Yes, the IPM IIM Indore entrance exam can be prepared in 10 months. Some of my friends who joined IIM Indore and opted for IPM prepared for the exam in only 9-10 months.

Although, your level of participation could not be measured in months, but can be determined by the number of hours you put in each day. Many students used to enroll in the course for the year and then choose to drop out. But on the other hand students who are from crash courses are seen to reach their goal.

All in all, concentrate on your studies. Make a proper strategy by selecting the topics which are your strengths and weaknesses and solve them accordingly. Learn time management as this will be very beneficial. Finally, you can also look for a mentor to guide you through the process.

According to my friends studying at IIM Indore, they use a process that consists of two stages to grant admission to suitable applicants to its Five-Year Integrated IPM Program.

The IPM course has a total enrollment of 121 students every year. 57 of them are from the general category, 33 from the OBC category, 18 from the SC category, 9 from the ST category and 4 from the PWD category.

The two-stage process includes:

• Screening of applications and calculation of composite scores based on stream, Secondary and Higher secondary scores, and SAT-1 scores. 
• The applicants are then shortlisted for Aptitude Test and personal interview rounds as per the prepared merit list.
• The aptitude test and personal interview round are conducted of the shortlisted candidates. 
• The aptitude test would consist of written and verbal ability questions, along with a few questions relating to the general awareness, and analytical skills of the candidates. 
• The level is the same as that of the secondary level (10+2) education system of India.

The final compost score is calculated as: Final Composite Score (FCS) = Aptitude Test (40%)+Personal Interview (60%).

After all the rounds are completed, a merit list is prepared to offer admission to eligible candidates based on the final composite score. 

The integrated IIM course offers a vast number of opportunities for the students. IPM students can be categorized into 2 branches, which are as follows. 

Students opting for PGP program: The majority of the students choose this option. The IPM students then sit for the placement process and take posts in Finance, HR, Marketing, Operations, etc, the same as the PGP students who get admission through CAT. However, there are some job profiles in Consulting which do not take IPM students due to their lack of experience.

Students who choose to exit after 3 years:  Some of these students apply to different B schools in India or abroad. The course taught in the undergraduate years of the degree is mainly liberal arts. It has subjects such as Economics, Statistics, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Communication, etc. So, you can therefore pursue master’s in these courses. Some of the students start preparing for civil services.

If you continue to PGP you will get the same job opportunities and exposure as the PGP students. You also have the option to exit the course after 3 years of the UG program. 

The BBA program of Symbiosis is ranked 9th in India by India today’19. NMIMS has been ranked 92 overall by NIRF 2020. The total seats in the B.Com (Hons.) program at NMIMS is 180, and the BBA program in Symbiosis Pune is 240. The course duration for both programs is for 3 years.

Admission:

NMIMS:

• Candidates need to sit for NMIMS NPAT to qualify for this college.

• Students need a minimum of 60% in their 12th to be eligible for a seat here.

Symbiosis, Pune:

• A 50% aggregate is required in the 10+2 examination.

• Students need to sit for the SET exam, followed by a personal interview and writing ability test.

Academics:

• At NMIMS, the faculties are highly qualified, and each faculty is an expert in their respective field. The course curriculum is updated as well.

• The course curriculum at Symbiosis is updated with recent industry developments as well. The faculty is top-notch, but industry exposure is a bit low in the institute.

Placements:

NMIMS:

• The placements for B.Com are average in this college with the placement percentage being around 70-75%.

• The highest salary package offered is around 34 LPA, the average salary package is around 18 LPA, and the lowest is around 8 LPA.

• Companies like DE Shaw, JP Morgan, Deloitte, E& Y, and Bayern visit for recruitment.

Symbiosis, Pune: The placement cell in Symbiosis, Pune works hard in securing placements for its students.

• The placement percentage is approximately 96%.

• The highest international package is 17 LPA, and the highest domestic package is 8 LPA, and the average domestic package is 5 LPA.

• Companies like KPMG, Tommy Hilfiger, Credit Suisse, PWC, ICICI, and Amul India come for recruitment.

Infrastructure:

• Infrastructure wise NMIMS is above-average with all the necessary facilities for students. The classrooms are air-conditioned and spacious, libraries have updated books, and the entire campus is Wi-Fi enabled.

• SCMS also offers all the necessary facilities. Wi-Fi is available on campus, and general stores are also present for students.

These are the factors that you need to consider for choosing between these two institutes. So, go through them and choose the option that suits your expectation.

The 2013-18 group received a dual degree with a BA Foundations in Management and an MBA last year, and the later batches are anticipated to receive the same. The degrees conferred are in accordance with UGC guidelines.