MBA entrance Strategy 2015: CAT 2014, IIFT 2014, XAT 2015; how can you choose to chase

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
September 13, 2014
Registrations to almost all the important MBA entrance tests have been opened and a few of them now stand closed also
Choose a combination of MBA/PGDM entrance tests to achieve the goal of admission in one of the top rated B schools in the session 2015 16

MBA Admission season for session 2015-16 has blossomed with number of forthcoming entrance examinations which will get you into one of your dream B schools.

Registrations to almost all the important MBA entrance tests have been opened and a few of them now stand closed also. For the benefit of  MBA aspirants, seeking admission in session 2015-16, MBAUniverse.com shares how to choose a combination of MBA/PGDM entrance tests to achieve the goal of admission in one of the top rated B schools in the session 2015-16.

CAT Quant Preparation with Expert

Choose at least 2-3 MBA/PGDM entrance tests

It is advisable to take at least 2-3 of the most preferred forthcoming PGDM / MBA entrance tests like CAT, XAT, IIFT, NMAT, SNAP, IBSAT where registrations are still open as they are the gateway to the highly ranked B schools. While CAT 2014 is the choice of all the MBA/PGDM aspirants as its scores will be accepted not only by IIMS and other top B schools, the choice is to be made out of other exams. The choice is to be based on your preference of B schools where you wish to explore admission opportunities in the session 2015-16.

If you wish to go to XLRI, you should opt for CAT and XAT; if you have interest in IIFT too, you may choose CAT, XAT and IIFT; if you plan to get into NMIMS University and dont want to pursue MBA(IB), you may focus on NMAT and drop the idea of appearing in IIFT test. Symbiosis is another good B school and in case you wish to focus on it, you may choose this one too. IBSAT will offer admission opportunity in ICFAI B school, the preparation to this exam can be done along with the preparation for other important entrance tests depending upon your interest.

Another important factor to choose 2-3 out of 6-7 MBA/PGDM entrance exams is the similarity and convenience to take the test so that the preparation strategy is not much different from the other.

Registration to IIFT and CMAT stands closed now. If you didnt plan for them earlier and would like to plan now, there is no option. It will be better to choose out of the other available entrance tests now, where registration is open.

Since the written entrance tests whether computer based or paper pen based are the gateway to your dream B school, the strategy to choose and chase the MBA/PGDM exam with concerted efforts is very important.

CAT 2014: Gateway to IIMs & top rated B schools

CAT is the most preferred and the largest management entrance exam in India. It is the gateway for admission to 19 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, IMI, TAPMI, BIMTECH and other highly ranked B schools. CAT 2014 is going to be conducted on Nov 16 & 22, 2014 and the registration for CAT will close on Sep 30, 2014

The test is taken by almost 2 lakh aspirants year after year.  With the announcement by the Government of India to open 6 new IIMs in 6 states, number of IIMs will rise to 19 and accordingly number of CAT 2014 aspirants is also expected to rise.

CAT 2014 has however, taken a different shape and pattern. CAT 2013 was  conducted in a 20 days test window comprising 2 sessions each day. CAT 2014 will have only 2 days test window with 4 sessions only. MBAUniverse.com has already shared significant changes brought out in conduct of CAT 2014. http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7834/CAT-2014-exam-Changes

Key information on CAT 2014

Type of Exam:

-CAT 2014 exam will be held on November 16 and November 22, 2014 in 2 sessions each day at 354 testing centres in 99 cities

-CAT 2014 will be a computer based test comprising 100 questions to be solved in 170 minutes. Till CAT 2013 there were 60 questions to be solved in 140 minutes.

-CAT 2014 will not have any section restricted time constraints. Candidates can move from one section to other within the overall time frame. Till CAT 2013 time constraint of 70 minutes for each section was there.

-The test will be divided in 2 sections with 50 questions each

-The first section will be Quant and DI; second will be Verbal Ability and LR

-Level of difficulty is moderate to high

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7846/CAT-2014

Results

CAT 2014 results are expected to be declared in the 3rd week of December 2014.

Eligibility

-Graduate in any discipline
-No age bar
-Minimum 15 years of regular study from the recognized Board/University
-Students studying in their final year can also apply

How to apply for CAT 2014

  1. Registration process for CAT 2014 is completely an on line process
  2. Registration opened on August 6, 2014 will close on September 30, 2014
  3. Fee for registration is Rs 1600/- to be paid on-line. No off line payment facility is available in CAT 2014
  4. After fee payment and clicking on submit button, no change is possible in details entered in the CAT 2014 registration/application form

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7832/CAT%202014%20dates

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7835/CAT-2014-Registration-process

Scoring pattern

-CAT 2014 will be a percentile based exam. The scores will be equated and normalized for each session on each day.

