Ace SNAP: Essentials, Tips, & My SNAP’23 Story— Beginner Edition
Are you an MBA aspirant who dreams of cracking SNAP and landing in one of the top B-Schools: SIBM, Pune, or SCMHRD, Pune? Here’s everything you’ll need to crack SNAP!
With an amazing ROI and an array of golden opportunities, SIBM, Pune, is a power-packed house for learning, placements, and exposure. Cracking SNAP is one of the very first challenges that you’ll need to overcome.
In this guide, I’ve covered all the basics and added some helpful resources like free mock exams, studying videos, and formula books. You’ll also find a how-to guide to prepare for the exam, my SNAP’23 story, and a mock-taking strategy. Plus, I’ve included some a little motivation to keep you going!
Interested? Let’s dive straight in!
✅ Decoding The SNAP Essentials:-
✨️Basics~
SNAP is a 60-minute exam with three sections. Unlike CAT, this exam allows you to choose the order in which you attempt the sections. You can attempt SNAP 3 times. The best score of the 3 will be considered for final shortlisting.
✨️Paper Pattern~
The examination consists of 60 questions, with 15 in Verbal Ability, 25 in Logical Reasoning, and 20 in Quantitative Ability. You have the option to switch between sections as there are no sectional time limits or sectional cutoffs. It is important to note that your overall percentile score is the sole determinant in the shortlisting process.
✨️Marking Scheme~
For every right answer, a +1 is awarded, and a -0.25 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks are cut for unanswered questions.
✅ My SNAP’23 Journey:-
To be honest, I started my MBA entrance preparation solely with CAT in mind. As the syllabus for almost every MBA entrance is closely similar, there wasn’t much of a load on me before I wholeheartedly started preparing for SNAP.
I had developed a hold over solving LOD 1 questions in September, so in the last few weeks of November, I had allotted the night-time study time to SNAP. Two days after CAT’23, I began my SNAP’23 prep.
I started with a SNAP mock, and I must say, it was quite helpful in identifying areas that needed more attention. To track my progress and improve my speed, I started taking a mock every alternate day. I am more of a morning person, so I reserved the mornings for taking the mocks and spent the rest of the day practicing and strategizing for the next one.
On the day of SNAP, my test timing was from 2 pm, so I revised my formula book in the morning. I had registered for two SNAP attempts, so I could have a bit more time for XAT which was just a few weeks away. Both my attempts were almost alike, in fact, the second attempt felt easier.
✅ Insightful Resources To Crack SNAP:-
If you're looking to expand your knowledge of SNAP and stay up-to-date with the latest strategies and concepts, I highly recommend checking out the following YouTube channels that have helped me immensely in building my understanding of the subject:
🌟 For studying: MBAWallah, MBAPathshala, AceCAT, and Byju’s
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🌟 For strategies, reality-checks, and motivation: C2C Mentors & CATKing
🌟 To stay updated on colleges’ info and important dates: StudyBuzz
🌟 To know about various resources, plans of action, colleges, and internships related information: Shweta Arora, The IIM Guy, & Ananta Chhajer
🎯Free resources to help you prepare for your MBA entrance exam
🎯List of FREE mocks for CAT, XAT, SNAP, & NMAT
🎯Use the three formula books given below as guides to create your own formula book with all the important formulas and tricks, which will serve as a handy reference guide for you. This will not only help you in your revisions but also be a valuable resource for future use,
- Arun Sharma’s Formula Book
- IQuanta’s Formula Book
- Shweta Arora’s Formula Book
- SNAP Previous Year Questions As PDFs & Mocks
[Note:- The SNAP exam authority no longer releases the official question paper along with the answer key, which was the case until 2019. However, you can still find memory-based ones on the web.]
✅ The SNAP How-To Strategy:-
3-4 months of hard work is enough to crack SNAP with a good percentile. Here’s a strategy that works for everyone, regardless of their score. When compared to CAT, all SNAP questions are usually LOD 1. Time is the only constraint because the LR section (and sometimes the Quants section) can be time-consuming.
To begin the prep, give a mock test to identify areas to improve. Conduct a SWOT analysis to make your prep smoother. In these 3 to 4 months, once you arrive at your SWOT analysis, make sure you practice staying away from your threat areas.
Focus more on strengthening your ace area. For me, it was the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning sections. Make entire use of the fact that there are no sectional cutoffs. Your main strategy should be to score as much as you can (aim for a 40+ score) from the strong areas that further help you boost your overall score.
Despite mock scores, prioritize score maximization and question familiarity. Aim for one mock per day, dedicating ample time to thorough mock analysis for a stronger D-day strategy. In the one-hour SNAP exam, prioritize speed alongside accuracy. Remember, the cutoffs vary every year, so attempt the paper accordingly.
✅ SNAP Motivation: Believe You Can, And You’re Halfway There!
SNAP stands out as my favorite MBA entrance. It offers a distinctive one-hour exam and assesses aptitude reasonably. Unlike CAT or XAT, it maintains a student-friendly approach, steering clear of extreme difficulty. The absence of sectional cutoffs allows you to concentrate on fortifying your strengths for an overall score enhancement.
SNAP unlocks doors to esteemed MBA colleges, including SIBM-Pune, SCMHRD-Pune, and others under the Symbiosis brand. Maintain your motivation post-CAT; SNAP’s three attempts, one-hour duration, lack of sectional cutoffs, and diverse college options render it truly unmatched. Seize this golden opportunity without hesitation!
My point is, that you’ve got the potential in you. You’ve got what it takes to land in a premium B-School and hack into that dream of success. If you’ve read my previous article, I’m sure you’ve read: to not settle for less when it comes to doing an MBA, and that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, burn that midnight fuel, write those mocks, and give your best. Do it for your future self, be selfish like that. I promise you, it’s all going to be worth it!
Click HERE to read the ultimate beginner’s guide to CAT which includes strategies, tips, free resources, and more!
Thanks for reading and good luck < 3
