Latest Update: IIFT Exam for admission to MBA (IB) 2021-23 batch was successfully conducted on January 24, 2021 from 3PM to 5PM as computer based test in all major cities in India. While the exam was on last year pattern, GK in IIFT exam emerged as the key section to clear the IIFT shortlisting cut offs. Read complete IIFT 2021 exam analysis. IIFT proposes to launch its new campus at Kakinada apart from the existing IIFT Delhi and Kolkata campuses and this will add to the total intake for 2021-23 batch. 

For the last two years, IIFT MBA entrance exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam testing mode has been changed from paper based test to computer based test. NTA had extended the last date to apply for IIFT MBA 2021 admission test to December 30, 2020 from earlier Dec 20. The exam was conducted in 68 cities in India with many changes. IIFT 2021 Registration fee was Rs.2500/-. The application process was online at the exam website iift.nta.nic.in.   

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Admission Test-2021 popularly known as IIFT Exam 2021, is the MBA Entrance Exam for Admission to all the three campuses of IIFT.  Every year around 60,000 students from all disciplines including Engineering, Commerce, Humanities and even Law take IIFT MBA admission test to get MBA admission in one of three campuses of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Since last year, IIFT has changed its question paper pattern from paper based to computer based. To get a high 95+ percentile in IIFT requires 4-5 months of serious preparation.

IIFT 2021 Exam: Highlights
One of the most important MBA entrance exams – IIFT has following key highlights:

IIFT Entrance for MBA admission 2021 will be the second computer based test in the history of IIFT MBA admission exam. IIFT MBA admission test is now conducted by National Testing Agency and not by IIFT itself. The difficulty level for the exam is high and is like CAT and XAT exams. GK section plays an important role in scoring high percentile. Experts at MBAUniverse.com, TIME, CL, IMS expect a cut off between 110-115 marks out of 300, that may fetch 93 to 96 percentile.

In this article, you will read all key points to plan your IIFT MBA Admission exam journey, including important dates, syllabus & pattern, how to prepare, expected cut offs, past IIFT toppers interviews and much more. You will also find important links to Free IIFT previous questions papers. So, read through till the end.  

IIFT 2021 Important Dates
All the IIFT exam details being conducted by NTA are available at IIFT-NTA website. The IIFT 2021 Important Dates for all the activities are as under:

IIFT Exam Date 2021

What is IIFT MBA Admission Test?
IIFT full form is Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Admission Test. It is the mandatory MBA entrance test for admission to all the three campuses of IIFT. The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade is ranked #26 among top 100 management institutes in India in the MHRD-NIRF Ranking 2020. IIFT MBA (IB) 2021 entrance exam will be held in a single session as a computer based test. The exam will be of 2 hours duration with a maximum marks of 300 and will be conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for the second time and not by IIFT as was conducted earlier. 

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) MBA Admission Test is conducted annually for admission to its flagship MBA (IB) program offered at its three campuses located at Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada (AP). The IIFT MBA exam 2020 will lead to MBA admission 2021 and therefore the exam is more prominently known as IIFT 2021 instead of IIFT 2020, although the exam will be held in 2020. 

IIFT 2021: Important Changes
Many changes have been effected in the conduct of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) MBA Entrance exam. Some of the key changes are:

1. Conducted by NTA, Not by IIFT
NTA has been assigned the responsibility to conduct IIFT Admission Test with effect from 2019. It announces the complete schedule of the IIFT entrance test, conducts the exam and declares the answer key and final result. 

2. Exam Time and Test Format Changed
IIFT 2021 exam timing is changed to 3PM – 5 PM from earlier 10AM – 12 Noon. IIFT Admission Entrance Test for MBA (IB) 2021-23 is a computer based test. IIFT Director Prof Manoj Pant has confirmed that IIFT format has been changed to computer based test from paper based exam. The exam will be conducted at national level in 68 cities by NTA.

3. Total Sections, No. of Questions & Scoring Pattern Changed
Instead of 6 sections IIFT admission test now has 4 sections with 110 questions and maximum 300 marks with varying sectional scoring pattern.

4. Delay in Notification Release: No Impact on Admission Process
On account of Covid-19 pandemic situation, IIFT exam for MBA (IB) admission 2021 is  delayed. But, the late conduct of IIFT test may not impact the IIFT Admission process 2021. After declaration of entrance exam result, IIFT will immediately release the shortlist in February 2021 and will complete the final selection process by March/April 2021. The final admission offer is expected to be made in April/May 2021.