-Till CAT 2013 every right answer to CAT question was awarded 3 marks while penalty of 1 mark was imposed for every wrong answer. After normalization process percentile score was awarded out of 450

- For short listing, apart from high overall as well as sectional percentile, excellent academic profile is also needed.

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7862/CAT-2014-Scoring-Process  


IIFT 2014: exam on Nov 23, 2014; good combination with CAT 2014

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), another highly ranked dream B school will conduct the entrance test for its most sought after 2 years MBA programme in International Business on November 23, 2014, for the batch 2015-17. This programme is available at IIFT New Delhi and Kolkata campuses in India and at Dar-es-Salaam campus in Tanzania. Graduate in any discipline is eligible to appear in IIFT 2014.

IIFT is a deemed University and MBA (International Business) at IIFT is a six trimester management programme with a focus on International Business.IIFT has a record of 100% placement and according to IIFT sources in Placement 2014 The highest domestic CTC stood at Rs. 24 lacs p.a. with the average CTC rising by 15% to Rs. 14.32 lacs p.a.

IIFT 2014: Close to CAT 2014; Choose the same test city

IIFT entrance test will be very close to CAT 2014. Just a day after CAT 2014 over, candidates will have the opportunity to appear in IIFT 2014 for admission to MBA(IB) batch 2015-17.

Those who choose to take IIFT 2014 and are allotted the CAT 2014 exam slot on November 22, 2014 can appear in IIFT just a day after and in the same week end as Nov 22 is Saturday and Nov 23 is Sunday. Candidates can choose the same test city for both the exams.

IIFT 2014 test: Paper pen based but very similar to CAT

With the exception that IIFT entrance test is paper pen based and has a section on General Awareness, test is more or less on the same pattern

The entrance test for IIFT Delhi and Kolkata campuses will be conducted in 20 cities across India. The conventional paper pencil mode test will be of two hours duration from 10.00 A.M. to 12.00 Noon to be held on Sunday, November 23, 2014.

The written admission test to MBA Programme in IIFT consists of multiple choice objective type questions (in English). IIFT entrance comprises the questions covering English Comprehension, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis.

Composition of test

There are no fixed number of questions in IIFT entance test, their number may go anywhere in the range of 115 to 130.

English Comprehension

English comprehension is composed of core verbal ability and questions on Reading comprehension passages. Expected number of questions in this section are 35-36

Quantitative Ability

Number of question expected in this section are 25 focusing the following topics Probability, integers, Time distance speed, Time & work, percentage, Algebra, Profit & Loss, compound interest, Log theory, Mensuration, Permutation combination, Geometry. More questions on Arithmatic and Algebra may constitute the test of IIFT 2014.

Data Interpretation

Around 20 questions are expected in this section. IIFT may ask DI questions in different data forms like tables and bar diagrams. The information part is followed by 4-5 questions so its worth trying with patience.  A little more practice can be great help in this section

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning section is also expected to have 20 questions based on blood relations, seating arrangements, series, analogy, sets.  IIFT covers almost all the topics in logical reasoning with 1 or 2 questions on each.  Statements, arguments, conclusions are a few favourite topics which require more in-depth study.

General Awareness: Uniqueness from CAT

While CAT has no section on General Awareness, IIFT has a separate section with around 28 questions to test the General Awareness of the aspirants in its entrance test. GK Questions cover conventional as well as current national and international affairs and relevant economic, business topics apart from major policy decisions. The section is as important as other sections and marks obtained in this section are also accounted for while shortlisting the candidates for final admission round.

Like CAT 2014, the candidates appearing in IIFT 2014 will be allowed to attempt any question from any section during the time allotted to attempt the test in the examination. 

Marking system in IIFT Entrance

The marking system may vary from question to question or from section to section in the range of 0.5 to 1 mark per question.

Penalty of one third marks will be awarded for every wrong answer. The candidates therefore have to be careful to avoid this negative marking by choosing the answer options with well calculated thought process. 

XAT 2015: Exam on Jan 4, 2015; registration closes Nov 22, 2014

XAT 2015 will be the gateway of admission not only to prestigious PGDM programme at XLRI but also at 10 other member institutes and more than 100 associated B schools who will accept XAT 2015 scores. Graduate in any discipline can apply for XAT 2015.

