IPMAT has become a leading management entrance exam to pursue a 5-year integrated program in management (UG-BBA+PG-MBA) from top B-schools like IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Jammu, IIM Bodhgaya, etc. Besides, there are a few backup exams for IPMAT 2026 for which a broad range of students can appear to obtain a BBA degree from a notable business school. In simple terms, we have come up with this article to address the number of students appearing for IPMAT and what other beneficial options are available for the students. More than 30,000 students appeared for the IPMAT Indore 2025, but fortunately, only 818 could make it to the PI. The situation was a bit similar in IPMAT Rohtak 2025 and JIPMAT 2025. With only 833 seats available in all the IPMAT B-schools, the competition is reaching heights with every passing year.
It’s possible that even if you gave your best, you couldn’t qualify for IPMAT 2026. Reason? Did you not study well? Not at all. The neck-to-neck competition and soaring cut-off score, which varies across different categories. Under such circumstances, it’s vital to keep an alternate option available for a career backup. In the upcoming sections of this content, we will share crucial information about the backup exams for IPMAT 2026. If you’re someone who is looking forward to appearing for the IPMAT but wants additional options too, then here’s the BBA entrance exam checklist for you. This bunch of information will help you to prepare for the relevant competition exam in accordance with the core syllabus, number of questions and marking pattern.
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List of 10 Backup Exams For IPMAT 2026
IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode are the two most renowned B-schools that offer BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) courses based on their entrance exam scores. Apart from this, Christ University, St Xavier’s Mumbai, SSCBS, etc and a few other reputed B-schools conduct their separate entrance exams to grant admission into the BBA UG courses. Each exam has a different exam level. Any candidate who wishes to appear for these entrance exams must acquire a fair understanding of the major sections, the duration of the exam, how many questions might appear in the exam and what should be your preparation strategy to succeed in these BBA entrance exams. Let’s now move forward, where we will highlight the fundamental information about all these backup exams for IPMAT 2026 in a detailed manner.
IIM Bangalore Online BBA DBE Entrance Test
IIM Bangalore is one of the ABC B-schools and has been ranked 2nd by the NIRF 2025. It’s widely recognised for delivering an outstanding curriculum throughout the two-year full-time residential MBA programme. Recently, it has also launched an innovative online UG course through which interested candidates can fulfil their dream of pursuing a BBA degree from IIM Bangalore. It’s one of the topmost backup exams for IPMAT 2026.
Here’s the breakdown about the entrance test applicable for the online BBA DBE course, which includes concise information about the overall syllabus, exam pattern, total exam duration, marking scheme, etc. Read the details addressed below to build a solid preparation strategy to ace this competitive exam in one go. Upon qualifying for this exam, you will gain entry to IIM Bangalore to pursue the IIM BBA DBE (Bachelor of Business Administration in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship) course in 2026.
IIM Bangalore BBA DBE Entrance Exam 2026
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | IIM Bangalore Online BBA DBE Entrance Test |
| Mode of the Exam | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
| Time Limit | 90 Minutes |
| Sectional Time Limit | Not Applicable |
| Total No. Of Questions | 60 |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 15 Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 15 Questions |
| Logical Reasoning | 15 Questions |
| General Awareness | 15 Questions |
| Per Correct Response | +1 Marks |
| Every Wrong Attempt | No Negative Marking |
| Total Course Duration | 36 Months |
| IIMB UG Application Fee 2026 | General/NC-OBC/EWS: Rs 3000/- SC/ST/PwD: Rs 1500/- |
Christ University Entrance Test 2026
Christ University has recently started CUET to provide admission into the 3-year BBA course. It’s one of the oldest colleges in India. They have implemented strict rules and regulations to maintain discipline throughout the campus. You must maintain regular attendance to become eligible and appear for the semester examinations. Moreover, focus more on studying the basics of “Fundamental Accounting” if you wish to clear this entrance exam. Now, check out the principal features of the Christ University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 below.
