IBSAT 2025 is just few days away. This article of Shiksha brings a preparation strategy to follow in the last month to ace this competitive MBA entrance exam. Read on to know more.
IBSAT 2025 will be conducted on December 27 and December 28, 2025. With less than a month left, aspirants must be wondering how to crack IBSAT 2025 exam by making the best use of time? Candidates must now pull up their socks to prepare for IBSAT 2025 in one month. Candidates must ensure that the basics are clear and must wrap up the syllabus of IBSAT 2025, keeping in mind the weightage of each section. If not, here we bring handy tips to complete the IBSAT preparation successfully and get a decent score.
Generally, an MBA aspirant appears for several MBA entrance exams, hence they are familiar with the basic structure and pattern of such tests. The syllabi of these exams are also on similar lines. Hence, even if an aspirant has not specifically prepared for IBSAT, if s/he has prepared and appeared/is appearing for exams such as CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, etc., there would not be any difficulty in preparing for IBSAT 2025 in a month
- IBSAT Exam Pattern
- IBSAT 2025 Structure
- Tips on how to Prepare for IBSAT in One Month
- Focus on Strengths
IBSAT Exam Pattern
The foremost thing to prepare for IBSAT in one month is to know the IBSAT pattern 2025 well and align the preparation strategy accordingly.
| Specifications |
Details |
|---|---|
| Duration of Exam |
120 minutes |
| Total Number of Questions |
140 MCQs |
| Total Marks |
140 |
| Marking Scheme |
|
|
Sections |
|
Commonly asked questions
The last admission dates (LAD) for applying to the PGPM course at IBS Gurgaon, students can apply from July to February. Thus, the deadlines for applying to the course always lie in the month of February. Also, IBSAT is usually conducted in the last week of December and the results are also released on December's last date.
IBS Gurgaon doesn't declare a specific IBSAT cut-off mark. Shortlisting happens on the basis of performance in IBSAT or other approved entrance tests along with academic performance. Better scores enhance possibilities at the time of selection rounds. Final selection also relies upon the interview and presentation performance.
No, IBS Mumbai does not offer direct admission. The admission process is strictly entrance-based. Aspirants are required to take the IBSAT exam to become eligible for admission to the PGPM course. In addition, candidates with the required minimum score in CAT/XAT/NMAT or GMAT are also eligible to apply and are exempted from IBSAT exam. After this, the shortlisted candidates have to participate in the Micro Presentation and Personal Interview round for final selections. Check complete details about IBS Mumbai admission process.
IBSAT 2025 Structure
| Sections |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability (VA) |
50 |
| Reading Comprehension (RC) |
30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
30 |
| Data Adequacy/ Sufficiency and Data Interpretation (DA/ DI) |
30 |
| Total |
140 |
Tips on how to Prepare for IBSAT in One Month
Review the Syllabus and Shortlist Topics
With just 30 days in hand, it is not possible to cover the entire IBSAT syllabus. After going through previous years’ analysis and question papers, candidates will be able to figure out which topics are important and select topics from the Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation sections. They should also ensure that they are familiar with those topics and do not have to start preparing from scratch. With regular preparation, they should aim to master these topics with a solid 30 days of preparation. The idea is not to cover the entire IBSAT syllabus 2025, but the important ones.
For preparing the shortlisted topics within a month, students should aim to learn the basics within 20 days, coupled with practice and keep the last 10 days for revision. They should put an optimum number of hours per day for each topic and must balance preparation between sections.
Keep a Minimum of Two Hours per Day for Revision
Often in a limited time, the obvious tendency is to cover two to three topics in a day, and this makes it even more important to revise all that you have studied to memorise the topics covered so far. Hence, aspirants should allot a minimum of two hours every day to revise the topics they have studied that day and the previous day/ This revision in the 20 days’ time will be an added support to the last 10-day period before the test.
Refer to the Right Books and Study Materials
There are a number of books and study materials available in the market for MBA entrance exam preparation. One has to be careful to select the right ones. For example, referring to books for high-difficulty tests such as GMAT or other competitive exams such as Banking would not fit the bill. Ideally, they should refer to the books for MBA entrance exams written exclusively to cater to each of the sections. Apart from that, regular reading of newspapers and magazines would not only improve their General Knowledge but Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension areas as well.
Also Read: IBSAT Exam Preparation: Best Books You Must Refer To
Attempt Mocks & Learn Time Management
It is important to sharpen analytical skills to answer questions of IBSAT. Thus, test takers must attempt IBSAT Mocks without a miss. After each mock test, they should analyse their performance and note down the areas of improvement, shortcut techniques to solve a question, time management, etc. Based on this, they have to steer the preparation towards the next level. Candidates should also ensure that they attempt the test in a proctored environment so that they can take the actual test from their home comfortably and conveniently. This year, IBSAT will be conducted online in a remote proctored manner, wherein candidates will have to take the test from their homes.
