IPMAT Exam Pattern 2026, Marking Scheme & Negative Marking

The IPMAT Exam is the exclusive pathway for admission into the five-year Integrated Program in Management (IPM) offered by IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. Thousands of aspirants attempt this exam every year, making it one of the most competitive management entrance tests in India.

If you are planning to appear for the IPMAT Exam 2026, knowing the exam pattern, marking scheme, negative marking rules, number of questions, and sectional distribution is the first step towards building a winning strategy.

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IPMAT Exam Pattern 2026 with marking scheme & duration.

Table of Contents

What is the IPMAT Exam?

  • IPMAT full form: Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test.
  • Purpose: Admission into the 5-year IPM program (BBA + MBA equivalent) at IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak.
  • Eligibility: Candidates must have completed Class 12th or be appearing in the same year.
  • Exam Date: The IPMAT Exam 2026 is expected in May, with separate notifications for Indore and Rohtak.

The IPMAT Exam evaluates a candidate’s quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, and logical reasoning (Rohtak only). It is designed to assess mathematical proficiency, analytical reasoning, and language skills—key abilities for future management leaders.

Related Read: IIM Admission Criteria

IPMAT Exam Pattern 2026 Overview

Both IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak conduct the IPMAT Exam, but their patterns differ significantly.

  • IIM Indore: Combination of MCQs and Short Answer (SA) questions with strict sectional timing.
  • IIM Rohtak: Fully MCQ-based exam with flexibility in time allocation.
InstituteTotal QuestionsDurationTotal MarksSectional Time Limit
IIM Indore90120 mins360Yes (40 mins each)
IIM Rohtak120120 mins480No (recommended 40 mins/section)

IPMAT Indore Exam Pattern 2026

At IIM Indore, the IPMAT Exam consists of three sections:

SectionQuestionsTime LimitMarksMarking Scheme
Quantitative Aptitude (SA)1540 mins60+4, 0 (no negative)
Quantitative Aptitude (MCQ)3040 mins120+4, –1
Verbal Ability (MCQ)4540 mins180+4, –1
Total90120 mins360

Key highlights:

  • Each section has 40 minutes fixed; switching between sections is not allowed.
  • The Short Answer section offers a scoring advantage since there is no negative marking.

IPMAT Rohtak Exam Pattern 2026

At IIM Rohtak, the IPMAT Exam has equal distribution across three sections:

SectionQuestionsRecommended TimeMarking Scheme
Quantitative Ability4040 mins+4, –1
Logical Reasoning4040 mins+4, –1
Verbal Ability4040 mins+4, –1
Total120120 mins+4, –1

Key highlights:

  • No sectional time limit, but equal allocation (40 minutes each) is recommended.
  • All questions are MCQ-based, making accuracy crucial due to negative marking.

Related Read: CAT DILR Questions

IPMAT Marking Scheme 2026

IIM Indore

SectionsMarksMarking Scheme
Quantitative Aptitude (SA)60+4, 0
Quantitative Aptitude (MCQ)120+4, -1
Verbal Ability180+4, -1
Total360

IIM Rohtak

SectionsMarking Scheme
Quantitative Ability+4, -1
Logical Reasoning+4, -1
Verbal Ability+4, -1

In both exams, negative marking applies to MCQs only. The SA section at Indore remains a safe scoring zone.

Number of Questions in IPMAT Exam 2026

IIM Indore

SectionsNumber of Questions
Quantitative Ability (MCQ)15 questions
Quantitative Ability (Short Answer)30 questions
Verbal Ability (MCQ)45 questions
Total90 questions

IIM Rohtak

SectionsNumber of Questions
Quantitative Ability40 questions
Logical Reasoning40 questions
Verbal Ability40 questions
Total120 questions

Practice Zone: IPMAT Previous Year Papers

IPMAT Exam Duration 2026

The IPMAT Exam lasts for 120 minutes (2 hours) at both IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. However, the way this time is managed differs between the two institutes.

