June 30, 2026
Overview: Looking for the IPMAT 2024 question paper? This guide covers everything you need to know about the actual IPMAT 2024 exam conducted by IIM Indore on May 23, 2024.
You'll find a detailed section-wise analysis, difficulty level, topic-wise weightage, good attempts, expected cutoffs, and a free downloadable IPMAT 2024 sample question paper for practice.
For students targeting the IPMAT 2027 entrance exam, solving and analysing previous-year IPMAT papers is one of the smartest ways to prepare.
This guide will help you understand exactly what the exam looks like and how you can improve your preparation
IPMAT 2024 Exam Date: May 23, 2024 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
IPMAT 2024 Conducting Body: IIM Indore
IPMAT 2024 Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
IPMAT 2024 Total Questions: 90
IPMAT 2024 Total Duration: 120 Minutes (40 Minutes per Section)
IPMAT 2024 Total Marks: 360
IPMAT 2024 Sections:
Quantitative Ability (Short Answer)
Quantitative Ability (MCQ)
Verbal Ability
IPMAT 2024 Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate
IPMAT 2024 Toughest Section: Quantitative Ability (MCQ)
IPMAT 2024 Good Overall Score: 210+ out of 360
The IPMAT question paper 2024 is the actual entrance exam conducted by IIM Indore for admission to its five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM).
This program allows students to begin their management studies right after Class 12, without first completing a separate bachelor's degree.
The exam was held on May 23, 2024 and included 90 questions divided into three sections:
Quantitative Ability (Short Answer)
Quantitative Ability (Multiple Choice)
Verbal Ability (Multiple Choice)
One unique feature of IPMAT is its sectional time limit. Each section has a strict 40-minute time limit, and students cannot switch between sections.
This means that time management is just as important as subject knowledge.
For students preparing for IPMAT 2027, the IPMAT 2024 question paper is one of the best resources for practice. It gives a clear idea about the difficulty level, topic-wise question distribution, and the question pattern that IIM Indore follows.
For genuinely exam-like practice, working through a properly structured IPMAT sample paper alongside this analysis gives you both the pattern recognition and the hands-on practice you need.
The IPMAT 2024 paper followed the same structure introduced in 2021, with three sections and no change to the negative marking scheme.
|
Section |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
Marking Scheme |
|
Quantitative Aptitude (Short Answer) |
15 |
60 |
+4 for correct, 0 for incorrect |
|
Quantitative Aptitude (MCQ) |
30 |
120 |
+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect |
|
Verbal Ability (MCQ) |
45 |
180 |
+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect |
|
Total |
90 |
360 |
— |
Each section had a strict 40-minute time limit, so candidates could not "borrow" time from one section to finish another.
This makes accuracy in the short-answer section especially important, since there's no penalty for wrong attempts there, but every minute lost is gone for good once the section closes.

The QA-SA section was rated easy to moderate by most test-takers, a slight relief compared to the toughness candidates often anticipate.
Since there's no negative marking here, this is the section where smart, calculated guessing pays off the most.
Key Highlights:
Topic-wise breakdown:
|
Topic |
Number of Questions |
|
Numbers, Fractions, Remainders, HCF, LCM |
1 |
|
Arithmetic %, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Averages |
3 |
|
Geometry, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Conics |
3 |
|
Logarithms, Surds and Indices |
1 |
|
Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities |
3 |
|
Functions, Graphs, Progressions, Binomial Theorem |
1 |
|
Determinants |
1 |
|
Statistics Median |
3 |
One surprise element this year was a set of three questions on statistics based on median values, a topic many aspirants don't prioritise heavily, yet it carried real weightage.
This is a good reminder to keep your maths preparation for IPMAT broad rather than narrowly focused on "high-frequency" chapters alone.
This section was the toughest part of the entire paper. With negative marking in play and a heavy Data Interpretation set, candidates had to make sharper calls about which questions to attempt.
