IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Which Exam Is Better for Management Aspirants?

IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Which Exam Is Better for Management Aspirants?

Alen Tom ShajiUpdated on 22 Dec 2025, 06:07 PM IST

IPMAT or CAT which is better among the two? Well, considering the target audience both the management programs are suited for different types of candidates. The major differentiating factor between the two is the accessibility or eligibility to each program. Candidates can appear for an IPMAT exam right after they finish school but to take the CAT exam a candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. It depends on a particular candidate's preferences and career goals, and which one is better suited for them.

LiveIIM CAT 2025 Result (OUT) LIVE: MBA admission criteria for IIMs; CAT score weightage, cut-offsDec 26, 2025 | 11:01 PM IST

IIM Kozhikode will retain its three-stage admission process for the MBA (PGP) 2026–28 batch, with CAT 2025 scores carrying a final weightage of 35 percent. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile, with sectional qualifying scores required in VARC, DILR, and QA. Shortlisting of candidates will be based on CAT performance, academic record, and personal interview rounds.

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This Story also Contains

  1. IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Which is Better?
  2. IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Syllabus
  3. IPMAT or CAT 2025: Pros and Cons
  4. IPMAT or CAT 2025: Which is Better to choose
IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Which Exam Is Better for Management Aspirants?
IPMAT vs CAT

IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Which is Better?

IPMAT or CAT which is better alternative for a management aspirant. Through IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test) candidates can become eligible for applying to the five-year integrated management program offered by various IIMs and other top B-Schools. CAT on the other hand allows candidates to apply for a regular MBA program offered by any of the MBA colleges across India (given that the particular college accepts CAT scores for MBA admission.

IPMAT or CAT 2025: Key Differences

Knowing the major differences between the two MBA entrance exams can provide a defined edge in understanding which is best for them. The key differences between IPMAT and CAT exams are listed in the table given below.

Aspect

IPMAT

CAT

Purpose

Specific for applying to the IPM program only.

For admission to all kinds of MBA, PGDM, and MMS programs offered by various institutes across the country.

Target Audience

Primarily for students who have just finished school (10+2).

For graduates wanting to pursue a career in the field of management.

Exam Structure

Includes exam sections on Quantitative Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Verbal Ability.

Includes three exam sections VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

IPMAT vs CAT difficulty Level

Less difficult. Easy to Moderate

Can be considered between moderate to difficult.

Frequency

Once every year.

Once every year.

Admission Process

After the exam, the applicants who clear the IPMAT cutoff for the respective college are required to participate in the GD/PI round for final selection.

Applicants clearing the CAT cutoff for the applied college will have to go through the selection process involving GD/PI rounds.

Accepting Colleges

All the major B-Schools across India.

IPMAT vs CAT 2025: Syllabus

Both the IPMAT and CAT exams are conducted to analyse the language proficiency and logical and quantitative skills of the applicants. The IPMAT exam is a 2-hour exam with 120 questions on topics such as Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability, and the CAT exam is a 2-hour, with 68 questions from topics like Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.

IPMAT or CAT 2025: Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of IPMAT and CAT are mentioned below.

Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT)

Pros

Cons

  • Early Start

  • Limited Institution

  • Integrated Program

  • Less Recognised

  • Less Competition

  • Low networking opportunities

  • Specific and focused program curriculum


Common Admission Test (CAT)

Pros

Cons

  • Accepted all over

  • Highly Competitive

  • Comprehensive Evaluation

  • High Cutoff for IIMs

  • Networking opportunities


  • Recognition


IPMAT or CAT 2025: Which is Better to choose

The ideal situation for a candidate to choose between the IPMAT or CAT exam is described below.

  • Choose IPMAT if you have recently completed school looking for an early introduction to a management and business administration program. Ideal for candidates who prefer a structured pathway from graduation to post-graduation. But candidates should be able to the program for five whole years.

  • Choose CAT if you are a graduate with no or some work experience in any professional domain. CAT is ideal for candidates aiming for a wide range of prestigious institutions to pursue an MBA program from and are prepared for a highly competitive admission process.

BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026

AACSB Accredited | Highest CTC: 22 LPA | Last Date: 31st December 2025

Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is CAT better than IPMAT?
A:

CAT can be considered better than IPMAT as it is a much more flexible alternative for MBA aspirants. However, candidates wanting a structured management program from graduation to postgraduation can go for IPMAT.

Q: What is the acceptance rate for the IPMAT?
A:

The IPMAT acceptance rate is a mere 0.006 i.e. for every 1000 applicants only 6 or 7 can make it to the final merit list. Apart from the IPMAT score the Personal Interview round also carries a significant weightage in the overall selection process. The weightage of the Personal Interview is 35%.

Q: What is a good score for CAT?
A:

A good CAT score will depend on the college that a candidate aims for. If the goal is to pursue an MBA from IIMs then a good score would be percentile between 98-99.9. Other than IIMs a percentile between 90-99 would be considered good enough.

Q: What is the eligibility for IPMAT?
A:

The eligibility criteria for IPMAT exam include 60% marks in 12th standard for General category candidates and 55% marks for reserved category candidates. Along with that a valid IPMAT scorecard clearing the cutoff will also be required.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

With 84.91 percentile in CAT (General, male, no work experience), top colleges like IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, etc. are not possible. You may get calls from private institutes such as IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, XIME, SDMIMD, Welingkar (some programs) and similar colleges. Universities like Amity or LPU are also options.

It’s better to choose carefully, as placements and ROI may be average. Reattempting CAT or trying XAT/CMAT could improve options.

Hello,

With a CAT percentile of 88.77 and a strong CGPA of 9.0, you are in a competitive range for newer IIMs (like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Nagpur) and several top non-IIM B-schools such as TAPMI, BIM Trichy, Great Lakes, IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. You may not reach the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.) since they usually require 98+ percentile, but you have excellent chances at mid-tier and emerging institutes.

For more details access mentioned link below:

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-cutoff-2025-category-wise-iims-iits-top-mba-colleges-cutoff

Hope it helps.

Hello

The expected cutoff for the JAP (Joint Admission Process) is around 90 to 95th percentile, with a minimum sectional cutoff of around 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability. You have scored 82.2% which is very low; that's why you are unlikely to meet the minimum criteria for the JAP IIMs in the general Category.

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Here is your IIM Cutoff for Gen/OBC/SC/ST, CS Score Cut Off. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out. From here you can get all the details.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-2025-cut-off-live-updates-iim-blacki-expected-cat-cs-score-cut-off-iim-cat-call-cut-off-latest-updates

I hope it will help you.

Thank you.


With a CAT score of around 80 percentile and about 2 years of work experience, getting a call from the top IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) is extremely difficult, as their cutoff percentiles are usually much higher, even for reserved categories. These institutes typically shortlist candidates above 95–99 percentile depending on category, academic profile, and diversity factors.

However, you may still have some chances at a few of the newer or baby IIMs, especially if you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and have a decent academic background. IIMs such as IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Nagaland, IIM Amritsar, and IIM Vizag have historically called candidates in the 75–85 percentile range for certain categories. Your 2 years of work experience can also work in your favour, as most IIMs give weightage to professional experience during shortlisting and final selection.

That said, selection does not depend on CAT percentile alone. Factors like your 10th and 12th marks, graduation score, academic consistency, gender and academic diversity, work experience quality, and performance in the personal interview play a very important role. Even with an 80 percentile, a strong interview and profile can improve your chances at newer IIMs.

You should also keep strong non-IIM options open. At this percentile, good colleges like newer IIT MBA programs, some NITs, and reputed private B-schools can offer better and more realistic opportunities. Applying broadly and preparing seriously for the interview stage is very important.

In summary, while top IIMs are unlikely at 80 percentile, you may still have a realistic chance at some of the newer IIMs depending on your category and overall profile.