In this article, we will discuss the comparison of IMS vs CL, the two most known management entrance exam coaching institutes in India. Which one suits you better for the Entrance exams of Management like CAT, GMAT, and XAT? Only in these areas of exams, competitiveness seems to be the standard and competition.
Also, check the IMS vs TIME : Which One is Best for MBA Entrance Exams?
IMS vs CL: Which One is Best?
Both IMS and Career Launcher have also carved out a significant niche in the career coaching business domain over the years but getting the right one is where the actual crunch comes in-the selection of the right one while ignoring brand names.
We will discuss a few sides of IMS vs CL in history, teaching methodology, course offerings, pricing, accessibility, and success rates, so you make the best choice for yourself. The word ‘IMS vs CL’ will be repeated over 25 times to point out what you’re actually going to compare between them.
History of IMS
Founded in 1977 by Professor Nagesh Raghunath Rane, IMS, Institute of Management Studies, is one of the first ones to begin coaching for management entrance exams more than four decades ago. Today, after more than 40 years since it was established, IMS has established confidence and respect among thousands of students.
It currently has more than 90 centers across India, where over 50,000 students are trained each year for CAT, GMAT, GRE, CLAT, and much more.
- Date of Inception: 1977
- Number of Centres: More than 90 centers across India
- No. of Students every year: More than 50,000
- Courses: CAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, CLAT, and all other competitive exams.
IMS is best known for its personalized mentoring approach, high-quality study material, and consistency in producing top-rankers. Experienced faculty and comprehensive programs form a great foundation for students hoping to get into top business schools in India and abroad.
History of CL
Established in 1995, the company was founded by a group of IIT-IIM alumni. It has now emerged as one of the premier coaching institutes for various competitive exams. Not only CAT and GMAT but CL also prepares its students for other management exams, law exams, engineering entrance tests, and also various school-level entrance tests.
It is present across over 200 centers in India and abroad. CL prepares over 70,000 students every year.
- Set up Date: 1995
- Number of Centers: Over 200 centers worldwide
- Number of Students: More than 70,000 students per year
- Exams Offered: CAT, CLAT, IPMAT, GMAT, GRE, SSC, and many more.
Career Launcher, or simply CL, has positioned itself uniquely. Some innovative teaching methodology has been evolved that combines traditional classroom sessions with modern digital learning. CL has thus many courses with a strong online presence and flexible curriculum designs, which attract those students who prefer learning in a hybrid model.
Courses Offered
In terms of the range of courses they offer, two institutes have stayed focused on management entrance exams, but CL has spread its wings across different streams. Let’s compare their courses side-by-side:
Aspect | IMS | CL |
Management Exams | CAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE | CAT, GMAT, IPMAT, GRE |
Law Entrance Exams | CLAT, AILET | CLAT, AILET, IPMAT |
Additional Courses | GRE, CLAT, BBA | IPMAT, SSC, Banking, UPSC |
Mode of Teaching | Classroom & Online Sessions | Hybrid Learning (online + offline) |
The difference between IMS and CL is that both offer total programs for exams such as CAT, GMAT, and CLAT, while CL is different in a wide spectrum, catering to more students.
Study Material and Test Series in IMS vs CL
Sure, the quality of study material and mock tests is certainly very important in preparation for exams. While both IMS and CL offer their own well-designed study materials, practice tests, and mock exams, each has a different approach.
The IMS study material is comprehensive so it goes well into details of the syllabus. Their test series designed for the students’ exposure mirrors the actual exam environment and also provides students with the rigor required.
On the other hand, CL provides just as elaborate material of study with a greater focus on adaptive learning. Their test series also comprises in-depth analytics, whereby students can measure performance against peers across the country.
Success Rates and Alumni
One of the most important areas of difference between IMS vs CL lies in the success rates of their students. Success rates will give you a relative idea as to how effective a coaching institute is at providing results.
Success Rate Comparison
Institute | Success Rate (%) | Notable Alumni |
IMS | 85% | Many students in top B-schools like IIMs |
CL | 88% | High percentage of 99+ percentile scorers |
So, though CL has a slight upper hand as far as students reporting top percentiles in exams like CAT is concerned, both of them have excellent success rates in IMS vs CL. The competitive rankings focus by CL enables it to continually retain a high success rate, especially for aspirants gunning for top-tier management schools.
Fee Structure
Cost is always one of the initial factors that determine for students considering IMS vs CL. Both institutes are in similar price range, but CL can be more cost-effective for short or online courses.
Cost Comparison
Institute | Course Type | Price Range (₹) |
IMS | CAT, GMAT, GRE | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000 |
CL | CAT, GMAT, CLAT | ₹25,000 – ₹75,000 |
Both IMS vs CL does have competitive pricing, and the CL makes more flexible payment arrangement and offers more discounts, especially for online courses.
E-Learning and Accessibility
These days, in the digital world in IMS vs CL, it is all important to have easy access to course resources and flexibility in learning. Although both IMS and CL have amazing digital platforms, the approach is different.
Digital Learning Comparison
Feature | IMS | CL |
Platform Accessibility | Mobile app, website access | App, website, and YouTube content |
Learning Flexibility | Blended (offline + online) | Flexible, self-paced online courses |
Though IMS vs CL offers options for flexible learning, CL provides more interactive options of online as well as self-paced learning and also more student preferences who look at having flexibility in studying schedules.
Feedback And Support
Both institutes take valuable student feedback and support significantly. However, CL is more interactive, allowing giving live real-time feedback to the students during their live classes so that students may modify their preparation strategies on-the-move.
Comparison of feedback and support
Feature | IMS | CL |
Feedback Frequency | Regular assessments | Instant feedback during live classes |
Support Channels | Email, phone, live chat | Online forums, live chats, email |
The immediate feedback system that CL gives to the students makes it preferable over IMS for those students who need support in real-time and want to see swift changes.
Conclusion
The IMS vs CL debate gives us two institutes with great programs for management entrance exams, and the choice of which one to use will largely be based on your learning style, budget, and individual needs. Therefore, if you’re looking for a traditional coaching style with personalized mentoring, IMS is probably the better choice. But if you like flexibility with online learning and want to receive feedback right when it’s needed, CL might be the suitable choice for you.
In the end, between IMS vs CL, it all comes down to personal preferences and the type of environment in which you would excel. Whichever institute you choose, hard work and determination will be the keys to your success there.