  • IIM Indore: Strict sectional timing of 40 minutes per section. Candidates cannot switch sections once the timer starts.
  • IIM Rohtak: No sectional restriction. Candidates can freely divide the 120 minutes across Quant, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal as per their strengths.
InstituteTotal DurationSectional TimingFlexibilityMode of Exam
IIM Indore120 minutes (2 hours)Fixed – 40 mins each for Quant SA, Quant MCQ, VerbalNo switching allowedOnline CBT (proctored)
IIM Rohtak120 minutes (2 hours)No fixed limit per section (recommended 40 mins each)Students can allocate time freelyOnline CBT (proctored)

Key takeaway:

  • In Indore, focus on time discipline—each section is a “locked window.”
  • In Rohtak, plan your own split—spend extra time on weaker areas while maintaining balance.

Download Free: CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF

IPMAT Indore vs Rohtak Exam Pattern

ParticularsIIM IndoreIIM Rohtak
Number of Questions90120
Sectional Time LimitYes (40 mins each)No (flexible)
Types of QuestionsMCQ + SAMCQ only
Negative MarkingYes (except SA)Yes (all MCQs)
Total Marks360480

Related: CAT Quant Questions

IPMAT Negative Marking 2026

Negative marking plays a big role in how you attempt the IPMAT Exam.

  • MCQs (Indore & Rohtak): +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect. Avoid blind guessing.
  • Short Answer (SA – Indore only): +4 for correct, 0 for wrong. A safe scoring zone—attempt all 15.
  • Rohtak: All sections are MCQ-based with negative marking, so accuracy is key.

Tip: In Indore, secure marks in SA first. In both exams, maintain at least 70% accuracy in MCQs to avoid losing marks.

Boost Verbal Prep: CAT VARC Questions

IPMAT Exam Structure 2026

The IPMAT Exam is built to assess aptitude across three skill areas:

  • Mathematics (Quantitative Aptitude): Tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and applied problem-solving. Indore has MCQ + SA, while Rohtak has only MCQ.
  • Verbal Ability: Checks reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and reasoning. Present in both Indore (45 Qs) and Rohtak (40 Qs).
  • Logical Reasoning (Rohtak only): 40 MCQs on puzzles, seating, series, and deductions to test analytical skills.

Both Indore and Rohtak give 120 minutes total. Indore has 40 minutes fixed per section, while Rohtak allows flexible time allocation (though 40 minutes each is recommended).

Success in the IPMAT Exam depends on accuracy + speed: maximize SA attempts in Indore, be precise in MCQs, and balance time effectively across sections.

Build Skills: Reading Zone

Conclusion

The IPMAT Exam 2026 for Indore and Rohtak follows distinct structures:

  • Indore: 90 questions, strict sectional timing, SA + MCQ, 360 marks.
  • Rohtak: 120 MCQs, flexible time allocation, 480 marks.

Understanding these differences is crucial to tailor your preparation. With the right strategy, smart time management, and mock practice, aspirants can maximize their performance and improve their chances of admission to the IPM program.

Stay updated with official notifications, download the exam pattern PDF, and start preparation early. For more preparation resources, mock tests, and expert guidance, explore Coachify.

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FAQs

Q1. What is the full form of IPMAT Exam?
A: Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test.

Q2. What is the IPMAT Exam for?
A: Admission to the 5-year IPM program at IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak.

Q3. How many questions are there in IPMAT 2026?
A: 90 in Indore, 120 in Rohtak.

Q4. What is the duration of the IPMAT Exam?
A: 120 minutes (2 hours) for both Indore and Rohtak.

Q5. Is there negative marking in IPMAT Exam?
A: Yes, –1 for MCQs. No negative marking for Short Answer (Indore).

Q6. What is the total marks in IPMAT 2026?
A: 360 for Indore, 480 for Rohtak.

Q7. Which subjects are tested in IPMAT?
A: Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning (Rohtak only).

Q8. What is the expected IPMAT Exam Date 2026?
A: May 2026 (exact dates via official notifications).

Q9. Is coaching necessary for IPMAT Exam?
A: Not mandatory—self-study + mocks work, though coaching adds structure.

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