IPMAT Maths vs English: Which Section Should You Focus More On?

The IPMAT (Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test) is a decisive test for those who are seeking admission in the flagship five-year Integrated Programme in Management. There are two fundamental parts, Quantitative Ability (Maths) and Verbal Ability (English), which often provoke the following question: Which part should be paid more attention to? This blog post goes into detail about that question and assists you in choosing your strategy and planning your study time better.

Why does it matter to focus on Maths vs English?

IPMAT is a combination of QA and VA. Your percentile can be flipped by scores in these sections. Where students usually consider Maths as heavier due to the assumed scoring potential, English is a trump card in case you are good at reading, grammar, and vocabulary.

The main points that should capture your attention:

1. Your existing strength: Do you find it easier to do maths or English?

2. Scoring potential and predictability: Maths questions are formula-based and easier to predict; English needs understanding and subtlety.

3. Time management during exam: The rate at which you can solve maths questions and the rate at which you can comprehend.

4. Section-wise cut-off patterns: The past cut-offs can indicate the section that Indian business school applicants are good at or bad at.

Learn the difficulty levels in both sections by using IPMAT previous year papers and patterns of the IPMAT solved paper 2026. Such resources are also useful in pacing your preparation.

Should I devote more daily time to Maths or English?

It all depends on your baseline. In case you already have above 85-90% accuracy in maths practice sets and your English is dodgy, switch hours to grammar, vocab, and RC practice. On the other hand, in case your English is good (90%+ in grammar/RC drills) and arithmetic/algebra is weak, spend more time on QA. Take your performance in the IPMAT solved paper 2026 and IPMAT previous year papers as a mirror to evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

How can practising IPMAT previous year papers help allocate focus?

By reading question-level details of old papers, one can get an idea of patterns: which topics of maths appear (e.g., Time/Speed, Geometry, Algebra), which kinds of RCs/sentence correction questions in English, and the approximate weightage. When patterns indicate that you have heavy weightage in maths and you are not doing well in maths, then that is where you need to put your attention.

Is Maths higher-scoring than English?

Overall, QA is a high-scoring section since every question (particularly in case you are solving correctly and fast) can increase your score. In addition, maths subjects are limited and formulaic, and it is predictable. English is more difficult; a difficult passage or grammar set will cost more time and less gain when understanding is slow. However, you may be able to get over the time-consuming aspect of it, especially when you are a good reader of English.

How do IPMAT preparation books support this strategy?

Though I am not recommending any particular IPMAT Books, preparation books (i.e., generic prep books containing practice and theory) will enable you to go through a topic-wise strategy, practice series, and drill weaknesses in QA and VA systematically. Paper 2026 and past papers practice make you ready to use books together with IPMAT.

Section Comparison — Maths vs English

How to Use IPMAT Solved Paper 2026 and IPMAT Previous Year Papers?

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Baseline Test: Take a timed mock based on one recent IPMAT previous year papers. Score both sections separately.

2. Gap Analysis: Compare performance — identify error rate, time per question, and skip percentage.

3. Topic Focus Tracking: Record which QA topics caused maximum errors and which English question-types (RC, jumbles, grammar) took the most time or created errors.

4. Dedicated Practice Blocks: Allocate weekly blocks: one for QA drills, one for English practice operations—focus on weak sub-topics.

5. Re-test: After 10–15 practice sets or sessions from IPMAT preparation books and solved papers, retake a similar mock to track improvement.

6. Adjust Ratio: If QA score rises close to the target percentile, shift excess hours to English, or vice versa.

Weekly Study Allocation Based on Weak Section

Deep Dive – Maths Section Focus

If Maths is your weak link, adopt this multi-stage approach:

1. Foundational Review: Drill arithmetic, algebra, numbers, profit-loss, and geometry formulas.

2. Topic-wise Targeting: Use IPMAT's previous year papers to determine which maths topics carry more weight historically. Emphasize high-yield topics.

3. Timed Drills: Use chapter-wise timed question sets; monitor average time per question.

4. Accuracy over Speed: Initially, focus on 95–100% accuracy before pushing speed.

5. Mixed Revision Mocks: Mimic actual exam pace, combining maths questions across topics.

Keep revisiting the IPMAT solved paper 2026 solutions to reinforce strategies, mistakes to avoid, and time-saving techniques.

Read More: Can I Crack IPMAT with Self Study?

Deep Dive – English Section Focus

English requires both speed and precision:

1. Reading Habit: Regularly practice reading editorial-level RC passages to enhance comprehension speed.

2. Grammar Essentials: Brush up on sentence-correction rules — punctuation, idioms, subject-verb agreement.

3. Vocabulary & Usage: Learn words in context, not rote lists. Use them in sentences to retain meaning.

4. Question-type Mastery: Categorize English question types: para-jumbles, fill-in-the-blanks, error detection, and RC. Drill the hardest types more frequently.

5. Performance Review: Use IPMAT's previous year papers to see which type gives the most trouble, then run targeted practice.

Find grammar traps or complex reading styles that can be found repeatedly by using the IPMAT solved paper 2026.

Maths vs English Prep Common Mistakes

1. Failure to revise: Both sections need to be reviewed after some time; old subjects become stale.

2. Skipping subtopics: Skipping will not help; e.g., skipping geometry or RC because it is tough.

3. Lopsided mocks: doing too many maths mocks and neglecting English full mocks affects preparedness.

4. Feedback only feedback: Mocks do not give you feedback on where you lost time or made mistakes, so they are of no benefit in improving.

Final Thoughts

• Use your strength, but don’t ignore the other one in case you are naturally stronger in one of them.

• Make a strategic use of the IPMAT solved paper 2026 to determine the trends and pitfalls of the exam.

• Previous year papers of IPMAT will give you a real exam feel; supplement that with structured drills of IPMAT preparation books.

• Concentrate a little more on the weaker section until it gets to the target accuracy and timing, but never neglect routine practice on the stronger side.

• Data-driven, balanced approach: rely on tables, mock insights, and topic analysis to drive weekly plans.

This is a question-driven, in-depth, analytical approach that will allow you to determine which part to pay more attention to and how to organize your study. Keep a tight track of your progress, adjust your plan as you get better, and do not waste past papers and solved solutions.