How to Prepare for SNAP Exam: Section-wise Strategies, Study Plans & Proven Techniques

04 December, 2025

Ankit Arora

With just 60 minutes and 60 questions in exam pattern, SNAP demands speed, accuracy, and a smart preparation plan. It requires a fast, intense, and highly strategic SNAP preparation plan.

Students may be consuming content, but not mastering the speed and skills. They feel prepared about the syllabus but in front of the exam paper with 60 questions to be in 60 minutes, their brain may freeze. It’s Because preparation isn’t about consuming. It’s about practicing the speed and accuracy.

Whether you’re targeting SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, or SIIB, this guide will walk you through a practical and clear strategy to maximize your SNAP score. First, let’s look at the SNAP exam features and paper pattern:

SNAP Preparation: Exam Highlights

Exam Aspects	Key Details
Time Per Question	60 seconds
Total Time	60 minutes
Total Questions	60
Sectional Time Limits	None
Attempts Allowed	3
Best Score	Counts
Negative Marking	-0.25 marks
Difficulty	Moderate

SNAP Exam Paper Pattern

The SNAP exam pattern includes 3 sections; General English, Quant, and Analytical & LR.

Section	Number of Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks
General English (VA, VR, Grammar)	15	1	15
Analytical & Logical Reasoning	25	1	25
Quantitative Ability, DI, DS	20	1	20
Total	60 Questions	–	60 Marks

Duration: 60 Minutes

Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer

Unanswered Question: 0 Marks
Score Normalization: Not Applicable

The Three Phases of SNAP Exam Preparation Strategy

Your preparation journey can be divided in three distinct phases, and the strategy for each is completely different.

Phase 1: Foundation Building

Here you goal should be to learn concepts and not just solving questions. Understand grammar rules, learn formulas, and understand logic tricks.

Practice more and read theory, solve basic questions, build vocabulary .

Phase 2: Practice & Refinement

Here your goal should be to develop speed and accuracy for the exam. Focus on solving sectional tests, practice under time limits, and identify weak topics.

Practice the sets, go through sectional tests, and take 1-2 SNAP mock tests per week.

Phase 3: Final Sprint (Final month)

The goal should be to polish the exam strategy, maintain confidence, and handle last month pressure. Focus more on the mock tests, analysis, revision, and mental preparation.

Take Full-length mocks, do error analysis, and light revision.

Section-Wise SNAP Preparation Strategy

Here is a break down of SNAP exam preparation for all 3 sections:

SNAP General English Section Preparation Guide

The General English section has 15 questions. It should take you 10-12 minutes maximum. Most candidates either spend 20 minutes here which is not advisable at all.

Here’s what’s in this section:

Topics in General English	Questions	Difficulty Level
Verbal Reasoning	2-3	Moderate to Hard
Reading Comprehension	6-8	Easy to Moderate
Grammar	2-3	Moderate
Vocabulary	3-4	Easy to Moderate

How to Prepare for SNAP General English: Topic-wise Breakdown

Topic 1: Reading Comprehension (RC) Preparation for SNAP

The RC topic in SNAP General English includes 2-3 passages with 6-8 questions in total. Ideally, one should devote 45 seconds per question for reading, in addition to 30 seconds per question for answering.

How to prepare for RC:

Initial Phase: Begin with reading one editorial from The Hindu or Economics Times daily. It should not be just skimming, you must actually reading and understand the subject in the article.

After reading, ask yourself: What’s the main idea? What’s the author’s perspective? What examples does the author use?

Don’t begin solving any RC questions yet. Just build a reading habit and expand your subject knowledge which should include current affairs, technology, economy, and science. RC passages often come from these domains.

Practice Phase: Start solving RC passages from previous years’ SNAP papers (2024, 2023, 2022). Read the passage once and give only 5 minutes to read. Answer all questions from the first read itself.

When you check your answers. Identify the wrong answers and check for the reasons behind it, like whether it was a misinterpretation or any confusion between two statements.

Final Phase: Maintain your practice at 1 RC passage daily and speed target of 5-6 minutes per passage. You accuracy target must be at least 90%+.

Pro tips:

Underline main ideas and contrasting views while reading.
For inference questions, choose the answer closest to what’s written (don’t make big logical jumps).
For title questions, choose the broadest, most general title.

Topic 2: Vocabulary Preparation for SNAP Exam

It evaluates on Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, and Word Usage in Context, and One-word Substitution.

How to prepare for Vocabulary Preparation:

Initial Phase: Learn 20-30 new words every day. Refer to The Hindu’s editorial vocabulary, Vocabulary flashcard apps, and books. For each word, learn its definition, synonyms & antonyms, and use it in example sentences.

Practice Phase: Practice more on synonym/antonym questions from previous papers of SNAP exam. At least 20 questions daily in your routine. If you miss a question, it means you don’t know the word well enough. Review it.

