Shruti
Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Updated on Nov 6, 2025 13:40 IST

IBSAT 2025 Preparation strategy must include knowing about the test pattern, subjects, section-wise syllabus, important topics and more. Get here preparation tips and strategies for IBSAT exam 2025.

IBSAT Exam Preparation

IBSAT Exam Preparation

IBSAT 2025 preparation requires focused approach to get admission to top ICFAI Business Schools. IBS Aptitude Test (IBSAT) is conducted by IBS Hyderabad for admissions to its MBA/PGDM courses offered at IBS Hyderabad, IBS Dehradun, IBS Jaipur, IBS Ahmedabad, IBS Bengaluru, IBS Gurgaon, IBS Kolkata, IBS Mumbai, and IBS Pune. IBSAT syllabus is similar to CAT syllabus, hence, candidates must prepare for the exam accordingly. Candidates must create a study plan for IBSAT preparation covering the sections- Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. 

Creating a well planned IBSAT preparation dtrategy will help candidates manage time, develop concepts and increase speed in exam. Read this article below to know how to prepare for IBSAT 2025 exam.

Table of content
  • IBSAT 2025 Exam Pattern
  • IBSAT 2025 Syllabus
  • IBSAT Mock Tests
  • IBSAT Preparation Tips

IBSAT 2025 Exam Pattern 

The preparation strategy for the exam should begin with knowing IBSAT 2025 pattern including subjects, type of questions, sectional weightage and other details mentioned below:

Features

Details

Exam mode

Remote Proctored Mode

Exam duration

Two hours

Subjects/Sections

Four sections –

  • Verbal Ability
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation

Type of questions

Multiple choices based questions  

Number of questions in each section

VA – 50 MCQs

RC – 30 MCQs

QA – 30 MCQs

DA&DI – 30 MCQs

Total marks

140

Marking scheme

  • One mark per question
  • No negative marking
Q:   Can I get direct admission to IBS Mumbai?
A:

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.

Q:   Can I get direct admission at ICFAI Business School Kolkata?
A:

Candidates seeking admission at ICFAI Business School Kolkata should appear for entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, IBSAT, NMAT and require a valid score/rank for getting admission at ICFAI Business School. The admission is based on registration. For the application process, candidates need to apply online for registration, through the official website of ICFAI Business School Kolkata.

Q:   Can I get direct admission at IBS Pune?
A:

Candidates can get admission on the basis of score/rank secured in CAT/IBSAT/NMAT/XAT. Students are required to go through the national-level entrances and then appear for the university-level selection rounds for final admission. Applying to IBS Pune, candidates should register themselves for admission process, for that candidates needs to visit the official page of IBS Pune and click to "Apply to IBS" and verify your contact details. Fill out the registration form with the needed academic and personal details Provide the entrance exam score/rank required for the selected program, submitted the registration fee of INR 1800 via online gateway and proceed to submit the form with the required documents, After successful completion of registration, students will receive a unique ID and password to update and print the application form, Forms can also be collected from the IBS Pune campus. 

IBSAT 2025 Syllabus 

In the preparation phase, candidates must go through the IBSAT syllabus thoroughly. Below are some important topics from IBSAT 2025 syllabus for each section:

Important Topics for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Sections

Candidates must check topics given below specifically to score well in the Verbal Ability section:

  • Vocabulary
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Sentence Correction and Completion
  • Grammar (syntax and error correction),
  • Critical and Verbal Reasoning
  • Reading Comprehension (Passage based questions)
  • Para Jumbles
  • Word meanings
  • Contextual Usage
  • Idioms
  • Syllogisms

Important Topics for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Adequacy & Interpretation Sections

The sections include questions on basic problem-solving techniques, which require analytical and logical skills. Candidates can check here commonly asked topics in Quantitative Aptitude and DA& DI sections:

  • Algebra
  • Arithmetic and Numbers
  • Ratio & Proportion,
  • Speed, Distance, Time & Work problems
  • Permutation and Combinations
  • Probability
  • Sets theory
  • Analogies, Patterns, Series
  • Geometry
  • Data sufficiency – Statements and Conclusions
  • Data interpretation – Charts, Graphs and Tables

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IBSAT Mock Tests

IBS India released IBSAT mock test on the official website. The mock test provides a real-time exam-taking experience to the candidates appearing for the exam. IBSAT mock test is for all candidates registered for the exam.