Key Highlights:
Topic-wise breakdown:
|
Topic |
Number of Questions |
|
Logical Reasoning / Data Interpretation |
5 |
|
Numbers, Fractions, Remainders, HCF, LCM |
1–2 |
|
Arithmetic %, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Averages |
2–3 |
|
Time, Speed, Distance and Time & Work |
1–2 |
|
Geometry, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry |
6–7 |
|
Logarithms, Surds and Indices |
2–3 |
|
Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities |
2–3 |
|
Functions, Graphs, Progressions, Binomial Theorem |
2–3 |
|
Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination |
2–3 |
|
Matrices and Determinants |
1 |
The DI set was widely flagged as the most time-consuming part of the paper, while Set Theory, Surds & Indices, and Arithmetic questions were comparatively easier wins that smart candidates prioritized to clear the cutoff.
Given the heavy geometry and coordinate geometry weightage (6–7 questions alone), it's worth strengthening this area specifically; many students find structured practice through a 60-day IPMAT Indore preparation plan useful for tightening such high-weightage but often-neglected topics.
VA was the section where students could comfortably bank marks, rated easy to moderate overall, although the Para Jumble and Para Completion questions had a confusing twist this year.
Key Highlights:
Topic-wise breakdown:
|
Topic |
Number of Questions |
|
Reading Comprehension |
12 |
|
Fill in the Blanks |
4–5 |
|
Idioms and Phrases |
8 |
|
Para Completion |
5–6 |
|
Correct the Underlined Part (Error Correction) |
5–6 |
|
Para Jumbles (TITA format) |
5 |
|
Incorrect Word Usage |
5 |
The Para Jumble questions this year used a TITA (Type In The Answer) format rather than standard MCQ options, which threw off candidates who hadn't practiced this variant.
Para Completion options were also described as confusingly close to one another, requiring careful elimination rather than quick instinct.
Vocabulary and grammar-based questions, on the other hand, were straightforward for well-prepared students.
If verbal ability tends to be your weaker area, it's worth dedicating focused time using a structured IPMAT study plan that allocates daily reading and vocabulary-building blocks rather than last-minute cramming.
Here's the consolidated section-wise and overall benchmark for the IPMAT 2024 question paper:
|
Section |
Questions |
Good Attempts |
Good Score |
Cutoff |
|
QA (Short Answer) |
15 |
10+ |
32+ |
20–24 |
|
QA (MCQ) |
30 |
15+ |
48+ |
31–34 |
|
Verbal Ability |
45 |
35+ |
130+ |
115–118 |
|
Overall |
90 |
60+ |
210+ |
— |
Here are the 20 Practice questions taken from IPMAT 2024 question paper with their step-by-step explanations. Use these to improve your current preparation level against the real exam difficulty.
Q1. The number of factors of 1800 that are multiples of 6 is ________
Answer: 18
Explanation: 1800 = 2³ × 3² × 5² = 6 × (2² × 3¹ × 5²). The number of factors of 1800 that are multiples of 6 equals the number of factors of the bracketed part: (2+1)(1+1)(2+1) = 3 × 2 × 3 = 18.
Q2. In a group of 150 students, 52 like tea, 48 like juice, and 62 like coffee. If each student likes at least one drink, the maximum number of students who like more than one drink is ____
Answer: 12
Explanation: Using set theory, n(T)+n(J)+n(C) − n(T∪J∪C) = 162 − 150 = 12 = (y+z) + z, where y and z represent students liking exactly two and exactly three drinks respectively. The maximum value of (y+z) is 12, achieved when z = 0.
Q3. Let ABC be a triangle right-angled at B with AB = BC = 18. The area of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in this triangle with B as one vertex is ______
Answer: 81
Explanation: Using similar triangles (△AFE ~ △ABC), the rectangle's sides relate as y = x − 18. Maximizing area A = x(x−18) via differentiation gives x = 9, so maximum area = 9 × 9 = 81.
