Is IPMAT tougher than SET Exam 2026? Know the Key Differences and Similarities
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IPMAT vs SET Exam - IPMAT and SET are two of the most popular BBA entrance exams in India. Both the BBA entrance exams are accepted by the prestigious BBA institutes in the country. Read here the key differences between IPMAT and SET.
IPMAT vs SET
IPMAT vs SET Exam: Every year, many students appear for BBA entrance exams to get admission to some of the top BBA colleges in India. Some of the popular BBA entrance exams include IPMAT, SET, UGAT, Christ University Entrance Test, CUET, etc. Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) and Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) are the two BBA entrance exams that are taken by many students aspiring to pursue the BBA course. There are about ten colleges which accept IPMAT scores for IPM admissions 2026. These include IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Shillong, Nirma University, IIFT Kaikananda, etc.
On the other hand, SIU's eight colleges accept SET exam scores, including colleges such as SICSR, SCMS Pune, SCMS Noida, etc. Often students think about which entrance exam to take and whether is IPMAT tougher than SET. Comparing the difficulty level of the IPMAT and SET exam can be subjective and depends on factors such as individual strengths, preparation, and familiarity with the exam pattern, etc.
IPMAT 2026 will be held on May 4, 2026, and the SET 2026 exam will also be held on May 2 and May 10. The IPMAT and SET exams are very 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 SET exam to understand if IPMAT is tougher than SET.
- IPMAT vs SET Exam: Conducting Body
- IPMAT vs SET: Eligibility Criteria
- IPMAT vs SET: Fees
- IPMAT vs SET: Exam Pattern
- IPMAT vs SET: Syllabus
- IPMAT vs SET: Programme
- Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores
- Colleges Accepting SET Exam Scores
IPMAT vs SET Exam: Conducting Body
IPMAT: IPMAT is conducted annually by the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore). The exam is conducted for admission to the Integrated Program in Management (IPM). The exam is conducted in the computer-based test mode (CBT).
SET: The SET exam is conducted by the Symbiosis International University. SET exam is also conducted in the computer-based test mode (CBT). The exam is conducted only once a year for admission to the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) course.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, IIM Indore has achieved 100% placements for its PGP and IPM batch 2025. The key highlights of IIM Indore placements for the Class of 2024 are tabulated below:
Particulars | Placement Statistics (2025) |
|---|---|
Highest package | INR 70 LPA (PGP and IPM) INR 40 LPA (PGP HRM) INR 36 LPA (EPGP) |
Average package | INR 29.57 LPA (PGP and IPM) INR 24 LPA (PGP HRM) INR 23.5 LPA (EPGP) |
Median package | INR 27 LPA (PGP and IPM) INR 25 LPA (PGP HRM) |
Total recruiters | 225+ (PGP and IPM) 30+ (PGP HRM) 65+ (EPGP) |
Placement rate | 100% (PGP and IPM) |
The IIM Indore highest package offered during the 2025 placement session was INR 70 LPA. Check the table below for course-wise highest placement details between 2024 and 2025 drives:
Course | Highest Package (2024) | Highest Package (2025) |
|---|---|---|
PGP and IPM | INR 100 LPA | INR 70 LPA |
PGP-HRM | INR 33.6 LPA | INR 40 LPA |
EPGP | INR 47 LPA | INR 36 LPA |
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.
During Symbiosis International Pune placements 2022, the median package offered during Symbiosis International University UG 4-year and PG 2-year placements 2022 stood at INR 8.90 LPA and INR 20.80 LPA, respectively. Moreover, for details regarding SIU Pune admissions, candidates can check the below mentioned table:
Course | Median Package (2022) |
|---|---|
INR 7.65 LPA | |
UG 4-year (BTech) | INR 8.90 LPA |
INR 12.50 LPA | |
PG 1-year (LLM) | INR 5.31 LPA |
INR 20.80 LPA |
IPMAT vs SET: Eligibility Criteria
IPMAT Indore eligibility criteria: The students appearing for the IPMAT exam must have cleared Class 12 from a recognised board. 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.
The student must be a maximum of 20 years of age as of July 30, 2026.
Also Read: Detailed IPMAT eligibility criteria 2026
SET eligibility criteria: The students appearing for the SET exam must have also cleared Class 12 from a recognised board. They must have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate in Class 12. Students appearing for the Class 12 Board exams are also eligible to apply for the SET exam.
There is no age limit to appear for the SET 2026 exam.
Also Read: Detailed SET 2026 eligibility criteria
IPMAT vs SET: Fees
IPMAT: 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.
SET: The registration fee for SET is INR 2,250 for one paper. Candidates need to pay INR 1,000 for each institute to which they choose to send their SET scores.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) is a national-level entrance exam which is conducted only once a year. The exam is usually conducted in the computer-based test mode in about 80 test cities across the country. This year, the SET exam 2026 was conducted on May 2 and May 10. The students who wish to appear for SET exam had to apply online by filling the SET application form.
IIM Indore had concluded placements for the batch passing out in 2023. The placement statistics for IIM Indore IPM are the same as that of the IIM Indore PGP programme since in last two years of the five-year course, IPM students pursue PGP. The placement statistics from the 2020 report are as follows:
Particulars | IPM Statistics (2023) |
|---|---|
Batch strength | 568 |
Total recruiters | 160 |
the highest package | INR 114 LPA |
Average package | INR 30.21 LPA |
Median package | INR 27.20 LPA |
PGP is the flagship course of IIM Indore. The institute is listed in the top 100 in the Financial Times Rankings for its flagship PGP in Management (PGP) under the Masters in Management category. It has also bagged 25 positions amongst all the top B-schools in Asia under QS Global MBA Rankings, with a position of 5 amongst the IIMs and 5 amongst the top B-Schools in India. In terms of placements, IIM Indore provides opportunities to students in top companies.