Mock tests are the most crucial steps in preparation. Without mock tests, candidates will not be able to gauge their preparation level or derive ways to improve their performances. Hence, it is a must for candidates to take IBSAT mock tests. 

Shiksha has also created an IBSAT mock test which the aspirants can attempt online. Click on the link below to access Shiksha’s free mock test for IBSAT 2025.

Also Read:

Q:   How to prepare for GDPI? Which are the best MBA colleges of IBSAT?
A:
Top colleges in IBSAT are: 1. IBS Business School – Hyderabad. 2. IBS Business School – Dehradun. 3. IBS Business School – Pune. 4. IBS Business School – Gurgaon. 5. IBS Business School – Bangalore. Group Discussion: You should be updated about current affairs, international events, issues affecting India and the world, etc. so that you can put forward your opinion and views when asked. You need to have patience and effective listening skills to respond effectively in a group discussion. Remember the interview panel consists of people from college management who are sitting down only to reject candidates and sort the final admission list quickly. So, even a slight mistake can cost you heavily. Personal Interview (PI): 1. Introduce yourself in a very brief and formal way. 2. Limit introduction to entirely yourself. DO NOT speak about parents, siblings and family, unless asked by the interviewer. 3. Give straight and simple answers to the questions asked by the interviewer. 4. Answer in small sentences. 5. To the point and precise answers are far better than beating around the bush. 6. Don’t try be aggressive, overconfident. And definitely, DO NOT try to impress the panel by using some cheesy mugged up lines. It won't work. 7. Dress formally.
Q:   How is IBSAT final merit list prepared?
A:

IBSAT final merit list is prepared on considering the following parameters- Micro Presentation, Personal Interview and past academic records and weightage. Check below to know the criterias:

  • Micro presentation: 25%
  • Personal Interview: 25%
  • Past academic record: 50%

Only candidates who will qualify the above criterias, will be offered final admission to MBA/PGDM programme of applied IBS campuses. IBSAT 2025 selection process result will be announced tentatively in April 2026.

Q:   Is IBSAT an online exam?
A:

Yes, IBSAT exam is conducted in online mode. The exam is held in remote proctored mode. Applicants can book the exam slot after completing the IBSAT application process online. To appear for the online mode of examination, candidates must have a desktop or laptop and download the required software to appear for the exam.

IBSAT 2025 exam will be held on December 27 and December 28. Candidates can book the exam slot tentatively from October 2025.

IBSAT Preparation Tips

Read: Good reading skills are important to attempt each section of IBSAT question paper. In order to be able to read, interpret and solve the questions, the best strategy to follow is to build a reading habit. This would serve a dual purpose of improving the reading speed, as well as the comprehension ability. Newspapers and magazines would serve as the best reading materials to crack an MBA entrance exam like IBSAT. 

Time Management: The total duration for solving all the sections in IBSAT exam is two hours, therefore candidates should strategise smartly for the time required in attempting each section. Time management skills will be crucial because if candidates are able to save enough time in the end, then they can attempt difficult questions. Before starting the test, they must allocate time for each section and maintain it. For each question, candidates should not spend more than two to three minutes. 

Vocabulary and Grammar: The best way to ace Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension as well as DA & DI is to improve vocabulary and grammar. This save a lot of time and help student understand questions quickly too. Practice grammar papers, read books, play google word coach games to enhance vocabulary, antonyms, synonyms and more.

