IPMAT Exam Analysis 2026(Available): Get Detailed Paper Analysis & Review

Candidates appearing for the IPMAT exam for admission to the five-year integrated programme in management, must have a good percentile to clear the cutoff of IIM Indore. The validity of IPMAT score is one year and students will be offered admission to colleges accepting IPMAT scores through their IPMAT result. To gain admission, candidates need to match the cutoff criteria of their preferred institute. The IPMAT exam has 100 questions and the total marks are 400. But, the raw scores are then scaled and the composite scores are calculated. Knowing what is a good score in IPMAT exam is subjective, however, the current trends suggest that the following will be considered a good score with 90-100% accuracy:

1. Quantitative Aptitude (MCQs): 18-20 questions
2. Quantitative Aptitude (SA): 9-10 questions
3. Verbal Ability: 38-42 questions

Based on the scores obtained in the IPMAT exam, the candidates will be called for the PI round of the selection procedure conducted by IIM Indore. 

No, meeting the IPMAT cutoff alone does not guarantee the admission to the IPM programme. Students can qualify for the next stage of the selection process if they match the cutoff and then perform well in Personal Interview and academic performance. Candidates who do well in the personal interview as well as the IPMAT exam may have their name in the merit list released by IIM Indore.

The Quantitative Aptitude (SA) section is usually considered the lengthiest section in IPMAT. It is also considered one of the most difficult ones becuase it requires extensive calculations and problem-solving, which can be time consuming. Efficent timne management and practice are crucial to ace this section within in the given time limit. 

IPMAT score is based on correct answers marked in IPMAT exam.

For every correct answer, 4 marks are awarded. For an incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted.

No, clearing the IPMAT exam and matching the cutoff criteria is only the first phase of the IPMAT admission process. Candidates will have to go through for further selection procedure conducted by the participating institutes for the second phase. The IPMAT scores are accepted by IIM Indore, IIFT,  NICMAR Institute of Ranchi,  NICMAR University,  NICMAR University,  Department of Management Studies, NALSAR University of Law and Institute of Management, Nirma University Candidates need to meet the cutoff criteria of the participating institutes to take admissions. The admission process includes Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).

Other factors such as academic record, work experience, etc. are also considered for admission to various institutes which accept IPMAT scores. IPMAT score is only the first parameter on which the candidates are shortlisted for admission. The institutes first shortlist the candidates for WAT, GD and PI on the basis of their IPMAT scores, marks obtained in Class 10 and Class 12. For the final selection, the institutes take IPMAT scores, performance in GD/PI, What, Class 10 and Class 12 marks, work experience, academic diversity and gender diversity into consideration. 

IPMAT mock tests are important for preparation. To analyze IPMAT Indore mock tests, 

• They can identify places where they lost marks due to conceptual erros or silly mistakes.
• They should focus on questions in mock test which took them above 1 minute to solve
• They must consistently work on improving their time management skills for IPM exam.

Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) is one of the most competitive entrance exams after Class 12. The difficulty level of the IPMAT exam is usually moderate. The IPMAT question paper is divided into three sections, i.e. Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude (MCQs) and Quantitative Aptitude (SA). It is clear that QA (Maths) forms a big chunk of the IPMAT syllabus. The exam is a test of your speed and ability to pick and solve the right questions. Higher-level Maths dominates the exam. Usually, more than 60% of all the QA questions are from the Class 11 and Class 12 syllabus. Calculus and Class 12 Maths form a large portion of questions in IPMAT. To score well in the IPMAT exam, students must be very clear with the concepts of NCERT Mathematics to score well in IPMAT. 

Quantitiative Aptitude Sectional Weightage

Minimum eligibility criteria for IPMAT is a score of at least 60 per cent in both Class 10 and Class 12 or equivalent for General and NC-OBC categories. Candidate should have scored a minimum of 55% in case of SC, ST and PWD DA categories. 

Also, they should be a maximum of 20 years of age as of July 31, 2026. 

Every year over 18000 students appear for the IPMAT exam conducted by the prestigious IIM Indore. In 2025, it is anticipated that about 30,000 students appeared for the IPMAT exam. In 2022, over 18000 students appeared for the exam and the number has been rising since. Check here the year-wise numbers of IPMAT applicants:

2024- 28,596 students

2023- 22,000 students

2022- 18,000 students

2021- About 15,000 students

IPMAT exam is conducted for students after Class 12 who are seeking admission to the five year integrated programme in management, whereas CAT is conducted for graduates aiming for the MBA programme at various B-schools in the country including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, etc.

Students who wish to start early and wish to enter IIMs right after Class 12, IPMAT can be a good choice. And, CAT is ideal for those looking to gain work or academic experience before pursuing management studies. Hence, to know which exam is better, the answer lies on the student's career stage and goals. 

