IPMAT 2028 Exam Pattern — IIM Indore vs Rohtak Detailed Breakdown & Strategy

Understanding the IPMAT 2028 exam pattern is the foundation of every smart preparation strategy. IPMAT Indore and IPMAT Rohtak have different patterns — different sections, different question types, and different strategic implications. This guide gives you a complete breakdown of both, with marking scheme analysis, time management frameworks, and section-wise strategy to maximise your score.

Quick Comparison — IIM Indore vs IIM Rohtak Pattern

IIM Indore: 90 total questions, 120 minutes, 3 sections, sectional time limit of 40 minutes each, question types are MCQ and Short Answer (SA), marks per correct answer is +4, negative marking of -1 on MCQ only, no negative marking on SA. IIM Rohtak: 120 total questions, 120 minutes, 3 sections, sectional time limit of 40 minutes each, MCQ only, +4 for correct, -1 for wrong across all sections.

IIM Indore IPMAT 2028 — Section-Wise Breakdown

Section 1: Quantitative Ability — MCQ (30 Questions, 40 Minutes)

30 Multiple Choice questions with 4 options each. Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for wrong. Topics: Arithmetic (highest weightage at ~40%), Algebra (~25%), Geometry and Mensuration (~20%), Number System (~10%), Modern Maths (~5%). Each question carries 4 marks, making accuracy critical. A wrong answer costs you 1 mark. Strategy: Attempt P1 topics first (Arithmetic, Algebra). Scan all 30 questions in the first 3 minutes and categorise by confidence level before solving.

Section 2: Quantitative Ability — Short Answer (15 Questions, 40 Minutes)

15 Short Answer questions where you type the numerical answer directly — no options provided. Marking: +4 for correct, ZERO for incorrect. There is NO negative marking on SA questions. This is the most strategically important feature of IPMAT Indore. You must attempt every single SA question without exception. Even if you are uncertain, attempt it — a correct guess gives you +4 and a wrong guess costs you nothing. SA questions tend to be slightly simpler versions of MCQ concepts, and answers are usually clean integers.

Section 3: Verbal Ability — MCQ (45 Questions, 40 Minutes)

45 Multiple Choice questions in 40 minutes — giving you approximately 53 seconds per question. Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for wrong. This is the largest section in IPMAT Indore. Topics: Reading Comprehension (18-20 questions, highest weightage), Para Jumbles (5-8), Grammar Error Correction (8-10), Vocabulary Fill-in-blanks (5-7), Sentence Correction (3-5). Strategy: Attempt RC passages first since they carry maximum marks, then grammar, then vocabulary.

IIM Rohtak IPMAT 2028 — Section-Wise Breakdown

Section 1: Quantitative Ability (40 Questions, 40 Minutes)

40 MCQ questions in 40 minutes — exactly 1 minute per question on average. Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for wrong. Same topic coverage as Indore: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Maths. However, Rohtak has no SA section — every question carries negative marking. Strategy: Accuracy matters more than attempt count. Never guess randomly on MCQ questions.

Section 2: Logical Reasoning (40 Questions, 40 Minutes)

This section does NOT appear in IPMAT Indore — it is Rohtak-specific. 40 MCQ questions on Seating Arrangements (linear and circular), Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output, Direction Sense, Scheduling, and Puzzles. Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for wrong. Students targeting both Indore and Rohtak must dedicate specific preparation time to LR. Strategy: Seating arrangements and scheduling puzzles first as they are highest frequency and most scoreable.

Section 3: Verbal Ability (40 Questions, 40 Minutes)

40 MCQ questions, same structure as Indore VA but 5 fewer questions. Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Para-completion questions. Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for wrong. With 1 minute per question, reading speed and vocabulary strength are decisive advantages.

Marking Scheme — How Scores Add Up

IIM Indore example: 50 correct MCQs at +4 each = 200 marks. 10 wrong MCQs at -1 each = -10 marks. 12 correct SA at +4 each = 48 marks. 3 wrong SA = 0 marks. Total = 238 out of 360. A score of 260-270 is generally considered safe for General category at IIM Indore. IIM Rohtak example: 80 correct MCQs at +4 = 320. 20 wrong MCQs at -1 = -20. Total = 300 out of 480. A score of 300+ is generally safe for General category at IIM Rohtak.

