The definitive guide for IRMA 2011 test and beyond

Saturday, 12 November 2011 17:38 - Last Updated Monday, 14 November 2011 16:17

Institute of Rural Management Anand conducts IRMA every year for admissions to its prestigious post-graduate program in rural management. Tomorrow, 13th November is the first step for the IRMA 2012-2014 aspirants. GyanCentral talks to Himanshu Bhardwaj of IRMA class of 2011-2013 about IRMA test, GD-PI and course structure.

How did prepare for the IRMA test? This test is more about speed and accuracy type of test. Students have to attempt 200 questions in two hours of time, so it is how you manage your speed with high accuracy. There are a lot questions that we need attend to in very short period of time. In sections like Quant a lot of calculations are involved which are quite time consuming. Thus, speed and accuracy in calculations and clarity of basic concepts is what I concentrated on for the IRMA exam. A bank PO level of paper is on similar lines with IRMA test. If you have prepared or seen that kind of paper, then you would exactly come to know what IRMA is about. Can you tell us about the structure of the test, Which are the different sections? and How should students prepare for the same? Among 200 questions, we can divide them into four sections, The first section is Quantitative Ability:

1/5

The definitive guide for IRMA 2011 test and beyond

Saturday, 12 November 2011 17:38 - Last Updated Monday, 14 November 2011 16:17

It consists of 50 questions which cover basic algebra and mathematical concepts. In this section, the first 10 to 15 questions involve intense calculations using basic mathematics application like BODMAS, approximation, algebraic properties etc. Then come the algebra questions on topics like- profit and loss percentages, equation, simple probability which can be solved easily, especially if one has prepared for CAT and other competitive exams. This section also includes three or four DI caselets, which are not very complicated and can be easily managed if you do a little bit of smart work. A lot of these questions can be solved by observation and do not require you to sit and calculate. For questions involving percentage increase or decrease from last year to this year, if you have the fractions and you know is 75% then you can solve it verbally! That is how one can attempt questions in this section. Then comes the logical reasoning section: It also contains 50 questions. According to me, this is one of the trickiest sections in the exam because it tests certain concepts which are very confusing and with time constraint one is bound to do mistakes. The section includes analytical puzzles and analytical reasoning questions, questions which are based on decision making, some odd one out questions, number series and alpha numeric series questions. The section also covers certain difficult questions like the statement argument question, unfair deduction and questions based on cause and effect. These are the questions which are really tricky and dicey. This section requires a lot thinking and reasoning to solve the questions. It may happen the answer which you think is perfect might turn out to be wrong, hence you need to be very careful while attempting this section. I would advise students to solve question at the end after solving the other questions. The English section: This section is very easy and also requires very less time to solve thus making it a strong area to boost your score. In about 25 minutes one can easily solve around 25 to 30 questions in the section. It contains an English comprehension which has around 15 to 20 questions related to it. Also, there is one entire paragraph which contains blanks at certain places and the words would be given at the bottom. You have to choose from them and fill in those blanks accordingly. The section also contains jumbled words, para jumble, sentence completion etc. If one has prepared basically for CAT, then one can sail through this section easily. Now the most deciding part of IRMA is the issues of social concern section: This is particularly the GK section which tests your knowledge about social economic factors. It covers social economic topics like - agriculture, demographics of the country, the various schemes and government policies, rural budget, millennium development goals, UNDP goals and anything right from current affairs to social issues. For this section, one has to read a lot and cover all the topics either from the books like Pratiyogita Darpan or simply from online forums, blogs or Google or anything. This is the special flavour of IRMA and one needs to taste it thoroughly well in order to enter the institute. Are there any books etc, which should be referred for the social awareness section?

2/5

The definitive guide for IRMA 2011 test and beyond

Saturday, 12 November 2011 17:38 - Last Updated Monday, 14 November 2011 16:17

The special annual edition of Pratiyogita Darpan (Economy issue) is a very handy book. Along with that many coaching institutes provide a GK compilation which gives a summary of various topics that can come in the exam. Recently I have seen some coaching classes giving a question bank of a around 150 probable questions for the IRMA test. If one can collect these resources, he can easily get through this section. Do you have any idea of, how many students take up this IRMA test every year? Last year around 12000 students appeared for the exam. (Kindly check the IRMA site for actual figures) How many of these are short listed for the GDPI? Out of the total number of students who appeared for the exam, about 400 to 500 students got shortlisted for the GD PI last year (2010) Can you throw some light on to the GDPI process at IRMA, How is the process structured? The results of the entrance exam come in the last week of December and the GD PI is conducted on the IRMA campus usually in the first week of February. The GDPI process at IRMA is very smooth. There is a GD (Group Discussion) and GT (Group Task). Group Discussion: There is group of 8 to 10 students for the GD and all of us are given a topic to discuss on. Usually the topic revolves around social issues, last year my topic was, "Is India heading towards food insecurity"? Group Task: This session lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes wherein the group is introduced to an issue and given ten relevant points which they need to prioritize depending on the issue discussed. Every student is asked to list their priorities and put it forward. The students have to reason out their priorities and discuss amongst themselves to achieve a consensus. Personal Interview: Every candidate is interviewed by a panel, who ask questions mostly related to his/her background.Sample questions can be what he is been doing? in terms of academics academics, future plans and other general questions. If he is working, then certain questions pertaining to his work will be asked. Basically two of the most important questions would be Why rural management? and Why IRMA? On an average an interview lasts for around 20 minutes. Within the course every student has to go through a rural stint. Can you please elaborate on the same?

