TIPS FOR CRACKING IRMA

Posted by Rachana Prasad on May 29, 2010

The exam is divided into 2 phases

1.Written Test

2. GD and Interview

The weightage for different phases is as below

Written Test – 50

GD – 10

Personal Interview –40

Total – 100

Written Test  -

The Test is normally conducted in the month of November. The preparation for someone who is preparing for all the general MBA exams requires close to 2-3 months.

The general pattern of the written test is

*From the IRMA information Brochure

*Cut offs may change

Number of questions under each section

Analytical Reasoning – 50

Quantitative Ability – 50

English Comprehension – 40

Social Concern – 60

Total – 200

Time duration – 2 hours

Preparation –

Quantitative Ability –

The exam more closely resembles a Bank PO exam than an MBA exam. The questions seem very simple and solvable esp. for students preparing for CAT and other MBA exams. But it should definitely not be taken casually (did the same in 1^st attempt and was sorry).

For Quantitative ability the best preparation is to take Bank PO papers. Check for Pratyogita darpan under Google Books, there are many previous issues.

Take a copy of only the quantitative section and solve it by setting time. Timing is very important factor because unlike other exams the time is very limited.

Make sure you clear the cut off comfortably.

The different topics covered are

Mathematical Aptitude (Speed, Time and Distance, Profit and Loss, Numbers, Ratio, Algebra, Series, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Quantitative comparison) –  – 25

Data Sufficiency – 5

Data Interpretation – 20

• There is an initial set of problems based on computation

E.g.: 18.5 x 22.5 x ? = 5161.5

Although seems simple practice these problems as there is not enough time to solve. Round off to the nearest number and solve them

• The data interpretation set is the simplest and pattern is repetitive. Practice well and do attempt all of them.

Analytical Reasoning –

This part is a little tricky.

The different types of questions that appear normally are

1. Selection of Candidate based on data
2. Strong / Weak Argument
3. Number series reversal/interchanging etc
4. Coding/Decoding
5. Statement and Conclusion
6. A paragraph and 5 questions based on it

With options

-         Definitely true
- Probably true
- Definitely false
- Probably false Type questions
- Data inadequate

7.Cause and Action

8.Groups and Conditionality

There can be a few more types that I might have missed out. Check online you can find Exam analysis by different coaching institute, which will give you an idea of the exam pattern.

Preparation for this can be solving papers of different MBA exams. IRMA sample papers are also available with a few coaching institutes

• The decision making questions i.e the 1^st one selection of candidate is a must attempt even if it take more time, mainly because the answers are right there you just need to have a little patience.
• The 2,5,6 and 7 are tricky and will definitely be a little tough. Answer then cautiously.
• Answer 3,4,8 properly as they are simple. Groups and conditionality and other questions based on data are similar to normal MBA exams. So practice them from different question papers.

English Comprehension –

This is a relatively simpler section. The different types of questions are

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Para Jumbling
3. Sentence Correction
4. Fill in the Blanks

The reading comprehension section is normally a passage based on social concern like Agriculture, Environment, Education etc if you make a practice of reading these articles (which you should be doing for Social Concern section) then this section will be simple.

The rest of the questions are very simple, based on Basic English. If you attempt the sample papers released by coaching institutes it would me more than enough preparation for this section. But do attempt as many questions as possible.

Issues of Social Concerns –

This is the toughest section in the paper. The questions mainly are around Agriculture, Environment, Education, Health, Awards, Organizational Heads.

Current Affairs, NGO’s, UN developmental programs etc

The best way to prepare for this section is to read newspaper esp. Hindu editorials. Keep a keen eye for social issues in newspaper. Cut out the relevant articles and save them.

This is a good site http://www.gktoday.in . Keep yourself updated with all the general data.

The different development programs by the government and the specific details must be memorized.

Read magazines like yojana, kuruskshetra and Frontline.

This site has good articles related to all topics http://www.indiatogether.org

(P Sainath articles are the best)

Read the book “Banker to the Poor” by Mohammed Yunus for some inspiration J.

Overall it’s an easy paper to crack. Although there is negative marking answer as many questions as possible.

Reading so many development sector articles can seem boring and it might not be required for the exam. But with time it will be an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

All the Best