No, the IPMAT cutoffs are not same for all categories. Cutoffs are different for each category. Reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, PwD) have lower cutoffs as compared to General category. 

The attempts at IPMAT Indore depend on the age criteria of the candidate. The eligibility criteria in terms of age for this entrance is that the candidate should be a maximum of 20 years of age as of July 31, 2026, (for IPMAT Indore 2026) if you belong to the General, OBC or EWS category. Whereas there is 5-year relaxation for SC, ST and PWD candidates.

The IPMAT exam is conducted only once a year, and the candidates must aim to crack the exam on the first attempt. However, if they did not score well in the first attempt and their eligibility is still valid for the next year, then the students can definitely give a second try at the exam. 

Yes, there are subjective-type or long form answer questions in the IPMAT exam. The Quantitative Aptitude section of the IPMAt exam has Short Answer Type questions as well as Multiple-choice questions. There are 25 questions each in both the QA sections of the IPMAT question paper. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes and the candidates will have 40 minutes to solve one section and another 40 minutes to solve the other. Candidates must attempt all the sections keeping in mind that the exam has negative marking. Candidates must note that each question in the IPMAT question paper carries four marks and one mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are awarded or deducted for unattempted questions. The exam is conducted in the computer-based test mode, hence the candidates have to type down their answers on their screens. As for the MCQs, candidates will be required to choose the correct answer in from the four options give against each question. If the candidate marks two answers for one question, then the answer will be marked incorrect. 

It is not necessary for the IPMAT mock test scores to be similar or close to the actual scores. However, IPMAT mock test scores give a realistic estimate of the student's performance. Students should analyse their performance and track progress through the mock tests to identify areas of improvement rather than focusing solely on scores obtained. 

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. 

After the IPMAT result declaration, colleges which accept the IPMAT scores start the shortlisting process. The IPMAT scores are accepted by IIM Indore, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT),  Indian Institute of Ranchi,  Alliance University,   Department of Management Studies, NALSAR University of Law and Institute of Management, Nirma University  After the results, the Indian Institute of Management, Indore, releases the IPMAT cutoffs category-wise and invite applicants to appear for Written Ability Test, Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview rounds for admissions. Candidates can register themselves on the official websites of the participating institutes and take part in the IPMAT counselling process. The IPMAT admission process after the result declaration includes:

1. Applications to be sent out to the institutes where you want to take admission.
2. Participating in the counselling process which includes Written Ability Test (What), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).
3. Submitting the required documents to the institutes where you have been shortlisted.
4. Paying the course fee and getting an admission confirmation.

IPMAT mock tests are important for preparation. To analyze IPMAT Indore mock tests, 

• They can identify places where they lost marks due to conceptual erros or silly mistakes.
• They should focus on questions in mock test which took them above 1 minute to solve
• They must consistently work on improving their time management skills for IPM exam.

The IPMAT exam is held for two hours or 120 minutes. There is only one slot for the IPMAT exam. IPMAT exam also has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. The candidates need to solve the question paper in 120 minutes and this means that the candidates will have approximately two minutes to solve each question. Candidates must take care of saving their answers at every step as the moment 40 minutes get over, the screen will automatically redirect to the next section. The test will end automatically once 120 minutes of the test are over. The IPMAT exam is conducted in the afternoon shift. Also, there is no provision for changing the exam slot. Candidates must make sure that they reach the IPMAT exam centre at least an hour before the commencement of the examination in order to complete the frisking formalities at the entry gate. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the exam centre 15 minutes before the exam time.

The Integrated Program in Management (IPM) offered by IIM Indore is one of its kind. Right after Class 12, it endows the candidates to get admission into one of the most prestigious B-Schools of the country, i.e., IIM-I and that too without appearing for a highly competitive exam such as CAT. IPMAT scores are now accepted by other top management institute such as IIFT, IIM Ranchi,  Alliance University,  NICMAR University,  Department of Management Studies, NALSAR University of Law and Institute of Management, Nirma University

And as for the scope of IPM, it is very broad, just like that of the PGDM from any top Indian Institute of Management (IIM). The IPM programme is divided into two phases. The first phase builds the foundation and the Phase II of the programme focuses on Business Management. There are ample carreer opportunities, in sales, marketing, finance, banking, insurance, Civil Services. Graduates from the IPM programme at IIM Indore have excellent career prospects. They are well-equipped with management knowledge and skills, which opens up various career opportunities in sectors such as finance, marketing, consulting, operations, and entrepreneurship.

Yes, IPMAT exam has negative markings. Each question in the IPMAT exam carries four marks. And for every incorrect answer, one mark is deducted. No marks will be deducted or awarded for unanswered 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: