Check List of Best Books for IIFT Preparation

The topics under Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension are the same for both CAT and IIFT. The latter, however has an extra subject – General Awareness (For General Awareness preparation, candidates need to devote only one month before the exam). Since to topics are same in both exams, the books recommended for IIFT are same as for CAT. Candidates can prepare for both exams simultaneously but the preparation strategy has to be exam-specific for both. Candidates need to practice sample questions and mock tests for IIFT. Solving CAT mock tests or sample question will not be helpful for IIFT as the type and difficulty level of questions are very different from CAT. The exam pattern and marking scheme of IIFT are also different from CAT. So, even though the CAT and IIFT syllabus are the same the preparation has to be different from each other.

No, you can’t rely only on the recommended books for IIFT syllabus coverage. You need to invest time in secondary readings and guidebooks to have a better understanding of chapters and topics. Along with books, notes and study material, you need to join online study groups where you can join video lectures for various topics of IIFT. These video lectures will help you in understanding the topics better with examples. Apart from that, to cover the IIFT syllabus, you need to practice sample papers and mock tests. These sample test papers and mocks will help you in improving your problem solving skills in limited time and help you gain knowledge of which formula to apply on which type of questions. There is no particular limit to practicing mock tests for IIFT preparation as it depends on each candidate's ability and grip on the topics. However, on an average the candidates must practice at least 25-30 IIFT mock tests and sample papers for preparation. 

Yes, the IIFT syllabus is similar to CAT syllabus. The topics included in English, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude section of IIFT exam are same as CAT. The topics included in these sections of IIFT are same as that of CAT. In VARC section, one has to study reading comprehension, verbal ability, vocabulary and grammar. In Quantitative Aptitude section of both exams, there are questions from Arithmetic, Mensuration, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra, Modern Math, etc. In Data Interpretation, one has to study Tables, Charts, Graphs and Venn Diagrams. The Logical Reasoning section of both exams has questions from Sequence, Number System, Coding-Decoding, Family Tree, Blood Relations, Series, etc.

However, IIFT aspirants have to study General Awareness too as it is one of the four sections of IIFT question paper. The General Awareness section is memory based and can be prepared in the last month before the IIFT exam. Candidates can prepare for both CAT and IIFT simultaneously.  Read more: Is IIFT tougher than CAT exam?

Both exams are of same difficulty level. While, CAT has higher difficulty level VARC, IIFT's Quantitative Aptitude is tougher. In CAT VARC, the weightage of RC based question is higher than in IIFT. Also, the RC passages of CAT are a mix of both inference-based and fact-based types. However, the RC passages in IIFT are fact-based. IIFT focuses more on vocabulary and verbal ability than reading comprehension. Sharing key highlights of both exams here:

For 2024 admission, IIFT did not conduct the entrance exam,. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the IIFT entrance exam on behalf of the institute. In the IIFT exam, about 110 questions were asked from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and General Awareness. The exam was held in computer based test mode and the exam duration is 2 hours. There was no sectional time limit. The questions were in MCQ and non-MCQ format carrying 3 marks each. The wrong answers had negative marking of -1.5. In General Awareness section, each question carried 1.5 marks for correct attempt and -0.5 for incorrect attempts. The IIFT exam was an annual test and there was no option of retest.

IIFT exam has four sections - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and General Awareness. Among all the four sections, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension has the maximum weightage as it has 35 questions. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section has 30 questions, Quantitative Ability has 25 questions and General Awareness has 20 questions. Check the table below for IIFT sectional weightage which includes total number of questions and total marks.

Quantitative Aptitude section of IIFT entrance exam comprises all the topics of Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Arithmetic, Mensuration, Trigonometry and Modern Math, etc. that include Percentages, Number System, Binomial Expansion, Arithmetic Progression, Simple Interest, Ratios, HCF & LCM, BODMAS, Median, Compound interest, Arithmetic Mean, Co-ordinate geometry, Standard Deviation, Vectors, Set Theory, Instalments/ payments, Permutation & Combination, Mode, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Probability, Clocks & Calendar, Time, Speed, Distance, Logarithm, Geometric Progression, Averages, In- equations Quadratic, Profit & Loss, Venn Diagram, Geometric Mean, Ratios & Proportions, Linear Equations, Algebra, Geometry, Work & Time, Harmonic Mean.

Candidates must start preparation of IIFT Quantitative Aptitude section about 6-8 months in advance so as to be able to have enough time to complete the syllabus and practice sample questions.