Read & Dig out Important Points
While studying the topics from IBSAT reference books, aspirants should make note of important formulae and theorems that they need to remember by heart. They need to remember important aspects in each topic. Remembering these pointers will help them answer the questions accurately. On the test day, they may not get questions as per their expectation but if they are thorough with the topics, it will help them select the right answer from the list of options.
Commonly asked questions
Admissions at IBS Mumbai are done through entrance examinations. Students need to first visit the college's official website and fill out an application form, and pay the application fee. They have to then sit for an either the IBSAT or other national level exams, such as CAT/ GMAT, XAT, NMAT, etc. Applicant are shortlisted for the final selection round on the basis of their performance in the entrance exam. The final round involves a micro-presentation and a PI. Students who clear all rounds should pay the course fee to secure their seat at this college.
The admission process for ICFAI Business School Jaipur is mentioned below:
- Application submission of IBSAT
- Appear for the exam and submit the score of CAT/GMAT/NMAT at the time of registration
- After that shortlisting will be done
- The selection Process will take place by the college/institute
- After the selection round the candidates will be provided with the admission letter
- Lastly, the commencement of classes
Click here to know about the detailed eligibility criteria for IBS Jaipur MBA course.
Yes, it is possible to take admission to the IBS Mumbai PGPM programme without CAT. The institute accepts various other national-level test scores, including NMAT, XAT, and GMAT. Other than this, the institute also conducts an in-house entrance test, i.e., IBSAT. It is conducted once a year, generally in the month of December. Students willing to take the exam can visit the institute's official website to apply.
IBS Mumbai PGPM admissions are entrance-based. Thus, students applying for admission must have appeared in any one of the accepted entrance exams: GMAT/NMAT/CAT/IBSAT/XAT. However, the selection to the programme is not made only on the basis of entrance test scores.
Once the admissions committee has shortlisted students based on entrance test scores, students are further invited for the personal interview process. In the interview round, students are judged on various aspects, such as problem-solving skills, critical thinking, etc. After that, students are required to present a micro-presentation on the topic provided by the admission committee.
Explore popular MBA colleges for you
Focus on Strengths
In the last month before the test, aspirants should focus on individual strengths over weaknesses and feel positive about their preparation progress. Positive energy and belief in oneself help the candidate largely to perform well on the test day.
Lastly, staying awake until late at night 10 days before the exam must be avoided. This can stress up the brain muscles and arouse unnecessary tension. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and routine would lead to fruitful preparation.
Read More

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Student Forum
Answered 3 weeks ago
IBSAT question paper includes 140 multiple choice questions which are divided across four sections- verbal ability, reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude and date adequacy & data interpretation. Candidates will be required to attempt all questions within 120 minutes. IBSAT exam includes no ne
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, IBSAT exam is comparatively easier than CAT in terms of syllabus difficulty level and competition. CAT question paper requires high anlaytical solving skills to score well in exam, whereas IBSAT exam assesses candidate's speed and accuracy. The difficulty level of IBSAT exam is moderate.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
IBSAT cutoff varies for each IBS campus. Candidates seeking admission to top IBS campus must score a minimum of 80 percentile in IBSAT exam. Generally a score between 70 and 80 percentile in IBSAT exam is considered a good score.
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
To cover the IBSAT syllabus timely, candidates must first prioritise the high weightage topics and follow the section-wise preparation timetable. Students must focus on conceptual clarity and take regular mock tests to identify the weak areas and strong areas in IBSAT syllabus.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
The difficulty level of IBSAT syllabus is generally moderate. The syllabus for IBSAT is similar to the CAT syllabus. However, the IBSAT question paper includes more straightforward and less tricky questions compared to other MBA entrance examinations.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
IBSAT exam is generally considered easy to moderate in difficulty level compared to other major MBA exams like CAT and XAT. For an average student it is possible to score well in exam with good preparation strategy.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
IBSAT exam is conducted for a duration of two hours. It is a remote proctored test held across India. The IBSAT question paper consists of 140 multiple choice questions which have to completed in 120 minutes. The paper involves no negative marking.
K
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, IBSAT books are enough to cover the exam syllabus. Candidates can refer to the recommended books and study materials to prepare for the exam. Candidates must ensure that the books cover basic concepts, include section-wise practice questions and mock tests.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, it is not compulsory to attempt all sections of IBSAT exam. Some top tier IBSAT accepting colleges consider the minimum sectional scores to be shortlisted for admission. IBSAT exam does not involve any negative marking, hence candidates must focus on answering all 140 questions.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes — the IBSAT cutoff does change every year.
Why the IBSAT Cutoff Varies
- Exam Difficulty: If the paper is tougher, the cutoff percentile may be lower; if easier, higher.
- Number of Applicants: More applicants competing for limited seats can push the cutoff up.
- Seat Availability: Each ICFAI Business Sc
S
Contributor-Level 10
Shruti Garg is a graduate in English and Education with over 7 years of experience in content writing/editing and education journalism. At Shiksha.com, Shruti covers UG and PG entrance exams like MBA entrance exams,
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