Now that the deadline to register for CAT 2023 is over, those who have not filled CAT 2023 for whatever reasons, can look to other entrance exams with equal pedigree and value. One such exam is IBSAT, which is conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, for admission to the MBA/PGPM program at all the nine IBS campuses.
Be Practical-Think Beyond CAT
Undoubtedly CAT is the most popular option among candidates seeking admission in MBA programs. It facilitates admission to established institutes in the field of business education, mainly the IIMS, IITs, FMS, SPJIMR and more than 3000 institutes across the country. But, it is also one of the toughest exams in the country and is not everyone’s cup of tea. For these students, the most genuine advice will be to be realistic about their chances and look beyond CAT.
Let us take you through Why IBSAT must be in your 2023 Management Entrance Exam?
IBSAT-An Alternative to CAT
The following points make IBSAT a good alternative to CAT:
- Like CAT, IBSAT is a national exam conducted in more than 90 centres spread across the country.
- It is a computer-based online exam.
- There is no negative marking.
- IBSAT scores are accepted by leading business institutes of the country. In addition to the 9 IBS institutes, institutes such as Manav Rachna Faridabad, JKBS Gurgaon, GIBS Bangalore and VYASA Bangalore, to name a few.
- The fees for admission into any of the 9 IBS institutes is relatively lower than IIMs.
- IBSAT exam is not as difficult as CAT. The level of difficulty ranges between easy to moderate.
IBSAT 2023-Dates to Remember
The good news for candidates is that the dates to register for IBSAT 2023 will run till December 2023, giving candidates plenty of time to fill the form and prepare for the exam. Lets take a look at the important dates of IBSAT 2023:
| Events | Dates |
| IBSAT Application Form Release | July 2023 |
| IBSAT Registration Last Date | 3rd week of December 2023 |
| IBSAT Release of Admit Card | 3rd week of December 2023 |
| IBSAT Exam Date | December 2023 |
| IBSAT Declaration of Results | 1st week of January 2024 |
| IBSAT Selection Briefings | 2nd week of January 2024 |
| IBSAT Commencement of Selection Process | February/March 2024 |
IBSAT-Window to Decent Salary Packages
Though not as high as IIMs, the salary packages received by students of the 9 IBS institutes are decent and comparable to the leading institutes of the country. The following table throws light on the placement statistics of some of the IBS institutes.
| Name of the institute | Highest CTC (International) | Highest CTC (Domestic) | Average CTC (Domestic) |
| IBS Hyderabad | INR 53.45 LPA | INR 21 LPA | INR 8.71 LPA |
| IBS Mumbai | INR 53.45 LPA | INR 15 LPA | INR 7.14 LPA |
| IBS Jaipur | INR 22.16 LPA | INR 11 LPA | INR 6.91 LPA |
| IBS Pune | INR 53.45 LPA | INR 16.70 LPA | INR 6.78 LPA |
| IBS Ahmedabad | INR 28.32 LPA | INR 11 LPA | INR 7.91 LPA |
| IBS Bangalore | INR 22.16 LPA | INR 10 LPA | INR 7.02 LPA |
| IBS Gurgaon | INR 22.18 LPA | INR 11 LPA | INR 6.81 LPA |
| IBS Kolkata | INR 22 LPA | INR 12 LPA | INR 7.11 LPA |
| IBS Dehradun | - | INR 10 LPA | INR 6.01 LPA |
Thus, don't lose heart if you missed CAT 2023. You still have a great option in IBSAT, which can help you realise your dream.
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