The exam for the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) in 2026, known as IPMAT 2026, will be held on May 4, 2026 . Applications are expected to start in the second week of February 2026 . Many students preparing for IPMAT are also studying for their Class 12 board exams. A recent survey by Shiksha.com shows how students are managing both.
The survey found that 41% of students have not yet started preparing for the IPMAT exam. These students plan to focus on their Class 12 board exams first and then start IPMAT preparation. For those who have started preparing, here is how they are spending their time:
| Hours spent on IPMAT daily | Percentage of students |
| 1 to 2 hours | 34% |
| 3 to 5 hours | 15% |
| 6 hours or more | 10% |
Preparing for IPMAT and Board Exams Together
Students can use the time before their board exams to understand the basic concepts for IPMAT. They can also practice with sample papers. Once the board exams are finished, students can spend more time preparing for IPMAT, focusing on finishing the syllabus and taking mock tests.
Here is a suggested study plan for students preparing for both exams:
| Time left before exams | Focus |
| 6 months (Before Pre-Boards) | 70% on Boards, 30% on IPMAT |
| 3 months (Pre-Boards to Boards) | 50% on Boards, 50% on IPMAT |
| 1 month (Pre-Boards to Boards) | 80% on Boards, 20% on IPMAT |
| After Boards | 100% on IPMAT preparation and revision |
The official website of IIM Indore will soon announce the exact dates for filling out the IPMAT 2026 application form. It is expected that the forms will be available in the second week of February 2026 .
Key IPMAT Sections and Preparation Tips
The Quantitative Aptitude section is usually the longest and can be challenging because it requires a lot of calculations. Good time management and practice are very important for this section.
There is no separate time limit for each section in the IPMAT exam. Students must answer all questions within the total exam time.
The Verbal Skills section includes Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. Common topics in Verbal Ability include:
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Grammar
- Fill in the blanks
- Vocabulary
- Parajumbles
- Idioms and Phrases
- Error Identification
- Para Completion
- Confusing words
- Articles and Prepositions
- Sentence Correction