Final Phase: Maintain vocabulary learning at 10 new words daily. Practice more on idiom-based questions; at least 15 daily.

Pro tips:

Learn word roots (Greek and Latin origins). Most words follow patterns.
Learn words in context, not in isolation.
If a word appears in multiple previous SNAP papers, it’s likely to appear again.

Topic 3: Grammar Preparation Strategy for SNAP

SNAP exam tests error spotting & sentence correction in Grammar topics, like Subject-Verb agreement, Tense consistency, Pronoun agreement, Parallel structure, and Misplaced modifiers.

How to prepare for Grammar Topics in SNAP

Initial phase: Review basic grammar rules only that includes Subject-Verb agreement, Tenses, Pronouns, Prepositions, etc. Create a one-page grammar cheat sheet. This is your reference document.

Practice phase: Solve error spotting questions daily; at least 20 questions in a time limit of 15 minutes (45 seconds per question).

For each wrong answer, identify which grammar rule was violated? Add new rules to your cheat sheet as you discover them.

Final phase: Maintain your practice at 10 grammar questions daily. Now, don’t learn new rules and just refine your understanding of existing ones. Trust your instincts.

Pro tips:

Familiarize yourself with sentence structures used in SNAP. Read business English from Financial Times and The Economist.
When spotting an error, read the sentence without the error and ask: Does it sound right?
In “sentence correction,” the corrected sentence shouldn’t change the meaning.

Topic 4: Verbal Reasoning & Para-jumbles for SNAP

This topic tests your reasoning through Analogies, Para-jumbles, Critical Reasoning.

How to prepare for VR for SNAP:

For Analogies: Identify the relationship type, like Synonyms, Opposites, Part-whole, or Cause-effect. Practice 15 analogies daily and look for patterns in SNAP questions. Certain relationships repeat.

For Para-jumbles: Read all sentences first and understand the passage’s topic. Identify the first sentence, and look for pronouns and references (the, this, these usually refer to the previous sentence). Identify the last sentence. Now, fill in the middle sentences. Attempt 2 para-jumbles daily that will take 4-5 minutes each.

For Critical Reasoning: Identify the main argument and practice 10 critical reasoning questions daily.

For “assumption” questions check what must be true for the argument to be valid.
For “conclusion” questions find what logically follows from the statements.
For “inference” questions identify what can be inferred, even if not directly stated.

Preparation Tips for SNAP Analytical & Logical Reasoning

This section has 25 questions. It’s also the section with the most variety. You have puzzles, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, critical reasoning, and more.

Here’s the breakdown:

Topic	Questions
Syllogisms	2-3
Puzzles (Arrangements, Selections)	4-6
Series (Number, Alphabet)	2-3
Coding-Decoding	2-3
Blood Relations	1-2
Direction Sense	1-2
Clocks & Calendars	1-2
Critical Reasoning	3-4

How to prepare for SNAP A-LR:

Learn Venn diagram representation and practice converting statements to diagrams. Practice 10 syllogisms daily in Week 5-8, 5 daily in Week 9-12

Topic 2: Puzzles & Arrangements

It includes question pattern based on linear seating arrangement, circular seating arrangement, multiple attributes, etc. One should practice on how to construct tables and diagrams, simple puzzles in initial phase and move to medium puzzles afterwards. Take 4-5 minutes per puzzle.

Practice 2-3 puzzles daily and move to hard puzzles with 5-6 minutes for each. If it takes longer, you’re struggling too hard.

Topic 3: Series (Number & Alphabet)
Learn common patterns like Arithmetic progression, geometric progression, Fibonacci, squares, and cubes. Practice 20 series daily and take 30-60 seconds per question.

Pro tip: If you can’t spot the pattern in 60 seconds, skip. The pattern is usually simple; if you don’t see it quickly, you’re overthinking.

Topic 4: Coding-Decoding
Practice 15 coding questions daily with 60-90 seconds per question. Look for patterns as Coding questions often use simple, and repeating patterns.

Topic 5: Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Clocks & Calendars
Draw family trees for each question and practice 5 questions daily with 60 seconds per question. Use abbreviations (F=Father, M=Mother, B=Brother, S=Son). For direction sense, draw directions on paper (North, South, East, West).

Practice questions daily with 60 seconds per question

For Clocks & Calendars learn formulas for clock angles and calendar calculations. Practice daily with 60 seconds per question.

Here is a snapshot for the SNAP exam time management tips

SNAP Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation Preparation

This is the toughest section in SNAP. 20 questions for 20 marks with moderate to tough difficulty.

Topic	Questions	Weightage
Arithmetic	6-7	30-35%
Algebra	3-4	15-20%
Geometry & Mensuration	3-4	15-20%
Number Systems	2-3	10-15%
Data Interpretation	4-6	20-30%

How to Prepare for SNAP Quantitative Aptitude: Topic-wise Breakdown

Topic 1: Arithmetic (30% of Quant)
Key topics include Percentages, Ratios & Proportions, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Averages & Mixtures, Simple & Compound Interest.

