In the wake of 12th-grade examinations, students across the country are gearing up for entrance exams to secure admissions into prestigious colleges. Over the next two months, major exams like NEET UG, JEE Advanced, and CA Foundation are scheduled, alongside a notable trend shift among commerce students towards management education. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), traditionally renowned for post-graduate programs, are now experiencing a surge in applications from 12th-grade students, thanks to the introduction of 5-year integrated courses.

Out of the 21 IIMs in India, 5 - namely Indore, Rohtak, Ranchi, Bodh Gaya, and Jammu have introduced integrated courses covering both graduation and post-graduation. The Integrated Program in Management Admission Test (IPMAT) facilitates admissions into these courses. 

Udaipur city, in particular, has seen a significant increase in participation, with approximately 2000 students expected to take the exam this year, compared to last year's 1000 enrollment. However, it is noteworthy that IIM Udaipur currently does not offer this integrated course. Udaipur, despite not currently offering the integrated course, stands out as a hub of aspirants for management education. Its significance in the context of IIM admissions underscores the growing interest and demand for such programs among 12th-grade students.

Most of these entrance exams, including IPMAT, are scheduled between May 15 and June 15. They typically feature questions related to quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and verbal ability, presented in a multiple-choice format. Negative marking is also implemented, making it crucial for students to hone their skills, especially in areas like aptitude, which are not extensively covered in the 12th-grade curriculum. Clearing the basics of mathematics from NCERT is recommended to tackle this challenge effectively. 

Source: Dainik Bhaskar