Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) is one of the most competitive exams in India to get admission to the reputed five year Integrated Management Program in IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. As this exam has thousands of bright students participating in it every year, the IPMAT cut off plays a pivotal role in the qualification of a student into the next round of the admission procedure.
When students ask the question, What is the cutoff of IPMAT out of 400? they are actually seeking a clear idea of how the cut off system functions, what scores can be regarded as safe and how sectional cut offs and overall cut offs are determined. In this blog, we will dissect the cutoff, the factors affecting it, trends of the past years, and how you can strategically prepare with the help of resources such as IPMAT solved paper 2026 and IPMAT Books to score well.
Understanding IPMAT Cutoff
The IPMAT cut off is the minimum marks or percentile that a candidate has to secure in the exam to qualify in the next round of the selection process which typically consists of Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
Because the exam is out of 400 marks, the cutoff changes each year with various factors including the level of difficulty of the paper, the number of applicants, and the overall performance of the candidates. IIMs look at both sectional and overall cutoffs, so it is important to do well in all sections not just one.
IPMAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Before we dive into the cutoff analysis, it is important to understand the exam pattern. This will give you a clear idea of how the 400 marks are distributed.
Section |
Number of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
Time Allotted |
Quantitative Ability (MCQ) |
40 |
4 |
160 |
40 minutes |
Quantitative Ability (SA) |
20 |
4 |
80 |
40 minutes |
Verbal Ability |
40 |
4 |
160 |
40 minutes |
Total |
100 |
— |
400 |
120 minutes |
This clearly shows that the IPMAT is a balanced exam where quantitative and verbal sections are given equal weightage.
What is the Expected Cutoff for IPMAT out of 400?
The cutoff of IPMAT also differs with respect to the institute (IIM Indore vs IIM Rohtak). IIM Indore has a higher cutoff in general due to its more difficult paper and more competition.
Based on the previous year trends, it has been found that the students would have to score between 260 to 300 marks out of 400 to get a call in IIM Indore, and between 220 to 260 marks out of 400 to get a call in IIM Rohtak.
Here is a comparative analysis of cutoffs for different institutes:
Institute |
Cutoff Range (Out of 400) |
Remarks |
IIM Indore |
260 – 300 |
Higher difficulty level, stricter selection |
IIM Rohtak |
220 – 260 |
Slightly lower cutoff, moderate level paper |
Other IPM Colleges |
180 – 220 |
Acceptable scores for private universities and institutes |
Sectional Cutoff in IPMAT
A common question with aspirants is: Does IPMAT have sectional cut off? The response is yes Both IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak take into consideration sectional performance. Although you may have a good score in total, poor score in a single section may disqualify you.
As an example, quantitative section generally has higher sectional cutoffs than verbal ability since it is a differentiating factor among applicants.
An estimated sectional cutoff distribution is shown below:
Section |
Expected Cutoff (Out of Total Marks) |
Quantitative Ability (MCQ) |
100 – 120 out of 160 |
Quantitative Ability (SA) |
40 – 55 out of 80 |
Verbal Ability |
110 – 130 out of 160 |
This clearly shows that candidates must maintain balance in preparation and not ignore any section.
Read More: Can an average student clear IPMAT?
Why Does the IPMAT Cutoff Change Every Year?
The most common question that is posed by many aspirants is: Why does the IPMAT cutoff vary year after year? The cutoff is dynamic since it is dependent on a number of factors.
1. The level of difficulty of the exam- the harder the paper, the lower the cutoff and vice versa.
2. The number of applicants -The greater the number of applicants, the more the competition and thus the cutoff moves upwards.
3. Seats available-There are limited seats in IIMs which further makes competition and hence the cut off increases.
4. Performance of candidates -When candidates generally perform well, the cutoff automatically increases.
Role of Previous Year Papers in Understanding Cutoff
Another intelligent method of getting an idea about cutoffs is to study past year papers. Answering old questions will provide you with a clear picture about the level of difficulty of the exam and the kind of questions that are asked. This assists in the determination of a personal target score.
In this case, it is important to use resources like IPMAT to solve paper 2026. These are past papers and they will give the candidate a feel of what the actual exam will be like and also help them analyze the number of questions they must answer correctly to achieve a safe mark.
Preparation Strategy to Cross the Cutoff
Knowing the cutoff is one thing but to cross it will need a deliberate strategy. Candidates should split the preparation in stages
1. Concept Building- Reinforce fundamentals of math and grammar.
2. Practice Phase – Routine practice with last year papers and mock tests.
3. Exam Simulation- Taking full length tests in time-limited conditions to determine accuracy.
Using real material such as IPMAT Books and solved papers can help you a great deal to clear the sectional and overall cutoffs.
Can Cutoff Alone Decide Admission?
The other frequent question is: “Once I cross the cutoff, am I sure of a seat?” No. Clearing the cutoff will only mean that you have cleared the first stage which is followed by Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
Your final selection depends on a composite score that includes:
-
IPMAT score (weightage differs by institute)
-
Performance in WAT and PI
-
Past academic records
This means cutoff is just the first filter in the admission process.
Comparison of IPMAT Cutoff with Other Management Entrance Exams
Many aspirants also appear for other management entrance exams like JIPMAT, NPAT, and SET. Compared to them, the IPMAT cutoff is relatively higher because of the reputation of IIMs and the intense competition.
Exam |
Maximum Marks |
Cutoff Range |
Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|---|
IPMAT |
400 |
220 – 300 |
High |
JIPMAT |
400 |
200 – 240 |
Moderate |
NPAT |
120 |
65 – 80 |
Moderate |
SET (Symbiosis) |
150 |
80 – 100 |
Moderate |
This shows why students need rigorous preparation for IPMAT compared to other exams.
Future of IPMAT Cutoffs
With increasing awareness about the Integrated Program in Management and rising number of applicants, the IPMAT cutoff is expected to rise in the coming years. The expanding popularity of IIMs and the career opportunities associated with management education make this exam highly competitive.
Students preparing for the 2026 attempt should keep in mind that a target score of 280+ for IIM Indore and 240+ for IIM Rohtak would keep them in a safe zone.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, the answer to “What is the cutoff for IPMAT out of 400?” is not a fixed number but a range that depends on the difficulty level, number of applicants, and performance trends. From the analysis, we can say that 260–300 marks for IIM Indore and 220–260 marks for IIM Rohtak can be considered realistic cutoff ranges.
While the cutoff gives you an idea of the minimum score required, your preparation should always aim higher to remain on the safe side. Utilizing resources such as IPMAT solved paper 2026 and reliable IPMAT Books can play a crucial role in ensuring you achieve a score that not only clears the cutoff but also secures your place in the interview round.
Remember, the cutoff is just the first stage; consistent practice, exam temperament, and interview skills ultimately decide your final admission.