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The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade is India's premier institute for a course in Foreign Trade based in Delhi.

IIFT is usually conducted on fourth Sunday of November every year.

 For General / SC / ST / PH Candidates

On the basis of Written Test, Group Discussion, Interview

Based on marks obtained in the Written Test, candidates are called for second phase of selection process comprising of Group Discussion and Interview and Essay Writing to be held at Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai.

 For Foreign / NRI candidates/ Children of NRI

On the basis of General Management Aptitude Test (GMAT).

Developments in the international marketing on the one hand and the consequential impact of the same on India's domestic market on the other, call for a professional approach and sensitivity to international business environment. The MBA (International Business) is a foundational course for developing a competent cadre of business executives to meet the country's growing requirements for training personnel in the field of international business management.

The MBA (IB) is a six trimester general management programme with a focus on international business. The Programme aims at providing a comprehensive coverage incorporating all the important areas and disciplines relevant to international business activities.

This year’s statistics show that a total of 42,000 students have applied for this exam conducted by the Delhi and Kolkata based Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. A total of 180 seats have been set aside for this MBA program.

The MBA season started on an optimistic note with the IRMA and the CAT not showing any unusual trends. The IIFT followed raising hopes of all the students as the paper was similar to that of last year’s paper. The IIFT paper is an industry specific paper as it is exclusive to foreign trade. With an MBA in international business, the student undergoes a foundational course for developing a competent cadre of business executives to meet the country’s growing requirements for training personnel. The paper shows a leaning towards English usage, and Grammar. Many international business organizations have shown a keen interest in selecting students with an IIFT degree.

Salient features of IIFT 2008:

Number of sections: 6
Number of options per question: 4
Number of questions: 150

In all, 150 questions with differential marking, negative marks 1/4th for each wrong answer.

Total marks in the paper: 100.

This year again the IIFT test takers were allowed to retain the question paper.

Detailed analysis of IIFT – 23^rd November 2008

The optimal time allotment strategy, number of attempts in each section and the projected scores are as follows:

Section		No of Qns	Relative Weigh- tage	Total marks	Diffi-culty level	Time allot-ment	Probable Attem-pts	Expected Scores
Reading Comprehension		12	0.8	9.6	Tough	15 min	6	3+
Verbal Ability		23	0.7	16.10	Average	25 min	15	8+
General Knowledge		30	0.3	9	Tough	10-12 min	11	3
Reasoning Ability	AR	18	0.8	25.6	Average	30 min	17	11+
	MR	8	0.8
	Mis.	4	0.8
	LR	2	0.8
Quantitative Ability	QA	27	0.7	18.9	Average	20-25 min	13	8+
Data Interpretation	DI	26	0.8	20.8	Tough	15 min	8	4+
Total		150		100		2 Hours	70	37

This paper was similar to that of last year. The English section was divided into two different sections: Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. As in the last year, two new questions types were introduced: Sentence Correction and Vocabulary based questions, this year; antonyms were given importance in the paper.

One section was devoted entirely to Reading Comprehensions. There were three long passages. The length of the passages ranged from about 1200 to 1500 words. To be able to answer all the three RC’s was a pretty tall order but attempting two out of the three was not too much to ask for. The questions were formulated in the ‘True & False’ mode so, a quick glance at the answer options and the correct one could be easily found from the concerned passage.

An attempt of six questions would have fetched a good enough score.

The second passage was lengthy and tough hence leaving it and going forward would have been the best choice.

The other English section comprised of questions to test Vocabulary and Grammar.

Vocabulary comprised of ‘fill in the blanks’ and ‘correct usage of words’. These questions were quite easy to comprehend and answer. The ‘analogies’ along with ‘antonyms’ tightened this section, raising its level of difficulty. Identifying ‘the sentence which is syntactically and semantically correct’ would not have taken much effort and time as they were straightforward.

In this section an attempt of 15-16 questions could have fetch a good score.