Q4. The price of a chocolate is increased by x% and then reduced by x%. The new price is 96.76% of the original price. Then x is ____
Answer: 18
Explanation: Final price = Original × (1+x%)(1−x%) = Original × [1 − (x%)²]. So 96.76 = 100 − x², giving x² = 3.24%, meaning x² = 324, so x = 18.
Q5. Person A borrows Rs. 4000 from B for 4 years, part at 3% SI and the rest at 4% SI. If B gets Rs. 520 total interest, the amount borrowed at 3% per annum is _______
Answer: 3000
Explanation: Let the amount at 3% be x. Then (x×3×4)/100 + ((4000−x)×4×4)/100 = 520. Solving: 13000 = 3x + 16000 − 4x, giving x = 3000.
Q6. The number of triangles with integer sides and perimeter 15 is _______
Answer: 7
Explanation: Using the triangle inequality (sum of any two sides > third side), the valid triangles are: one equilateral (5,5,5); three isosceles (7,7,1), (6,6,3), (4,4,7); and three scalene (7,6,2), (7,5,3), (6,5,4). Total = 7.
Q7. The angle of elevation of the top of a pole from point A is 30°. After moving 20 m towards the pole, the angle becomes 45°. The height of the pole, in metres, is:
(a) 30
(b) 15(√5+1)
(c) 20(√3+1)
(d) 10(√3+1)
Answer: (d) 10(√3+1)
Explanation: Let BD = x and height = h. From tan45° = h/x, we get h = x. From tan30° = h/(x+20) = 1/√3, substituting h = x gives h(√3−1) = 20, so h = 20/(√3−1) = 10(√3+1).
Q8. If |x+1| + (y+2)² = 0 and ax − 3ay = 1, then the value of a is:
(a) 1/5
(b) ½
(c) 1/7
(d) 2
Answer: (a) 1/5
Explanation: Since the sum of an absolute value and a perfect square equals 0, both terms must individually be 0. So x = −1 and y = −2. Substituting into ax − 3ay = 1: −a + 6a = 1, giving a = 1/5.
Q9. If 5 boys and 3 girls randomly sit around a circular table, the probability that there will be at least one boy between any two girls is:
(a) 2/7
(b) 1/7
(c) 1/4
(d) 1/3
Answer: (a) 2/7
Explanation: "At least one boy between any two girls" means no two girls sit together. Arrange 5 boys first: (5−1)! = 4! ways. Place 3 girls in the 5 available gaps: ⁵P₃ ways. Probability = (4! × ⁵P₃)/7! = 2/7.
Q10. Let a = (log₇4)(log₇5 − log₇2) / (log₇25)(log₇8 − log₇4). Then the value of 5^a is:
(a) 7/2
(b) 5
(c) 8
(d) 5/2
Answer: (d) 5/2
Explanation: Simplifying using logarithm properties: a = (log₇5 − log₇2)/log₇5 = 1 − log₅2. So 1−a = log₅2, which converts to 2 = 5^(1−a). This gives 5^a = 5/2.
Q11. The numbers 2^2024 and 5^2024 are expanded and their digits written out consecutively on one page. The total number of digits written is:
(a) 1987
(b) 2025
(c) 2065
(d) 2000
Answer: (b) 2025
Explanation: Number of digits = characteristic of log + 1. For 2^2024: log = 2024 × 0.301 = 609.28, giving 610 digits. For 5^2024: log = 2024 × 0.699 = 1414.71, giving 1415 digits. Total = 610 + 1415 = 2025. (This question tests strong fundamentals in logarithms a recurring high-weightage area; see our IPMAT maths preparation guide for more on building this skill.)
Q12. A boat goes 96 km upstream in 8 hours and covers the same distance downstream in 6 hours. Starting from point A, the boat goes downstream 1 hour, then upstream 1 hour, repeating this 5 times total. Then the boat would be:
(a) 22.5 km downstream of A
(b) 15 km downstream of A
(c) 12.5 km downstream of A
(d) 20 km downstream of A
Answer: (d) 20 km downstream of A
Explanation: Upstream speed = 96/8 = 12 km/h; downstream speed = 96/6 = 16 km/h. In each up-down cycle, net displacement = 16−12 = 4 km downstream. Over 5 such cycles: 4 × 5 = 20 km downstream of A.
