IPMAT Vs CAT: Some exams are different, like IPMAT and CAT. CAT is for people who have finished their degree and want to do more studies. IPMAT is for those who just finished school and want to start their studies in management. This article helps you understand the differences between these exams, so you can choose the right one.
The Ipmat exam is organized by the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore). It is a national-level entrance test for admission to the 5-year Integrated Program in Management (IPM) offered by IIM Indore.
The exam consists of an Aptitude Test, followed by a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI)IPMAT Exam 2026 Highlights | |
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IPMAT Exam Details | Dates/Information |
Exam Conducted By | Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) |
Program | 5-year Integrated Program in Management |
Exam Level | National Level |
Exam Stages | Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) |
Official Notification Release | February 2026 (expected) |
Application Form Availability | March 2026 (expected) |
Last Date to Submit Application Form | March 2026 (expected) |
Admit Card Release | May 2026 (expected) |
Exam Date | Last week of April 2026 (expected) |
Mode of Exam | Online |
Attempts Allowed | Once a year |
Application Fee | Rs. 4130/- (General), Rs. 2065/- (SC/ST/PWD) |
Eligibility | Passed 10+2 in 2019 or 2020 with 60% minimum |
Age Limit | 18 to 20 years old |
Every year, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The CAT exam is for graduate students who want to pursue postgraduate programs like MBA, PGDM, or Executive MBA.
It is a prestigious national-level exam and serves as the primary gateway to India’s top B-schools.
CAT Exam 2025 Highlights | |
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CAT Exam Details |
Dates/Information |
Exam Conducted By |
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) |
Course Offered |
Master of Business Administration (MBA), PGDM, Executive MBA |
Exam Level |
National Level |
Exam Type |
Multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions |
Official Notification Release |
Last week of July 2025 |
Application Form Availability |
August 2025 |
Last Date to Submit Application Form |
September 2025 |
Admit Card Release |
November 2025 |
Exam Date |
30th November 2025 |
Results Declaration |
December 2025 |
Mode of Exam |
Online |
Attempts Allowed |
Once a year |
Application Fee |
Rs. 2,200/- (General), Rs. 1,100/- (SC/ST/PWD) |
Eligibility |
Passed 10+2 in 2020 or 2021 and completed graduation or equivalent exam. Minimum 50% aggregate marks in bachelor's degree. |
Age Limit |
21 to 24 years old |
Differences between IPMAT Vs CAT | ||
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Parameters | IPMAT | CAT |
Conducting Body | The Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM Indore) | The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) |
Exam Level | National Level exam | National Level Exam |
Programs Offered | Foundation Courses in Maths & Statistics, Game Theory, Optimization, Mathematical Modelling, Micro and Macro-economics, Indian Economy, Econometrics, International Trade | Post Graduate Programme (PGP), Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), Executive MBA (ePGP, PGPEx) |
Participating Institutes | The Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM Indore) | The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). |
Frequency of Exam | Once a year | Once a year |
Eligibility | The students who have passed their 10 + 2 from a recognized board or any equivalent examination in 2020, 2021, or 2024 are eligible to apply for this examination. The General and NC – OBC category students must have scored a minimum of 60% aggregate in class 10 and class 12. | The students who have passed their 10 + 2 from a recognized board and completed their graduation or any equivalent examination in 2020 and 2021 are eligible to apply for this exam. The student must score a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their bachelor’s degree to qualify for this examination. |
Appearing Candidates (2021) | 15,000 + | 1,92,000 (35% females and 65% males) |
Subjects in Exam | Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. |
Number of Questions | Total of 120 questions (Quantitative Ability has 40 questions, logical reasoning has 40 questions, and Verbal Ability has 40 questions) | Total of 66 questions (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension contains 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning contains 20 questions, Quantitative Aptitude contains 20 questions). |
The Language of Paper | English and Hindi | English and Hindi |
Duration of Examination | 2 hours (120 minutes - 40 minutes for each section) | 2 hours (120 minutes - 40 minutes for each section). |
Mode of Examination | Online | Online |
Question Pattern | Multiple choice questions with one correct answer. | Multiple Choice Questions and non-multiple choice questions |
Marks Allocation | 4 marks will be given for each correct answer, 1 mark will be cut for every wrong answer, and 0 marks will be given for unanswered questions. | 3 marks will be given for each correct answer, and 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. |
Total Marks Allocated | 480 Marks | 198 marks |