Every year, thousands of bright students from Classes 10 to 12 set their eyes on India’s most prestigious business schools the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) through the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM).
The IPMAT (Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test) is their gateway.
But here’s what most families misunderstand:
👉 Clearing IPMAT does not automatically mean admission.
Every IIM follows a multi-stage selection process that assesses far more than just test scores. Families who prepare for all stages together not just the exam are the ones who convert their child’s first attempt into an actual IIM admission.
Let’s understand exactly how this process works and how your family can master it step by step.
Before we dive into the stages, let’s see how the process differs across IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak and IIM Ranchi and what families should expect after the IPMAT exam.
Institute | Admission Pathway | Exam Accepted | Selection Components | Final Merit Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IIM Indore | IPM (5-year Integrated Programme in Management) | IPMAT Indore | Aptitude Test → Personal Interview | IPMAT Score (65%) + PI (35%) |
IIM Rohtak | IPM (5-year Programme) | IPMAT Rohtak | Aptitude Test → Online Personal Interview | IPMAT (55%) + PI (15%) + Academics (30%) |
IIM Ranchi | IPM (5-year Programme) | IPMAT Indore + SAT | IPMAT/SAT → Personal Interview | IPMAT (65%) + PI (15%) + Academics (20%) |
This means preparing only for IPMAT is preparing for Stage 1 only.
To truly get admission, students must also prepare for profile evaluation and the selection rounds that follow.
The Aptitude Test (IPMAT) is the first and most visible stage of the admission process.
It evaluates three core abilities:
IIM | Sections | Total Marks | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IIM Indore | QA (MCQ + Short Answer), VA | 360 | 120 mins | CBT |
IIM Rohtak | QA, VA, LR | 480 | 120 mins | CBT |
IIM Ranchi | IPMAT Indore / SAT | — | — | — |
💡 Parent Insight: IPMAT isn’t about “genius-level IQ.” It’s about disciplined, consistent preparation something parents can help build through structured daily study habits.
Once the IPMAT is cleared, families often assume admission is secured. Unfortunately, many students get filtered out here due to weak profiles or poor applications.
💡 Parent Insight: Profiles reflect personality, not paperwork. Encourage your child to pursue genuine interests leadership, social initiatives, communication and the profile will build itself.
The Selection Rounds are the most decisive stage of the admission process.
This is where IIMs assess whether a student has the maturity, clarity, and communication skills to thrive in a five-year management program.
IIM | IPMAT / Test | PI/WAT | Profile / Academics |
|---|---|---|---|
IIM Indore | 65% | 35% | — |
IIM Rohtak | 55% | 15% | 15% |
IIM Ranchi | 65% | 15% | 20% |
💡 Parent Insight: Interview preparation isn’t just for students, families play a key role.
Daily conversations about world events, careers, and goals build clarity and calmness that no book can teach.
Stage | What It Covers | Why Students Fail | How Families Can Help |
|---|---|---|---|
Aptitude Test | IPMAT exam (Math, English, Reasoning) | Late prep, ignoring mocks | Early start, structured routine |
Application & Profile | Academics, extracurriculars, SOP | Weak or last-minute profiles | Guide profile building early |
Selection Rounds | PI/WAT + Merit List | No interview training | Mock PIs, news discussions |
👉 The result? Brilliant students fail not because of capability but because of lack of strategic preparation.
At VAIR Community™, we’ve built India’s first 1-Attempt Admission Model™, which ensures no family faces these blind spots again.
We train families and students across all three admission stages:
Stage | VAIR’s Focus | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
Aptitude Test | Personalised study roadmap, 1-to-1 doubt sessions with IIM mentors, and adaptive mock analysis for QA + VA + LR. | Custom learning plans build deep conceptual strength and exam temperament no “batch” dependency.Builds speed, accuracy & confidence |
Application & Profile | Guided profile-building framework covering academics, extracurriculars, leadership & impact projects; SOP & essay mentorship. | Converts achievements into a powerful narrative that fits IIM selection criteria making every student interview-ready long before results. |
Selection Rounds | 1-to-1 alumni interview drills, WAT training, communication workshops, and family mentorship sessions for clarity & confidence. | Builds authentic communication and presence students learn to speak with conviction, not memorisation. Families align strategically around the child’s IIM goal.Ensures interview clarity & calmness |
💡 The Result: Families don’t just “prepare for an exam.” They develop a winning system a child confident in aptitude, clear in purpose, and strong in presence, guided by mentors who’ve walked the IIM path themselves.
That’s why 100+ families have already cracked IIM IPM in their first attempt with VAIR.
Cracking IPMAT is an achievement but securing IIM admission is the true goal.
Families who prepare for all three stages :- Aptitude, Profile, and Selection Rounds together create a massive advantage.
👉 Don’t risk your child’s only first attempt. With structured guidance, personalised mentorship, and a family-inclusive system, your child can start their IIM journey confidently and early.
Explore the IIM IPMAT Admission Program →
With the right mentorship, your child won’t just prepare for IIM they’ll get in.
Aptitude Test (IPMAT), Application & Profile evaluation, and Selection Rounds (PI/WAT + final merit).
IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak conduct their own IPMAT exams, while IIM Ranchi accepts IPMAT Indore and SAT scores.
No. IIMs give significant weightage to profile and interview performance.
Very. Leadership, communication, and social involvement strongly influence interviews.
Absolutely — with the right mentorship and preparation across all 3 stages.
Ideally from Class 10 or 11, but even Class 12 students can succeed with focused guidance.
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11, Vair Training LLP, Brahmanand Marg, Vinod Nagar, Beawar, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305901
© 2022 All rights reserved
Designed & Developed by VAIR TRAINING LLP