5. IIFT Registration & Application 2021: Started on November 6, 2020
IIFT Registration and application process for IIFT admission 2021 has started from November 6 2020 after release of notification. The Registration process is online and has to be completed at NTA official website. Last date to apply for the IIFT exam closes on December 20, 2020. 

6. IIFT 2021 Result Date: Expect on January 31, 2021
Moving faster in declaration of exam result, NTA is likely to declare the exam result within 6-7 days from the conduct of the exam for admission 2021.

7. IIFT Kakinada (AP) Campus: Expected to Commence Operations in 2021
According to the Director, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Dr Manoj Pant, the Kakinada campus of IIFT in Andhra Pradesh is expected to commence operations from the academic session 2021 with an intake of 40 to 60 students. The campus was supposed to take off with a strength of 60 students in 2019 but the date of its launch has been delayed.  

8. Changes in Exam Pattern
Not only the Exam is computer based, you will find changes in its number of sections, scoring pattern, maximum marks among others which will also change the cut off score in the revamped format of IIFT Admission test.

IIFT Dar-es-Salaam campus started
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade has re-opened its Dar-es-Salaam campus in Tanzania from the academic session 2020-21. The Agreement with IMF Tanzania has now been renewed and therefore it has offered admission opportunity to the IIFT Dar-es-Salaam campus

IIFT 2020 or IIFT 2021: Clear the Confusion
The IIFT 2021 is the exam for MBA admission 2021-23 batch and is scheduled on January 24, 2021. Similarly, the IIFT 2020 exam for admission to MBA (IB) 2020-22 batch was conducted on December 1, 2019.

Exam Pattern, Sections, Question paper-Key changes
In 2017, IIFT changed its exam pattern by increasing the number of sections in the exam. The format of the exam for admission 2021 has changed to computer based test from earlier paper based test. IIFT is now reduced to 4 sections with questions on VARC; DILR, Quant and GK sections. The exam remains a multiple choice objective type written test (in English) of 120 minutes.  

Read More

MBA (IB) Admission Process

How to Apply?
NTA will release the detailed notification for IIFT MBA (IB) application process. You can register for online on the official NTA website and can pay the exam fee of Rs.2000/- online. The exam registration fee includes the exam application form fee.  

Step by Step Registration Process
The IIFT MBA Admission exam Registration and Application form can be filled up in four steps:

• Step-1: Register as New User & Fill in Personal Details at NTA website
• Step-2: Login again with your registered ID & Password and complete the IIFT Application form
• Step-3: Make Payment of Rs.2000/- online towards application fee
• Step-4: Submit the IIFT Application form at NTA website and take print

No IIFT Application Offline
The earlier practice of IIFT application in offline mode has been discontinued and candidates should apply online only at NTA website. To apply for entrance exam, you must visit NTA website to fill in the online form as per details given on website. Read more...

How to Prepare for IIFT
IIFT Admission test preparation guide how to start preparation at home as per the revised exam pattern, is focused on following points:

• IIFT Exam Pattern: You must be aware about the Changed exam pattern
• IIFT Syllabus: Read through Important topics & Changes
• Choose the best Books for IIFT preparation
• Plan your IIFT Preparation Time - How to start IIFT preparation at home?
• Check the time left and learn How to prepare for IIFT in 6 months, 3 months or 2 months?
• Make a choice whether to prepare for IIFT without coaching or with coaching?
• Weigh the pros & cons on benefits of IIFT Preparation with or without coaching
• Solve IIFT Previous test papers & Mocks: How to attempt and analyse? 
• Strategy to score 95+ percentile in IIFT exam – Tips from Toppers
• GK Preparation for IIFT Exam Read More

IIFT Syllabus
IIFT Syllabus & exam pattern comprises the questions on English verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Analysis.

In a major shift introduced in IIFT Syllabus, now the IIFT admission test will have questions split in more number of sections. Not only this, the IIFT syllabus for the different sections has also changed. The number of questions in each section have also been changed in the revamped exam pattern. Read More

IIFT Admission Test Eligibility
The candidates with following qualifications are eligible to apply for IIFT 2021 exam for admission to MBA (IB) 

• Recognized Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration in any discipline with 50% marks.
• Candidates appearing for a qualifying examination can also apply subject to submission of proof of requisite qualification by October, 2021
• No age limit to appear in the entrance exam.
• Work experience not necessary

The admission of a candidate who joins the programme on provisional basis but fails to qualify in the Bachelor’s degree examination with requisite percentage of marks is liable to be cancelled. Read More

IIFT Application Form: Error Correction Process
National Testing Agency will open the Application Details Edit facility for the IIFT  application for 3-4 days after the last date to apply is over. NTA allows the candidates to amend and modify the details in their IIFT registration and application form. Error correction in IIFT application form is a one-time option to modify the data. Modification option is available for those who have completed all four stages of application form - Primary registration, Academic and Personal details, Payment and Photo/Sign upload. No change in Resident status, Mobile No., E-mail, Category, Written Test & GD Centre can be done. 

