IPMAT Vs CAT, Which is Better, Check Major Differences
IPMAT Vs CAT are both management entrance exams in India, but they differ in terms of the level of education, exam pattern, difficulty level, competition, and acceptance of scores.
Anil Solonki30 Jul, 2025
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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.
- IPMAT and CAT are tests for getting into management courses.
IPMAT Vs CAT - Overview
IPMAT and CAT, both vital management entrance exams in India, differ significantly in several aspects:- Level of Education: IPMAT is an undergraduate test intended for a five-year integrated program, whereas CAT is an entrance test for postgraduate studies .
- Exam Pattern: The CAT exam syllabus encompasses significantly more sections and topics compared to IPMAT.
- Difficulty Level: IPMAT is known for its moderate difficulty level, while CAT is considered one of the most challenging management entrance exams in India.
- Acceptance of Scores: CAT scores are accepted by all the IIMs and various other top management institutes across India. However, IPMAT scores are only accepted by specific IIMs offering the five-year integrated management degree, limiting student options.
- Competition: CAT witnesses more intense competition due to its extensive acceptance by numerous renowned institutes compared to IPMAT.
IPMAT Exam 2026
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 | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
CAT Exam 2025
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 | |
|---|---|
|
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
It's hard to say which is better between IPMAT and CAT because they're good in different ways. But if you want to compare them, here's a table showing the main differences between IPMAT and CAT:| Differences between IPMAT Vs CAT | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
IPMAT Vs CAT FAQs
What's the difference between IPMAT and CAT?
IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test) is for admission into Integrated Management programs, primarily offered by IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak for undergraduate studies. CAT (Common Admission Test) is for admission into various management programs at the postgraduate level in several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other B-schools.
Which is for undergraduate studies - IPMAT or CAT?
IPMAT is more suitable for undergraduate studies as it is specifically designed for admission to integrated management programs offered after completing high school (12th grade).
Are IPMAT and CAT exams similar?
No, the exam patterns for IPMAT and CAT differ significantly. IPMAT typically consists of sections covering Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability (VA), and Logical Reasoning (LR). CAT, on the other hand, assesses Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR).
Are prep strategies for IPMAT and CAT the same?
While some preparation techniques might overlap, the focus areas and depth of preparation required for IPMAT and CAT are quite different due to their distinct syllabi and difficulty levels.
Which exam is accepted by more places?
CAT has a broader scope as it is accepted by numerous IIMs and other management institutes across India, while IPMAT is primarily accepted by IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak for their integrated management programs.
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