How to Crack the Hotel Management Entrance Exams: A Step-by-Step Guide

CL Team January 31 2025
4 min read

The hotel management industry has always been a diversified career path, attracting numerous students each year who aspire to work in hospitality, tourism, and customer service. Owing to the increasing demand for skilled professionals, hotel management courses have become one of the most sought-after programs after 12th. To get into a renowned hotel management college, students need to crack entrance exams such as NCHMCT JEE, AIHMCT WAT, and other institution-specific exams. If you are interested in pursuing hotel management, it is essential to be well-prepared and follow a strategic approach. In this guide, we will walk you through a step-by-step process to help you crack the hotel management entrance exams and set you on the path to success.

Step 1: Understand the Exam Pattern
Before you start preparing, it is crucial to understand the pattern of the exam you will be appearing for. Most hotel management entrance exams, including the popular NCHMCT JEE, have the following sections:

General Knowledge & Current Affairs: This section tests your awareness of current events and general knowledge about the world, especially related to tourism, hospitality, and the hotel industry.
Reasoning & Logical Deduction: This will test your critical-thinking skills and problem-solving capacities based on logic.
English Language: This will help test your command over the English language, including grammar usage, vocabulary, reading capacity, and sentence construction
Numerical Ability & Analytical Ability: This section features elementary mathematics and analytical reasoning exercises that test your potential for handling numbers and finding quantitative solutions.
Aptitude for Service Sector This section is specifically testing aptitude to work in hospitality industry, which deals with communication customer service and people skills.
If you understand the syllabus and weightage of all sections, you can create a study plan by focusing on more important areas and giving less focus to those that are given less weightage.

Step 2: Create a Study Plan
A well-structured study plan is the base for cracking the hotel management entrance exams. To crack such exams, you have to be consistent and disciplined in your approach. Here’s a guide to help you create an effective study plan:

Set Clear Goals: Identify what you want to achieve in each subject and how much time you need to dedicate to each section.
Allocate some amount of time for each subject with considering your strength and weaknesses, such as if your weak point is numerical ability then you have to take much more time for solving math problems.
Choose One Subject at One Time: Instead of Multitasking, choose only one subject for reading and complete all its topics before shifting to another subject.
Include Breaks: Long hours of studying with no breaks tend to get someone burn out. Include one hour or two minutes on and then off; your mind is refreshed.
Follow an organized study plan; hence you would be covering all the topics systematically which means a much better chance to score.

Step 3: Refer to the Right Study Material
The right study materials are vital for preparation. Choose the textbooks and resources that are comprehensive of the full syllabus of hotel management entrance exams. Some of the good books to refer to include:


General Knowledge: "General Knowledge Manual" by Dr. Binay Karna Reasoning

Logical Deduction: 'A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning' authored by R.S. Aggarwal
Reasoning & Logical Deduction: "A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal
English Language: "High School English Grammar & Composition" by Wren and Martin
Numerical Ability: "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal
Hospitality and Tourism Management related: Books on hospitality and tourism management will be of some assistance in preparing the candidate for the service sector area.


In addition, web tools, such as sample question papers, video lectures, and practice tests, would prepare the candidate for competitive examinations.

Step 4: Prepare with Current Affairs
Current Affairs/General Knowledge This forms a significant part of the hotel management entrance exams since it tests your awareness about the world around you, especially in areas related to tourism and hospitality. Here is how you can keep track of current affairs:

Read Newspapers: Follow reputed newspapers like The Hindu, The Times of India, and The Economic Times for the latest news on national and international events.
Watch News: Catch all the breaking news related to hospitality, tourism, and global events from the news channels.
Online Resources: GKToday, AffairsCloud, and Examtime keep you updated on the current affairs required for competitive exams.
The more frequently you revise your current affairs, the better will be your scores in this section.

Step 5: Practice Mock Tests and Sample Papers
To increase speed and accuracy, you should practice as many mock tests and sample papers as possible. Mock tests give you a feel of the actual exam environment and make you familiar with the pattern of the exam. Here is how you can use them effectively:

Set Time Limits: When taking mock tests, always adhere to the time limit to simulate real exam conditions.
Analyze Your Performance: After each test, find out what you did wrong and correct those areas while preparing to score well on the real exam.
Improved Speed: The mock tests ensure that you enhance your skill in managing time because of the techniques you learn and use to answer questions more fast.
As you keep repeating the mock tests, the anxiety levels will decrease by the day of the test.


Step 6: Enhance Your Communication Skills
Since hotel management is a customer-oriented industry, excellent communication skills are essential. The service sector aptitude section evaluates your ability to interact with people effectively. To boost your communication skills, consider the following:

Engage in Conversations: Practice speaking in English, whether with friends, family, or online groups.
Read and Listen: Read books, watch movies, or listen to podcasts in English to improve your fluency and vocabulary.
Work on Non-Verbal Communication: Hotel management graduates should possess a good posture and personality. Get accustomed to speaking with ease and with positive body language. Good communication will not only help you in the exam but also in your career post-graduation.

 

Step 7: Stay Calm and Focused During the Exam

On the day of the exam, it’s crucial to stay calm and focused. Manage your time effectively during the test, ensuring that you don’t spend too much time on any one section. Remember to keep an eye on the clock and allocate time according to the difficulty level of the questions.

  • Avoid Stress: Stay relaxed and composed. Take deep breaths if you feel anxious.
  • Use the Process of Elimination: If you’re unsure about an answer, eliminate the obviously wrong options and make an educated guess.
  • Don’t Panic: If you come across difficult questions, don’t get stuck. Move on to the next question and come back later if you have time.

 

Summary

Cracking the hotel management entrance exams requires dedication, focus, and the right strategy. With a solid understanding of the exam pattern, a well-planned study schedule, and consistent practice, you can enhance your chances of success. Additionally, improving your communication and management skills is crucial, as these exams often test both academic knowledge and practical abilities.

At Career Launcher Nashik, located in Nashik one of the best coaching institute for competitive exam preparation, we offer expert coaching to help students tackle hotel management entrance exams with confidence. Our personalized coaching sessions, tailored to meet each student’s unique needs, ensure that you are thoroughly prepared to face the challenges of the exam.

By leveraging our extensive resources, mock tests, and expert guidance, you’ll develop the necessary skills to perform at your best. With the right preparation, Career Launcher Nashik ensures that you are ready to secure a place in a top hotel management institute and start your journey toward a successful career in the hospitality industry.