With sectional cut-off and 50% weightage in the final score, the verbal section of IPMAT Indore exam becomes a major determining factor. In this article we are going to talk about how to prepare for IPMAT verbal. The verbal section can be a massive score-booster, if done right.
This makes it vital to prepare for the verbal section on a regular basis.
Level of Difficulty
- The level of difficulty and format of verbal section of IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT is very similar to other BBA entrance exams.
- Whereas, the difficulty level of verbal section of IPMAT Indore can be considered a notch higher, somewhere between other BBA entrance exams and CAT.
- IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT, in general, test direct vocabulary questions whereas IPMAT Indore usually tests contextual vocabulary.
- It is advised that one attempts previous year’s papers in order to gauge the difficulty level and also to test their quality of preparation.
IPMAT verbal section tests the following:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Reasoning
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
How to Prepare for Reading comprehensive
Preparing for reading comprehension can not only home reading skills but also speaking and writing skills, if done right. These speaking and writing skills will later help boost the PI-WAT preparation.
To achieve the above, following can be done on a daily basis:
Reading Skills
Read for at least 20 minutes a day. Articles can be picked from reputed magazine and journals, editorials, essays from aeon.co etc. Choosing articles from diverse sections (like sports, economy, entertainment, philosophy etc.) can help one improve their retention and comprehension making it possible to tackle any sort of a passage on the exam day.
Writing Skills
One can use the very same passage to improve their writing skills. All they need to do is write a summary of that passage and proofread it. If done on a regular basis, it can greatly improve one’s writing skills, which will eventually make the WAT preparation easier.
Speaking Skills
Speaking the passage and summary out loud can help improve speaking and communication skills.
Sources to Prepare for RC
- A simple google search for “reading comprehension practice sets” will do the job. Choose passages (average length of 300-500 words) that align with the difficulty level of the IPMAT exam.
- GMAT and CAT question sets can be used, provided the difficulty level does not exceed the level of the IPMAT Exam.
- RCs from GMAT Club of sub 600 or 600-700 level can be practiced.
- Avoid passages that test factual knowledge as they are easier to follow. Rather, focus on passages that test inference and understanding of the passage. Factual passages may be decent enough for getting started, but it becomes necessary to gradually increase the difficulty level.
Parajumbles
Para jumbles are usually tested in two formats:
1. The MCQ format.
Wherein sentences from a paragraph are jumbled and four sequences of the sentences are given, out of which the most appropriate option has to be selected.
2. Type in the Answer (TITA) format
Wherein no options are given, and one has to enter the most suitable sequence of the sentences in the textbox.
Even though there is no negative marking in the Short Answer Section (quants), TITA Para jumbles have negative marking.
Since the TITA format questions are only tested in CAT, one will have to refer to CAT prep material. Extremely difficult questions can be avoided. In order to understand how these questions work, the MCQ questions can be picked first and later one can move onto the TITA questions.
Para-Completion
These questions are comprehension based. GMAT question bank can be referred to. (GMAT Club sub-600 or 600-700 level)
Vocabulary
Building a strong vocabulary becomes essential as it can be tested in numerous ways. (Synonyms, antonyms, analogies, questions under comprehension passage).
For vocab, one single approach may not work for everyone. Hence, it becomes important to test different methods and eventually move ahead with the most effective one.
- The book Word Power Made Easy can be referred to for getting started. It can give an insight into various categories of words that can be tested. Even though, one can call it the Bible for vocabulary, it is not enough.
- WORD LISTS: One can create word lists wherein words that represent the same idea are grouped together. (eg. Some categories could be future telling words, manias, phobias, ologies etc.) Revising these lists on a regular basis can help identify similar words, hence facilitating elimination of options.
- New words picked from the read articles, mocks etc. if recorded and revised well, will add an abundant number of words to one’s vocabulary (when done on a regular basis)
- Vocabulary Builder app by Magoosh can be used for daily practice.
- For idioms, one can refer to idiomconnection.com. The idioms are grouped under various categories (clothes, colours, animals, foods etc.) Studying idioms under these categories can make the process more interesting and less tedious.
- For phrasal verbs, phrasalverbdemon.com can be considered a decent resource. The website too groups phrasal verbs under different categories, making it easier to follow.
Grammar
- Wren and Martin is the best book to solidify grammar basics, provided there is enough time since it is an extensive book and hence, can be time consuming.
- If one has limited time or believes they have a strong base, they can direct move onto any Verbal Aptitude book for BBA entrances. The aptitude books should be enough to give an insight into the types of different questions asked and provide enough material to practice.
- VARC by Arun Sharma can also be referred to, provided the difficulty level does not exceed the IPMAT difficulty level.
Looking for different sources for different kinds of questions can be exhausting and time consuming. For a one stop solution, one can join AceIPM’s one/two-year course which provide the following:
- In-depth recorded lectures covering all the topics from basics to the advanced level.
- Live sessions every week to help gain confidence in question-solving and paper strategy.
- 21 physical books (6500+ practice questions)
- 120 full-length mocks+ sectional tests
- Mentorship from your IPM seniors.
About 100+ AceIPM students got into prestigious IIMs this year.
