Is IPMAT tougher than CUET UG? Read the article below to know the differences and similarities between CUET and IPMAT.
IPMAT vs CUET UG
IPMAT and CUET UG are two popular UG entrance exams for BBA admissions. Besides being the gateway to the top management colleges in India, the IPM Aptitude Test (IPMAT Indore) and Common University Entrance Test (CUET) have several similarities. Every year, lakhs of students appear for BBA entrance exams to get admission to the leading BBA colleges in India. There are about 11 colleges which accept IPMAT 2026 scores for undergraduate admissions. These include IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi, IIM Shillong, IIM Sirmaur, Nirma University, IIFT, etc. On the other hand, there are over 15 central universities and a total of 249 universities in India which accept CUET UG scores. Comparing the difficulty level of the IPMAT exam and CUET UG can be subjective and depends on factors such as individual strengths, preparation, and familiarity with the exam pattern, etc.
IPMAT and CUET are similar in terms of syllabus but very different in terms of the exam pattern, marking scheme, difficulty level, programme, etc. In this article, Shiksha.com has presented a comparative study of the IPMAT and CUET exams to understand if the IPMAT exam is tougher than CUET UG.
- IPMAT vs CUET 2026: Highlights
- IPMAT vs CUET: Eligibility Criteria
- IPMAT vs CUET: Application Fee
- IPMAT vs CUET: Exam Pattern
- IPMAT vs CUET: Syllabus
- IPMAT vs CUET: Programme
- Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores
- Top BBA Colleges Accepting CUET Scores
- IPMAT Preparation
- CUET Preparation
- How to Prepare for IPMAT and CUET Simultaneously?
IPMAT vs CUET 2026: Highlights
Refer to the table below to know the comparison between IPMAT and CUET:
| IPMAT vs CUET |
IPMAT |
CUET |
|---|---|---|
| Exam conducting body |
National Test Agency (NTA) | |
| Exam Level |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Duration of the course |
5 years |
3 years |
| Mode of the examination |
Computer-based test mode |
Computer-based test mode |
| Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
Moderate to Tough |
| Frequency |
Annually |
Annually |
| Courses offered |
Integrated MBA (BA+MBA) |
Various undergraduate courses |
| Type of questions |
MCQs and Short-answer type |
MCQs |
| Medium of the exam |
English |
English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu |
| Official website |
https://www.iimidr.ac.in/ |
https://nta.ac.in/ |
Also Read: CUET 2026 FAQs
Commonly asked questions
IPMAT and IPM Aptitude Test (IIM Rohtak) have similar syllabus but the difficulty level is different. Both exams have Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability sections. However, IIM Rohtak's IPMAT exam has an additional section- Logical Reasoning. While IPM Aptitude Test is an easy exam, IIM Indore's IPMAT is moderately tough but to say which is better totally depends upon the college a candidate is targeting for the five-year integrated programme. The participating colleges for both exams are different. If a candidate's dream college accepts IPMAT score, then they should appear for IPMAT exam. The IPMAT exam conducted by IIM Indore is accepted by other institutes such as IIFT, IIM Ranchi, Nirma University, Alliance University, NICMAR University, Department of Management Studies and NALSAR University of Law. The benefit of IPMAT by IIM Indore is that the exam is accepted by multiple top management insitutes in country, whereas the one conducted by IIM Rohtak is only accepted by IIM Rohtak.
UGC has announced the deletion of 26 subjects from CUET UG 2025 onwards. CUET UG 20 foreign languages and six domain subjects have been removed. Check the list below to know the name of the subjects:
- Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, German, Nepali, Persian, Italian, Arabic, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Konkani, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Santhali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Japanese, Russian, Chinese)
- Domain Subjetcs (Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, Engineering Graphics)
The choice between CAT and IPMAT is based on the career goal. CAT is the most recognised test for admission into MBA programs, mainly for those who have completed their undergraduate studies. It is accepted by the top management institutes like IIMs. Whereas IPMAT is targeted at those students who would like to join directly for a 5-year integrated programme BBA+MBA immediately after schools and institutes such as IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak are providing this integrated program. And if one looks for the MBA, post-graduation CAT would be more suitable for it.
The IPMAT exam is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Indore. The exam is conducted once every year for admission to the five year integrated programme in management. The exam is conducted in the computer-based test mode or online mode every year. The complete IPMAT admission process is online. Students who have filled the IPMAT application form online on the official website will be required to appear for the online exam on the designated exam centre. The students need to reach the exam centre in order to take the online test. For the multiple-choice questions, students will be required to select the radio button on the computer screen against the correct answer and for the short-answer type questions, students will be required to type in their answers on the answer tupple given on the screen.
