Ritik Kumar · September 14, 2025 
Introduction
General Knowledge (GK) often makes or breaks your score in SNAP and MAT exams. While many aspirants focus heavily on Quant, VARC, and Reasoning, it’s GK that helps in boosting overall percentile with minimal time investment. Since GK questions can be answered quickly, building a strong GK base can save precious time for tougher sections.
But the big question is—what’s the smartest way to prepare for GK for SNAP & MAT 2025?
The answer lies in a combination of newspapers for in-depth understanding and apps for quick revision and practice. In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how you can leverage both to strengthen your GK and stay ahead of the competition.
Why GK Matters in SNAP & MAT
- SNAP GK Weightage: Around 20% of the exam.
- MAT GK Weightage: Included in the Indian & Global Environment section.
- Time Saver: GK questions take less than 30 seconds if you know the answer.
- Differentiator: High scorers often owe their edge to solid GK preparation.
Using Newspapers for GK Preparation
Newspapers remain the most authentic and comprehensive source for GK. They don’t just provide information but also give context, analysis, and opinions—all of which help in exams and interviews.
Best Newspapers to Refer (choose 1–2, not all):
- The Hindu / Indian Express → Editorials & national affairs
- Economic Times / Business Standard → Economy & business updates
- Times of India / Hindustan Times → Quick current affairs
Sections to Focus:
- Front Page Headlines – National & international events.
- Business & Economy – RBI policies, mergers, FDI, start-ups.
- Editorials – Improves critical analysis (also useful in GD-PI).
- Science & Tech – Innovations, ISRO missions, Nobel prizes.
- Sports & Awards – Frequent questions in GK sections.
Newspaper Strategy for GK:
- Spend 30–40 minutes daily, not more.
- Maintain a GK notebook or digital notes in bullet points.
- Do a weekly revision of your notes.
- Focus more on the last 6 months of news before the exam.
Using GK Apps for Smart Preparation
In today’s busy routine, apps make GK prep easy, interactive, and consistent. They offer short updates, quizzes, and reminders, which complement newspaper reading.
Advantages of GK Apps:
- Daily Quizzes for quick practice.
- Push Notifications keep you updated even on hectic days.
- Topic Segmentation (Economy, Sports, Awards, etc.) for focused prep.
- Compact Revisions with monthly current affairs capsules.
How to Use GK Apps Effectively:
- 15–20 minutes daily for quizzes.
- Bookmark important Q&A.
- Revise monthly capsules during the last 3 months before the exam.
Newspapers vs Apps: Which is Better for GK?
| Aspect | Newspapers | Apps |
| Knowledge Depth | Detailed analysis of events | Surface-level facts & summaries |
| Best For | Contextual learning, opinions | Quick revision, mock practice |
| Time Needed | 30–40 minutes daily | 15–20 minutes daily |
| Long-term Benefits | Helps in GD-PI & essays | Helps with exam day recall |
Verdict: Use both—newspapers for depth, apps for speed.
Top GK Topics for SNAP & MAT 2025
Here’s a priority list of areas to cover:
- Business & Economy – RBI policies, Union Budget, Startups, Mergers.
- National Affairs – Government schemes, policies, and defense exercises.
- International Affairs – Summits, treaties, global reports.
- Awards & Recognitions – Nobel, sports awards, film festivals.
- Science & Tech – ISRO launches, AI advancements, medical discoveries.
- Sports – Tournaments, winners, records.
- Static GK – Capitals, currencies, important days, books & authors.
Weekly GK Preparation Plan (Sample)
| Time | Activity |
| Morning (7–9 AM) | Practice Quant basics & problem sets |
| Late Morning | Reading editorials/RC practice (VARC) |
| Afternoon | 1–2 hours of DILR sets |
| Evening | Mock test (full-length/sectional) |
| Night | Mock analysis & error correction |
How Career Plan B Can Help You?
At Career Plan B, we know that GK is a scoring opportunity that most students underutilize. Our approach helps you build a smart and focused GK strategy for exams like SNAP and MAT.
- Personalized Career Counselling: Understand how to balance GK with other sections.
- Psycheintel and Career Assessment Tests: Identify your strong and weak areas.
- Admission & Profile Guidance: Guidance beyond exams—crafting the right academic and career path.
- Career Roadmapping: Long-term planning from exam prep to career goals.
With expert guidance, you’ll not just prepare GK, but prepare it in a way that maximizes your ROI in SNAP & MAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How can I prepare for GK for SNAP in one week?
Ans. To prepare GK for SNAP in one week, focus on revising key current affairs and important static GK topics from the past year, using quick revision notes or GK PDFs. Practice previous year SNAP GK questions and take at least 2-3 mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Avoid learning new topics in the last week; prioritize revision and time management to maximize your score.
Q2. How do I prepare for the GK section for the MBA entrance exams?
Ans. To prepare for the GK section of MBA entrance exams, regularly follow reliable sources like newspapers, current affairs apps, and monthly GK magazines. Focus on important static GK topics such as awards, sports, history, and geography alongside current national and international events. Practice previous years’ questions and take mock tests to improve recall and accuracy under timed conditions. Consistent revision is key to retaining information and scoring.
Q3. Which editorials, journals, and magazines should I get hold of as a part of my CAT/XAT/SNAP preparation?
Ans. For CAT, XAT, and SNAP preparation, top editorials and magazines to follow include the editorial sections of The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economic Times, Business Standard, and Livemint. Recommended magazines are Competition Success Review, Manorama Yearbook, Outlook, India Today, and Frontline for comprehensive current affairs and analysis. For journals and business insights, consider Harvard Business Review, The Economist, and Business World to stay updated on management trends and economy-related topics. These sources enhance both GK and reading comprehension skills essential for MBA entrance exams.
Q4. Which are some good GK apps for IIFT, MAT, and SNAP?
Ans. Some good GK apps for IIFT, MAT, and SNAP preparation are the Current Affairs & GK App 2025 by Jagran Josh, Prep Guru for mock tests and quizzes, MBA Exams Guide by Career Launcher, and CATAbility for practice questions and daily tests. These apps offer daily current affairs updates, static GK topics, quizzes, and mock tests tailored to MBA entrance exam needs. Using these regularly can boost GK preparation effectively.
Q5. How do I prepare for the GK section for the MBA entrance exams?
Ans. To prepare for the GK section in MBA entrance exams, consistently follow current affairs through newspapers, reliable apps, and monthly magazines. Focus on important static GK topics like awards, sports, and history alongside current national and international events. Practice previous year questions and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Regular revision is crucial to retaining information and scoring well.
Conclusion
GK is often underestimated, but in reality, it’s the section that can give you maximum returns in minimum time in both SNAP and MAT. By combining newspaper reading for depth and apps for quick revision, you can prepare GK in a way that’s sustainable and effective.
For those aiming to not just clear exams but excel in their MBA journey, structured guidance from Career Plan B ensures you learn what to prepare, how to prepare, and when to prepare. That’s the real secret to cracking GK smartly.
