Common Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for IPMAT Exam 2026

Overview: Discover the mistakes to avoid while preparing for IPMAT 2026 and learn smart strategies to secure one of the coveted seats in IIM's Integrated Program in Management.

Preparing for the IPMAT can be one of the best decisions for your management career, but even the best students fall into common traps that cost them valuable marks. 

This blog will highlight the top mistakes to avoid while preparing for IPMAT 2026. 

From ignoring mock tests to misjudging time management, we’ll help you pinpoint your pitfalls and let you stay on track for success. 

Let’s ensure your IPMAT journey is mistake-free!

Download Free Study Material for IPMAT 2026 by Supergrads

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing For IPMAT 2026

After some research, we have gathered seven mistakes students tend to commit while preparing for the IPMAT exam.

We do not want you to waste your valuable time, so please remember these things. 

Let's check the common mistakes students make while preparing for IPMAT. 

Mistake 1 - Not Reading Newspapers & Editorials Daily

• Stay Informed, Stay Ahead: IPMAT's evolving nature makes staying updated crucial. Reading the newspaper daily informs you about current affairs and strengthens your verbal skills.
• Double Dose of Knowledge: Make "The Hindu" and "Indian Express" your daily companions. 
• Power Up Your Verbal Ability: Newspapers offer a rich source of vocabulary, grammar usage, and diverse writing styles—all essential for aceing the Verbal Ability section.

Mistake 2 - Not Being Able to Identify the Best Study Materials or Resources

• Focus on the Best: While exploring various books is helpful initially, prioritising key resources is highly recommended for IPMAT.
• Time is Precious: With limited time, choose quality over quantity. Focus on in-depth mastery of a few impactful IPMAT books and materials.
• Match Your Needs: Stay updated! If the IPMAT exam pattern or syllabus changes, adapt your resources. Don't waste time on books covering omitted sections.

Prepare with Online Lectures for IPMAT 2026 by Supergrads

Mistake 3 - Not Thoroughly Preparing for Mathematics

• Strategic Focus: Since Math is crucial, prioritise concepts with the highest weightage in the IPMAT syllabus. It could also help in your logical reasoning section. 
• Active Learning: Move beyond memorization. Focus on understanding core mathematical principles for better problem-solving.
• Develop Speed: Time management is key in IPMAT. Practice timed mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Identify Your Weaknesses: Take practice tests regularly and analyze your mistakes. Dedicate extra time to mastering those weak areas.
• Master the Basics: Focus on core concepts from Classes 10, 11 and 12 Mathematics.

Around 18,000 to 20,000 students will attend IPMAT 2026, but the university offers only 150 seats.

You cannot get into the institute without focusing on IPMAT math preparation and preparing thoroughly in this critical area.

So, practice maths daily. Let your timetable have a variety of topics from all subjects. 

Mistake 4 - Leaving Too Much for the End

Revision is important; you need time to revise much of the syllabus! 

Don't leave the difficult or the easy topics for the end. While preparing, have a mix of easy and tough topics so you don't feel overwhelmed or anxious. 

Your liking of a topic does not hold any precedence; any topic that holds more weightage must be covered and revised. Therefore, you must be sure to revise and prepare for them. 

Mistake 5 - Just to Save Time, They Don’t Make Good Notes Regularly

Generally, students don’t take notes because they think it's time-consuming and unnecessary, and they also don't know how to take good notes.

Allot 30 minutes in your IPMAT Study Plan to prepare notes on quantitative aptitude and verbal ability.

Preparing notes is found to be very fruitful during your revision time. 

We suggest that you take proper notes and use coloured pens to make them attractive. Writing your notes will make you feel much more familiar with the material. 

Making notes will take a lot of time when you are studying, but it will be worth it when you revise each topic and don’t have to spend your whole day practising one topic.

While making notes, it will take 2 to 3 hours to complete one topic, but in the end, during your revision period, it will take hardly 10 minutes to recall the topic and revise it thoroughly. 

Each subject must be maintained in different notebooks. 

This is one of the biggest Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for IPMAT, so be careful.

Read: How do you prepare for IPMAT 2026 in one month?

Mistake 6 - Starting Your Mocks Test Late

Generally, students start practising mock tests late or practice mock tests but not as much as is required to crack the IPMAT entrance examination.

Listen!! Do not wait to cover your syllabus to start your preparations. Mocks are very important and clearly define your performance on the test. 

We understand that most class 12th pass-out students are taught in school first to complete the syllabus and then practice sample papers or mock tests. However, this does not apply to this type of national-level entrance examination.

Students must give at least 50 to 70 full and partial mock tests before the final exam.  

Taking mocks will help you determine your weak and strong sections, allowing you to dedicate more time to the sections you need.

You have been given an exam duration of 120 minutes; you must be fast to attempt as many questions as you can. 

You can get this experience and learn time management only by taking mocks and not just studying books. 

If you cannot regularly attempt IPMAT Mock Tests or the sectional tests, you can’t improve your speed and accuracy to attempt the examination.

Mistake 7 - Not Having a Proper Plan of Preparation

When you wake up in the morning, you should have a proper preparation plan ready.

You can be in class 12th or drop out! It doesn't matter as long as you have a good strategy. Once you prepare a feasible timetable, stick to your plan and meet targets. 