You can edit limited details in your IIFT application form by entering your IIFT registration number and password, Please note that Resident, Mobile No., E-mail, Category and Written Test & GD Centre cannot be modified by the candidate.

How to Apply?
NTA will release the detailed notification for IIFT MBA (IB) application process. You can register for online on the official NTA website and can pay the exam fee of Rs.2500/- online. The exam registration fee includes the exam application form fee. 

Step by Step Registration Process
The IIFT MBA Admission exam Registration and Application form can be filled up in four steps:

Step-1: Apply for Online Registration using unique Email ID and Mobile No

Step-2: Fill in the Online Application Form and note down the system generated Application Number

Step-3: Upload scanned images of Candidate’s Photograph (file size: 10 kb - 200 kb), Candidate’s Signature (file size: 4kb - 30kb) and Copy of Certificate indicating Category and/or Subcategory, as applicable. (PwD) (file size: 50kb -300kb). All documents uploaded should be in JPG/JPEG format.

Step-4: Pay fee using ICICI/PAYTM Payment Gateway through Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI/PAYTM and keep proof of fee paid. In case the Confirmation Page is not generated after payment of fee then the transaction is cancelled, and amount will be refunded to the candidate’s account. However, the candidate has to make another transaction, in case the Confirmation Page is not generated.

You should download, save and print copies of Confirmation Page after successful remittance of fee and keep copies safely for future reference. All the 4 Steps of application submission can be done together or at separate times.

No IIFT Application Offline
The earlier practice of IIFT application in offline mode has been discontinued and candidates should apply online only at NTA website. To apply for entrance exam, you must visit NTA website to fill in the online form as per details given on website. Read more...

How to Prepare for IIFT
IIFT Admission test preparation guide how to start preparation at home as per the revised exam pattern, is focused on following points:

• IIFT Exam Pattern: You must be aware about the Changed exam pattern
• IIFT Syllabus: Read through Important topics & Changes
• Choose the best Books for IIFT preparation
• Plan your IIFT Preparation Time - How to start IIFT preparation at home?
• Check the time left and learn How to prepare for IIFT in 6 months, 3 months or 2 months?
• Make a choice whether to prepare for IIFT without coaching or with coaching?
• Weigh the pros & cons on benefits of IIFT Preparation with or without coaching
• Solve IIFT Previous test papers & Mocks: How to attempt and analyse? 
• Strategy to score 95+ percentile in IIFT exam – Tips from Toppers
• GK Preparation for IIFT Exam Read More

IIFT Syllabus
IIFT Syllabus & exam pattern comprises the questions on English Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Analysis.

In a major shift introduced in IIFT Syllabus, now the IIFT admission test will have questions split in more number of sections. Not only this, the IIFT syllabus for the different sections has also changed. The number of questions in each section have also been changed in the revamped exam pattern. Read More

IIFT Admission Test Eligibility
The candidates with following qualifications are eligible to apply for IIFT 2021 exam for admission to MBA (IB) 

• Recognized Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration in any discipline with 50% marks.
• Candidates appearing for a qualifying examination can also apply subject to submission of proof of requisite qualification by October, 2021
• No age limit to appear in the entrance exam.
• Work experience not necessary

The admission of a candidate who joins the programme on provisional basis but fails to qualify in the Bachelor’s degree examination with requisite percentage of marks is liable to be cancelled. Read More

IIFT Application Form: Error Correction Process
You can edit IIFT 2021 application details till you finally submit it. After the form submission, no change is permitted. However, National Testing Agency will open the Application Details Edit facility for the IIFT application for 3-4 days after the last date to apply is over. NTA allows the candidates to amend and modify the details in their IIFT registration and application form. Error correction in IIFT application form is a one-time option to modify the data. Modification option is available for those who have completed all four stages of application form - Primary registration, Academic and Personal details, Payment and Photo/Sign upload. No change in Resident status, Mobile No., E-mail, Category, Written Test & GD Centre can be done. 

You can edit limited details in your IIFT application form by entering your IIFT registration number and password, Please note that Resident, Mobile No., E-mail, Category and Written Test & GD Centre cannot be modified by the candidate.

Exam Centre Change: One Time Facility
For once, NTA may permit the facility to submit request for IIFT admission entrance test Centre Change. The Application fee for IIFT test centre change is Rs.1000/-.  The Request can be submitted online only. No requests in this regard can be entertained offline.  

