IPMAT Indore 2026 Paper Analysis: Memory-Based Questions & Cutoffs

IPMAT Indore 2026 is in the books. You walked in, faced the beast, and now it's time to analyse the battle. Whether you feel like you aced it or are anxious about your performance, this deep dive is for you. We're breaking down the paper, section by section, with actual memory-based questions and a realistic look at the expected cutoffs.

This isn't just a recap. For those of you targeting IPMAT Rohtak, JIPMAT, or other BBA entrances, this analysis is your first strategic weapon for the next fight.

TL;DR: The Verdict on IPMAT Indore 2026

• Overall Difficulty: Moderate, very similar to the 2025 paper. No major surprises in the pattern.
• Game Changer: Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) was the rank-decider, as usual. It demanded conceptual clarity and speed.
• Scoring Section: Verbal Ability was relatively easy and offered the best chance to maximise your score.
• Expected Cutoff (General): Approx. 118-125 marks. A strong performance in any two sections could secure a call.

IPMAT Indore 2026: Expected Sectional & Overall Cutoffs

First things first, let's talk numbers. Based on the paper's difficulty and initial student feedback, here are our projected cutoffs for securing an interview call from IIM Indore. Remember, these are estimates based on past trends.

Category	QA (SA) Cutoff (Marks)	QA (MCQ) Cutoff (Marks)	VA (MCQ) Cutoff (Marks)	Overall Cutoff (Marks)
General	8 - 12	15 - 19	65 - 70	118 - 125
EWS	5 - 8	10 - 14	50 - 55	95 - 102
OBC-NCL	5 - 8	10 - 14	48 - 53	90 - 98
SC	4 - 6	7 - 10	35 - 40	65 - 72
ST	4 - 5	4 - 6	25 - 30	45 - 52

Clearing the sectional cutoffs is non-negotiable. You could score 150 overall, but failing to clear even one sectional hurdle means you're out of the race. Check your performance against these numbers using our IPMAT Call Predictor.

Section-wise Deep Dive: Quantitative Ability (SA)

The Quant SA section, with its 15 questions and no negative marking, was the ultimate test of pure aptitude. The difficulty level was moderate to tough, focusing heavily on core concepts.

• Key Topics: Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Geometry, Functions, Logarithms, and Sequences & Series.
• The Challenge: These questions were designed to be time-consuming if you didn't know the right approach or shortcut. Speed and accuracy were paramount.
• Good Attempts: 5-7 correct answers would be a very strong performance and put you well above the cutoff.

Memory-Based Question 1: The Donation Series (GP)

Question: A group of donors contributes to a fund. The first donor gives ₹1. The second gives ₹2. The third donor gives twice the sum of the first two. The fourth gives twice the sum of the first three, and so on. If the total collection is ₹2187, find the number of donors.

Solution Breakdown:

1. List the donations:

   • D1 = 1
   • D2 = 2
   • D3 = 2 * (D1 + D2) = 2 * (1 + 2) = 6
   • D4 = 2 * (D1 + D2 + D3) = 2 * (1 + 2 + 6) = 18
   • D5 = 2 * (1 + 2 + 6 + 18) = 54

2. Identify the pattern: Look at the series from the third donor onwards: 6, 18, 54... This is a Geometric Progression (GP) with a common ratio (r) of 3 (18/6 = 3, 54/18 = 3).

3. Relate total sum: The total sum is given as 2187. Let the total sum up to the nth donor be S(n). We know that D(n+1) = 2 * S(n). Therefore, S(n) = D(n+1) / 2.

4. Find the last donation: The total sum of all donations is 2187. This means S(n) = 2187. The next donor, D(n+1), would have donated 2 * 2187 = 4374. This would be the next term in our GP (from D3 onwards).

5. Solve the GP: The GP is 6, 18, 54, ... up to a certain term. Let the last donation be D(n). We can see that the term just before 4374 in this sequence is 4374 / 3 = 1458. So, D(n) = 1458.