Section I : Reading Comprehension

Topic	Number of questions	weightage	Remarks
Reading Comprehension
3 passages	4+4+4	0.8	8 Average, 4 Easy
Total questions	12	9.6	Tough

Section II : Verbal Ability

Topic	Number of questions	weightage	Remarks
Verbal Ability
Jumbled Sentences	3	0.7	Easy
Vocabulary based questions	3	0.7	Easy
Analogies	4	0.7	Tough
Correct usage of the word	3	0.7	Average
Antonyms	3	0.7	Average
Fill in The Blanks	4	0.7	Easy
Based on Grammar In sentences	3	0.7	Easy
Total questions	23	16.10	Average

Section III : Quantitative Ability

Topic	Number of questions	weightage	Remarks
Quantitative Ability
Permutation and Combination	2	0.7	Average
Maxima Minima	1	0.7	Tough
Equation	1	0.7	Tough
Standard Deviation	1	0.7	Tough
Trigonometry	1	0.7	Average
Geometry	3	0.7	Average
Average	1	0.7	Average
Mensuration	1	0.7	Tough
Progression	5	0.7	Tough
Series	1	0.7	Easy
Polygon	1	0.7	Easy
Heights and Distances	1	0.7	Easy
Simplification	1	0.7	Tough
Boats and Streams	1	0.7	Average
Profit & Loss	3	0.7	Average
Probability	2	0.7	Tough
Quadratic Equation	1	0.7	Easy
Total questions	27	18.9	Average

Overall this section was average in difficulty. This time round there was a slight increase in the number of questions. The sums based on "Permutation and Combination" were similar to the ones in CF CAT Technique Sheet. This time the numbers of question in Arithmetic were more than in Geometry and Algebra together. Progression played a dominant part in this section. Sums on Algebra took up very little space. For those of you whose fundamentals in Mathematics were sound, this section would have been very easy to solve.

An attempt of 13+ with maximum accuracy would fetch good marks in this section.

Section IV : Data Interpretation

Topic	Number of questions	weightage	Remarks
Data Interpretation
Tabular Form (Railway Wagons & Average Capacity)	6	0.8	Tough
Line Graph (Revenue Total Profit)	5	0.8	Average
Tabular Form (FDI Inflow)	5	0.8	Tough
Tabular Form (World Merchandise Export)	5	0.8	Tough
Bar Graph (Production)	5	0.8	Average
Total questions	26	20.8	Tough

There were 5 caselets in all. 3 caselets were in tabular form, 1 was in line graph and 1 was in bar graph. The 3 caselets on tabular form were tough as more time was required for interpretating them. Also, they were comparatively lengthy and time-consuming.

An attempt of 8+ with maximum accuracy would fetch good marks in this section.

Section V : Reasoning and Decision Making

Topic	Number of questions	weightage	Remarks
Reasoning Ability
Family tree	1+1	0.8	1 Tough, 1 Average
Matching	3	0.8	Average
Input-Output	3+4	0.8	3 Average, 4 Easy
Logical Reasoning	2	0.8	Average
Mathematical Reasoning (Bribe)	1	0.8	Average
Data Verification	3+2	0.8	3 Average, 2 Easy
Arrangment Based (Based on CAT 2003 DI)	1+3+4	0.8	Average
Maximizing Profit (Based on CAT 2002)	1	0.8	Easy
Caselet on Speed, Time & Distance (Motor Race)	3	0.8	Average
Total questions	32	25.6	Average

The white elephant of this paper was the Reasoning section. Last year this section was tough and expecting the same this year, the student was mildly surprised to find it otherwise. Two caselets on "Arrangement" and maximizing profit were CAT specific questions. The former was a CAT 2003 and the later was a CAT 2002 questions. Reasoning with the "Family Tree" was a little tough. Sums based on Mathematical Reasoning, Data Verification, Logical Reasoning, Input-Output were easy. The caselet based on speed, time and distance was a little tough. Overall this section was of average difficulty level.

An attempt of 17+ with maximum accuracy would fetch good marks in this section. 

Section VI: (General Knowledge)

In the paper, the General Knowledge questions had a good combination of Business Awareness and Current Affairs. The method of framing these questions was more or less similar to last year’s. The GK section took up a little more time than was expected because of a few ‘Match The Following’ type questions. Reading the data and matching them appropriately costed the students precious time. The General Knowledge section requires the IIFT test taker to be ‘a master of the game’.

An attempt of 11+ with maximum accuracy would fetch good marks in this section.

