With the D-day November 28 fast approaching the MBA aspirants are looking for more guidance. To provide the right guidance to the MBA aspirants on the different aspects of IIFT 2010, Siliconindia.com help them different way.

We present you today the key Q&As

Q: What should I do in the next 4 days?
A: Focus a lot on your calculations, since Data Interpretation will be number crunching. Read up GK and most importantly solve last few years' IIFT papers.

Q: How many questions should be attempted in GK Section?
A: It depends on the difficulty level. Last year IIFT had sectional cut offs. So it is always better to attempt good number of questions, but as there would be negative marking, so avoid making wild guesses. If you are 50 per cent sure of an answer, you can take a calculated risk.

Q: What was the sectional cut off when you gave the exam?
A: In 2008, when I attempted IIFT, there was no sectional cut off, but in 2009 they had sectionals. Cut offs vary from section to section. It also depends on the difficulty level and how others have performed.

Q: How many comprehension passages did you attempt out of four?
A: I attempted all but did not answer all the questions. I answered only those which I was confident and took some calculated risks.

Q: Sir, what are the different sections and what is the range of the sectional & overall cut-offs? From where can I prepare for General Awareness for the test?
A: Different sections would be Quant, DI, Verbal, Comprehension and GK. For GK, you can read different materials given by MBA coaching institutes. You can also purchase some good GK book and prepare. Current affairs are very important.

Q: What kind of questions are in GK? Is it only trade and commerce related or other than this like Biology, Geography etc?
A: It can be asked from anywhere.

Q:  How is the life at IIFT?
A: Life at IIFT is very exciting. It’s very fast. You have to manage a lot of things. Academics, Projects, Extra Curricular, Campus Activities, Parties and other events are fun too!

Q: What in your eye sets IIFT different from IIMs and other premier B-schools?
A: IIFT is a bit different from other B-schools. The degree that you will get here is MBA (International Business). Still you will be doing majors in finance, marketing etc. So you will study these subjects from an international perspective as well as general perspective. In the eyes of many corporates, we are still a Foreign Trade institute, though we are trying our best to convey the message that it is not only trade at IIFT!

Q:  Is the RC section of IIFT same as CAT or is it any different (Difficulty level)?
A: I found Quant to be tougher than CAT but RC to be a bit easier. It depends on your strengths too.

Q: What percentage of the students secured a foreign placement? If not certain, do please provide an approximate. What is your say on the difference between IIFT Delhi and IIFT Kolkata?
A: In our senior batch i.e. 2008-10, around 17 out of 165 students got placed in international profiles. But then again, most of them were in African continents. IIFT Delhi and Kolkata share the same course and activities. Placements are held together for Delhi and Kolkata. In the final selection of students, first 150 odd students get Delhi and the next 60 odd students get Kolkata.

Q: What is the expected cut-offs in all the sections? Do IIFT repeat CAT past papers any how? Basically, which section might be similar from CAT past Papers?
A: Expected cut offs depend on year to year basis. There is not much repeat of CAT papers. Lot of IIFT last years' papers must be attempted.

Q: Will it be wise enough to do wild guesses in the paper, if the time is running out?
A: No, wild guess is not advised at all. Remember, there is negative marking. But you can take some calculated risks if you are 50 per cent sure of the answer.

Q: My Quant is weak, especially higher math. So what shall I do now to improve it?
A: Practice mock papers. Take mock tests and see where you are going wrong and improve on it.

Q: How to handle DI's lengthy caselets when I have just 30 minutes per section. How many attempts can be considered as safe attempt?
A: If you are not good at calculations, then attempt this section last. There is a way to crack these lengthy calculations. Learn that. But do attempt DI as last year IIFT had sectional cut offs.

Q: What are the important topics of Quant?
A: Starting from numbers to geometry to probability, everything is important. You cannot afford to leave any section since you never know from which section they will give a relatively easy question. At the end of the day you have to come in top 1000 out of 50, 000 students!

Q: If a candidate has an average academic performance in high school and graduate school, but exemplary work experience and a good entrance score, can the deal be sealed?
A: It depends a lot on your entrance exam marks. I know people here with weak academics but it is tough to tell you the rationale behind the selection!