Christ University Entrance Exam: Top Highlights
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | Christ University Entrance Test (CUET) |
| Total Exam Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Language Medium | English |
| Type Of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total No. Of Questions | 120 |
| Total Sections | 6 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
Christ University Entrance Test Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Total No. Of Questions | Marking Scheme |
| English | 25 | +1 mark for every correct answer- 0.25 marks for every wrong attempt0 marks for unattempted answer |
| General Knowledge | 20 | |
| Fundamental Accounting | 10 | |
| Reasoning | 25 | |
| Mathematics | 20 | |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 20 | |
| Total Marks | 120 |
IIM Kozhikode BMS Program
IIM Kozhikode has one of the beautiful campuses amongst all the IIMs. To get admission into the 4-year BMS (Honours with Research) program, you must appear for the aptitude test conducted by the IIM Kozhikode. There will be two sections,i.e. Quants and VARC. Each section will comprise 50 questions only. Unlike other backup exams for IPMAT 2026, IIM Kozhikode will provide 60 minutes per section to the students. Selected candidates who clear the exam will have to make a payment of Rs 7,00,000/- before the commencement of every semester.
IIM Kozhikode BMS Aptitude Test
| Key Specifications | Important Details |
| BBA Entrance Exam | IIM Kozhikode BMS Aptitude Test |
| Mode of the Exam | Online |
| Exam Medium | Language |
| Total Duration of the Exam | 120 Minutes |
| Sectional Time Limit | 60 Minutes Per Section |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Number of Answer Choices | 4 |
IIM Kozhikode BMS Aptitude Test Format
| Section | Total No. Of Questions | Marking Scheme |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | +3 mark for every correct answer -1 mark for every wrong attempt |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 50 | |
| Total No. Of Questions | 100 | |
| Total Marks | 300 |
Symbiosis Pune Entrance Exam (SET)
Situated in a vibrant city like Pune, Symbiosis leaves no point to amaze the students. The SET question paper has 4 different sections, i,e, General English, General Awareness, Quantitative, Analytical and Logical Reasoning. Apart from the AR & LR section, there will be 16 questions in the remaining three sections. The total marks for the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) will be 60. Ensure to attempt every question in this exam, as there will be no negative marking for an incorrect response. Make the best use of this plus point and deliver an outstanding performance in SET 2026, which is known as the most popular backup exam for IPMAT 2026.
Symbiosis Entrance Exam: Primary Objectives
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) |
| Original Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Duration of the Exam | 60 Minutes |
| Number of Questions | 60 |
| Type Of Questions | MCQs |
| Marking Scheme | No negative marking for incorrect response |
Symbiosis Entrance Exam (SET) Structure 2026
| Section | Total No. Of Questions | Marks |
| General English | 16 | 16 |
| Quantitative | 16 | 16 |
| General Awareness | 16 | 16 |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 60 | 60 |
National Test For Programs After 12th (NPAT) 2026
You need not study anything extra for the NPAT 2026. Their whole syllabus is identical to the IPMAT 2026. The total number of questions will be 120. Each section will consist of 40 marks, and you will get 100 minutes to solve NPAT 2026. Go through the SAT PYQs from the past 5 years to understand the exam pattern of NPAT. They exhibit a similar difficulty level to the SAT. Consider practising diversified questions from the SAT to become proficient for NPAT 2026.
NMIMS NPAT 2026: Short Overview
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | NMIMS NPAT 2026 |
| Full Form | NMIMS Test for Programmes after Twelve (NPAT) |
| Difficulty Level | Similar to the SAT Exam pattern |
| Exam Mode | CBT |
| Conducting Body | SVKMs NMIMS |
| Attempt Limit | 3 (Single Year) |
| Total No. Of Sections | 3 |
NPAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Number of Questions | Total Duration | Overall Marks |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 40 | 100 Minutes | 40 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 40 | |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 | 40 | |
| Total | 120 | 100 Minutes | 120 |
St. Xavier’s BMS Programme (Bachelor of Management Studies)
Clearly, St. Xavier’s Mumbai is a dream college for numerous students to get admission into the 3-year BMS course. Any candidate who aims to pursue an undergraduate degree from here must have an in-depth understanding of GK & Current affairs, which is followed by Quants, Logical Reasoning and Critical Analysis and English Language. Total seat intake is 120 for the BMS programme offered by St. Xavier’s Mumbai. They also demonstrate an amazing placement record for this course. The highest package for the 2024-2025 batch was 5-18 LPA.
