The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Entrance Exam is a national-level MBA entrance test. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates who are willing to pursue IIFT’s MBA in International Business (MBA-IB) program need to qualify this exam. The exam evaluates candidates on Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge. It is conducted once a year in computer-based mode (CBT). The selection process includes the IIFT score, Group Discussion (GD), Writing Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI). Successful candidates gain admission to IIFT Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada campuses.
Overview
Features
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Details
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Exam Name
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Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) MBA Entrance Exam
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Conducted By
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National Testing Agency (NTA)
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Purpose
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The IIFT MBA Entrance Exam is conducted for admission to the MBA in International Business (MBA-IB) program at IIFT Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada campuses.
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Exam Sessions
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Once a Year mainly in December
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Application Mode
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Online
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Steps of Application
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- Visit the official IIFT NTA website (iift.nta.nic.in).
- Register with personal details.
- Fill out the application form.
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, category certificate if applicable).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit and download the confirmation page.
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Application Fees
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- General / OBC / EWS: ₹2,500
- SC / ST / PwD: ₹1,250
- Foreign Nationals / NRI: $200 (₹15,000 approx.)
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Payment Mode
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Online (Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, Wallets)
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Eligibility Criteria
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Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Final-year students can also apply (must complete graduation before admission).
Age Limit:
- No age limit for IIFT MBA-IB.
Nationality:
- Indian and Foreign/NRI candidates can apply.
- Foreign/NRI candidates can apply through GMAT (except for Indian candidates applying for IIFT via GMAT).
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Mode of Exam
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Computer-Based Test (CBT)
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Medium of Exam
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English only
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Duration of Exam
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2 hours (120 minutes)
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Types of Questions
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
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Papers
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Single Paper: MBA (International Business) Entrance Exam Sections in the Paper:
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- General Awareness (GK)
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Exam Pattern
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Total Marks: Varies (typically around 300)
- Quantitative Ability (QA) – 25 Questions
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 35 Questions
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 30 Questions
- General Awareness (GK) – 20 Questions
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Syllabus
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1. Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Time & Work)
- Algebra (Equations, Progressions, Inequalities)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Number System
- Permutation & Combination, Probability
2. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading Comprehension (RC Passages)
- Grammar (Tenses, Sentence Correction)
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Phrases)
- Para Jumbles & Completion
- Sentence Improvement
3. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Tables
- Caselets & Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations, Directions
- Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding
- Seating Arrangements & Puzzles
4. General Awareness (GK)
- Current Affairs (Business, Economy, Government Policies)
- Static GK (History, Geography, Science, Awards, Books)
- International Organizations & Trade Agreements
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Marking Scheme
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- Marking Pattern: Different for each section
- Negative Marking: Yes (-1 for incorrect answers, except GK which has -0.5)
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Preparation Tips
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- Know the Exam Pattern & Syllabus (QA, VARC, DILR, GK).
- Master Basics & Practice Regularly (Focus on speed & accuracy).
- Solve Mocks & Previous Papers (Analyse mistakes & improve weak areas).
- Stay Updated with GK & Current Affairs (Read newspapers & magazines).
- Manage Time Effectively (Use shortcuts & avoid tough questions early).
- Revise Regularly & Stay Consistent (Keep notes & follow a study plan).
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Helpline numbers
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+91-11-40759000
IIFT Admissions Office: +91-11-39147213
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Email address
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iiftmba-ib@nta.ac.in
IIFT Admissions Office: admission@iift.edu
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Official Website
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https://iift.nta.nic.in/
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Important Dates
Events
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Dates
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CAT 2024 Exam Date
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November 24, 2024
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IIFT Application Start Date
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October 17, 2024
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IIFT Application End Date
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November 22, 2024
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Shortlist Announcement for GD/PI
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February 8, 2025
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Deadline for CV Form Submission
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February 20, 2025
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Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI)
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Starting from March 3, 2025
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Final Admission Offers
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April 2025 (Tentative)
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Program Commencement
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June 2025 (Tentative)
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Note: These dates are tentative and subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the official website: https://iift.nta.nic.in/
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Counselling and Admission
GATE does not conduct a centralized counselling process like other entrance exams. Instead, admissions to M.Tech, PhD, and PSU recruitment are managed separately through different channels.
Step 1: CAT 2024 Registration & Exam
- Candidates must register for CAT 2024 and appear for the exam on November 24, 2024.
- IIFT does not conduct a separate entrance test anymore.
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Step 2: IIFT Online Application
- After appearing for CAT 2024, candidates must apply separately for IIFT’s MBA (IB) program via the official website.
- Application window: October 17, 2024 – December 5, 2024
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Step 3: Shortlisting Based on CAT Scores
- IIFT shortlists candidates based on their CAT 2024 performance.
- The shortlist is announced in February 2025 on IIFT’s official website.
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Step 4: Submission of CV Form
- Shortlisted candidates must fill out and submit the Curriculum Vitae (CV) Form before February 20, 2025.
- This form includes details about academic background, work experience, achievements, etc.
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Step 5: Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI)
- Shortlisted candidates attend the GD and PI rounds starting March 3, 2025.
- Evaluation is based on:
- Communication & Presentation Skills
- Leadership & Decision-Making Abilities
- Knowledge of Business & Economy
- Work Experience (if any)
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Step 6: Final Admission Offer
- After the GD & PI rounds, final admission results are declared in April 2025.
- Selection is based on CAT score, GD & PI performance, academic record, and work experience (if applicable).
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Step 7: Program Commencement
- The MBA (IB) 2025-2027 batch begins in June 2025.
- Selected candidates receive further joining instructions and fee payment details from IIFT.
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