Candidates preparing for the Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) should understand the exam pattern before beginning their preparation. Knowing the number of questions, section-wise structure, total marks and negative marking helps aspirants plan their time and attempt questions strategically.
The latest completed 2026 examination cycle provides the reference pattern discussed below. Candidates appearing in the 2027 cycle should also check the respective IIM's official admission notification for any changes.
The IPMAT exam pattern is different for IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. While both examinations assess quantitative and verbal aptitude, IIM Rohtak also includes Logical Reasoning, whereas IIM Indore has a separate Quantitative Ability Short Answer section.
| Exam Feature | IIM Indore | IIM Rohtak |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Total Questions | 90 | 120 |
| Total Marks | 360 | 480 |
| Sections | Quantitative Ability (MCQ), Quantitative Ability (SA), Verbal Ability | Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability |
| Question Type | MCQ and Short Answer | MCQ |
| Sectional Timing | 40 minutes per section | No sectional time limit |
| Negative Marking | -1 for incorrect MCQs; no negative marking for Short Answer | -1 for an incorrect answer, as per the 2026 pattern |
| Correct Answer | +4 marks | +4 marks |
The number of questions, marking scheme and timing are important differences between the two examinations. Candidates should prepare according to the institute-specific pattern rather than assuming that both IPMAT papers follow the same structure.
The IIM Indore IPMAT exam pattern consists of three sections: Quantitative Ability (MCQ), Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) and Verbal Ability (MCQ). The examination has 90 questions, carries a maximum of 360 marks and is conducted over 120 minutes.
Each section has a fixed time limit of 40 minutes. Candidates must complete the questions within the allotted time for each section.
| Section | Number of Questions | Question Type | Time Limit |
| Quantitative Ability | 30 | MCQ | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability | 15 | Short Answer | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability | 45 | MCQ | 40 minutes |
| Total | 90 | MCQ and Short Answer | 120 minutes |
The IIM Indore marking scheme awards four marks for every correct answer. However, negative marking differs between MCQ and Short Answer questions.
| Response Type | Marks |
| Correct answer | +4 |
| Incorrect MCQ answer | -1 |
| Incorrect Short Answer | 0 |
| Unattempted question | 0 |
There is no negative marking for the Quantitative Ability Short Answer section. Therefore, candidates should understand the question type before deciding how to attempt it.
The 2026 IIM Indore admission procedure assigned the following weights to the three sections while calculating the Aptitude Test Score:
| Section | Weightage |
| Quantitative Ability (MCQ) | 25% |
| Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) | 25% |
| Verbal Ability (MCQ) | 50% |
These are the section-wise weights used for calculating the Aptitude Test Score, not the percentage of questions in each section.
The IIM Rohtak IPMAT exam pattern includes three sections: Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability. Unlike IIM Indore, the Rohtak examination includes a dedicated Logical Reasoning section and does not have a separate Short Answer section.
The 2026 pattern consisted of 120 multiple-choice questions, with a total duration of 120 minutes and maximum marks of 480.
| Section | Number of Questions | Question Type |
| Quantitative Ability | 40 | MCQ |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | 40 | MCQ |
| Total | 120 | MCQ |
As per the 2026 pattern, the marking scheme is:
| Response Type | Marks |
| Correct answer | +4 |
| Incorrect answer | -1 |
| Unattempted question | 0 |
The exam duration is 120 minutes. Candidates should distribute their time carefully across all three sections because the examination does not have the sectional time restrictions specified for IIM Indore.
Understanding the differences between the two examinations helps candidates decide how to plan their preparation.
| Parameter | IPMAT Indore | IPMAT Rohtak |
| Total Questions | 90 | 120 |
| Maximum Marks | 360 | 480 |
| Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Number of Sections | 3 | 3 |
| Quantitative Ability | MCQ and Short Answer | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Yes | Yes |
| Logical Reasoning | Not a separate section | Yes |
| Sectional Timing | 40 minutes per section | No sectional time limit |
| Question Format | MCQ and Short Answer | MCQ |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking in Short Answer | As per the 2026 marking scheme |
Key difference: IIM Indore tests candidates through two Quantitative Ability formats, including Short Answer questions, and has fixed sectional timing. IIM Rohtak includes Logical Reasoning and has a higher number of questions.
The total marks in IPMAT depend on the institute conducting the examination.
IPMAT Indore: 90 questions carrying a maximum of 360 marks.
IPMAT Rohtak: 120 questions carrying a maximum of 480 marks.
Both examinations use a four-mark award for a correct response in the 2026 pattern. However, candidates should remember that the negative-marking rules and question formats differ.
The IPMAT syllabus covers quantitative aptitude and verbal ability for both examinations. Logical Reasoning is an additional section in the IIM Rohtak examination.
| Subject | Important Topics | Applicable Institute |
| Quantitative Ability | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Mathematics and Data Interpretation | Indore and Rohtak |
| Verbal Ability | Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Para Jumbles, Idioms and Phrases | Indore and Rohtak |
| Logical Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense and Series | Rohtak |
The IPMAT Indore cutoff is the minimum score required to qualify for the next stage of the admission process. The cutoff varies by category and includes sectional as well as overall qualifying requirements.
| Category | Overall Cutoff Marks |
| General | 166 |
| EWS | 112 |
| OBC | 106 |
| SC | 96 |
| ST | 65 |
The official IIM Rohtak 2026 cutoff data provides the minimum cutoff marks for different categories and the number of applicants who met the respective cutoff marks.
| Category | Minimum Cutoff Marks |
| General | 363 |
| EWS | 330 |
| NC-OBC | 307 |
| SC | 246 |
| ST | 168 |
| DAP-General | 260 |
| DAP-EWS | 243 |
| DAP-NC-OBC | 217 |
| DAP-SC | 189 |
| DAP-ST | 215 |
Candidates should align their preparation with the question format, sectional timing and marking scheme of their target institute.
Understand the exam structure: Check the number of questions, sections, total marks and time limit for the relevant institute.
Strengthen Quantitative Ability: Practise arithmetic, algebra, geometry and other important mathematical topics regularly.
Improve Verbal Ability: Develop reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar skills through consistent practice.
Prepare Logical Reasoning for Rohtak: Practise puzzles, arrangements, coding-decoding and other reasoning questions.
Practise Short Answer questions for Indore: Build calculation accuracy and conceptual clarity because this section has a different response format.
Attempt mock tests: Solve full-length mock papers within the prescribed 120-minute duration.
Analyse performance: Review incorrect answers, time spent per question and weaker sections after each mock test.
| Other Related Links | |
| IPMAT Rohtak Registration | How Many Students Give IPMAT Rohtak |
| IPMAT Rohtak Acceptance Rate | How To Study In Iim After 12th |