This section also requires practice of sample questions as mere theoretical understanding is not enough. The need for speed and accuracy is critical for IIFT exam so candidates must focus on gaining conceptual clarity of every topic and correct application for the theorems and formulae. Having a mentor or guide will be helpful so join a coaching institute or online study groups.

Yes, it is not mandatory to answer all the questions in the IIFT exam and no marks will be deducted for skipping questions. If you are not sure of the right answer to a particular question, skip it to avoid negative marking. Candidates should solve only those questions in the IIFT exam which they can solve accurately and minimum time. However, candidates must keep in mind that they need to meet a minimum cut off in every section so they should not skip too many questions. Meeting the sectional cut off will ensure that their overall IIFT score is high enough for selection in the personal interview and group discussion round of MBA admission.

The Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section of IIFT entrance exam has the maximum weightage. There are 35 questions in this section and total marks is 105. Each question carries 3 marks for correct attempt and -1 for incorrect attempt. This section is usually of moderate difficulty level. The questions are asked from Reading Comprehension passages, Identify the Synonym, Identify Grammatically Correct/Incorrect Sentence, One Word Substitution, Jumbled Paragraphs, etc. The Reading Comprehension passages are simple and fact based so there's not much pressure on candidates to get the gist right. Verbal Ability and Grammar questions are usually easy and can be completed within minutes.

The important topics of DILR syllabus for IIFT include Decision Making, Series, Data Structures, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Alphabetical Series, Syllogisms, Verbal Logic, Visual & Critical Reasoning, Linear & Matrix Arrangements, Puzzles, Family Tree Problem, Statement & Conclusion, Cause & Effect, Input & Output, Partnership, Line Graph, Tables, Bar Graph and Pie Graphs.

The IIFT DILR section has 30 questions in total. To prepare for these topics, candidates need to first learn the types of questions and their key elements. LR questions are mostly like a puzzle where you have to uncover a pattern and to complete the series. This requires a bit of analytical and a bit of logical deduction. Practice a good number of IIFT DILR questions of previous years as well as sample papers to master this section.

Ideally, a candidate must prepare for the IIFT exam for at least six to nine months. They must study for the exam diligently for six to eight hours every day and the daily plan should include studying a chapter, solving related sample questions and memorising formulae. The first few months should be spent in covering the IIFT syllabus. An important aspect of IIFT preparation is practicing sample questions that are based on the important topics of IIFT syllabus. After that candidates must spend about two months in solving practice questions and mock tests. In the last month before the exam, candidates must make time for revision of all the important chapters and have problem solving sessions to tie up the loose ends. In the last month, keep the focus on important topics from which maximum questions are asked.

IIFT exam has four sections - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and General Awareness. Among all the four sections, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension has the maximum weightage as it has 35 questions. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section has 30 questions, Quantitative Ability has 25 questions and General Awareness has 20 questions. Check the table below for IIFT sectional weightage which includes total number of questions and total marks.

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of IIFT exam includes Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Analogies, Spelling Mistakes, Idioms and Phrases, English Proficiency, Sentence Formation, One Word Substitution, Sentence Reconstruction, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Completion, Fill in the Blanks, Rearrangement of Words, Paragraph Formation, Paragraph Completion, Jumbled Paragraph, Reading Comprehension, English Grammar, Word Meaning, Preposition, Odd Word Out, Sentence Correction and Phrases.

Candidates preparing for the IIFT entrance exam, must focus on these topics during preparation. The total number of questions in VARC section of IIFT is 35 and there is negative marking of -1. So, when you are preparing for it, keep your focus on RC passages, Antonym, Word Root, Match the Following, Idioms, Vocabulary and Noun/Adjective as these are the topics from which maximum questions are asked.

The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning by Nishant Sinha and Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, are highly recommended for IIFT exam’s Verbal Ability preparation. Candidates must study from books which are recommended by experts and toppers only as this exam requires focused preparation and you can't afford to waste time.

The Verbal Ability section of IIFT includes Reading Comprehension. The Reading Comprehension passages of IIFT are long and tough so it is important that you have a good control over English comprehension and reading speed. For this, you need to start preparations early on by reading books, novels, magazines and newspapers. Target reading about 20 pages of a book every day. Do it for six months.

IIFT entrance exam is a computer based test. It is conducted in a single session at designated test centres. At the exam centre, every candidate will be allotted a computer system on which they will have to enter their answers with the help of computer mouse.