Overall this exam was average with a slight veering towards an above average in the GK section. But your performance is an indicator of whether you are truly cut out to an MBA in Foreign Trade.

 No age limit

Recognized Bachelor's Degree of minimum 3 years duration in any discipline

 Candidates appearing for a qualifying examination can also apply subject to submission of proof of   requisite qualification by pre-specified date.

No. It is not necessary that students need to be from premier colleges. You get into a B-school on the basis of your performance in the entrance exams conducted by the B-schools themselves.

MBA, being a master's degree, requires the aspirant to be a graduate. That means, you must have a Bachelor's Degree from any university incorporated by an act of the Central or State government of India, any other educational institution established by an act of Parliament or any institution deemed as such under section 3 of the UGC Act 1956. This also includes any equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. Your Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification must have covered a minimum of three years of education after completing higher secondary schooling, which is a total of 10+2+3 years.

In simple terms, IIFT tests managerial abilities in a candidate through Mathematics, English and Reasoning. This means that you will be required to interlink concepts in order to solve a particular problem. Your ability to apply concepts to practical situations is what will be tested.

Once you start taking section tests and comprehensive tests, it becomes important to analyze each of the tests that you take. This will help identify the areas/topics that you are weak at and still need brushing up before you take the next test.

1. Analyze your area-wise/topic-wise performance to identify potential areas for improvement.

2. Work on the identified areas, through determined practice using

Concept Books
Section Tests and Comprehensive Tests

After you take each test, do analyze it well. Analysis would take a lot of time, do not take this as a waste of time, and instead convert this into a learning process. For all correct answers, compare your method with the Explanatory Answers, check if you can attempt it faster and practice the new method, if any. For all incorrect answers, reattempt the questions with no time limits. You need to understand as to why did you make the mistake was it conceptual/silly mistake/incorrect interpretation. Learn from your mistakes and ensure that you do not commit them in future.

The areas that are tested in English are verbal ability, reading comprehension and composition skills. This means that you need to build an overall aptitude in English. Good command over English language is a must in order to succeed in IIFT. In fact, you will observe that you need good English even to attempt the quantitative and data interpretation sections.

Reading a newspaper like The Times of India / The Hindu, a business daily like The Economic Times/Business Standard and political and business magazines should become a daily habit for all IIFT applicants. Further,

Read any section in the newspaper, especially the editorial one.

Timing yourself while reading is important. You should be able to read 200 to 250 words a minute.

Write a summary (about 100 to 150 words) every day on the topic you have read. It will help in building   your thought process which is crucial in IIFT.

Make a note of the difficult words and look up their meanings from the Oxford English dictionary. Try and   maintain a notebook/prepare flash cards that you can go through in your free time.

Reading would also help you keep updated on the events going around thus building on your general awareness that would be helpful during the group discussion and personal interview rounds.

It is very important to be honest in your application forms. Do not fill any information that is untrue. Certain questions in the forms ask you about Career Goals, Strengths, Weaknesses, etc. They are deliberately there to help the B-school know a little bit more about you and are often referred to during the interview. It is highly recommended to keep a photocopy of every form that you fill so that you can revise what you have written before the interview.

Percentile: Percentile indicates student's relative performance position among the total students who took the exam.

Percentage: The % score represents normalized percentage of scores secured by the candidate. It is a relative method of representing the score. This is not the actual % score.

For example - A 99 percentile means that the student is among the top 1 percent of the population who took the exam.

No. One needs to keep in mind that cut-offs are only one of the many evaluation tools that the B-Schools use to shortlist candidates. The other prominent factors are past academic performance, work experience if any, extra curricular activities and achievements etc.

Work experience is not mandatory criteria for making it to any B-School. However, having work experience does add to your profile. None the less, you need to prove your worth at the time of the GD/PI rounds. This implies that the panel needs to be convinced about what you have learnt at the job and contributed positively to the organization. The way you present yourself and your approach towards the questions plays a vital role in the outcome of your interview. Remember, you will be pitched against the best minds during the GD/PI rounds. So you need to be at your best to make sure you get the final call.

The allotted time for the test is usually 120 minutes.

* K.J. Somaiya MAY CONSIDER IIFT SCORE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROGRAMME