IPMAT 2025 Exam Analysis (Available): Get Detailed Paper Analysis & Review

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. 

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.

In order to gain admission to IIMs which accept IPMAT scores, candidates who appeared for IPMAT exam will be required to match the cutoff criteria after the IPMAT results are announced. The first phase of the IPM admissions includes registering for the IPMAT exam by filling out the IPMAT application form online and then appearing for the IPMAT exam. The IPMAT exam is conducted in the computer-based test mode and the students have to visit the exam centre to take the exam. Once the exam is over, IIM Indore, the exam conducting authority, will release the IPMAT results and cutoff. Candidates who appeared for the exam can check their scores by using their login credentials and check if they match the cutoff criteria announced by the IIM. If the candidates match the cut-off criteria for their category, then the students will have to register themselves for the counselling process at the institutes which accept IPMAT scores. Then the students will be called for the further selection process which includes Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. 

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. 

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. 

IPMAT has 120 questions. The Quantitative Aptitude section (part 1 and 2) carry 100 marks each and the Verbal Ability section carries 200 marks. For each correct attempt, four marks are awarded and one mark is deducted for an incorrect attempt. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, the total marks of IPMAT is 400. Sectional marking scheme for IPMAT is given below:

Verbal Ability:

• Number of questions: 50 questions
• Total marks: 200

Quantitative Aptitude (multiple-choice questions): 

• Number of questions: 25
• Total marks: 100

Quantitative Aptitude (short answer type questions):

• Number of questions: 25
• Total marks: 100

Since IPMAT has a negative marking scheme, students must choose the questions to solve very smartly. If they are not sure of the correct answer, they should leave the question instead of taking a chance.

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 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 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.

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 is a speed-based test which is designed to assess a candidate's quantitative aptitude skills and command over English langauge and comprehension skills. These are the subjects which the students have studied in Class 9 to Class 12, just that the in the IPMAT exam, students need to practice these at a slightly advanced level. 

Students can crack the IPMAT exam by brushing up the basics and practicing concepts with advance level problems. Applicants should solve previous year question papers, attempt an ample number of mock tests and be consistent to score well in the IPMAT exam.

Having said that, the preparation for the IPMAT exam requires focus, dedication and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the IPMAT exam easily. A good preparation strategy can help you crack the IPMAT exam with a good score. Generally, the toughest section of the IPMAT question paper is Quantitative Aptitude (Short Answers). But with daily practice and focusing on understanding the fundamentals, this section of the IPMAT exam can be handled easily. For the Verbal Ability section, students must focus on Grammar and solving various mock tests to improve their vocabulary.