What is IIFT Entrance Exam?

The IIFT exam, short for the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, is a highly competitive entrance exam that provides an opportunity for admission into the prestigious MBA (International Business) program at the Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada campuses of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. The exam is conducted once a year, usually in December, and is a computer-based test that spans two hours. The exam assesses candidates in several areas, including English comprehension, quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and general knowledge. Given its challenging nature, achieving a good score on the IIFT exam can unlock numerous career opportunities in the field of international business management.

Exam Name IIFT Entrance Exam
Conducting Body
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
Exam Level
National
Exam Frequency
Once a year (usually in December)
Exam Mode
Computer-based test (CBT)
Total Marks
300
Total Number of Questions
110
Exam Duration
2 Hours
Marking Scheme
+3 for correct answer; -1 for incorrect answer
Number of Sections
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), General Awareness (GA)
Medium of Exam
English
Eligibility Criteria
Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university
Age Limit
No age limit

Selection Process For IIFT Entrance

Stage Description
IIFT Entrance Exam
Candidates must clear the IIFT entrance exam to be eligible for the next stage of the selection process.
Written Ability Test (WAT)
Shortlisted candidates from the entrance exam are required to participate in a Written Ability Test (WAT). The WAT aims to test a candidate's writing skills, grammar, and coherence.
Group Discussion (GD)
Candidates who clear the WAT are further shortlisted for the Group Discussion (GD) round. In this round, a group of candidates is given a topic for discussion, and the panel evaluates their communication skills, teamwork, and leadership qualities.
Personal Interview (PI)
The Personal Interview (PI) round is the final stage of the selection process. Candidates who clear the GD are invited for the PI. The panel evaluates a candidate's overall profile, including their academics, work experience, and extracurricular activities. The PI round aims to test a candidate's analytical skills and their fit for the program.
Final Selection
The final selection is based on the candidate's performance in the IIFT entrance exam, WAT, GD, and PI. The weightage assigned to each stage of the selection process may vary from year to year and is at the discretion of the institute.

Exam Paper Pattern

Sections No. of Questions Marks Per Question Total Marks
Language ComprehensionVerbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
35
3
105
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
25
3
75
Quantitative Ability (QA)
30
3
90
General Awareness (GA)
20
1.5
30
Total
110
----
300

Note: The exam may also include non-MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) questions in some sections. These may be in the form of Fill in the Blanks, Short Answers, or other formats. Additionally, there may be negative marking for wrong answers (usually 1/3rd of the marks allotted for the question). The exact marking scheme may vary from year to year.

Syllabus for the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Exam:

Section Topics
Language Comprehension
Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability
Mathematical Skills
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Modern Mathematics, Number Systems, Trigonometry
Data Analysis and Sufficiency
Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Graphs, Charts, and Tables
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning
Indian and Global Environment
Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Business and Economics, Geography, History, Politics, Sports
  • The IIFT exam consists of four sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and General Awareness (GA).
  • The total number of questions in the exam is 110, with each question carrying different marks as indicated in the table above.
  • There is negative marking in the exam, with 1/3rd of the marks allotted for a question deducted for each wrong answer.
  • The total duration of the exam is two hours, and candidates cannot switch between sections during the exam.

List Of Some Of The Top Institutes That Accept IIFT Scores

Here’s a list of some of the top institutes that accept IIFT scores:

  1. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
  2. Management Development Institute (MDI)
  3. S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)
  4. International Management Institute (IMI)
  5. Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB)
  6. Institute of Management Technology (IMT)
  7. Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR)
  8. Great Lakes Institute of Management
  9. Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)
  10. T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI)

Note: The above-mentioned institutes are not exhaustive, and candidates are advised to check the respective institute’s website for the latest admission information and eligibility criteria.

Key Preparation Strategies That Students Should Follow To Clear The IIFT Exam

Sure, here are some professional tips for students to prepare for the IIFT exam and perform their best:

  1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Before starting your preparation, it is crucial to understand the IIFT exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Go through the exam pattern and syllabus carefully and make a study plan accordingly.
  2. Focus on Basics: Start by building a strong foundation of basic concepts in each subject. Once you have a clear understanding of the fundamentals, move on to more advanced topics.
  3. Practice Regularly: Regular practice is key to success in the IIFT exam. Solve as many practice papers, mock tests, and previous year’s question papers as possible to get familiar with the exam pattern and improve your speed and accuracy.
  4. Time Management: Time management is critical in the IIFT exam, as it is a time-bound test. Practice time management strategies while solving mock tests to ensure that you can complete the paper within the allotted time.
  5. Improve Vocabulary: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) is a crucial section in the IIFT exam. Work on improving your vocabulary by reading newspapers, books, and magazines regularly.
  6. Stay Updated: General Awareness (GA) is another critical section in the IIFT exam. Stay updated with current affairs, international news, and business events by reading newspapers, watching news channels, and browsing the internet.
  7. Revision: Revision is essential for retaining what you have learned. Revise regularly and focus on your weak areas to improve your performance.

Remember, with the right approach, dedication, and hard work, you can ace the IIFT exam and secure admission to your dream institute.

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