IPMAT vs CUET: Eligibility Criteria
IPMAT eligibility criteria 2026: The students appearing for the IPMAT exam must have cleared Class 12 from a recognized board. The students must have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate in Class 10 and Class 12. They must have also passed the qualifying exam in 2024, 2025 or 2026. Those completing Class 12 by July 30, 2026, are also eligible. According to the IPMAT 2026 eligibility criteria, student must be a maximum of 20 years of age as of July 30, 2026.
CUET eligibility criteria 2026: Students appearing for the CUET UG exam should have also passed Class 12 from a recognized board in the relevant stream. Students appearing for Class 12 boards are also eligible to apply for the CUET exam. Unlike IPMAT, there is no age limit to appear for the CUET exam, however, the students will have to fulfil the age criteria (if any) of the University/Institution/Organization in which they are willing to take admission.
The student appearing for CUET must be an Indian citizen.
Also Read: Detailed CUET eligibility criteria 2026
IPMAT vs CUET: Application Fee
IPMAT Application Fee: The registration fee is INR 4,130 for General and NC-OBC candidates. For SC/ST/PWD (DA) categories, the fee is INR 2,065. The application fee for the IPMAT exam can only be paid online using a credit card, debit card, internet banking or UPI.
CUET Application Fee: Like the IPMAT exam fee, the CUET application fee can also be paid online only. The CUET UG application fee is as follows:
| Category |
Up to 3 subjects |
For each additional subject |
|---|---|---|
| General UR |
INR 1000 |
INR 400 each |
| OBC-NCL/EWS |
INR 900 |
INR 375 each |
| SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender |
INR 800 |
INR 350 Each |
| Centres outside India |
INR 4500 |
INR 1800 each |
Also Read: IPMAT application process 2026
Commonly asked questions
Medium of IPMAT question paper is English. Paper structure of IPMAT exam is:
- IPMAT exam will be conducted in CBT test mode
- Duration of exam is 120 minutes
- IPM exam has MCQs and short answer type questions as well
- Each question carries four marks and one mark is deducted for incorrect answers
- There are three sections, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, MCQ, Quantitative Aptitude, SA.
- Total number of questions can be between 90 and 100.
IPMAT exam full form is Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test. It is conducted by IIM Indore for admission to the 5-year IPM programme.
This entrance exam is a dual-degree programme that combines undergraduate, BA in Foundations Management and post graduate (MBA) degrees. The exam aims to checks aptitude in Quantitative Ability (QA) and Verbal Ability.
Total score in IPMAT Indore varies from 360 to 400. The IPMAT exam will have 90 to 100 questions and each question carries four marks.
The IPMAT admissions are based on the IPMAT entrance exam and the counselling process which includes a Personal Interview. Candidates who qualify the IPMAT exam have to take part in the further admission process. The composite score is the sum of the score obtained by the candidate in the IPMAT exam as well as PI. The calculation of the composite score is done as follows:
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| IPMAT | 65 |
| Personal Interview | 25 |
| CS | Sum of the above |
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IPMAT vs CUET: Exam Pattern
To understand if IPMAT exam is tougher than the CUET exam, one needs to understand the exam pattern of both exams. Take a look at the table below:
| Details |
IPMAT |
CUET |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of examination |
Computer-based test mode |
Online CBT mode |
| Number of questions |
90-100 |
50 questions across subjects |
| Exam duration |
2 hours |
60 minutes for all subjects |
| Marking Scheme |
+4 marks for a correct answer -1 mark for an incorrect answer |
+5 marks for each correct response -1 mark for each incorrect response |
| Type of Questions |
Multiple choice questions and Short-Answer Type Questions (SA) |
Multiple-choice questions |
| Sectional time limit |
Yes 40 minutes per section |
No |
| Medium of the exam |
English |
English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu |
Also Read:
IPMAT vs CUET: Syllabus
The IPMAT syllabus 2026 has three sections, i.e. Quantitative Aptitude (MCQs), Quantitative Aptitude (SAs) and Verbal Ability.
Whereas in the CUET exam, students can choose the subjects according to their preference, i.e., if they wish to pursue a BBA they can appear for Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Business Studies, Accountancy, etc.
Also Read:
IPMAT vs CUET: Programme
IPMAT: The IPMAT exam is conducted for admission to the five-year Integrated Program in Management (IPM). IPMAT is a combination of a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (under the dual-degree programme) offered by the IPMAT score-accepting institutes. Students will be provided with a BA (Foundations of Management) and an MBA by IIM Indore at the end of the programme. Students choosing IIFT as their college will be awarded a BBA (Business Analytics) and MBA (International Business) after the programme.
CUET: CUET also known as CUET UG is conducted by NTA for admission to various UG courses. CUET UG offers candidates a common platform for seeking admission to UG programs in top colleges/universities throughout India.
