IPMAT 2025: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Preparation

Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) is perhaps the toughest entrance exam for those who aspire to pursue the extravagant five-year Integrated Programme in Management in IIMs. With IPMAT 2025 knocking at the door, the aspirants have to form a systematic and logical approach to getting a good rank. But the majority of the students commit serious mistakes during preparation which affect their performance to a huge extent.

To ensure your success, we at CH Edgemakers have enumerated the top five things you should not do while preparing for IPMAT 2025 and how to correct them.

1.⁠ ⁠Not Being Aware of the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The most frequent blunder that students commit is beginning preparation without being aware of the exam pattern and syllabus. IPMAT consists of three fundamental sections:

Quantitative Ability (MCQs) – Tests numeracy and problem-solving ability through multiple-choice questions.
Quantitative Ability (Short Answer Questions) – Short answers have to be provided in written form to test clarity of concept and application of mathematical thought.
Verbal Ability (MCQs) – Tests grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning.

Various kinds of questions in a section need different preparation approaches. Not knowing the syllabus will lead to wastage of efforts on non-material areas and diversion towards high-weighting areas.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Start with conducting systematic research. Go through the official IPMAT syllabus and study the weightage of different topics.
Study the previous years’ papers. It helps to learn the frequently asked topics and create your study schedule accordingly.
Take expert guidance from CH Edgemakers. Our mentors will provide a structured plan and valuable insights on what to study and how to tackle different question types effectively.

2.⁠ ⁠Overlooking Time Management

Only proper time management can be used to crack IPMAT. The majority of the candidates are unable to finish the paper within the time provided because of a lack of proper time management and no practice within a stipulated time period.

Types of problems that are most likely to be encountered with ease:

Spending too much time on difficult questions and not even trying to solve the comparatively easy ones.
Spending a lot of time attempting quant questions since they are not able to practice.
Practice in mock tests under timed conditions is not suitable, and hence they panic during the actual test.

Prevention Strategy:

Timed practice. Set the timer and practice gradually increasing your speed.
Practice section tests and do mocks regularly. Practice un-timed first to get ideas and then move to timed tests.
Understand shortcut methods and solving methods in a productive way in the able hands of CH Edgemakers’ experienced faculty to gain productivity and perfection.

3.⁠ ⁠Quant or Verbal Ability single solving

All students overindulge either in Quantitative Ability or in Verbal Ability, based on their convenience.
IPMAT requires balance, however, as both the sections carry heavy weightage.

Effect of This Weakness:

A poor Verbal Ability component can pull your overall score down, regardless of how well your Quant is.
A poor Quantitative Ability output may create a positive impression on your chances for selection.
Most students do not know how crucial a balanced strategy is and miss precious marks due to unbalanced preparation.

Don’t Do This Mistake:

Create an even study schedule. Invest equal daily time in Quant and Verbal.
Know your weak areas and practice them well rather than leaving them behind. Quant being your weak area, begin with simple ideas and then graduate to difficult problems. Verbal being your weak area, develop a reading culture and enhance your vocabulary.
Individual guidance from CH Edgemakers to receive round-the-clock preparation with equal importance given to both halves.

4.⁠ ⁠Not Solving Enough Mock Tests

Not practicing mocks is the biggest blunder made by students. Most of the candidates appear for a set of tests but do not practice their errors, losing a chance to enhance their performance.

Shunning This Blunder

Practice full-length mocks under timed exam conditions at least twice a week at advanced stages of preparation.
Go through and correct your mistakes after every mock test. Check if mistakes are conceptual, calculation mistakes, or in timed conditions.
Track progress. Mark the scores of the mock test to track progress and weaknesses.
Enhance accuracy. Instead of attempting all questions randomly, try questions with a high hit ratio.

Be a part of the full-length CH Edgemaker mock test series. Get access to good mocks, actual exam-like simulations, and expert’s comments to refine your strategy.

5.⁠ ⁠Forgetting the Personal Interview

All the candidates stress getting through only the IPMAT written exam but fail to even prepare for the second round, i.e., Personal Interview (PI) . As the final call is taken after both rounds are evaluated, not preparing for PI can disqualify you from a seat.

Why This is a Lethal Weakness:

No matter how well your written score is, you can never get selected if you fail to crack the interview.
Poor communication and failing to articulate what you have in your mind may be due to poor preparation.
PI also need practice because last minute preparation is not sufficient.

How to Steer Clear of This Folly

Practice PI at least two months before taking the test.
Observe what is going on around you. Read the newspapers, watch TV business news, and keep informed on trends.
Write essays formally. Practice making connections between ideas and summarizing them briefly and succinctly.
Practice communication and interviewing. Conduct mock interviews at CH Edgemakers and get professional feedback and practice speaking.
Join group discussions and debates to acclimate yourself to public speaking and learn public speaking skills.

IPMAT 2025 breaking has to be done with foresight and caution. Steering clear of the five pitfalls and adhering to a well-defined study plan, you can increase your success probability manifold. We at CH Edgemakers offer master guidance, one-to-one coaching, and result-oriented approach to realize your dream of becoming an “IIMian”.