Symbiosis Institute of Business Management Pune (SIBM Pune) is among India’s most prestigious B-schools, known for academic excellence, strong industry connections, and exceptional placement records. Admission to the flagship MBA programme is highly competitive, with a multi-stage selection process involving the SNAP exam, Group Exercise, Personal Interview, and Written Ability Test. Understanding the eligibility requirements, weightage distribution, important dates, and category-wise cutoffs is crucial for aspirants aiming to secure one of the 240 available seats. The following sections present a detailed breakdown of the SIBM Pune selection criteria for 2025, ensuring candidates have all the essential information to prepare strategically and maximise their chances of selection.
If you are also exploring top IIMs, check our IIM Admission Criteria for comparison.
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Table of Contents
SIBM Pune Eligibility Criteria 2025
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the SIBM Pune eligibility requirements. These criteria are strictly enforced, and any failure to meet them can lead to disqualification at any stage.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution with:
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks for General Category.
- Minimum 45% aggregate marks for candidates from SC/ST categories.
- Final-year students can also apply, provided they can produce the required aggregate percentage upon completion of their degree. If they fail to do so, their admission will be cancelled.
Total Intake
- 240 seats for the flagship MBA programme.
Reservation Structure
In line with Symbiosis International (Deemed University) policy:
- SC – 15%
- ST – 7.5%
- PwD – 3%
- Kashmiri Migrants – 2 seats
- International Students – 15%
Tip: International students must apply through the Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE) and meet separate requirements for eligibility and English proficiency.
Related: MBA Eligibility Criteria 2025
SIBM Pune Application Process 2025
The application process for SIBM Pune is two-tiered, as it requires registration for both SNAP and SIBM Pune separately.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Register for SNAP Exam
- Visit the official SNAP test website.
- Fill in personal and academic details.
- Pay the SNAP exam fee online.
- Register for SIBM Pune
- On the SNAP portal itself, select SIBM Pune as one of your preferred institutes.
- Pay the SIBM Pune programme fee (separate from SNAP).
- Attempt the SNAP Exam
- Candidates can attempt SNAP up to three times in a year.
- The best score among the attempts will be considered for shortlisting.
- Shortlisting
- Based on SNAP percentile, SIBM Pune will invite candidates for the GEPIWAT process.
- GEPIWAT Process
- Group Exercise (GE)
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Written Ability Test (WAT)
Important: Both SNAP and SIBM Pune application fees must be paid to be considered for selection.
For exam readiness, try our CAT DILR Questions.
SIBM Pune Selection Process 2025
SIBM Pune follows a two-stage selection process:
Stage 1 – SNAP Exam Evaluation
- Weightage: 50% of the final merit score.
- Only the best of three attempts will be used.
- High SNAP score is crucial to secure a shortlist for the next stage.
Stage 2 – GEPIWAT Evaluation
This stage evaluates the candidate’s holistic profile.
- Group Exercise (GE): 10%
Candidates work on business case studies, problem-solving tasks, and group discussions to test teamwork, leadership, and analytical ability.
- Personal Interview (PI): 30%
This is a face-to-face interaction assessing confidence, clarity of thought, communication skills, and suitability for an MBA.
- Written Ability Test (WAT): 10%
Involves writing a short essay or analysis based on a prompt to judge writing skills, reasoning, and structuring ability.
Weightage Table
| Component |
Weightage (%) |
| SNAP Score |
50% |
| Personal Interview (PI) |
30% |
| Group Exercise (GE) |
10% |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) |
10% |
Prepare for interviews with our One-to-One Counselling.
SIBM Pune Shortlisting Criteria
Shortlisting considers multiple factors:
- SNAP Score: Primary filter.
- GEPIWAT Performance: Determines final ranking.
- Academic Background: Good past academics can add weight to your profile.
- Work Experience: Relevant work can give you an edge in PI.
Important Dates for SIBM Pune Admission 2025
| Event |
Date (Tentative) |
| SNAP Registration Opens |
August 05, 2025 |
| SNAP Registration Closes |
November 22, 2025 |
| SNAP Exam Dates |
December 08, 15, 21, 2025 |
| SNAP Result Announcement |
January 08, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply for MBA Programmes |
December 07, 2025 |
| GEPI Shortlist Declaration |
January 20, 2026 |
| GEPI Process (Phase I) |
February 05–09, 2026 |
| GEPI Process (Phase II) |
February 12–16, 2026 |
| First Merit List Declaration |
February 28, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment (First Merit) |
March 15, 2026 |
| Programme Commencement |
June 04, 2026 |
SIBM Pune Minimum Cutoffs 2025
| Category |
Expected Cutoff (Percentile) |
| Open |
98.01 |
| SC |
71.07 |
| ST |
35.09 |
| DA |
40.75 |
| KM |
88.67 |
Note: These cutoffs are expected based on previous year trends and may change after SNAP 2025.
