IPMAT 2026- Exam Dates, Exam Pattern, Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus and more.
What is IPMAT?
IPMAT 2026 Complete guide: The integrated Programme in Management, which is commonly known as the IPMAT , is a national level entrance test which is aimed at students who have completed class 12 and are willing to join the 5 year integrated programme in management , commonly known as IPM. This course is a blend of a bachelor’s degree and MBA, where the first three years is the foundation in humanities, economics, statistics, communication, psychology, and analytical thinking, and last two years is the MBA curriculum identical to IIM’s flagship MBA program.
This course is offered by top institutes like IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. The other top colleges like IIM Ranchi , IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Shillong and IIM Amritsar offer this course too. The other institutes which accept IPMAT score are Nirma university, Ahmedabad, NALSAR university of Hyderabad.
So, basically this is a course for 5 years which a student can pursue after his/her class 12 and by the end of the course, you get management education without pursuing a MBA degree separately later. However it does give you an option of exit policy too. It is a very strong pathway if you are very sure right from an early age that you want to pursue management career.
Key Dates for IPMAT 2026
Here are the important dates to remember:
The IPMAT exam is taking place on 4th May, 2026 this year. It has been officially announced by IIM Indore. Registrations are likely to start from February 2026. The last date to apply will be around April, 2026. The admit card will be released in the first week of May. The result will be declared and interview will start somewhere in June-July 2026.
If you are a class 12th student or a parent reading this, treat this as an early alert. You can mark your calendars, and keep tracking official notification on the IIM websites, so that you can start preparing early.
Eligibility Criteria:
There are certain criteria which you have to follow to be eligible to get admission in IIM through IPMAT. You have to follow the academic eligibility as well as the age and other conditions like reservations or anything else if asked for. A student belonging to General/NC-OBC/EWS category requires a minimum of 60 percent marks or equivalent CGPA in both grade 10 and 12 , and student belonging to SC/ST/PWD category requires a minimum of 55 percent marks in both grade 10 and 12 to be eligible for IPMAT. As mentioned before, there is an age criterion too for the students aiming for IPMAT. Candidates must be born on or after 1 August, 2006 , however, there is a relaxation for the same for SC/ST/PWD category candidates. The students belonging to any stream can apply for the exam.
So, if you meet the above criteria, then students belonging to any stream like science, commerce or arts can apply for the IPMAT. But also, always remember to check the official brochure for this year because all the criteria like percentage cut offs, age limits, and stream restrictions for example might have some changes later. So double check the official notification once released.
Exam Pattern:
Let us talk about the pattern of exam. Once you understand the pattern of exams, it really helps you in planning your preparation. Let us see the breakdown of two main exams IPMAT Indore and IPMAT Rohtak.
IPMAT Indore :
It is a computer based test. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes. The exam is divided in to three sections: Quantitative Ability (short answers), Quantitative Ability (MCQ) and verbal ability (MCQ). MCQ is multiple choice questions where you are given the options and you have to choose one correct answer from the options given for that particular question. There are 4 marks allotted for every correct answer and one mark is deducted for every wrong answer. There is no mark deducted for questions not attempted.
IPMAT Rohtak:
This is also an online exam. It is a computer based exam. The sections included in this exam are Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability. The duration is 120 minutes, with a 40 minute time limit for each of these sections. There will be 4 marks allotted for every correct answer and one mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
A student aiming for IPMAT is advised to practise writing answer even if online and speed is key, since the exam has both MCQs and short answer parts too in the exam. The negative marking definitely means that you have to attempt the questions wisely.
Syllabus:
Students definitely need to know the syllabus, what to cover, topics, and breakdown of the whole syllabus. Here is something you need to focus on if you are in class 11 or 12 and are aiming for IPMAT.
Quantitative Ability (QA) :
Topics like Number System, HCF & LCM, Divisibility, Surds & Indices, Remainders.
In Arithmetic, you should master Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance, Mixtures & Allegations.
In Algebra, you should go with Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms, Functions & Graphs. Geometry & Mensuration: Lines & Angles, Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry.
In Modern Math , you should master Probability Permutation & Combination , Set Theory, Determinants & Matrices.
Verbal Ability (VA):
Verbal Ability includes topics like Vocabulary which is subdivided into Synonyms, Antonyms, One-Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases, Word Usage, Foreign Words .
In Grammar & Usage, you should be thorough with topics like Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Tenses, Voice/Direct-Indirect, Articles, Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement.
Reading should be the part of your daily activity. In Reading Comprehension, you should tread and solve the questions of the Passages, Inference & Assumption-based questions. You should study questions on Sentence Rearrangement , Para Jumbles , Analogies , Odd One Out.