Also Read:
Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores
Given below is the list of colleges in India accepting IPMAT scores.
| Colleges in India Accepting IPMAT Scores |
|
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM Indore) |
|
| IIM Amritsar |
IIM Shillong |
| IIM Sirmaur |
IIM Amritsar |
Top BBA Colleges Accepting CUET Scores
Check out the table below to know a few top BBA colleges/universities accepting CUET scores:
| Universities in India Accepting CUET scores |
|
|---|---|
| Tata Institute Of Social Sciences | |
Also Read: Detailed account on top universities accepting CUET scores
IPMAT Preparation
The table below mentions links to study material, tips and tricks, and a holistic preparation plan to crack IPMAT exam.
CUET Preparation
The table below mentions links to study material, tips and tricks, and a holistic preparation plan to crack the CUET exam.
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How to Prepare for IPMAT and CUET Simultaneously?
Preparing for IPMAT and CUET together requires a strategic approach. The syllabus of both exams has many common topics. Hence, preparing for both exams can save time. To prepare for the IPMAT and CUET exams simultaneously, students should start by understanding exam pattern and preparing a study routine. For the Quantitative Ability or Mathematics section, focus on knowing the concepts rather than learning the formulae.
IPMAT exam difficulty level is considered moderately challenging, while the difficulty level for CUET exam varies depending on the course. The mathematics component in the IPMAT exam is high and it also includes verbal reasoning skills. Mathematics in CUET UG exam can also be challenging but not as much as IPMAT.
The Quantitative Aptitude section of the IPMAT exam can be difficult and demanding. Hence, the QA preparation of the IPMAT exam would require the students to focus on advanced topics such as Integration, Probability, etc. Students have to go beyond the Class 12 mathematics to prepare well for the IPMAT's QA section. But, for CUET mathematics exam/section, students can easily prepare with Class 10 and Class 12 mathematics.
To tackle the IPMAT QA section, students should refer to the preparation books for IPMAT such as Complete Manual for IIM Indore (IPM) by Pearson Publications, Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma, etc.
Also Read: IPMAT previous year question papers with solutions PDF
To prepare for CUET mathematics, students can focus on strengthening their fundamentals and gaining conceptual clarity. Referring to the NCERT mathematics book for Class 9, 10 and 12 can help the students prepare for the mathematics subject. To score well in this subject, consistency coupled with practice is the key.
On the other hand, to prepare for the VA section of IPMAT, students should strengthen their comprehension skills by reading and practice vocabulary using flashcards. Practicing using previous years question papers and sample papers is a great way of preparing for any entrance exam and it will also work well for both IPMAT and CUET preparation. Aspiring students can take sectional mock tests to prepare for the English sections of IPMAT and CUET. Creating a structured and strategic study plan can help the students prepare for the IPMAT exam along with CUET. Students can opt for crash courses which are focused on a particular exam which will ensure efficient usage of time.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
Atharva School of Business considers IPMAT score for admission in Integrated BBA-MBA course. Aspirants can also get admission in Integrated programme based on their scores in MH CET, PERA CET or AU-AIET. Candidates must also meet course-specific eligibility for admission.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a month ago
IPMAT exam is conducted for two hours or 120 minutes. The sectional time limit is 40 minutes for each section.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
IPMAT, is a gateway for admission to 5 year Integrated Program in Management offered at IIM Indore. IPMAT is a combination of a Bachelor degree and a Masters degree. Students will be given a Bachelor of Arts, Foundations of Management and a Master of Business Administration at the end of the program
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
IPMAT exam is conducted for two hours or 120 minutes. There are three sections in IPMAT question paper and each section is to be solved within 40 minutes.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Registered candidates will be able to know details regarding their allotted IPMAT exam centre through IPMAT 2026 admit card. Important details such as allotted exam centre name, address, etc. will be mentioned on the admit card.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Students have to report to the IPMAT exam centre by 1 PM. The exam will begin on 2 PM. Students cannot enter the exam centre again once they have submitted the exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Cracking IPMAT in one month can be difficult. But a month of practice and revision can fetch good IPMAT scores. IPM preparation 2026 should include a good study plan to prepare for IPMAT in a month.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
IIM Ranchi will also accept IPMAT Indore scores. IPMAT Indore scores are also accepted by IIM Shillong, IIM Amritsar, IIM Sirmaur, etc.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Students have to reach the IPMAT exam centre a hour before the exam. IPMAT 2026 will be conducted from 2 PM to 4 PM and so students have to reach the latest by 1 PM.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, that is minimum eligibility to appear for IPMAT exam. Students awaiting for Class 12 results can also apply for IPMAT exam.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Saumya Jain is an English Literature graduate from the University of Delhi. She has over 8 years of editorial and content writing experience. At Shiksha.com, she has spent more than six years creating research, stud
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