Q13. If the shortest distance from a point to a circle is 4 cm and the longest distance is 9 cm, the radius of the circle is:
(a) 2.5 cm or 6.5 cm
(b) 6.5 cm
(c) 5 cm or 13 cm
(d) 2.5 cm
Answer: (a) 2.5 cm or 6.5 cm
Explanation: If the point lies outside the circle: 2r + 4 = 9, giving r = 2.5 cm. If the point lies inside the circle: 2r = 9 + 4 = 13, giving r = 6.5 cm. Both cases are valid, so the radius can be either.
Q14. In a survey of 500 people, 250 owned a 4-wheeler but not a 2-wheeler, 100 owned a 2-wheeler but not a 4-wheeler, and 100 owned neither. The number who owned both is:
(a) 75
(b) 60
(c) 50
(d) 100
Answer: (c) 50
Explanation: People owning at least one vehicle = 500 − 100 = 400. Using n(FW∪TW) = n(FW) + n(TW) − n(FW∩TW): 400 = 250 + 100 − n(FW∩TW), giving n(FW∩TW) = 50.
Q15. The greatest number among 2³⁰⁰, 3²⁰⁰, 4¹⁰⁰, 2¹⁰⁰+3¹⁰⁰ is:
(a) 3²⁰⁰
(b) 2¹⁰⁰+3¹⁰⁰
(c) 4¹⁰⁰
(d) 2³⁰⁰
Answer: (a) 3²⁰⁰
Explanation: Converting to a common exponent of 100: 3²⁰⁰ = 9¹⁰⁰, 4¹⁰⁰, and 2³⁰⁰ = 8¹⁰⁰. Among these, 9¹⁰⁰ (i.e., 3²⁰⁰) is largest. Since 2¹⁰⁰+3¹⁰⁰ < 2×3¹⁰⁰ < 3²⁰⁰, option (a) remains the greatest overall.
Q16. The number of real solutions of the equation x² − 10|x| − 56 = 0 is:
(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 2
(d) 1
Answer: (c) 2
Explanation: For x ≥ 0: x² − 10x − 56 = 0 → (x−14)(x+4) = 0, giving valid root x = 14. For x < 0: x² + 10x − 56 = 0 → (x+14)(x−4) = 0, giving valid root x = −14. Total real solutions = 2.
Q17. The phrase "that kicks in" (referring to the Graded Response Action Plan) means:
(a) gets rejected
(b) gains importance
(c) causes violence
(d) comes into force
Answer: (d) comes into force
Explanation: "Kicks in" idiomatically means a plan or system becomes activated or operational once certain conditions are met exactly describing how GRAP activates when air quality worsens.
Q18. My supervisor seemed to be in a bad mood because he __________ when I asked if I could leave an hour early.
(a) ate my head
(b) cut my voice
(c) bit my head off
(d) hit my ear off
Answer: (c) bit my head off
Explanation: "Bit my head off" is the standard English idiom for responding to someone angrily or harshly. The other options aren't recognized idiomatic expressions.
Q19. Anil could not go to his friend's party, as he had fever and was __________.
(a) beneath the weather
(b) under the weather
(c) outside the weather
(d) beside the weather
Answer: (b) under the weather
Explanation: "Under the weather" is the correct idiom meaning feeling unwell or sick, matching the context of Anil having a fever.
Q20. The students' picnic plans __________ when it started raining heavily in the morning.
(a) dropped out
(b) dropped off
(c) fell through
(d) fell behind
Answer: (c) fell through
Explanation: "Fell through" means a plan failed to materialise or was cancelled, precisely describing picnic plans disrupted by rain. The other phrasal verbs don't fit this meaning.
