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The IPMAT Indore, or the IPM Aptitude Test, is the entrance exam for admission into the five-year Integrated Program in Management offered at IIM Indore. This program allows students to enter IIM Indore right after Class 12, and results in two degrees being conferred at the end of 5 years – a B.A. (Foundations of Management) and an MBA. Alternatively, IPM students are offered an exit option after 3 years, graduating with just the undergraduate degree. In this article, I will walk you through the IPMAT exam structure and give you a guide on how to crack IPMAT 2021 in a month. Read on!
The IPMAT (Indore) is scheduled on 16 July 2021, nearly a month from now. Before diving into how to best utilize this month, let’s take a brief look at the paper pattern.
| Section | Duration | Questions |
| Quantitative Ability (MCQ) | 40 minutes | 40 |
| Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) | 40 minutes | 20 |
| Verbal Ability (MCQ) | 40 minutes | 40 |
4 marks are awarded for each correct answer. In the QA(MCQ) and VA sections, there is a negative marking (-1) for every wrong answer. The QA(SA) does not have negative marking.
IPMAT scores have a 65% weightage in the final admission process, with the remaining 35% weightage being allotted to a Personal Assessment (either interview, or video-based assessment).
If you are starting your preparation now, your first step should be attempting previous years papers to gauge where you stand. This will give you clarity about your future preparation strategy, which sections to focus on, and how much time to devote to each.
The key to acing this section is conceptual clarity.
If you haven’t already, practice at least 50-100 questions from each chapter in the syllabus. If you struggle with certain topics, look up videos online to get your concepts clear. The IPMAT has a tendency of asking complicated-looking questions whose solutions are grounded in basic concepts. Ensure that your understanding is thorough, and do not get overwhelmed by the apparent complexity of questions when you first view them.
While doing this, maintain a formula notebook to note down chapter-wise formulae, tips and tricks that you come across during your preparation.
If you have limited time, place topics like Arithmetic, Algebra and Data Interpretation on first priority since they usually hold high weightage in the exam, and have relatively simpler underlying concepts from 9th and 10th level mathematics.
Once you are fairly well-versed with most topics, focus on improving your speed by solving questions in a time-bound manner.
Keeping the fact that you have one month at hand, focus on improving your reading speed and grammar knowledge. Vocabulary is endless, and the probability of a word you learn appearing in the exam is minute.
Regularly read editorials, preferably from a good newspaper like The Hindu. Focus on identifying the theme of the articles, and understand what the author is broadly trying to convey, rather than decipher the meaning of each individual word.
Also revisit important grammar rules – punctuation, subject-verb agreement etc.
Mocks are undoubtedly the most important aspect of your preparation. IPMAT, like most other Aptitude Tests, is a tests of strategy and speed. The more mocks you attempt, the better you will be able to devise a test-taking strategy that fits your strengths. Some people prefer reading through all questions, identifying the ones they will be able to solve and then attempting. Others attempt questions as they come across them.
Before each mock, go through the formula notebook you have prepared. This will not only ensure you don’t forget the formulae during the test, but also boost your confidence about your knowledge.
While attempting the mock, ensure that you stimulate the test-taking environment as closely as possible – sit in a quiet, isolated room for the entire stretch of the mock, preferably wearing a mask (similar to the way you would on the final day). This will ensure you are comfortable on the final day and do not lose out due to unfamiliarity.
After each mock, analyse your mistakes. Identify topics you are consistently weak in, and revise those topics (conceptually and by practicing questions).
Do not wait to complete the entire syllabus before attempting mock tests. Do them simultaneously.
As of now, IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Jammu offer the IPM course. However, all these IPM programs result in the conferment of a BBA + MBA degree, unlike IIM Indore’s B.A.
IIM Ranchi conducts its IPM admission process based on the IPMAT(Indore) scores. IIM Rohtak conducts its own IPMAT, while IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Jammu accept JIPMAT scores for admission into their program.
Best of luck!