6. Find 'n': The first term of this GP (a) is D3 = 6. The last term D(n) = a * r^(k-1), where k is the number of terms in the GP. So 1458 = 6 * 3^(k-1). This gives 3^(k-1) = 243 = 3^5. So, k-1 = 5, which means k = 6. There are 6 terms in the GP (from D3 to D8). Including D1 and D2, the total number of donors is 6 + 2 = 8.

Section-wise Deep Dive: Quantitative Ability (MCQ)

This section was a mix of straightforward and tricky questions. With 30 questions to tackle, time management was key. The overall difficulty was moderate.

• Key Topics: Arithmetic (TSD, Percentages), Algebra (P&C, Probability), Number Systems, and Modern Math.
• The Strategy: The smart move was to scan the section, identify the easy sitters, and solve them first before getting stuck on tougher problems. Every correct answer gives you +4, but every wrong one costs you -1.
• Good Attempts: 18-20 attempts with 85-90% accuracy would be an excellent score.

Memory-Based Question 2: The P&C Multiple of 4

Question: From the set S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, how many ways can you choose 3 distinct elements such that their product is a multiple of 4?

Solution Breakdown: This is a classic 'total minus not possible' case. It's easier to find the combinations whose product is not a multiple of 4.

1. Total Combinations: The total number of ways to choose 3 elements from 9 is 9C3 = (987)/(321) = 84 ways.

2. When is the product NOT a multiple of 4?

   • Case A: No even numbers are selected. The odd numbers are {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}. We choose 3 of them. 5C3 = 10 ways. The product will be odd, hence not a multiple of 4.
   • Case B: Exactly one even number is selected, but it's not 4 or 8. The even numbers that are 'weak' (not multiples of 4) are 2 and 6. We must pick one of these, and two odd numbers.
     • Pick {2} and two odds from {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}: 1 * 5C2 = 10 ways.
     • Pick {6} and two odds from {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}: 1 * 5C2 = 10 ways.
     • Total ways for Case B = 10 + 10 = 20 ways.

3. Total 'Not Possible' Cases: The total number of ways to get a product that is NOT a multiple of 4 is Case A + Case B = 10 + 20 = 30 ways.

4. Final Answer: The number of ways to get a product that IS a multiple of 4 is Total Ways - Not Possible Ways = 84 - 30 = 54 ways.

Section-wise Deep Dive: Verbal Ability (MCQ)

This was the breather in the paper. With 45 questions, the Verbal Ability section was largely straightforward and followed the expected pattern. Students who had prepared well found this to be a high-scoring area.

• Key Topics: Reading Comprehension (2 passages, direct and inference-based questions), Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms), Para Jumbles, and Grammar (Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks).
• The Feel: The RC passages were of moderate length and easy to comprehend. Vocabulary questions were based on common words.
• Good Attempts: 38-42 attempts with high accuracy was definitely achievable and essential for boosting your overall score.

What This Means for Your Next Exams

IPMAT Indore is just the first major milestone. Here’s how to use this experience to your advantage.

• For IPMAT Rohtak Aspirants: IIM Rohtak's exam includes Logical Reasoning. Your focus now should be to sharpen your LR skills while consolidating your Quant and Verbal. The Indore paper confirms that strong fundamentals are key. Don't neglect them. Revisit your strategy with our last-minute guide for IPMAT Rohtak after the Indore exam.

• For JIPMAT & Other BBA Entrances: These exams are generally a notch easier than IPMAT Indore, with a greater emphasis on speed. This paper was excellent practice for handling time pressure and question selection. Your confidence should be high!

• For IPMAT 2027 Aspirants: This is a goldmine for you. This analysis shows you exactly what IIM Indore demands: deep conceptual knowledge in Quant and strong reading habits for Verbal. Your prep should focus on building a rock-solid foundation, not just learning tricks. Start with a solid IPMAT Mock Test strategy early on.

Watch the Full Video Discussion

For a live, in-depth breakdown of more memory-based questions and a discussion on the paper's nuances, watch our expert analysis on YouTube.

Watch the IPMAT Indore 2026 Memory-Based Paper Discussion

Feeling unsure about your chances? Don't just guess. Use our IPMAT Call Predictor for a data-backed estimate. If you need personalised guidance on your next steps, our counsellors are here to help. Just send a 'Hi' on WhatsApp!