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Self-study vs Coaching Class: Which is Better?

Deciding on the mode of studying for an MBA entrance exam is a crucial step to consider before you start your preparations.

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Updated on : July 7, 2025

 

Updated on 25th May 2023, 10:19 am

 

Self-study vs Coaching Class: Which is Better?

 

Deciding on the mode of studying for an MBA entrance exam is a crucial step to consider before you start your preparations. Many students opt for coaching classes as they help save time and effort with curated courses while others prefer studying on their own terms by self-studies. Thus it is essential to understand the difference between the two forms of studies.

 

Self-study is all about studying and preparing everything from scratch without any assistance or help. In the context of the CAT exam or MBA entrance exams, students who opt for self-study mainly depend on books, online materials, or previous years’ question papers to study for the exams.

 

But the books do not cover all aspects of the preparation, including:

 

– Tips & techniques

 

– Relevance & importance of one chapter over the other

 

– Working on an exam strategy

 

– Detailed analysis of your mocks

 

– Free workshops to understand topics

 

– Experts’ answers to queries

 

 

Coaching classes or institutes, on the other hand, offer students a more refined and structured understanding guided by an instructor or professor. Aside from giving out study materials, they also provide mock tests and problem-solving sessions to assist students in their preparation journey.

 

Advantages and Limitations

Function

Coaching Classes

Self-study

Cost

– Pay to enroll

– A strategic investment for a degree

– Cost-effective

– For those on budget

Flexibility

– Fixed study plan

– Dedicated schedule & timings

– Get recordings for missed lessons

– Self-made study plan

– Flexible with no timelines

– According to your own needs

Structured Learning

– Access to curated resources & study materials

– Get a well-detailed course syllabus

– Daily tests to improve rapidly

– Self-curation of study plan

– Review and identify the syllabus to cover

– Prepare tests and preparatory material

Personalized Assistance

– Get adept instructors to help work on weaknesses

– Garner tips to enhance your performance

– No assistance or support

– Answer your own queries

– Figure out ways to analyze & improve

Peer Discussions

– Connect with peers studying the same topics and similar preparation level

– Great assistance in answering queries

– Understand other people’s preparation strategies.

– No connection to peers with the same background

– Search peer groups preparing for CAT

– Different levels of preparation among these peers

 

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