5 Surprising SNAP Preparation Truths from SCMHRD 99-Percentilers

With the SNAP exam just a couple of months away, the pressure on aspirants is mounting. For many, this is a period of intense anxiety, like a constant ringing bell inside your head, questioning whether you’ve prepared enough.

But here’s the twist: what if scoring 99+ percentile in SNAP isn’t only about mastering formulas and vocabulary? What if the real differentiator is strategy, mindset, and understanding the unique game that SNAP truly is?

To uncover the reality, we tuned into an aspirant outreach session with three students from SCMHRD Pune who cracked the exam with 99+ percentiles: Stuti Agarwal (99.34), Medhansh Gupta (99.50), and Nachiket Shembekar (99.22). They shared unfiltered, practical insights that could transform your SNAP preparation.

Want to watch the full session with SCMHRD toppers? Check out the YouTube video here.

Here are five surprising truths from their journeys.

1. Your “Best” Attempt May Not Be the One You Expect

SNAP allows you to take the exam up to three times, with only your best score being considered. While this seems straightforward, SCMHRD toppers revealed a hidden truth: your own judgment of performance on exam day can be completely misleading.

Their experiences prove this perception gap:

Stuti: Scored highest in her first attempt but was convinced her third was better.
Medhansh: Thought he had “aced” his first attempt, but his third gave him the best score.
Nachiket: Felt low after his second attempt, yet that turned out to be his highest.

Takeaway: Your feelings are not data. Attempt all three slots to maximise your chances and avoid relying on flawed self-assessment.

2. Myth Busted: You Don’t Need to Be an Engineer

A common belief is that only engineers excel in MBA entrance exams, especially in quants. According to these toppers, that’s absolutely false for SNAP.

Both Stuti and Medhansh are B.Com (Hons) graduates.
Their SCMHRD batch includes students from Mass Media, History, and other diverse fields.

As Medhansh explained: “It’s a misconception that engineers are automatically better at quants or LR. SNAP rewards smart decision-making and quick thinking. The questions test your basics and clarity more than fast calculations.”

Takeaway: Academic background doesn’t define your success in SNAP. What matters is agility, fundamentals, and smart strategy.

3. No Sectional Cutoffs = Complete Freedom

Unlike other MBA exams, SNAP has no sectional cutoffs or timings. This single feature transforms how you can approach the test, it allows you to design a strategy that plays to your strengths.The toppers showcased two contrasting yet equally successful approaches:

Stuti’s Weakest-Last Strategy:

General English (Strongest): 15 questions in 5.5 minutes.
Logical Reasoning: 25 questions in 25 minutes.
Quants (Weakest): Dedicated last 30 minutes calmly.

Nachiket’s Strength-First Strategy:

General English first to build momentum.
Quants second as another strong area.
Logical Reasoning last with a full 30 minutes.

Takeaway: SNAP gives you the freedom to choose. Use mock tests to experiment and build a personalized approach, whether it’s strength-first or weakest-last.

4. Don’t Just Take Mocks- Analyze Them Deeply

Every topper stresses the importance of mock tests, but the real differentiator is analysis.

Stuti took 25 mocks.
Medhansh took 30–35 mocks.

But they emphasized that simply taking mocks is only one-third of the job. Their process:

Attempt: Take the mock under exam conditions.
Analyze: Identify correct answers, time-loss mistakes, and blind spots.
Strategize: Adjust question selection, time management, and priorities.

As Medhansh puts it:“If a mock is 1 hour, you must analyze for 2–3 hours. SNAP is easy to ace if you know your strengths and weaknesses and work smartly on them.”

Takeaway: The mock itself is practice. The analysis is where the learning happens.

5. Mental Resilience Is Your Biggest Asset

Preparation isn’t only about topics and mocks, it’s also about handling emotions and stress.

The toppers openly shared their struggles: fluctuating mock scores, self-doubt, and exam-day anxiety.

Nachiket’s method: Practicing breathing techniques before the exam to calm nerves.
Medhansh’s mindset:
“If you find the paper difficult, remember, everyone else finds it difficult too. Don’t panic.”

Takeaway: Mental resilience helps you stay calm under pressure, prevents tough questions from derailing you, and ensures you perform at your true potential.

Ultimately, SNAP isn’t a test of who knows the most. It’s a test of strategy, speed, and self-management.

The toppers’ journeys show that winners are not just those with academic knowledge, they are the ones who understand themselves best.So, now that you know the real game, ask yourself: What one strategic change will you make in your SNAP preparation today?

Happy Learning!