What is rounds-based rolling admissions?
ISBF follows a rounds-based rolling admissions policy. ISBF’s calendar has more than one admission round. Each admission round comprises of the full admission process – filling the application, writing the entrance test and appearing for the personal interview. All applicants of a particular round typically complete the admission process together. Applications are closed as soon as all the seats are filled.

So, when is the best time to apply?
All else equal, applicants of earlier rounds have a higher likelihood of being selected to study at ISBF, of being selected onto their first-choice programme and of maximising the financial assistance they receive in the form of scholarships and bursaries. If selected, applicants will typically have 2-3 weeks to evaluate and take a decision with respect to their offer of admission.

Therefore, while it is advantageous to apply early, it is advisable to complete the admission process only when the applicant is ready to take a final decision with regard to the offer of admission.

Note:

1. These dates are subject to change. Applicants will be kept informed of any date changes via email.

2. All admission rounds, including any in addition to the above, will be conducted subject to availability of seats.

Admission Process

In every round, the admission process will comprise of three steps. All steps are mandatory for all candidates.

Step 1: Filling the Application Form

Step 2: Appearing for the ISBF Entrance Test (iMET), based on which candidates will be shortlisted for the final step

Step 3: Appearing for the Personal Interview (PI)

Once all three steps are completed, the candidate’s application will be reviewed in full by the Admissions Committee. The final selection criteria comprises the iMET score (weight – 50%), performance in the PI (weight – 30%) and Class XII Board examination score (weight – 20%), where available. All decisions of the ISBF Admissions Committee are final and binding.

Where Class XII Board scores are not available, the selection criteria will comprise only the iMET score and performance in the PI. Candidates who perform exceedingly well in the admission process may be made an unconditional offer of admission.

Candidates who are unsuccessful may reapply should they wish to. They will be required to re-appear for all steps of the admission process, and will be evaluated as though they were applying for the first time. It would, therefore, not be advisable to reapply unless one has materially improved one’s ability to perform well in the admission process or is applying for a different programme.

Step 1: Filling the Application Form

Candidates may fill the ISBF Application Form online or offline.

To apply online, click here.

Eligibility for applying

• The candidate must either have completed Class XII, or be completing it in 2023
• Candidates from any stream, or studying any combination of subjects, may apply to any of the undergraduate programmes offered at ISBF, subject only to the below requirements:
  • Candidates applying for BSc (Hons) Economics or BSc (Hons) Economics & Finance must have studied, or be studying, Mathematics in Class XII
  • Candidates applying for BSc (Hons) Accounting & Finance, BSc (Hons) Economics & Management or BSc (Hons) Business & Management must have studied Mathematics up to Class X

Candidates will be asked to indicate their first and second choices of programme in the Application Form. Should they have any difficulty in making these choices, we would encourage them to proactively reach out to us for guidance.

The programme choices, along with the Statement of Purpose that candidates write as part of the Application Form, are key components of the Personal Interview. In the Statement of Purpose, candidates are advised to highlight their academic and other strengths, including co-curricular and extra-curricular achievements.

In order for the Application Form to be deemed complete, candidates must submit all necessary documents as listed on the Application Form at the time of applying, whether online or offline, and must pay the application fee of INR 2,500 in full.

After successfully submitting the form, candidates will be issued an Admit Card confirming the iMET and PI slots (dates and times) chosen by them in the Application Form. Candidates must have the Admit Card handy during the iMET and PI.

Step 2: Appearing for the ISBF Entrance Test (iMET)

It is mandatory for all candidates to appear for the ISBF Entrance Test (iMET), which is conducted online in each admission round.

iMET tests a candidate’s ability to reason logically, assimilate information meaningfully from multiple reading sources and apply concepts and techniques learnt in Mathematics up to Class X (based on the syllabi of the major Indian Boards).

For more clarity, candidates are advised to see the sample iMET question paper, along with its answer key and guidance on preparation. Click here to download the sample iMET question paper.

Candidates who perform well in iMET will be shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI).

Candidates who have obtained a composite SAT score of 1350 (within the 5-year validity period) or more will be exempted from IMET and will be invited directly for the PI.

Candidates who have placed around the 90th percentile in CUET will be exempted from IMET and will be invited directly for the PI. The decision of the ISBF admissions committee in this regard will be final and binding.

Step 3: Appearing for the Personal Interview (PI)

Candidates shortlisted on the basis of iMET will be invited to appear for the final step of the admission process – the Personal Interview (PI). This may be held online or in person at the ISBF Campus depending on the prevailing pandemic situation – see the Admission Calendar above for further details.

In the PI, a candidate is tested for communication, attitude towards learning, academic curiosity and motivation to study at ISBF and to study the programme of first preference. The candidate’s past academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular record, as detailed in the Statement of Purpose in the Application Form, is the main basis of the PI discussion.

Where the PI is being held in person at the ISBF Campus, on the day of the PI, candidates are advised to bring along their parents and/or guardians to the ISBF campus, to attend a counselling session and campus and hostel tours that are organised for their benefit.

On the day of the PI, candidates are advised to bring along their parents and/or guardians to the ISBF campus, to attend a counselling session and campus and hostel tours that are organised for their benefit.

ECA/CCA/Sports Category Admissions

We, at ISBF, believe excellence in anything increases your potential in everything. We are committed to academic excellence and strive to make achievement of such excellence a habit in our students.

Extending this notion of excellence to Extra-Curricular Activities, Co-Curricular Activities and Sports, we offer admissions under the ECA/CCA/Sports Category, for the LSE undergraduate programmes. Through this, we identify and nurture excellence in a wide array of activities.

Click here to know more about ECA/CCA/Sports Category Admissions.