Achievements
CBSE topper on balancing boards and IPMAT
This Apeejay School, Kharghar achiever shares how she tackled board exams with her competitive exam
Meet Anjali Nair, Apeejay School, Kharghar – CBSE Commerce topper who didn’t just ace her board exams – she also prepared for one of India’s most competitive undergraduate management programs, the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM). In this conversation, she shares how she discovered IPM as a career path, her prep strategies, and how she managed the balancing act between board exams, practicals, and entrance tests.
Anjali, preparing for both boards and entrance exams like IPMAT must have been tough. How did you manage your time?
Honestly, during the practical exams, I focused only on those. I didn’t study for anything else at that time. I believe the pre-boards are crucial – if you study seriously for them, you’re in a good position for the actual board exams. That way, you can focus more on entrance prep afterwards.
So you suggest using pre-boards as a full-fledged trial run?
Absolutely. They give you a clear idea of where you stand. If you’re weak in certain areas, that’s your wake-up call. It also reduces stress before the board exams because you already know the pattern and what to expect.
When did you first learn about the IPM program and decide to pursue it?
As soon as I entered Class 11 with Commerce, I started exploring career options. Everywhere I looked, IPM kept popping up. That’s how I got interested. It’s a great option – BBA plus MBA combined – and saves time while opening up solid career prospects.
Which institutes are you targeting for IPM?
I’ve applied to IIMs and other private universities. I’ve already received an offer from one of them and am waiting for other results.
That’s interesting – any tips for students juggling both board and entrance exam prep?
Yes – you don’t need to study intensely for IPM throughout the year. Most serious prep starts only after the boards anyway. But if you consistently give 2–3 hours a week during school, you’ll be fine. Smart consistency beats last-minute cramming.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself after IPM?
I haven’t planned it all out yet. I hope the college I get into has a good placement record. Eventually, I’m also considering appearing for the UPSC exams after my MBA. But let’s see – one step at a time!
