC section, as you will be able to
save considerable time
• Since the exams are time bound, you shall
have to sharpen your memory to avoid
going back and forth on a paragraph on
the screen. Repeatedly glancing back and
forth will increase your time spent on a
question, thereby delaying your exam
• Practice solving analytical questions online.
The more you get used to working on a
computer screen the better it is
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• Another crucial thing is to learn to keep
looking at the computer screen while
working out solutions in mind or on a
rough sheet. Moreover, you will have to
constantly keep an eye on the time running
at one corner of the screen
• There’s also the need to learn to solve
certain questions mentally, especially in
Quantitative Ability section. This trait will
help you save crucial minutes
• Practice sample questions online to
analyse time spent on each question and
strategise much time you will be spending
on a particular section
• Take a thorough look at the demo or sample
papers before exam. The only difference
between a mock test and the real test is
that of the atmosphere and the pressure
of performing. So if you will familiarize
yourself well with CBT mocks you are less
likely to face any anxiety in the actual exam
• The moment you receive your actual
question paper, make sure you read all the
instructions carefully
• Since there’s no option of going back to
previous page in many exams (eg; CAT),
please ensure you have solved all the
questions before preceding to the next
section
• Practicing questions online will make your
eyes get used to enduring the computer
screen glare for a longer time period.
Sudden exposure to computer screen
on the exam day will strain your eyes
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much faster which will directly affect your
performance
[2 7]
 w w w . s h i k s h a . c o m

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