How to prepare for IPMAT?

Opportunities After IPMAT

Whether you are a beginner in your preparation journey or are in-midst of it, you should know your target well before you start to prepare. You should know where are you headed if the right actions, efforts, and hard work come together.

About the IPM Exams

There are three IPM exams; IPMAT-Indore, IPMAT-Rohtak, and JIPMAT. All of these exams are national-level tests that share the same CAT-like aptitude testing structure. Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning are the three main parameters, for which an aspirant is judged.

IPM Exam Patterns

While the broad skills required to crack the IPM exams are similar, the nuanced structural differences are important to know for better and more effective preparation for the exams.

To have a detailed reading of the three exam patterns, check the IPM exam pattern web page. 

IIMs Offering IPM Course

As of 2025, there are three major exams in the country, clearing which, you stand a chance to get into the IPM course of 5 IIMs, namely:

• IIM Indore
• IIM Rohtak
• IIM Ranchi
• IIM Jammu
• IIM Bodh Gaya

There’s also an addition to this list of IIMs that accept IPMAT-Indore scores. However the college does not offer an IPM course, it instead offers a unique 4-year BMS program. 

• IIM Sirmaur

These are just the number of IIMs that offer or accept the IPM exam scores. There are other renowned colleges that offer the course considering the IPMAT-Indore scores.

• IIFT Kakinada
• Institute of Management, Nirma University Ahmedabad
• NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

To know about the cutoffs, and full admission process for these colleges, refer to the entire list of colleges accepting IPMAT scores.

IPM Exam Dates for the 2025 Season

IPMAT-Indore and IPMAT-Rohtak, both have released their exam dates for the 2025 season.

IPMAT-Indore 2025 - 12th May, 2025

IPMAT-Rohtak 2025 - 5th May 2025

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IPMAT Preparation Strategy

Coming to the main preparation, let’s first create the strategy around this preparation. Too often, students and even experts use preparation plans and strategies interchangeably. But to make an aspirant’s preparation more effective and focused with smart efforts, he/she needs a strategy.

If one is planning to join an IPMAT coaching or has already joined one, the strategy part will most likely be taken care of, by the experts, mentors, or academics. But when it comes to self-preparation or also, if one is seeking an alternate perspective, they can read along.

IPMAT Preparation: Starting Point

There are a lot of considerations that an aspirant must consider before establishing their core strategy for IPMAT preparation.

• Strategy for Beginners

  There will be a world of difference between the IPMAT preparation strategy of a beginner, the one who is taking the exam for the first time, and a second or third-time IPMAT exam taker. 

  The one taking the exam for the second time will come from experience. Now, if we dig deeper there will also be a point of difference in the subjects mastery for different student groups.

  For most students, the verbal and mathematical skills make the most part of their preparation. Since English is a common subject within every class 12 student; mathematics becomes a point of contention for the majority of the season.

Strategy for IPM (Non-Math vs. Math Students)
Basis	Strategy for Non-Math Students	Strategy for Math Students
Approach	Focus on building on the basic concepts of mathematics first.	Focus on integrating the IPMAT syllabus with the Class 12 math syllabus.
Time Allotted	Initially, you must dedicate more hours to the QA section to get onto the same level as the ones who have math in class 12.	Discovering if the fundamentals of mathematical concepts are strong. If yes, dedicate a major part of your preparation to establishing concepts for verbal and grammar.
Preparation Time	Since math is a core subject for IPM exam success. No-math students need a longer duration of preparation to crack the exam.	For students who are well-acquainted with the higher level mathematical concepts, a comparatively lower preparation time.

• Strategy for Droppers

  Someone who has taken the three IPM exams and has secured a decent score in all of them; is expected to be well acquainted with the exam pattern and syllabus; the preparation strategy will be more centered around the different exam-taking techniques while also brushing through the fundamentals.

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Effective Tips & Preparation for IPM Prep

Now the preparation tips for IPM exams can be divided among the two Read these valuable tips on preparing for IPMAT 2025 and devise the best strategy to score well.

1. Mathematics and Grammar

Building mathematical concepts and grammatical knowledge are two areas that require time and effort to understand and then wrap your head around the questions that are based on those concepts.

• To start with the mathematics section, a comprehensive review of concepts from grades 6 to 12 is advised.
• Similarly, for grammar topics, begin with reviewing grammar topics taught from grades 6 to 10.

A solid foundation in these areas will lay the groundwork for IPMAT & JIPMAT preparation and success in the exam.

2. Progressive Difficulty

Approaching each topic with a strategy is essential for IPMAT preparation. Aspirants can not straight away jump to the highest difficulty level without going through the tough part of foundational preparation.