3/5

The definitive guide for IRMA 2011 test and beyond

Saturday, 12 November 2011 17:38 - Last Updated Monday, 14 November 2011 16:17

There is a two month field work segment. Since, it is a rural management course you need to know the ground level realities about your work. For that reason in the first year after the first term there is a two months field work segment in which we have to go to a village in any part of the country and there you have to do a village study. In the village study, you have to understand how people live, how is the village, how is their economy society, population etc. That is just basically because in future you will be working for the rural sector so you need to know and understand what are the needs, how are the people, and understand the village life. It is very important for a rural manager and for that this practical segment. What kind of insights does a student gain within this two months? The entire two months of field work segment is a huge learning experience for each of us. It brings us face to face with the actual scenario and involves application of theories that we studied in books. Here at ground level, we see and understand a lot of things and obtain answers for questions like how are societies built, how that structure happened. How does the society get divided into caste? Does the age old cast system still persist in the villages? How do people live their life? How is the economy of the village? We see how the agriculture activities happen in the village. How farmers live? What is the culture at the village, what is their understanding? What kind of products they consume? What are the factors of their consuming such products? How does the Panchayat work? How this government at the grassroots level work? What are the problems they face? Currnetly I am doing my field work in the desert area, here the village has to face a lot problems pertaining to drinking water. Thus, it brings us closer to what we need to know and makes us think over various issues and find solutions for the same. It widens our horizon and scope of vision. Every student who comes to IRMA for his group discussion or personal interview process, he is shown a short film about a "Barefoot manager" so if you can elaborate a little upon, what is a "Barefoot manager" because it is something which is unique to IRMA, it is not taught in any other school? This is a unique thing about IRMA. Other B-schools train students for corporate sectors, business sectors but at IRMA its the rural sector that is focus. The urban and rural sectors are different, their needs are different and the working style is different. The barefoot manager is a symbolism for a person or a manager who is working for the rural sector or a company who has been working for the rural sector. These managers not only need to work for the rural sector but for the people of the rural sector, understanding their wants, feelings and ensuring that they satisfy them. Therefore these managers have to go into the villages, do the field work, and understand the realities and problems at the rural level. So bear foot manager implies, an individual who needs to be tough as far management is concerned and also understand the people's feelings and their needs thus adding an emotional touch to his profile. Among students the perception is that IRMA is a rural or NGO school and after they are placed, they might end up with working an NGO. Can you please shed some light on the same?

4/5

The definitive guide for IRMA 2011 test and beyond

Saturday, 12 November 2011 17:38 - Last Updated Monday, 14 November 2011 16:17

There are lot of opportunities that are of offered to IRMA graduates. One can work with various state development projects and work in the development sector. Many Agri Business profiles are offered to our students like ITC E-Choupal, Mapro Dairy have been recruiters at IRMA last year. IRMA also offers its students opportunities in the energy sector, with recruiters like Schneider coming in for placements. It is quite surprising that few people opt out from the placement and actually work for NGO and that is totally kind of social work. That is surely based on on individual needs and interests. IRMA never says, that you have to work for NGOs, it is a misconception. It is not about working for NGOs, it is about working for the rural sector. How does IRMA promotes entrepreneurship among its students, you have certain development sectors dedicated to this? Entrepreneurship ideas are discussed regularly among students in classes or informally. There is a lot of encouragement provided by our faculty and the director of the institute too. We interact with are alumni on a regular basis and build ideas with their help and support. In fact, IRMA is planning to have an official entrepreneurship club on campus soon. Any advice you would like to give to the IRMA aspirants of 2012/2014 batch? I will say there is not much time left so do a comprehensive preparation. It is the time to deliver, do not be tensed and approach the exam strategically. It is not that difficult paper, you have to be concentrated and focused on the day of exam. Give your best and do not panic.

The author, Himanshu Bhardwaj is a student in the IRMA batch of 2011-2013. Himanshu is a fresher and found his calling in IRMA

5/5