Many students assume the no-negative-marking section is "easier" and under-practice it. In reality, typing exact numerical answers without options removes the safety net of elimination, so accuracy here needs to be built through repetition rather than guesswork.
With 6–7 questions from this single area in QA-MCQ alone, this was one of the highest-weightage topics in the 2024 paper. Strengthening it pays disproportionate dividends.
The DI set was the single most time-draining part of the 2024 paper. Practicing table and graph-based sets with a strict timer helps you decide quickly whether a set is worth attempting at all.
The surprise median-based statistics set in 2024 is proof that IPMAT doesn't restrict itself to predictable high-frequency chapters. A well-rounded Quant preparation strategy for IPMAT that covers the full syllabus, not just frequently tested areas, protects you from such surprises.
The 2024 paper's shift to TITA-style para jumbles caught several students off guard. Practising this specific format, rather than only MCQ-based jumbles, closes a common gap.
Since IPMAT candidates are typically appearing for board exams in the same academic year, managing both simultaneously is one of the biggest real-world challenges. If this resonates with you, this guide on managing IPMAT preparation alongside board exams is worth reading early in your prep cycle.
Whether you have a full year or a tighter runway, structure matters more than hours logged. Explore a one-year IPMAT preparation strategy or, if time is short, a last-minute IPMAT preparation guide depending on where you currently stand.
While IPMAT Indore's QA-MCQ leans into DI and set theory rather than classic logical reasoning, related skills like pattern recognition are still tested. A quick refresher through coding-decoding practice for IPMAT can sharpen this lateral thinking.
A first-time aspirant and a dropper approach the same paper very differently. If you're unsure how your prep timeline should differ, this comparison of droppers vs. freshers IPMAT preparation strategy breaks it down clearly.
IPMAT selection doesn't end with the question paper; a Personal Interview round follows. Once you're confident in your written prep, start early with IPM mock interview preparation and detailed IPM interview preparation tips so you're not scrambling after results.
Reading the IPMAT 2024 question paper analysis in isolation only tells half the story.
Understanding how an actual aspirant navigated the same paper their time allocation, section order, and recovery from tough questions often reveals practical lessons that no topic-wise breakdown can.
This real preparation story of an IPMAT aspirant is worth reading alongside this analysis for exactly that reason.
IPMAT 2024 vs Other Years: How Does the Difficulty Compare?
|
Aspect |
IPMAT 2024 |
General Trend |
|
QA-SA Difficulty |
Easy to Moderate |
Historically the toughest section, but 2024 was relatively manageable |
|
QA-MCQ Difficulty |
Difficult |
DI sets consistently among the hardest elements year over year |
|
VA Difficulty |
Easy to Moderate |
TITA-format para jumbles were a new twist in 2024 |
|
Overall Pattern |
90 Qs / 360 marks / 120 min |
Pattern has remained largely stable since the 2021 revision |
This consistency across years is exactly why solving the IPMAT 2024 question paper remains relevant practice even if you're appearing in a later cycle the structure, topic distribution, and difficulty calibration carry forward closely.
Conclusion
The IPMAT 2024 question paper offers a clear, data-backed window into how IIM Indore structures and calibrates its entrance test: moderately difficult overall, with the QA-MCQ section as the real differentiator and Verbal Ability as the section where well-prepared students can pull ahead.
Practicing this exact paper, understanding where good attempts and good scores land, and building your preparation around the topic weightages outlined above gives you a genuine edge over generic prep.
Pair this analysis with a structured plan whether that's the IPMAT Indore-specific study plan or a broader IPMAT preparation roadmap and you'll be approaching your attempt with both the data and the discipline you need to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions were there in the IPMAT 2024 question paper?

Is there negative marking in the IPMAT 2024 question paper?

What is considered a good score in the IPMAT 2024 question paper?

Which was the toughest section in the IPMAT 2024 question paper?

Where can I get the IPMAT 2024 sample question paper PDF for practice?

What topics had the highest weightage in IPMAT 2024?

SHARE