Choosing IPMAT, JEE and NEET is one of the most important decisions of the students' lives after Class 12. It should be a wise one. Read the article below to know why is IPMAT bettern than JEE and NEET?
Medical and engineering streams have become popular over the years and still remains one of the most sought after professions. However, the competition in entrance exams such as JEE and NEET is very tough and only a few students make to IITs and medical institutes among lakhs who take the exam.
IPMAT is a gateway to IIMs right after Class 12, allowing students pursue quality education with a high ROI. IPMAT scores are accepted by some of the IIMs in India, including IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Shillong, IIM Bodhgaya, etc. IITs and NEET hold a high reputation, but IPM has emerged as a popular course for students after Class 12. There is shift towards choosing IPMAT over JEE and NEET in the past few years.
IPM is a five year integrated programme in management offered by IIMs after Class 12. Students have to take the IPMAT exam for admission to the IPM programme. Read the article below to understand why IPMAT is a better choice than JEE and NEET?
- What is IPMAT?
- IPMAT vs JEE vs NEET
- Why IPMAT is Better than JEE and NEET?
- IPMAT vs JEE vs NEET Preparation
What is IPMAT?
IPM Aptitude Test, IPMAT, is conducted by IIM Indore for admission to 5-year integrated course in management. IPMAT scores are accepted by many IIMs such as IIM Indore, Ranchi, Shillong, Amritsar, etc.
The students planning to build a career in management studies, IPM course is the best bet as they get to pursue BA/BBA+MBA right after Class 12 from top BSchools in India.
IPMAT Indore offers BA (Foundations of Management) and MBA under the dual degree programme at the end of 5 years, whereas IPMAT Rohtak offers BBA + MBA after the completion of the course.
IPMAT exam focuses on students’ aptitude skills in sections such as Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. Whereas, JEE and NEET are two exams which require years of preparation, have tough syllabus and high pressure. IPMAT offers an early entry into IIMs for students who dream to pursue MBA from a reputed college.
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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.
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.
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.
📃Get Top IPMAT Colleges List with Fees & Cutoff
IPMAT vs JEE vs NEET
IPMAT, JEE and NEET are three entrance exams of different fields of study. JEE and NEET focus on subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, and IPMAT on the other hand tests students on Quantitative, Logical and Verbal skills and reasoning. Check the table below to get a detailed comparison for IPMAT vs JEE vs NEET:
| Features |
IPMAT |
JEE |
NEET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body |
IPMAT: IIM Indore IPMAT Rohtak: IIM Rohtak |
JEE Main: National Testing Agency JEE Advanced: IITs |
NEET (UG): National Testing Agency |
| Level |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Purpose |
Admission to 5 year integrated programme in management, IPM |
Admission to engineering and technical colleges such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, etc. |
Admission to MBBS, BDS and other UG medical courses |
| Eligibility Criteria |
Students should have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 60% aggregate |
Students should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12 |
Students should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12 |
| Mode of exam |
Computer based test mode |
Computer based test mode |
Pen and paper mode |
| Sections |
Quantitative Ability (SA) Quantitative Ability (MCQs) Verbal Ability |
Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry |
Physics, Biology and Chemistry |
| Duration |
120 minutes/ 2hours |
180 minutes/ 3 hours |
180 minutes/ 3 hours |
| Average Package |
INR 20 LPA to INR 30 LPA |
INR 10 LPA to INR 15 LPA |
INR 6 LPA to INR 8 LPA |
Why IPMAT is Better than JEE and NEET?
There are various factors that can be considered to assess why IPMAT is better than JEE and NEET. These include:
Direct Entry Into Top Colleges After Class 12
IPMAT offers the opportunity to students to get direct entry into IIMs by appearing for IPMAT 2026 exam and securing a seat in Indian Institute of Management. Students do not have to appear for multiple entrance exam like in a traditional BBA + MBA path. An early start would give students a kickstart to career growth.
Also Read: IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA
Low Competition High Success Rate
The number of students taking the IPMAT exam is much lesser than those taking NEET and JEE. In engineering and medical stream, there are lakhs of students competing to secure a single seat in the top IITs, NITs, and IIITs. Whereas, every year merely 25,000 to 30,000 students take IPMAT. So, students who prepare well for the exam have the chance of securing a seat in one of the IIMs accepting IPMAT scores.
Good Placements and ROI
Graduating from reputed institutes such as IIMs, open plethora of opportunities to students to get placed in top firms. The ROI is very high and institutes like IIM Indore have a 100% placement record. The average salary at IIM Indore stood at INR 29.57 LPA for IPM programme graduates in 2025.
Top and reputed firms such as Bain and Company, BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte, Accenture, Amazon, HUL, Goldman Sachs, extend offers to graduates.
Better Balance During Preparation
JEE and NEET preparation requires students to begin their preparation at least 2 or 3 years before the exam with coaching classes, long study hours, etc., which often result in burnout.
Commonly asked questions
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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On the other hand, IPMAT preparation is shorter and flexible as many students prepare for IPMAT exam along with Class 12 boards and are able to fetch a good score.
IPMAT vs JEE vs NEET Preparation
IPMAT preparation is relatively easier as compared to NEET and JEE. Take a look at the table below to know the detailed comparison:
| Features |
IPMAT |
JEE |
NEET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
High |
High |
| Preparation Duration |
6 to 12 months |
2 to 3 years |
2 to 3 years |
| Career Flexibility |
High |
Moderate |
Limited |
| Stream |
No restriction, anyone can apply |
Science |
Science |
JEE and NEET are better choices for students who are inclined towards becoming a doctor or an engineer. If they like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, JEE and NEET can be a better choice. But, if the students are seeking flexibility and planning to start they careers early, IPMAT can be an excellent choice.
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Student Forum
Answered 9 hours ago
Yes, 300 out of total 360 marks is a very good score and will put students in the 99 percentile.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks 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 2 months 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 2 months 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

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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