IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026 [Difficulty Level, Good Attempts & Expected Cut Off]

IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026: The IIM Bangalore UG Admissions Test 2026 is one of the most-awaited undergraduate entrance exams this season. The exam was conducted on 13 December 2025 across multiple test centers in India. Here are the major observations of the IIM Bangalore 2026 Exam:

Key Takeaway of IIM Bangalore 2026 Exam:

• Students rated the overall difficulty as moderate, with VARC being the easiest, LRDI easy but slightly lengthy, and QA on the moderate side with a few challenging areas. The paper was balanced with no major surprises.
• Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning emerged as strong scoring opportunities.
• Arithmetic was comparatively tougher; QA demanded conceptual clarity and speed.
• Data Interpretation was calculative, requiring precision and accuracy.
• QA Level of Difficulty (LOD) was slightly higher than mocks, while other sections followed the mock pattern closely.
• Students who maintained accuracy and controlled their attempts are expected to perform well.
• The sectional time limits emphasized speed, smart prioritization, and time management.

Read on to know the complete exam analysis of IIM Bangalore exam with us!

IIM Bangalore UG Admission Test 2026 – IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026 Overview

The IIM Bangalore UG entrance test (often referred to as the IIMB UG Admissions Test / IIMB UG-AT) is the primary shortlisting tool for admission to the following programmes:

• BSc (Hons) Economics
• BSc (Hons) Data Science

Exam Name	IIM Bangalore UG Admissions Test 2026
Conducting Body	Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
Programmes Covered	BSc (Hons) Economics & BSc (Hons) Data Science
Academic Year	2026–27 (first cohort of UG programmes)
Exam Date	13 December 2025
Mode of Exam	Computer-based test (online)
Duration	120 minutes
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Questions	60
Marking Scheme	+1 mark for every correct answer −1/3 mark for every incorrect answer (negative marking) 0 marks for unattempted questions (to be confirmed by final instructions)
Stage in Selection	Stage 1 written exam – carries 60% weightage in final selection (combined with 40% Personal Interview)

IIM Bangalore Exam Pattern 2026 – Section-Wise Structure

As per the official structure and shared pattern details, the IIM Bangalore UG entrance test follows a 3-section, 60-question, 120-minute pattern with negative marking.

Section-wise Question Distribution

Section	No. of Questions	Duration (Overall)	Nature of Questions
English Comprehension / Verbal Ability	15	Part of 120 mins	RC passages, vocabulary, grammar, and basic verbal reasoning
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation	30	Part of 120 mins	Arithmetic, algebra, basic math, and data interpretation sets
Logical / Analytical Reasoning	15	Part of 120 mins	Puzzles, arrangements, series, coding–decoding, logical sets
Total	60	120 minutes	MCQ-based aptitude test

Marking Scheme

• +1 mark for every correct answer
• −1/3 mark for every incorrect answer (negative marking)
• 0 marks for unattempted questions (to be confirmed by final instructions)

IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026 – Overall Difficulty (Updated)

Overall Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

• The paper felt similar to the official mocks with no unexpected pattern changes.
• Time management was not a challenge in DILR or VARC, though QA required extra focus due to lengthy arithmetic problems.
• Most found the test balanced but not easy — manageable with smart attempt strategy and conceptual clarity.

Section-Wise IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026

1. IIMB Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026: English / Verbal Ability

Overall level: Easy and Doable

Reading Comprehension (RC):Two passages:

1. One on an eyesight improvement drive for women.
2. Another related to shifts in healthcare focus and longevity.

Both RCs were short, direct, and easy to comprehend.

Total RC Questions: 8 (4 per passage) — all were easy with direct inference and fact-based questions

• 2 questions on grammar and usage-based fillers.
• 1–2 questions on vocabulary and word usage.
• No tricky para-jumbles or summary questions were reported.

Student reaction: Many found this section simpler than mocks and a good scoring area.

Average Attempts: Around 15–18, with high accuracy expected.

Section	Details
Section Name	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Overall Level	Very Easy
Reading Comprehension (RC)	Two short passages: - One on an eyesight improvement drive for women. - Another on shifts in healthcare focus and longevity.
RC Characteristics	Short, direct, and easy to comprehend.
Total RC Questions	8 questions (4 per passage) — all easy with direct inference and fact-based questions.
Verbal Ability	- 2 questions on grammar and usage-based fillers. - 1–2 questions on vocabulary and word usage. - No tricky para-jumbles or summary questions reported.
Student Reaction	Many found the section simpler than mocks and considered it a good scoring area.
Average Attempts	Around 15–18 questions, with high accuracy expected.

2. IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026: Data Interpretation and Quantitative Ability

Overall level: Moderate

Topic-wise distribution:

• Algebra: High weightage; included questions on functions (one-one, onto) and matrices (2 questions).
• Arithmetic: Moderate difficulty — time-consuming but doable.
• Calculus: Around 6 questions, consistent with recent trends.
• Number System: 1 question.
• Geometry: 1 question.