The the highest and average package offered to PGP HRM programme during IIM Indore placements 2023 stood at INR 34.50 LPA and INR 22.65 LPA, respectively. Check below infographic to know what students have to say about IIM Indore MBA:
Many top companies visited the IIM Indore campus annually to hire students in various sectors. The table below showcases a list of a few top recruiters who visited the IIM Indore placements 2024:
IIM Indore Top Recruiters | ||
|---|---|---|
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail | Capgemini | Deloitte |
ICICI Bank | Kotak Mahindra Bank | Hero Fin Crop |
Cognizant | EY | Genpact |
Adani | HSBC | Infosys |
PwC | TCS | Royal Enfield |
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IPMAT vs SET: Exam Pattern
To understand if the IPMAT Indore is tougher than the SET exam, one needs to understand the exam pattern of both exams.
| Details |
IPMAT |
SET |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions |
100 |
60 |
| Total marks |
400 |
60 |
| Exam duration |
2 hours |
1 hour |
| Marking Scheme |
|
|
| Type of Questions |
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Short-Answer Type Questions (SA) |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Sectional time limit |
Yes, 40 minutes per section |
No sectional time limit |
There are 100 questions in the IIM Indore IPMAT which are to be solved within 120 minutes, whereas, there are only 60 questions in the SET BBA exam which are to be solved in 60 minutes. This means, the students will get one minute per question to solve each question in the SET exam. But since the IPMAT exam has short-answer type questions as well and there is a sectional time limit too, IPMAT becomes a speed-based exam. This also makes IPMAT a tougher exam in terms of execution. However, if the candidates prepare for IPMAT keeping the sectional time limit in mind, they can easily score well.
Also Read:
IPMAT vs SET: Syllabus
The syllabus of both these exams is not very different from each other, but there are three sections in the IPMAT 2026 exam whereas there are four sections in the SET question paper. The IPMAT question paper has three sections based on two subjects- Quantitative Ability and Verbal Ability. Look at the table below to know the syllabus of the two exams.
| IPMAT |
SET |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability (MCQs) |
Quantitative Aptitude |
| Quantitative Ability (Short-Answers) |
General Awareness |
| Verbal Ability |
General English |
|
|
Analytical and Logical Reasoning |
Also Read:
| IPMAT syllabus 2026 | Download Here |
| SET syllabus 2026 | Download Here |
Commonly asked questions
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 |
Symbiosis International, Pune average package is released for its several schools. SIBM average package recorded during the placement drive 2025 was INR 28.83 LPA. For other schools such as SIDTM, SIMS, SSBF, the average package was 13.2 LPA, 13.5 LPA and 11 LPA.
Symbiosis International Pune offers many courses in multiple specialisations. Candidates have variety of fields to choose from. Though it is important to consider other factors like infrastructure, faculty, curriculum, fees structure etc. while taking admission. Candidates can visit campus or check alumni or student reviews.
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.
IPMAT vs SET: 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.
SET: The SET exam is a gateway for admissions to undergraduate courses offered by SIU such as Management, Law, Engineering, Economics, Mass Communication and Computer Studies. On completing the course through SET, students will only be awarded a bachelor's degree.
Also Read:
Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores
Given below is the list of colleges in India accepting IPMAT score.
| Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores in India |
|
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM Indore) |
|
| IIM Shillong |
IIM Amritsar |
| IIM Sirmaur |
Alliance University |
| NICMAR University |
|
Also Read:
| How to Prepare for IPMAT and Boards Together? | Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for IPMAT exam 2026 |
| IPMAT PYQs with Solutions PDF |
Commonly asked questions
Check the table below to know the section wise difficulty level of these exams:
| Section | IPMAT Indore | IPMAT Rohtak |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Very Difficult | Moderate |
| Verbal Ability | Moderate | Easy |
| Logical Reasoning/Data Interpretation | - | Moderate |
IIM Indore offers a five-year integrated programme in Management accredited by the Association of MBAs, AMBA London. This five-year Management programme is a combination of both UG (BBA) and PG (MBA) course. Aimed at students who have completed their Class 12 from a recognised board in India, the last two years of the programme are at the PG level. Candidates who have passed Class 12 or HSc or equivalent examination in 2021, 2022 or appearing in 2023 can apply for IIM Indore IPM course.
IPMAT exam is conducted only once every year. The exam is conducted in CBT test mode for IPM programme. IPMAT 2026 exam was conducted on May 4, 2026.
The course-wise IIM Indore median offered during IIM Indore placements between 2023 and 2025 is tabulated below:
Course | Statistics (2023) | Statistics (2024) | Statistics (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
PGP and IPM | INR 27.20 LPA | INR 24.50 LPA | INR 27 LPA |
PGP HRM | INR 22.2 LPA | INR 20.5 LPA | INR 24 LPA |
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Colleges Accepting SET Exam Scores
SET exam is conducted by SIU and is accepted by the colleges affiliated to Symbiosis International University. Check the table below to know the colleges accepting SET exam scores:
| Colleges Accepting SET Scores in India |
|
|---|---|
| Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research [SICSR], Pune |
|
| Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII), Pune | |
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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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