Should I start preparing my 9th grade daughter for the IMM Ahmedabad exam?

Ans: Sir,
she can pursue graduation in commerce, then appear for CAT and do an MBA from IIM.

Another option is Through IPMAT your daughter will get into 5 years integrated program at IIM. And yes there will be different companies for placements for both categories. The degrees are from IIM only; if you value the degree from CTC, then yes, there will be a difference. Getting into IIM through CAT is a bit tough.

Ans: Hi,

Thank you for writing in.

Entrance exams for Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other reputed colleges in India are generally conducted by the Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to the postgraduate management programs.

XAT or Xavier Aptitude Test is another popular MBA entrance exam held for admissions to the Xavier member institutes including XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB and XIME.

PGDBA exam is held for admission to the Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA) course offered collectively by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur and ISI Kolkata.

IIFT is held by the National Testing Agency for admission to MBA(IB) by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. The university-level examination is held annually in online mode.

NMAT is a national-level examination held by GMAC for admission to top MBA institutes including NMIMS and XIMB among 30 B-schools in India.

TISSNET is held by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, TISSNET paves the way for admission to its Master’s programs in management offered at the various campuses.

I have listed few for references. There are multiple other institutes you can look. Please zero down on one so that it will further help to focus on one.

Other tips-

Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, which includes sections such as Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). Understand the marking scheme, time allocation, and the number of questions in each section.

Gather Study Material: Collect study material, including textbooks, reference books, previous years' question papers, and online resources. Some recommended books for CAT preparation are:

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT
Create a Study Plan: Develop a structured study plan that covers all the sections and allows for regular practice. Allocate time for each topic, focusing on your weaknesses while maintaining a balance across all sections. Set realistic goals and track your progress.

Practice Mock Tests: Regularly practice mock tests to assess your performance, identify weak areas, and improve time management. Analyze your mistakes and work on improving them. Joining a test series or using online platforms that offer mock tests can be beneficial.

Join Coaching Classes (optional): Consider joining coaching classes if you feel you need additional guidance and a structured approach to your preparation. Coaching institutes provide expert faculty, study material, and a competitive environment. However, self-study with proper dedication can also yield good results.

Stay Updated and Practice Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs and business news as they form an essential part of the exam. Read newspapers, follow news websites, and magazines to enhance your knowledge of current events.

Focus on Conceptual Clarity: Understand the underlying concepts of each topic and focus on building a strong foundation. This will help you tackle complex problems effectively. Practice regularly to improve speed and accuracy.

Develop Time Management Skills: Time management is crucial during the exam. Practice solving questions within the given time limits. Learn to prioritize questions based on difficulty levels and allocate time accordingly.

Improve Reading and Comprehension Skills: Enhance your reading speed and comprehension skills to perform well in the VARC section. Read newspapers, magazines, and books regularly to improve your vocabulary and comprehension abilities.

Stay Motivated and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Preparing for entrance exams can be challenging, so it's essential to stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset. Take regular breaks, exercise, and get enough sleep to stay focused and energized.

Hope this helps. All the best

To Your Success. Be You. Be Confident
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of -Confidence Decoded. Is it a Skill or Attitude?

Ans: Srinivasu Sir, VNR VJIET Hyderabad, established in 1995, stands as a NAAC A++ accredited autonomous institution under JNTU Hyderabad with NIRF ranking 151-200 in Engineering category. The institute demonstrates strong industry integration with placement rates of 80% for CSE and allied branches, achieving an average package of 7.09 LPA with highest packages reaching 51-54 LPA from companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. The Information Technology department specifically shows robust industry connections through partnerships with companies like ZF India, Agmay Technologies, and Advance Auto Parts, providing students direct exposure to cutting-edge automotive and technology sectors. With over 20,800+ alumni network and 500+ faculty members, the institution offers substantial professional networking opportunities alongside 37 incubated startups through VJ Hub.

In contrast, IISER Berhampur, established in 2016 as an Institute of National Importance under NITSER Act 2007, represents a premier research-focused institution with distinguished faculty including Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship holders and international collaboration agreements with University of Buffalo, Max-Planck Society Germany, and ECOLES NORMALES SUPERIEURES France. The BS-MS dual degree program emphasizes fundamental sciences with research-oriented curriculum, though placement statistics show only 6 students placed out of 114 eligible candidates in 2024 with median package of 4.36 LPA. However, over 60% of graduates pursue PhD programs internationally at institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Max Planck Institutes, with comprehensive postdoctoral fellowship opportunities offering up to ?67,000 monthly stipends.

The five critical institutional aspects reveal distinct strengths: Academic Excellence - VNR VJIET offers industry-aligned curriculum with NBA accreditation for 9 UG and 13 PG programs, while IISER provides research-intensive education with international faculty exchanges; Industry Integration - VNR VJIET maintains strong corporate partnerships with 125+ recruiting companies annually, whereas IISER focuses on research collaborations with global institutions; Infrastructure Quality - Both institutions provide modern facilities, with VNR VJIET's 26-acre campus featuring specialized labs and IISER's research infrastructure supporting advanced scientific instrumentation; Faculty Expertise - VNR VJIET employs 500+ experienced faculty with industry connections, while IISER faculty includes internationally recognized researchers with significant grant funding; Career Outcomes - VNR VJIET ensures immediate industry placement opportunities with competitive packages, while IISER creates pathways for advanced research careers and international PhD programs. Given Vasavi's exceptional academic performance (98% in both 10th and 12th, 95 percentile in JEE Main) and considering the family's Hyderabad base, IISER Berhampur emerges as the superior choice for long-term career excellence. The BS-MS program offers unparalleled research exposure, international collaboration opportunities, and direct pathways to prestigious global PhD programs, positioning Vasavi for leadership roles in academia, research institutions, or high-level industry positions that demand advanced scientific knowledge and analytical capabilities. Both options are beneficial. HOWEVER, Please discuss with Vasavi whether she feels more drawn to research studies or to an IT career, and weigh her decision against both her immediate interests and her short- and long-term objectives. If she leans toward the IISER Berhampur BS-MS program, she should keep in mind these considerations: (1) Immediate industry placement options tend to be fewer and offer lower packages. (2) Achieving long-term success often depends on pursuing a PhD, and (3) corporate recruitment drives occur less frequently compared to those at engineering colleges. All the BEST for Your Daughter's Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.