When you come out of an IUT, aiming for a school like EMLyon can seem presumptuous. For a long time I told myself it wasn't my world. I ended up getting in through AST admissions, with a TAGE MAGE score above 400, after four months of preparation. Here's how.
Where I was starting from
I was studying at an IUT, in a program that has since become a BUT, with good grades but no real sense of how the top business schools worked. I knew AST admissions by name, without ever imagining they were within my reach. The real obstacle, in my head, wasn't my level: it was believing I had the right to aim high.
The moment I decided to go for it
I took a first TAGE MAGE mock exam to stop fantasizing about the test and face it head-on. The score was nothing exceptional, but it showed me one thing: this was a test you could train for. From then on, I had a target and a plan.
My method over four months
Four levers changed everything.
Daily practice. Short sets every day, even just 20 minutes, to build reflexes rather than cramming everything into the weekend.
Questions with detailed explanations. Analyzing every mistake helped me improve much faster than churning through exercises without understanding where I went wrong.
Duel mode. Competing against other candidates turned studying into a challenge and taught me to handle time pressure.
Progress tracking. Watching my score climb week after week gave me the confidence I lacked at the start.
The result
On test day, I was ready for the format and the time management. I answered every question without leaving a single blank. I scored over 400 points, and that score carried my application all the way to admission at EMLyon.
My advice if you're coming from an IUT or a BUT
Stop selling yourself short. AST admissions exist precisely for profiles like yours.
Focus on the TAGE MAGE. It's the lever with the best return, and the fairest one, because it depends only on your practice.
Apply to several schools. Keep EMLyon as your goal, but submit other applications to secure an admission.
*Mathis, admitted to EMLyon through AST admissions*
Frequently asked questions
Can you get into EMLyon from an IUT or a BUT?
Yes. AST admissions are open to these profiles. Your application file and your TAGE MAGE score matter more than where your degree comes from.
What TAGE MAGE score do you need for EMLyon?
A score of 350 or more opens doors, and going above 400 puts you in a strong position.
How long does it take to prepare?
Four months of regular work can be enough, doing a little every day.