Related: IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria 2025
Component-Wise Selection Insights
SNAP Exam – 50% Weightage
The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) serves as the first and most critical filter for SIBM Pune aspirants, holding half of the final selection weightage.
- Structure of the Exam:
- General English (Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability) – Tests grammar, vocabulary, and reading speed.
- Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency – Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math, data tables, and caselets.
- Analytical & Logical Reasoning – Involves puzzles, seating arrangements, series, and critical reasoning.
- Attempts Allowed: Candidates can appear for up to three SNAP test slots in a year, with the best score being considered for shortlisting.
- Target Score: For the Open category, aim for 98+ percentile, which generally requires strong accuracy, time management, and mock test practice. Use our CAT Quant Questions and VARC Cheat Sheet to prepare.
- Tip: Since SNAP has no sectional cutoffs, smart question selection and speed are key.
Group Exercise (GE) – 10% Weightage
The GE is designed to assess a candidate’s teamwork, collaboration, and leadership abilities in a simulated business environment.
- Format: Candidates are divided into groups and given case studies, problem statements, or brainstorming topics.
- Skills Tested: Communication clarity, listening skills, logical thinking, and the ability to work under time constraints.
- Example Activity: A group might be tasked with designing a marketing strategy for a product launch or finding solutions to a company’s declining sales.
- Tip: Avoid dominating the discussion or staying silent—aim for constructive participation and idea contribution.
Personal Interview (PI) – 30% Weightage
The PI is the most influential non-academic stage of the selection process.
- Focus Areas:
- Career goals and long-term aspirations.
- Academic and work achievements.
- Domain knowledge related to chosen MBA specialisation.
- Awareness of business, economic, and social issues.
- Nature of Questions: May range from personal strengths/weaknesses to technical concepts from your academic background, as well as situational judgment questions.
- Tip: Prepare your answers for “Why MBA?” and “Why SIBM Pune?” with clarity and authenticity.
Written Ability Test (WAT) – 10% Weightage
The WAT evaluates written communication, logical reasoning, and articulation skills.
- Format: Candidates are given a topic and a short time window (15–20 minutes) to write a well-structured essay or analysis practice from Reading Zone.
- Topics: Often drawn from current affairs, business trends, ethics, or abstract themes.
- Evaluation Criteria: Structure, grammar, clarity of thought, and originality of ideas.
- Tip: Practice concise writing—250 to 300 words with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Work Experience Advantage
Although not compulsory, prior work experience (preferably 1–3 years) can:
- Improve performance in PI due to practical, real-world examples.
- Demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.
- Enhance your MBA peer-learning experience and placement prospects.
- Candidates from consulting, IT, analytics, and sales/marketing roles often find it easier to link their professional experiences to MBA learnings.
Seats vs Applicants Ratio
The competitiveness of SIBM Pune admissions is among the highest in India:
- Available Seats: 240 (including reserved categories).
- Estimated Applicants: Over 1,00,000 SNAP test-takers.
- Selection Ratio: Less than 0.25% — meaning fewer than 3 candidates out of every 1,000 test-takers make it to the final selection list.
- Implication: Every stage—SNAP, GE, PI, and WAT—needs strategic preparation.
SIBM Pune Placement Snapshot (2024 Batch)
SIBM Pune consistently delivers top-tier placement outcomes, making it a high ROI institute.
- Average Package: ₹26.77 LPA
- Highest Package: ₹35.05 LPA
- Median Package: ₹25.60 LPA (approx.)
- Top Recruiters: Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Accenture Strategy, Deloitte, PwC, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Amazon, Aditya Birla Group.
- Recruitment Sectors:
- Consulting & Strategy – McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.
- FMCG & Retail – HUL, ITC, Nestlé, P&G.
- BFSI – ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Citibank.
- IT/ITES & E-commerce – Amazon, Flipkart, Microsoft, TCS, Infosys.
- Key Insight: A strong alumni network and corporate relationships drive consistent placement performance across sectors.
For comparison, see IIM Kolkata Placements 2025.
Useful Resources for Aspirants
The SIBM Pune selection criteria 2025 follow a structured and competitive process designed to pick the best talent. With SNAP scores holding 50% weightage, and the remaining distributed between GE, PI, and WAT, preparation must be holistic. Knowing the eligibility, dates, cutoffs, and evaluation process early will give you a strategic edge.
For personalised SNAP and MBA preparation guidance, explore the resources and mentorship programmes at Coachify—your trusted partner in cracking top B-school admissions.
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