You must sit down and make a timetable that works for you. Your friend's timetable may not adjust to your schedule, so understand your capabilities and prepare a study plan. 

Make sure you meet your targets daily. If you achieve them regularly, you're on the right track and need not worry. Love what you learn! With a negative mindset and lousy attitude, it's unlikely to clear the exam. 

Read: IPMAT Dropper Strategy

Strategies for Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for IPMAT 2026

After addressing 'Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for IPMAT', let's know the strategies to follow during the prep.

Here are some specific strategies to address each one:

Startegy 1: Be Thorough With Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• Start by thoroughly understanding the IPMAT 2025 exam pattern and detailed syllabus for Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning (if applicable).
• Prioritize topics with higher weightage based on previous year trends. This helps you focus your efforts efficiently.

Download Free PYPs with Solutions for IPMAT 2026 by Supergrads

Strategy 2: Practice Enough Mock Tests

• Incorporate weekly mock tests into your study plan.
• Simulate real exam conditions to improve time management, boost confidence, and identify weak areas.
• Analyze each mock thoroughly to work on your accuracy and speed.

Strategy 3: Proper Time Management

• Create a balanced timetable that covers all three sections, with more time allocated to your weaker subjects.
• Use time-blocking techniques and stick to short, focused study sessions to avoid burnout.

Read: Current Affairs PDF for Competitive exams

Strategy 4: Choose the Right Study Material

• While coaching material is useful, try to diversify your resources.
• For doubt-solving and concept reinforcement, refer to NCERT, standard reference books like RS Aggarwal or Arun Sharma, and use online platforms like TopRankers.

Strategy 5: Revise Regularly

• Designate weekly revision days. Make short notes, flashcards, and formula sheets to revise key concepts quickly.

Strategy 6: Keep a Positive Mindset

• IPMAT prep can be mentally exhausting. Build healthy habits like walking, meditation, or journaling to stay focused and avoid burnout.
• A calm and confident mind can perform better under pressure.

Best Books for IPMAT Preparation 2026

There are many books available both online and offline. With lots of materials available online, it can be quite confusing to pick the right one. 

The following are some of the best IPMAT books you can consider for your preparation.

Sr. No.	Books	Author/Publisher
1	IIM IPMAT Preparation Books	Supergrads
2	Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams	R.S. Aggarwal
3	Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis
4	Brush Up Your English	ST Imam
5	ML Agarwal Books for Classes 11th and 12th (ICSE Course Books)	ML Agarwal
6	Magical Book on Quicker Maths	M. Tyra

Apart from this, you can enroll for TopRankers Crash Course for 360-degree IPMAT prep.

IPMAT Entrance Exam 2026 Highlights

The Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) is a national-level management entrance examination conducted for young, talented, hardworking students pursuing careers in Management, Business Analytics, Marketing, Sales, etc.

You will be admitted to one of India's most prestigious management colleges upon clearing the IPMAT entrance exam.

Feature	Details
Medium of Exam	English only
Frequency	Once a year
Application Mode	Online
Application Fee	General: Rs. 4,130, SC/ST/PwD: INR 2065
Candidates Appeared (2024)	28,596 candidates
Exam Duration	2 hours (120 minutes)
Exam Sections	VA, SA, MCQs

This article emphasizes the importance of strategic and focused preparation for IPMAT 2025 aspirants.

It highlights the mistakes to avoid while preparing for IPMAT, such as neglecting regular newspaper reading, poor selection of study materials, inadequate mathematics preparation, inefficient note-making, and delayed mock test practice.

The conclusion stresses that adhering to these guidelines can significantly increase the chances of success in this competitive exam.

Read: Crucial Concepts of Coding and Decoding For IPMAT 2026

Attend Free Demo Classes to Prepare for IPMAT 2026 Exam

Key Takeaways

• Regularly reading newspapers and editorials enhances your current affairs knowledge and strengthens your verbal ability skills, which are crucial for the IPMAT exam.
• Prioritize key resources recommended for IPMAT and focus on in-depth mastery of a few impactful books rather than spreading your efforts too thin across many resources.
• Prioritizing understanding core mathematical concepts and practising regularly to develop speed and accuracy are essential for the IPMAT's quantitative section.
• Avoid leaving too much revision for the end. Mix easy and tough topics during preparation to ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid last-minute stress.
• During your study sessions, invest time in creating detailed notes for each topic. These notes will be invaluable for quick revision before the exam.
• Start taking mock tests early in your preparation. Regular practice will help you manage time better during the exam and improve your performance through repeated testing and feedback.
• Create a realistic and personalized study schedule that addresses your strengths and weaknesses. Stick to your plan and adjust it to ensure all topics are covered adequately.
• After each mock test or practice session, analyze your performance to identify weak areas and focus on improving them. This continuous improvement is key to excelling in IPMAT.
• Use various learning techniques, such as mind maps, flowcharts, and spaced repetition, to enhance information retention and recall.
• Utilize recommended books and materials tailored to the IPMAT syllabus, ensuring that your preparation is aligned with the exam's requirements and structure.
• Don't forget the above 'Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for IPMAT 2026'.

Read: One-Year Preparation Strategy For IPMAT 2026