Candidates are allotted the IIFT test centre in the city of their preference. They have to appear for the IIFT entrance exam at that test centre on the exam day at a particular time as mentioned in the IIFT admit card. The option to choose cities for test centre allotment is given to candidates in the IIFT application form. Candidates can choose their home city or where they are likely to be in on the date for allotment of a test centre at the closest and convenient location.

The IIFT GK section has questions from Current Affairs and Static GK. There are 20 questions in this section and they are asked from a range of fields including Politics, Industry, Geography, Business, Society, International Affairs, Science, Economics, Banking, Awards & Awardees, Entertainment, Sports, History and Mythology. If you think about it, then the IIFT syllabus for GK is too vast, so to prepare for it, stick to GK year books and new journals. Keep yourself abreast with political news and awards.

GK is the only subject that is memory based, so you need to keep studying it every day. But the year book and revise it every week. You can also dedicate an hour every day to GK in the last month of IIFT preparation. That will be enough to cover the GK syllabus.

The difficulty level of IIFT exam is usually high, with tricky VARC and calculation intensive Quants. The IIFT 2023 question paper was also of moderate difficulty level. VARC was moderate to tough, so was the DILR section. The Quant section was tougher than VARC, DILR and GA.

The IIFT entrance exam is considered one of the high difficulty level MBA entrance exams in India. The syllabus and pattern are prescribed by the institute. It also sets the test paper. Considering IIFT is one of the top colleges for MBA in India, the only moderate to high level questions are selected to prepare the test.

If the IIFT question paper has 110 questions, you should attempt 65-70 questions with 100 per cent accuracy for a decent score. Ideally, candidates must attempt to solve about 2/3rd of the total questions in each section to be able to meet the sectional as well as overall cut off.

Since, there is negative marking in the IIFT exam candidates must make sure that they don’t waste marks by choosing incorrect options. If they are not sure of the answer, they should skip the question instead of making a guess because there is no negative marking for skipping questions. Negative marking can severely hamper your overall score.

Yes, there could be some e non-MCQs in IIFT exam, most likely in the Quantitative Aptitude section. However, the number of non-MCQs will be lesser than MCQs. The candidates will have to type in the answer with the help of computer keyboard. For doing calculation and rough work, candidates will be given rough sheet that will have to be submitted at the end of the test. The non-MCQs are usually of low difficulty level and have simple calculations. So, candidates will not face a lot of difficulty in solving the non-MCQs. Solving all the questions is not mandatory so one can skip the non-MCQ questions too if they find it difficult.

IIFT marking scheme is similar to other MBA entrance exams but has unique features. There is differential marking in IIFT which means not all the sections of the question paper carry same marks. The Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability are carry 3 marks per correct attempt and -1 per each incorrect attempt.

General Awareness section carries less marks than other sections. In this section 1.5 marks is allotted to every correct attempt and -0.5 marks are allotted for every incorrect attempt.

Yes, it is not mandatory to answer all the questions in the IIFT exam and no marks will be deducted for skipping questions. If you are not sure of the right answer to a particular question, skip it to avoid negative marking. Candidates should solve only those questions in the IIFT exam which they can solve accurately and minimum time. However, candidates must keep in mind that they need to meet a minimum cut off in every section so they should not skip too many questions. Meeting the sectional cut off will ensure that their overall IIFT score is high enough for selection in the personal interview and group discussion round of MBA admission.

Ideally, six to eight hours daily is what experts recommend for IIFT exam preparation, but since working professionals can’t devote that many hours, they should at least strive to devote four hours every day. They can study for longer hours on Saturday and Sunday. By striking a balance between weekdays and weekends, working professionals can crack the IIFT exam. It is just that they will have to study after work.

They should start preparation much earlier as they will have less time to devote on daily basis. Ideally a working professional should start preparing for IIFT exam from March so that they have ample time to complete the syllabus and practice enough mock tests.

Every candidate must decide on the number of mock tests according to their own ability, strengths and weaknesses viz. the IIFT syllabus. However, it is recommended that candidates must practice at least 25-30 IIFT mock tests during exam preparation to reach 99 percentile level.

The best time to start mock test practice is after completing the IIFT syllabus because if you solve mock tests without gaining control over the topics you might face difficulties in many. So, first complete the syllabus and then start mock test practice. Keep at least 2 months for IIFT mock test practice so that you can solve 25-30 mock tests in total in a gap of one day. An important aspect of mock test practice is analyzing their result. After solving every IIFT mock test, analyse your performance to see control on the topics. You will know which topics are your strong point and which require some more hard work.