Start with simpler questions and gradually increase the complexity to ensure a thorough understanding of each concept.

What does it do?

Progressive difficulty level has dual benefits.

• It first helps aspirants build confidence by starting from scratch.
• It also allows aspirants to identify the easy questions faster because not every question in an exam is on the tough side.

3. Consistent Study

Allocate dedicated time for daily self-study(apart from your IPM preparation classes, if any), focus on building the repository of mathematical concepts, and read new genres of writing with better comprehension, grammar rules, and vocabulary.

Make sure to not miss out on any aspect of your preparation because consistent efforts ensure a well-rounded and all-encompassing preparation.

• Incorporate weekly mock tests, sectional tests, and topic-specific assessments into the routine.
• Consider making a plan in accordance with our activities like school, extra-curricular activities, and more.

4. Frequent Mock Tests

Engaging in frequent mock tests is a key strategy to cracking any competitive exam. Knowing the concepts is one aspect of the learning, the next involves putting those learned concepts to use under timed conditions.

Most students leave the mock test taking part in the preparation for the end stage. But that is not advisable because the pressure is already high at that time and one can not build the strategy at that time.

• Tests evaluate both subject knowledge and time management skills.
• Undertake mock tests for both IPMAT Indore and IPMAT Rohtak at least once every 15 days.

Free resources: IPMAT Indore Mock Test

This practice not only familiarizes you with the exam format but also aids in refining your time allocation strategies, enhancing your overall readiness.

5. IPM Preparation Partner

IPM preparation takes time, effort, and strategies. It is not a weeks-long journey; it could take more than a year to actively prepare for the IPM exams. In such a situation, it is difficult to be self-motivated at all times of your preparation journey.

If you are enrolled in IPMAT coaching, it is still easier to find aspirants like yourself, but if you have decided to take this journey on your own, consider subscribing or joining free IPMAT preparation channels, such as:

YT Button IPM/BBA YouTube Channels

WhatsApp Button: IPM/BBA Preparation Community

6. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

Analysis is a pivotal phase in your preparation. Dedicate substantial time of 3 to 4 hours to meticulously scrutinize each mock test.

Review your answers before consulting the solutions, allowing you to pinpoint your strong points and areas that need improvement. This analytical approach ensures targeted efforts toward enhancing your performance in specific areas.

7. Early Commencement

Initiating your self-study for IPMAT preparation well in advance is a strategic move. This proactive approach helps maintain a balance across all assessments.

Regularly tackle mock tests and sectional assessments to monitor the effectiveness of your preparation strategy and benchmark your performance against fellow aspirants.

Early preparation contributes significantly to overall confidence and competence on exam day.

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Ideal Time to Prepare For IPM Exams

The ideal time to prepare for IPM exams differs from student to student. There are a number of factors that govern this decision. A few of those factors are mentioned below.

• Prior Experience with Competitive Exams

  If the aspirant has already been preparing for exams involving higher aptitude preparation, such as JEE, NEET, etc, then IPM preparation becomes fairly easy.

• Math or Non-Math Student

  An aspirant’s grasp of mathematical concepts makes his/her IPMAT preparation journey 30-40% easier and hence it reflects on the time taken to prepare for the exam.

• Command on Verbal Comprehension

  If an aspirant is an avid reader; it will inversely have an impact on the time taken to prepare. Verbal and Mathematics act as the pillars of the IPMAT syllabus, a good command over any of these aspects can make the aspirant stand a good chance in IPM.

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Best Books for IPMAT Preparation

Although the exam is conducted in the online mode, students still prefer books for learning the majority of the concepts.

No one book can cover the extensive syllabus of IPMAT. According to experts, the following is a list of some of the best books that are recommended for students preparing for IPMAT for each section:

Best Books for IPMAT Quantitative Ability

• Book Title: Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams
  Author/Publisher: R.S. Aggarwal
• Book Title: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
  Author/Publisher: Arun Sharma

Best Books for IPMAT Verbal Ability

• Book Title: High School English Grammar & Composition
  Author/Publisher: Wren & Martin
• Book Title: Word Power Made Easy
  Author/Publisher: Norman Lewis

Best Books for IPMAT Logical Reasoning

• Book Title: A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning
  Author/Publisher: R.S. Aggarwal

Best Books for IPMAT Data Interpretation

• Book Title: Data Interpretation for CAT
  Author/Publisher: Arun Sharma

Best Books for IPMAT General Knowledge

• Book Title: Manorama Yearbook
  Author/Publisher: Mammen Mathew

Most of these books are covered for CAT preparation as well, insisting on the parallels between the IPM and CAT exam structures and also the scope of the exams.