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The Why How and What of SNAP

• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test or snap is conducted in the month of December
usually mid-December (15th to 22nd December of every year) for entry in all
institutes affiliated to Symbiosis International University (SIU)

• Snap is a 180 marks exam with 4 sections. Every correct answer is worth 1 mark
(There might be questions of higher weight-age too) and every incorrect answer has
a negative scoring of 25% of the weight-age of the question. The test is of two
hours (120 minutes). Its a multiple choice test and is conducted in English
language.

• If one analyzes SNAP over a period of time its a test of speed (even accuracy is
important) and strategy. An Accuracy rate of close to 70 to 75% (given a sizeable
number of attempts) should be adequate for a candidate to clear the cut-off of the
coveted schools like Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) and
Symbiosis Centre of Management and Human Resource Development (SCMHRD).
The strategy for snapshould be little different from CAT. In CAT with a low attempt
count and a high accuracy rate one can clear the cutoffs however it is not possible
in SNAP. Below are some of the tips to optimize your SNAP score:

1. Always attempt the 2 mark questions and ensure you end up attempting majority if
not all of them. Traditionally SNAP has 20 questions of 2 marks each with total of
140 questions. Assuming of have a 60% accuracy rate with 2 markers you will end
up scoring 18 marks which will be a good score to clear the sectional cutoff
required for SIBM (Kindly note in SNAP 2010, SIBM and SCMHRD did not have
sectional cutoff)

2. General Knowledge can be the make or break section. Scoring well in General
Knowledge always help. These questions will take the minimum amount of time to
answer so 40 questions can be answered in less than 25 minutes. The general
knowledge questions are not very difficult and if one goes through the GK booklet
of TIME, Career Launcher and IMS diligently he is bound to clear the cut-off.
(Many SNAP aspirants though find it the toughest section)
3. Try attempting over 100 questions (worth atleast 120 marks) with atleast 70%
accuracy. The SNAP cutoff (depending on the level of difficulty of the paper)
usually lies between 75-90. Even with 80% accuracy atleast 90 questions are
required to be attempted. .

4. In SNAP like CAT you have to clear all the sectional and over all cutoff to get a
GD/PI call from SIBM (Kindly note in SNAP 2010, SIBM and SCMHRD did not
have sectional cutoff) hence it is essential you aim for achieving a minimum score
of 18+ in all sections. The cutoff for GK will usually be lower.

5. SNAP score has a heavy weight age in both SIBM and SCMHRD (thought they give
profile based calls) hence a SNAP score which is well above the cutoff is required
to maximize your chances of entry into these B-schools.

6. .Fresher's who want an admit in SCMHRD it is advised to get a high SNAP score.
Though its not guarantee but it will surely increase your chances of getting a GD/PI
call. (SCMHRD usually gives profile based calls which takes your work experience
and previous academics into consideration)
 SIBM:
• The highest ranked Symbiosis institute (There is a huge conflict with SCMHRD in
this regards) is a good investment for MBA. The Marketing placements in SIBM
are one of the best in India.

• However the institute limits the number of students who can specialize in Finance.
SIBM conducts Group Discussion/Group Tasks and Personal Interview and gives a
combined score for admission. The group tasks involve different team and case
based tasks.

• The admission process has huge involvement of students and they are very helpful
in providing information about the institute. The institute also assigns a buddy to
every student who gets a call.

• During interviews a male student has to wear a suit and tie and Saree for a female
student. SIBM comes out with its final admission list before the IIM's hence there
is trend of the toppers to join SIBM as a backup only to withdraw later. The
admission waitlist goes up to 5th to 6th list. The institute has in recent years shifted
to Lavale campus near Pune from the cramped campus in Senapati Bapat Marg
 SCMHRD:
• First of all let me clarify it is a Business Management school and not a HR
specialization school as many students are confused by its name. The institute is
famous for its HR and Marketing placements.

• It is a relatively new business school approximately 2 decades old however has

climbed leaps and bounds. There is high ratio of women to men in SCMHRD (one
of the highest in India at par with TISS and MICA). The institute however has strict
restrictions in terms of attendance and formals to be worn during lectures.

• It shares its campus with Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB) and
Symbiosis Center of Information Technology (SCIT). The institute has mandatory
meditation session for students. Neev the annual fest of SCMHRD is one of the
best inter collegiate MBA festivals.
• The institute is always involved in a tug of war with SIBM to claim to the number 1
Symbiosis institute.

• SCMHRD issues profile based calls which frankly remains a big mystery to every
student. However the institute takes into previous academics (standard 10th,
standard 12th and Graduation into account) along with work experience.

• Every year you will find aggrieved students who have higher marks than their peers
yet do not get a call from SCMHRD. The institute calls a huge number of students
for GD/PI. GD is an elimination process at SCMHRD hence a student is advised to
prepare well for the GD

The overall cost of applying for SNAP and then individually applying for each
Symbiosis institute is high however a small price to pay for a coveted MBA degree
in India. SNAP is one of the most prominent MBA exams in India and every
sinciere candidate must be attempting the examination.
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