XLRI Jamshedpur has been conducting Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for the last 60 years at All India level in the paper pencil mode. XLRI is proud of legacy of conducting XAT and its well established testing pattern which allows every candidate equal opportunity to compete in a single session. Approximately 90 thousand to 1 lakh aspirants are expected to apply for XAT 2015.

XLRI: one of the Most preferred Top rated B schools

Learning and placement at XLRI have been attracting the PGDM aspirants for the last many years. Placement 2014 at XLRI got over in less than 4 days with a rise in median salary to Rs. 16.25 lakhs per annum.

XLRI: Only XAT scores from Indian aspirants

XLRI accepts XAT scores and the candidates desirous of getting into this top rated B school should register on line for XAT 2015.

It is advisable to apply both for XAT 2015 and CAT 2014 as number of top rated B schools like SPJIMR, XIMB, IMT, BIMTECH and many others accept both the scores in their process of short listing the candidates for final admission round.

XAT 2015: Paper pencil mode but similar to CAT

In fact most of the MBA/PGDM aspirants who register for CAT also prefer XAT since both of them offer the opportunity of admission to top rated B schools. Experts with MBAUniverse.com also advise the candidates to appear in both the management entrance tests as both command high reputation leading to admission in the highly ranked B schools in the country.

XAT 2015 exam will be held on January 4, 2014 in a single session. It will be a paper pencil based MCQ test comprising 100 to 105 questions to be solved in 180 minutes.

The test will be divided in 4 sections with varying number of questions. Following could be the sectional division
Verbal Ability & logical Reasoning-28-30 questions;
Decision making-23-25questions;
Quantitative Ability & Data interpretation-30 to 33 questions;
General Knowledge- 20 questions
In addition to MCQs, there will be an essay writing test of 30 minutes.

There will not be any section restricted time constraints in XAT 2015.

Uniqueness from CAT

The 2 sections of Verbal Ability and Quantitative Ability in XAT 2015 will be similar to CAT 2014. 

Decision making is a separate section in XAT and forms an important basis like Quantitative Ability to short list the candidates for final admission round.

Weightage to General Knowledge is awarded in final admission round. However at the time of awarding the percentile, the score of General Knowledge are not taken into account.

Essay writing is an additional uniqueness of XAT written examination. Although its scores are not taken into account for calculation of percentile score, it becomes an important tool in measuring the personality of the candidate during final admission round.

 How to apply for XAT 2015

  1. Registration process for XAT 2015 is an on line process
  2. Registration opened on August 12, 2014 and will close on November 22, 2014
  3. Registration fee for XAT 2015 is Rs 1000/- and can be paid on-line/by DD/in cash at IDBI bank.

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7869/XAT-2015 

Scoring pattern

-XAT 2015 will be a percentile based exam. The scores will be equated and normalized. The normalization is easier as the test has same sets of questions and is conducted in a single session.
-XAT 2015 is expected to have same maximum marks for every question as this pattern was followed in XAT 2014.
-XAT has negative marking system and imposes a penalty of one fourth marks for every wrong answer.
- For short listing, apart from high overall as well as sectional percentile, excellent academic profile is also needed.

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7911/XAT-2015-exam-pattern

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7865/XAT-Exam-date-2015

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7887/XAT-2015

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7881/XAT-2015

NMAT: Gateway to NMIMS; register by Sep 24, 2014

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies(NMIMS) is one of the highly ranked management institutes in India. It has a legacy of 32 years and has acquired the shape of a multi-disciplinary University in Mumbai.

NMIMS offers MBA at its four campuses at Mumbai, Shirpur, Bangalore and Hyderabad, with a total intake of 800 students in flagship MBA programme. Approximately 60 thousand aspirants are expected to appear in computer based NMAT 2015 to be held in one and a half month test window from October 7 to December 20, 2014.

Major USP of NMAT is that it can be rescheduled also for another attempt within a few days to improve your score during the testing window. 

NMAT: preferred choice of thousands

Thousands of candidates appear in NMAT to explore admission opportunity in NMIMS. The high ranking status, versatility of MBA programmes, learning experience and placement at NMIMS attract MBA aspirants to pursue their management courses from NMIMS University.