Calculation methods: It will be much easier to attempt QA and DA&DI sections if calculations skills are fine. Candidates should be quick in basic arithmetic. They should practice mental calculations, and simple methods of calculation to improve their quantitative aptitude. Working on shortcut techniques will help them manage time judiciously. After working out the shortcut techniques, they should write those down in a handy notebook and revise them regularly. 

Practice and Analysis: Regular practice or taking mock tests would improve the aspirant's preparation level. Not only will they be able to realise their preparation level, but they will also be able to work on time management. IBSAT aspirants should take at least two full-length mock tests each week and one sectional mock test a day and get them analysed by an expert or mentor. Based on the analysis, they have to modify their sectional preparation and test-taking approach. 

Dealing with Strengths and Weaknesses: Regular analysis of mock test performance will help the candidates understand the areas of strength and weakness. This is the right time to decide which topics are weak and not pursue those any further. As around one month is left, it is best to focus on the strength areas only and ensure that maximum marks can be scored by attempting questions from the strong areas. 

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About the Author
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Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Shruti is a graduate in Education and Literature with expertise in exam preparation, admissions, and higher education content. She creates reliable guides and resources to help students acheive their academic and ca Read Full Bio
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Answered a month ago

For admission to ICFAI Business School, candidates must meet the overall cutoff criteria specified for CAT, XAT, GMAT and IBSAT. Based on the cutoff criteria, candidates will be shortlisted for the micro presentation and personal interview rounds. Candidates who are shortlisted through IBSAT scores

...Read more

D

Dhanya Dhyani

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

IBSAT 2025 cutoff is decided based on the following parameters:

  • Total number of students appearing for exam
  • Difficulty level of the exam
  • Number of seats in course and college

ICFAI Business School determines the IBSAT cutoff based on the above factors. Candidates meeting the cutoff criteria will be shor

...Read more

N

Nishtha Kumar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

ICFAI School of Business specifies the cutoff for the following exam for admission to its MBA/PGPM programs:

  • CAT and XAT: 60 percentile and above
  • GMAT: 500+
  • NMAT by GMAC: 150+

S

Satyendra Kaur

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Once the IBSAT 2025 results are announced, candidates must appear for the following rounds:

  • Selection briefing
  • Micro presentation
  • Personal interview

The IBSAT 2025 selection rounds will commence in second week of February 2026 at IBS Hyderabad. Candidates with IBSAT/CAT/NMAT/XAT or GMAT scores will be s

...Read more

N

Nishtha Singh

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

IBSAT 2025 scorecard will be issued online to all the test takers. Candidates who will appear for the online exam on December 27 and December 28 can download the result online at general.ibsindia.org. Candidates will not be issued the scorecard offline. To download the IBSAT result 2025, candidates

...Read more

K

Kritika Malhotra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

IBSAT 2025 result will be announced in last week of December 2025. Candidates who will appear for the exam can check their results online when released. IBSAT 2025 exam will be held on December 27 and December 28 in remote proctored mode. To download the IBSAT scorecrad, candidates must enter their

...Read more

78471350
Shruti Garg

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

yes, candidates can take IBSAT exam more than once. The IBSAT exam is conducted annually. If candidate is not able to appear for the current session, he/she may apply for the next session examinations. ICFAI has not specified the number of attempts for IBSAT exam.

M

Mamona Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Yes, candidates can appear for IBSAT mock test online. However, for better experience and analyse the performance accurately, candidates must take the mock test on desktop or computer. If the candidate is appearing for IBSAT mock test on mobile, he.she must be careful of following things:

  1. Put phone o

...Read more

N

Nishtha Datta

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

To appear for the IBSAT 2025 exam online, candidates must follow the steps below

  • Login with the IBSAT 2025 details shared on registered email ID and SMS
  • Complete the online verification process by capturing the photo and showing the IBSAT 2025 admit card
  • Read the IBSAT exam instructiosn to appear for e

...Read more

N

Nishtha Bhandari

Beginner-Level 5