Learn basic formulas and concepts and begin with basic problems.
Increase the practice with intermediate problems having multi-step calculations.
Speed target should be 1 question per minute.
Focus on accuracy over speed
For advance level practice, speed target should be 45-60 seconds per question with accuracy of 90%+

Topic 2: Data Interpretation (20-30% of Quant)
Key topics are; Tables (structured data), Bar graphs, Line graphs, Pie charts, and Caselets.

Learn how to read and interpret different graph types. Practice extracting data.
Solve DI sets (usually 3-4 questions per set) under time limits.
Focus on accuracy over speed.
Maintain 1 or 2 DI set daily with an accuracy target of 90%+.

Topic 3: Algebra (15-20% of Quant)
Key topics are; Linear equations, Quadratic equations, Progressions (AP, GP), and Logarithms.

Learn formulas and concepts.
Practice daily 10-15 questions.
Speed target: 60 seconds per question.

Topic 4: Geometry & Mensuration (15-20% of Quant)
Key topics are; Triangles (Pythagorean theorem, area, perimeter), Circles, Coordinate Geometry, and 3D shapes.

Learn formulas thoroughly and practice 10 questions daily.
Speed target: 90 seconds per question (geometry is slower)

Geometry questions often have tricky visuals. Draw diagrams for clarity.

Topic 5: Number Systems (10-15% of Quant)
Key topics are; Number properties, Divisibility rules, LCM & GCD, and Remainders. Learn concepts and practice 10 questions daily with a speed target of 60 seconds per question.

SNAP Mock Test Strategy: Mock Tests Are Non-Negotiable

Mock tests aren’t just practice. They’re your simulation of the actual exam. You can learn following tactics for SNAP exam:

How to manage time under pressure
What your weak areas are
What your realistic score is

Take SNAP Mock Tests

How to Take a Mock Test Effectively

Before the mock, set up your test environment exactly like the real exam (quiet, timed, no distractions). Start exactly on time

and use the first 5 minutes to skim all 60 questions. Solve all questions and if time remains, review your answers (don’t change unless you’re very sure).

Do This After the SNAP Mocks:

Analysis (same day)
What was your score?
Which sections went well? Which were weak?
Did you run out of time?
For each wrong answer, ask: Why did I get it wrong?
Concept gap?
Calculation error?
Strategy error?
Write down the learning point

How to Prepare for SNAP in the Last Month

Practice for the SNAP exam with the help of a weekly plan:

Week 1

Take 1 full length mock test with 2 hours of review & analysis.
Everyday devote 2-3 hours for revision of weak topics.
30 mins everyday for vocabulary building.
Focus on identifying problem areas.

Week 2

Take 2 sectional tests on alternate days and 1 full mock test by end of that week.
Give 2 hours to weak topic practice every day.
Focus on polishing your strategies.

Last Week Before Exam

Take 1 full mock.
Daily practice for weak topics.
Light revision of vocabulary for 30 mins everyday.
Focus on maintaining the momentum and build confidence.
Stay relaxed and organize your documents.

FAQs on SNAP Preparation

How difficult is SNAP compared to CAT?

SNAP is easier than CAT but requires higher speed and sharper decision-making.

How many mocks should I take for SNAP?

You should take at least 10–12 SNAP mocks for accurate score improvement. IMS SNAP mocks simulate the real exam UI, difficulty, and question-style, giving you the exact test-day experience.

Are 2 months enough for SNAP preparation?

Yes, if your basics are strong, 6–8 weeks of targeted revision is enough.

Which section is the toughest in SNAP?

Quant is moderate, but LR is the most time-consuming for many students.

How do I prepare for SNAP vocabulary?

Practice with daily flashcards, read editorials in newspapers like, The Hindu, Indian Express, and solve past SNAP English questions.

Should I take all 3 SNAP attempts provided in a month?

Yes, if you’re prepared for all three dates and if you want multiple chances to improve. Let’s say if your score from first test is already 95%ile+ and you’re confident in your performance, you can choose to avoid the other tests of SNAP.

But, if you’re not fully prepared for the first attempt and using it as a “practice test”, you should sit for the next tests of SNAP.

How many SNAP mock tests should I take?

Minimum 10 full-length mocks spread across 4 to 5 months of SNAP preparation. Ideally, one should take 15-20 full-length mocks during the whole period of SNAP preparation. The real metric is not about quantity. It’s about analysis. Taking 50 mocks without analyzing them is useless. Taking 10 mocks and deeply analyzing each one is valuable.

How to improve speed without compromising accuracy in SNAP exam?

Focus on accuracy over speed, always. Begin with practicing questions without time constraints and focus on accuracy. Move ahead with same question type under time constraints. This will give you speed + accuracy together.

Speed naturally develops when you solve enough questions and understand shortcuts.