NMAT: similar to CAT

NMAT 2015 will have 3 sections. It will be a computer based objective type multiple-choice test with 120 questions to be solved in 2 hours (120 minutes). It means the aspirant will have 1 minute per question to solve. No descriptive type of questions will be asked in NMAT 2015

NMAT 2015 will have following components

Components

Number of questions

Estimated time to solve in minutes

Language skills

32

22

Quantitative skills

48

60

Logical Reasoning

40

38

There will be sectional as well as overall cut offs in NMAT 2015. Like CAT a candidate can move to next question once the present one on the screen is attempted in accordance with instructions.

The necessity is to perform well relative to other candidates in each of the three sections to get shortlisted for final admission round.

Uniquesness from CAT 2014

There will not be any negative marking in NMAT 2015

In case of candidates taking more than one attempt the best score which is the total score & its respective sectional score will be considered for short listing for subsequent process.

NMAT 2015 aspirants also have the choice of selecting the order of the sections in the test. Aspirants need to solve each section within the prescribed time limit to it since each section has an individual time limit. The number of questions and time limit of the test sections are fixed. The computer will display questions one at a time.

NMAT 2015: Results

Results of NMAT 2015 are expected to be announced on January 22, 2015. On the basis of NMAT 2015 scores candidates will be shortlisted for Case Discussion(CD) and Personal Interview (PI) round which will be conducted wef February 11 to February 24, 2015. Final merit list will be declared on March 4, 2015. Candidates will be offered admission to NMIMS on the basis of final merit list.

Retake of NMAT 2015

If an NMAT 2015 aspirant is not satisfied with his performance and thinks that he/she can improve the scores by taking NMAT 2015 again, the test can be rescheduled for Retake but with a minimum gap of 15 days. The scheduling to retake the test begins on  October 7, 2014 and will continue till December 19, 2014. 

NMAT 2015: Registration closes on Sep 24, 2015

Online Registration for NMAT 2015, gateway to MBA admission session 2015-17 at 4 campuses of  Narsee  Monjee Institute of Management Studies(NMIMS)  will close on September 24, 2014.  So barely a few days are left to get registered for NMAT 2015 without late fee.
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7797/NMAT-2015-registration

An NMAT 2015 aspirant can register by paying a late fee of Rs.3000/- till October 4, 2014. But there is no point in waiting and those who wish to appear in NMAT 2015 are advised to register prior to September 24, 2014 to avoid the penalty of late fee.

Pearson VUE will carry out the online registration & will conduct NMAT 2015 on behalf of NMIMS University.

SNAP  2014: Similar to XAT, IIFT

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) 2014 for admission to MBA programmes in Symbiosis institutes for the session 2015-16 will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2014 across the country. The registration for SNAP 2014 will close on November 26, 2014.  SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International University(SIU).

SNAP will provide opportunity to take admission in Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM - Pune) apart from other 12 B schools affiliated to Symbiosis International University(SIU).

The candidates taking XAT/IIFT can appear in SNAP also as the test is similar to them

SNAP 2014: Exam pattern

SNAP 2014 will be a paper pen mode Multiple Choice Questions based examination of two hours duration. Candidates are allowed with blue or black ball pen, preferably black as the OMR sheet in black ink can be better read by the system.

The test will comprise 4 sections and the expected total maximum marks would be 180 while maximum marks for each section may be as follows

Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension 40 marks

General Knowledge and Current Affairs-40 marks

Quantitative Ability and data interpretation-40 marks

Analytical and logical Ability 60 marks

Although candidates are allowed to attempt any section in any order, sectional cut off will always be there. One has to score at least a minimum cut off score in each of the four sections.

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7888/SNAP-2014-exam-date

Related Links

IIFT 2014: Know the difficulty level and sectional weightage

 IIFT Topper: Sunny Pandey gives tips and guidance to IIFT 2014 Aspirants

 IIFT 2014: Tricky scoring pattern; Focus more on Reading Comprehension

 IIFT 2015: Quant, DI, LR to have maximum weightage; English and GK to follow

 How important is General Awareness in IIFT 2014: Know what and how to prepare

 Will IIFT 2015 have changed face like CAT 2014: History and experts say 'No'

Trends in CAT Exam; Still in Evolution process; impact will be on CAT 2014 test takers

Petty mistakes that create chaos in CAT 2014 Registration process; know how to get rid of

Do not miss the chance to enter IIM; CAT 2014 offers more chances this year

Speed Accuracy will be the big factor to ace CAT 2014 new exam pattern with 99+ percentile

Next 52 days of CAT 2014 Registration: What should Dr Rohit Kapoor Expect?

CAT 2014: How alarming with tricky questions will be the CAT new pattern

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on MBA/PGDM entrance tests 2014