Sectional Time Management Strategy

Each section has a hard 40-minute lock — you cannot move between sections once the timer ends. For QA MCQ in Indore: scan all 30 questions in the first 3 minutes, attempt Arithmetic and Algebra questions first, do not spend more than 2 minutes on any single question. For QA SA in Indore: attempt all 15 questions, use estimation for uncertain answers, write answers clearly. For VA in both: RC passages first (highest marks), then grammar questions, then vocabulary at the end. For LR in Rohtak: seating arrangements and scheduling first, skip very dense puzzles and return if time permits.

How the Pattern Has Changed Over the Years

2020: Sectional time limits introduced — previously the exam was open-book across sections. 2021: SA section reduced from 20 to 15 questions in IIM Indore. 2022-2024: Pattern stabilised with no major changes. 2025: Slight increase in VA difficulty, RC passages became more abstract. 2028 expected: Pattern likely to remain stable based on the 2022-2025 trend. Any changes will be communicated in the official IPMAT 2028 notification released in January 2028.

Key Strategic Insights for IPMAT 2028

SA section is your free marks at IIM Indore. Never leave a SA question blank. Rohtak needs dedicated LR preparation — if you only prepare for Indore, you are underprepared for Rohtak. Speed matters as much as accuracy — with 40-45 questions in 40 minutes, you have exactly 53-60 seconds per question on average. Sectional cutoffs exist at both IIMs — a high overall score with one weak section will not secure admission. Negative marking discipline is critical on MCQ questions — never guess randomly; only attempt when you can eliminate at least 2 options.

Frequently Asked Questions — IPMAT 2028 Exam Pattern

What is the total marks for IPMAT 2028?

IIM Indore: 90 questions at 4 marks each = 360 total marks. IIM Rohtak: 120 questions at 4 marks each = 480 total marks. In both, negative marking of -1 applies to MCQ questions. In IIM Indore, the 15 SA questions have no negative marking.

What is the Short Answer (SA) section in IPMAT Indore?

The SA section in IIM Indore's IPMAT has 15 questions where you type the numerical answer directly without any options. There is NO negative marking — a wrong answer gives 0 marks. A correct answer gives +4 marks. This makes the SA section extremely strategic — always attempt all 15 SA questions. Tanisq Chouhan (AIR 1 JIPMAT) credited the SA approach as a major scoring advantage.

Does IPMAT Indore have a Logical Reasoning section?

No. IIM Indore's IPMAT does NOT have a Logical Reasoning section. It has only three sections: QA MCQ, QA SA, and Verbal Ability. Logical Reasoning is only in IIM Rohtak's IPMAT. If you are preparing for both exams, you need to add LR preparation specifically for Rohtak.

Can I switch between sections during the exam?

No. Each section has a strict 40-minute time limit enforced by the system. Once the 40 minutes for a section ends, the system automatically closes it. You cannot go back to a previous section or move ahead to the next before the time is up. This sectional time lock has been in place since 2020.

What is a safe score for IIM Indore IPMAT 2028?

Based on historical trends, a score of 260-270 out of 360 is generally considered safe for a PI call at IIM Indore for General category candidates. A score above 280 is very safe. The actual cutoff varies each year based on exam difficulty and applicant numbers.

Is there a sectional cutoff in IPMAT?

Yes. Both IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak apply sectional cutoffs when shortlisting for PI. Clearing the overall cutoff is not sufficient if you score below the sectional cutoff in any one section. This is why balanced preparation across all sections is mandatory — neglecting VA or LR (Rohtak) can cost you the seat despite a high overall score.

Are there any changes expected in IPMAT 2028 pattern?

Based on the consistent pattern from 2022 to 2025, no major changes are expected in IPMAT 2028. The 90-question format for Indore and 120-question format for Rohtak, both in 120 minutes, are expected to continue. Any changes will be officially announced in the IPMAT 2028 notification in January 2028.

How much time should I spend per question in IPMAT?

IIM Indore: QA MCQ — approximately 80 seconds per question. QA SA — approximately 160 seconds per question. VA — approximately 53 seconds per question. IIM Rohtak: All sections — exactly 60 seconds per question on average. Speed and accuracy are both critical. Practice under timed conditions from early in your preparation.

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