Data Interpretation (within QA): Easy but lengthy.

Students noted that while arithmetic was not overly tough, algebra required conceptual clarity, making it the trickiest part of QA.

Average Attempts: Around 20 questions, with 16 likely correct on average.

3. IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026: Logical Reasoning

Overall level: Easy to Moderate

Structure:

• 2 DI sets (Graph + Pie Chart) — both were easy but calculative and lengthy.
• Around 8 DI questions in total.

Logical Reasoning Topics Covered:

• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Number Series and Alphabetical Series
• Data Sufficiency
• Arrangement-based questions

Students reported the section to be lengthy but not conceptually tough, with patterns similar to the mocks.

Those who managed speed found this section scoring.

Average Attempts: 14–16 questions, with good accuracy possible.

Section	Details
Overall Level	Easy to Moderate
Structure	2 DI sets (Graph + Pie Chart) — both were easy but calculative and slightly lengthy.
Total DI Questions	Around 8 questions in total.
Logical Reasoning Topics Covered	- Coding-Decoding - Number Series and Alphabetical Series - Data Sufficiency - Arrangement-based questions
Student Feedback	Section was lengthy but not conceptually tough, similar in pattern to the mocks.
Performance Insight	Students with good speed found it to be a scoring section.
Average Attempts	Around 14–16 questions, with good accuracy possible.

Good Attempts & Ideal Score in IIM Bangalore Exam 2026

This section gives an indicative idea of what could be considered a good attempt range in the paper. It will be refined after the actual exam based on student performance and feedback.

Expected Good Attempts (Template)

Section	Total Questions	Expected Good Attempts (Range)
English / Verbal Ability	15	13+
Data Interpretation and QA	30	16+
Logical Reasoning	20	12+

A student aiming for a shortlist to IIM Bangalore’s BSc (Hons) Economics or BSc (Hons) Data Science should ideally target accurate attempts in the 43–50 range out of 60, with minimal negative marking. Accuracy is more important than blind guesswork because of the −1/3 negative marking for incorrect answers.

IIM Bangalore Expected Cut Off 2026 – BSc (Hons) Economics & Data Science

Official cut-offs will only be known after the exam and shortlisting round. However, we know that the final selection is based on a composite score where:

• The Entrance Test score carries 60% weightage
• The Personal Interview score carries 40% weightage

Here is the expected cutoff for IIM Bangalore 2026 Exam:

Section	Expected Cut-Off
English Comprehension	30–32
Logical Reasoning	30–33
QA & DI	44-48

Disclaimer: These bands are purely indicative based on expected difficulty, competition level, and limited intake. Actual cut-offs may go up or down once IIM Bangalore releases the official shortlist.

IIM Bangalore UG Selection Process 2026 – What Happens After the Exam?

UG admissions to IIM Bangalore follow a two-stage selection process.

Stage 1: Entrance Test (60% Weightage)

• Candidates appear for the IIMB UG Admissions Test on 13 December 2025.
• Scores in this test are used to shortlist candidates for the Personal Interview (PI).

Stage 2: Personal Interview (40% Weightage)

• Shortlisted candidates are called for an online or offline Personal Interview (as notified by IIMB).
• The final selection is based on a composite score that includes:
  • Entrance Test Score – 60%
  • PI Performance – 40%

As per typical academic timelines, PI rounds are expected around January 2026, with final offers being rolled out by late February or early March (tentative and subject to official updates).

IIM Bangalore Exam Analysis 2026 – What It Means for Future Aspirants (2027 & Beyond)

The first few years of the IIM Bangalore UG Admissions Test will set the benchmark pattern for future aspirants. If you are currently in Class 11 or early Class 12 and planning to target IIMB’s UG programmes, the IIMB Bangalore Exam Analyiss 2026 paper will give crucial insights.

• Pattern Stability: Expect the 3-section, 60-question, 120-minute pattern with English, Quant + DI, and Logical Reasoning to continue in the coming years, with only minor tweaks.
• Maths Matters: Strong fundamentals in school-level mathematics will play a big role, especially for BSc (Hons) Data Science. Arithmetic and Algebra will be central.
• Profile + Performance: With a 60:40 balance between exam and interview, communication skills, academic consistency, and clarity of goals will be important for final selection.

Prep guidance for future aspirants:

• Start focused preparation from Class 11 or early Class 12.
• Strengthen fundamentals in Arithmetic, Algebra, and basic Data Interpretation.
• Develop a habit of reading editorials and analysis pieces to improve English comprehension.
• Regularly attempt full-length mock tests simulating the 60-question, 2-hour pattern.

Official Website: https://www.iimb.ac.in/