Logical Reasoning (for Rohtak) :
As Logical reasoning is a part of IPMAT Rohtak and not IPMAT Indore, so especially for IPMAT Rohtak, questions on Blood relations, Coding-Decoding , Series & Sequencing should be done properly. Questions on Arrangements (Linear, Circular), Grids, Visual Puzzles (Cubes & Dice), Venn diagrams, Statements & Conclusions, Data Sufficiency form the part of Logical Reasoning questions in IPMAT Rohtak.
Believe me when I say that if you keep up with your class 11 and 12 studies well, and add some targeted practice for these topics, you should definitely be in good shape. So, focus on keep an emphasis on consistent study rather than the last minute rush.
Registration & Application Process:
Students aspiring for IPMAT should know that the application will be online. You will need to register with your email id or mobile number . Make sure that your e mail id and phone number through whichever you are registering is valid and is in working condition, as you will get all the official updates on the registered mobile number or e mail id. You will have to fill in the personal details and academic details. You need to upload the scanned photo and signature, and pay the fee online.
Fee:
The application fee is INR 4130 for general category and INR 2065 for SC/ST/PWD candidates. The fees may vary, so it is important to see the official announcement too. After registration, you will get an admit card before the exam, so that you can download it , carry a print out on the exam day.
Selection Process :
Since you are reading this article, I consider that you are the one seriously aiming for IPMAT, and therefore its quite obvious that you must be curious to know what happens after you sit in the exam.
So, after the IPMAT, the shortlisted candidates by IIM, will go through the personal Interview or written ability test, commonly known as WAT or other rounds , especially for Indore.
How about the final admission:
The final admission is decided on the merit list which generally includes your exam score, how you performed in PI/WAT and your academic performance in grade 10 and 12.
So, no doubt IPMAT exam is a big component , but you should also remember that your board marks still matter, and the preparation for interview skills also helps , since both of these form a part of your overall score and will be the important aspects in your selection to IIM.
IPM via IPMAT:
Why do you think it is important to consider IPM through IPMAT? See, that gives you an early start into management. So, instead of pursuing bachelor’s degree separately and master’s degree separately, IPM gives you a direct pathway in to management career through 5 year integrated programme of IIM.
The first few years make your foundation strong. This duration gives you an edge over others and provides you with the holistic curriculum. They make you study economics, math, social sciences etc and the last years align with MBA level subjects. Does that not mean that you are getting well prepeared for the corporate world.
Preparation Tips & Strategy:
Now, how you should decide to prepare for the same. You should start early, let us say for example we have classes at IPM Verse powered by CH Edgemakers, right form class 11 for students who want to make their basics strong and are ambitious to prepare for IPMAT and getting into IIMs. Set a daily routine .
Why not allocating fixed time daily for Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability on a daily basis, for example, one hour and a hour and a half should be allocated daily and that is much better than cramming. You should start solving sectional tests, area tests, topic tests on a regular basis. We do that with our students at CH Edgemakers. You should start with full length test under exam like conditions so that we work on our speed, accuracy, ability to sit at one place for 2 hours without break, and to increase the stamina.
Short answer type/MCQ in Quant:
Practise for Short-answer type questions as that is one of the parts of QA in IPMAT Indore. Because for that, student needs to write correct answers without having MCQs with you. So you should include this in your preparation.
Strengths and weaknesses:
Start identifying your strong and weak areas and start focusing on your weaker areas. Do not forget to watch our detailed video on the youtube channel (You tube channel link) of CH Edgemakers on how to prepare for IPMAT 2026 like a pro.
Struggling areas:
If you struggle in for example any of the topics like geometry or vocabulary or anything else, spend extra time rather than staying just in your comfort zones. Improve your reading skills. Reading and vocabulary hold a great weightage and therefore obviously the importance in IPMAT. Keep reading editorials daily. Manage your time properly. Do read (time management article/blog link) to know how you can manage your time effectively and productively if you are an IPMAT aspirant.
Interview:
Being a pro in interview, in fact , just having good skills in interview too is not an overnight process. It is a gradual process. So, if you reach the personal interview or WAT stage after clearing the IPMAT and getting a call from IIM, then you should have been well prepared for current affairs, basic business awareness already. Start brushing up on your communication skills. This is going to help you in your interview if you have done it right from day 1.
So, if you are a student of class 11th or 12th and are reading this right now, then let me tell you that many of your friends might still be thinking about what they actually want to do. But, by preparing for IPMAT 2026, you are giving yourself an edge over others, you are giving yourself a real time option at a very early stage.
However, it does not mean that you must choose the management stream right at the moment, but you are keeping your doors open. Appreciate yourself for being pro active. And believe me, if you do pick it, you’ll be ahead of the curve.
All The Best !