Should I take the IPMAT?

By Sudhir Sahasranaman on 22 May 2025

Tags: IPMAT, IPM, IIM, Study with Sudhir, SWS, Sudhir Sahasranaman, Careers with Sudhir

A much-sought after course these days is the IPMAT. Let us do a deep dive into the world of IPMAT to understand if it is really good, better than BBA and whether it prepares you for a great employment opportunity or you still have to necessarily do an MBA. The IIMs that offer IPM are Indore, Rohtak, Jammu, Bodhgaya, Ranchi, Shillong and Amritsar.

 

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1. ELIGIBILITY FOR IPMAT

Common eligibility across IIMs:

  • Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in any stream.

  • Age Limit: Maximum 20 years of age. There is relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates (5 years).

  • Minimum Marks:

    • General/OBC: Minimum 60% in Class 10 and 12.

    • SC/ST/PwD: Minimum 55%.

Note: These are for IPMAT Indore/Rohtak; JIPMAT (for IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Jammu) has similar but slightly more relaxed criteria.

2. IPMAT vs. BBA/B.Com

Criteria IPMAT (IIMs) BBA/B.Com (DU, Private, etc.)
Degree 5-year integrated BBA + MBA BBA or B.Com (3 years)
Admission IPMAT / JIPMAT exam CUET / university entrance
Course Structure Management-focused from Day 1 Broader commerce base (esp. B.Com)
Brand Value IIM brand + direct MBA Depends on university
Cost Higher (?30–35L for 5 years) Moderate to low (?1–10L for 3 years)
Career Start MBA-level jobs Usually entry-level roles or requires MBA later
 
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  • Note : 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.
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3. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AFTER IPMAT

  • Since it ends with an MBA from an IIM, the placements are on par with flagship PGP MBA batches. Indore is the best, followed by Rohtak.

  • Domains: Consulting, Finance, Marketing, Product Management, Analytics.

  • Top Recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, Amazon, HUL, Goldman Sachs (especially for IIM Indore).

  • Packages:

    • IIM Indore IPM average CTC: ?25 LPA

    • Rohtak, Ranchi, Bodh Gaya, Jammu: Lower than Indore but growing (?19 LPA for Rohtak and Ranchi and 13-15 LPA for Jammu and Bodh Gaya)

4. SO A STUDENT DOES NOT NEED TO WRITE CAT OR XAT?

  • Yes — the IPM ends in an MBA without needing CAT OR XAT later.

  • You skip the pressure of preparing for CAT, XAT, etc.

  • Strong foundational grooming in liberal arts, economics, statistics, and core management.

5. IS IPMAT WORTH IT FROM LESSER-KNOWN IIMs (Rohtak, Ranchi, Bodh Gaya, Jammu)?

  • Yes, with caution:

    • Pros: IIM tag, integrated MBA, structured curriculum.

    • Cons: Brand recognition not as strong as Indore or old IIMs. Placements are improving but not yet elite.

  • Tip: If you get IIM Indore → no brainer. Rohtak is next best. Bodh Gaya and Jammu are safer if you're confident about growing with them.

6. DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF IPMAT EXAM

Exam Difficulty Level
IPMAT Indore Moderate to High
IPMAT Rohtak Moderate
JIPMAT Easy to Moderate
 

  • Competition is tough — 30,000+ aspirants for 150–200 seats in top programs.

  • Requires strong Quant (maths), Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning (in some cases).

7. SYLLABUS FOR IPMAT (INDORE/ROHTAK)

Quantitative Ability (Maths):

  • Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI & CI

  • Algebra: Equations, Inequalities

  • Geometry & Mensuration

  • Number System

  • Set Theory

  • Data Interpretation

  • Higher Maths (IPMAT Indore): Matrices, Permutations, Probability

Logical Reasoning (only for Rohtak):

  • Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Puzzles

Verbal Ability:

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Para Jumbles

  • Sentence Completion

  • Vocabulary

  • Grammar

IPMAT Indore has a Short Answer (SA) section in Quant; Rohtak does not.

8. IPMAT vs. CUET — WHICH IS BETTER?

Factor IPMAT CUET
Outcome Direct MBA from IIM UG only (need MBA separately)
Competition Tough but focused Very high (millions of applicants)
Scope For those sure about management Wider UG courses
Value Addition Strong branding, MBA integrated Depends on college (DU, BHU, etc.)
Flexibility Rigid 5-year course More freedom to switch paths
 

Choose IPMAT if:

  • You're focused on a career in business/management.

  • You want the IIM brand early.

  • You can manage a tough selection process.

Choose CUET if:

  • You want options across arts, commerce, and science.

  • You’re undecided about career path.

  • You’re targeting universities like DU, BHU, etc.