Exam Fees
The Exam Fee to appear in the IIFT entrance test is Rs.2500. The exam fee includes the IIFT Registration Fee, IIFT Application Fee also. The fee also includes the participation and registration fee for GD-PI-WAT process, after the result declaration of IIFT 2021 entrance exam.

IIFT Intake
IIFT has increased its intake to 400+ students. With the launch of Kakinada campus, the IIFT intake of students campus wise is expected to increase further:

In case the Kakinada campus is not again launched this year, IIFT MBA (IB) 2021-23 intake will remain 400+ students.

The IIFT 2021 MBA (IB) admission test score will be accepted only by IIFT for admission to its campuses and no other MBA college accepts IIFT exam score. The IIFT entrance exam is now conducted NTA.

More than 60,000 candidates are expected to register and apply for IIFT MBA entrance exam 2021 as happens every year. With the growing popularity, unique learning process and high placement prospects of MBA (IB) at IIFT, it is expected that the Admission Test will have more than 60,000 registrations.

Free Practice Sessions for IIFT Computer Based Exam 
4000 Schools/ engineering colleges with computer centres are available on every Saturday/Sunday after release of IIFT exam dates. More Schools/ engineering colleges with computer centres will be added in due course of time for IIFT Test Practice. NTA has established a countrywide network of Test Practice Centres (TPCs) to familiarise aspiring students.

All students have an opportunity to practice and have experience of taking “Computer Based Test (CBT)” before the exam. The candidates can choose the nearest TPC. This facility is available free of cost as a support measure, especially for candidates hailing from remote and rural areas. The experienced, qualified and professional Nodal Officer and staff available at the TPC will help the candidates so that they become familiar with the CBT mode of examinations.

The TPCs will have a downloaded “Computer Based Test (CBT)” which will be similar to the actual test to be conducted on the IIFT exam day. The TPCs will help the candidates to familiarise themselves with logging into the systems, going through the detailed instructions regarding the test, using mouse or numeric keyboard on screen (virtual) for attempting calculation based questions, scrolling down or scrolling up for the next questions, navigating between questions, review and editing their options and submitting them

After launching its one more campus at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, IIFT will offer MBA (International Business) at its 3 campuses in India namely New Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada campuses. MBA (IB) at IIFT is considered as one of the best 2 years MBA programmes in International Business. IIFT offers great learning experience with high placement to its students.

The IIFT Notification Dates
Following has been the trend of IIFT notification release:

While the registration and application process for largest MBA entrance exam CAT 2020 has closed in September, other top MBA entrance exams leading to admission 2021 are open till November/December 2020. XAT 2021 for admission to XLRI, XIMB, IMT and 150 other top B-schools is open till Nov 30, 2020; NMAT by GMAC for admission in NMIMS and 30+ B-schools is open till November 30; SNAP 2020 for admission 2021 in 16 Symbiosis institutes is open till November 28, 2020; IBSAT 2020 for admission 2021 in ICFAI Hyderabad and 8 other ICFAI B-schools is open till December 16, 2020.. MBA Entrance Exam

IIFT 2021 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. When will IIFT Exam registration start?
A. NTA has started IIFT entrance exam registration process November 6, 2020

Q. What is the IIFT Exam date?
A. The IIFT entrance exam will be held as computer based test on January 24, 2021 from 3 PM to 5 PM

Q. From where I can purchase IIFT MBA Entrance exam registration and application form?
Ans. You cannot purchase IIFT entrance exam application form any more. Now IIFT MBA exam Registration process is available online only.

Q. What is the IIFT Exam registration fee? Can I pay it by Demand Draft?
Ans. IIFT MBA entrance exam registration fee is Rs. 2500/-. You cannot pay the fee by DD. The Fee can be paid only by Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking/PAYTM/UPI Service

Q. Is there any concession in IIFT entrance exam registration Fee for reserved category candidates?
Ans. Yes, the SC/ST/PwD/Transgender category candidates need to pay Rs.1000/- online towards IIFT exam registration fee. No concession in IIFT Registration fee is applicable for EWS/ OBC(NCL)  category candidates.

Q. If I am unable to appear in IIFT MBA (IB) entrance exam due to severe illness, will NTA refund the application fee paid for the exam?
A. No, even if you submit the Medical Certificate and reports from top medical institutes of India, NTA will neither refund the fee nor it will be adjusted for future exams.   

Q. What is the time at which IIFT Registration closes?
Ans. IIFT 2021 registration process closes at 5 PM on December 20, 2020 at NTA-IIFT exam website