St. Xavier’s BMS Entrance Test
| Key Specifications | Detailed Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | St. Xavier’s BAMS Entrance Test |
| Exam Mode | Online Test |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total No. of Sections | 4 |
| No. Of Questions | 100 |
| Type of Questions | MCQs |
| Marking Pattern | No negative marking scheme |
St. Xavier’s BMS Entrance Exam Pattern
| Sections | Weightage |
| General Knowledge/General Awareness & Current Affairs | 30% |
| *Mathematics and Data Interpretation | 30% |
| Verbal/Logical Reasoning/Critical Analysis | 25% |
| English Language | 15% |
| Total Weightage | 100% |
Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (CUET UG)
We absolutely cannot skip SSCBS when there’s a discussion about the best colleges to enrol for a BBA course. If you dream of completing your undergraduate management degree from SSCBS, then you specifically need to appear for CUET UG. One of the most acknowledged backup exams for IPMAT 2026, CUET UG has also been witnessing significant competition every year. 50 questions will be asked from General Aptitude, Mathematics and Language. Candidates appearing for this exam will get 60 minutes to solve every section.
SSCBS – CUET UG Exam Overview
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | CUET UG (Common University Entrance Test) |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Total No. Of Sections | Language, Mathematics and General Aptitude (SSCBS) |
| Questions Per Section | 50 MCQs |
| Time Limit | 1 Hour For Every Paper |
| Original Marking Scheme | +5 marks for every correct answer-1 mark for every wrong answer0 marks for unanswered questions |
| Total Marks Per Paper | 250 |
| Total Marks | 750 |
UGAT 2026 Exam Structure Highlights
UGAT is a pen-and-paper-based entrance exam to test the knowledge and skills of the aspiring candidates in English, General Awareness, Numerical and Data Analysis and Logical Reasoning. The total marks for the UGAT 2026 will be 130. It has an easy-to-moderate paper level, due to which most students are able to clear this entrance exam.
UGAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | AIMA Undergraduate Aptitude Test (UGAT) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Paper-Based) |
| Conducting Body | All India Management Association (AIMA) |
| Test Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Sections | English Language, Numerical and Data Analysis, General Knowledge, Reasoning and Intelligence |
| Total Number of Questions | 130 |
| Total Marks | 130 |
| UGAT 2026 Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer, 0.5 marks for every incorrect answer |
MAH BBA CET Highlights 2026
MAH CET is applicable to get admission into various undergraduate management courses like BBA in renowned colleges located in Maharashtra. This exam is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell across the cities of Maharashtra. The MAH BBA CET will consist of 100 questions, which you must solve in 90 minutes. Once the results are out, shortlisted candidates must appear for the counselling session to secure a seat in the management school of their choice.
MAH BBA CET Entrance Test Overview
| Key Specifications | Information |
| BBA Entrance Exam | MAH BBA CET |
| Full Form | Maharastra Common Entrance Test |
| MAH CET Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Total Sections | English: 30, Reasoning (Verbal and Arithmetic): 40, General Knowledge and Awareness: 15, Computer Basics: 15 |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Total Exam Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Type of Questions | MCQs |
| MAH CET Official Website | https://cetcell.mahacet.org/ |
How Should I Prepare For Backup Exams For IPMAT 2026?
There’s no hidden preparation strategy to appear for the backup exams for IPMAT 2026. Quantitative Aptitude will be the foremost important section in every entrance exam. Other sections will include questions from English, and Logical Reasoning, which are a part of the IPMAT syllabus. Henceforth, your preparation strategy will be the same. You only need to master speed because the time limit will be different for every BBA entrance exam. A few common preparation tips applicable to every entrance exam are here.
- Always pick up the high-yielding topics from every section to score maximum marks.
- Join an online coaching institute like iQuanta to boost your preparation.
- Appear for sectional tests and full-length mocks for a performance analysis.
- Watch online pre-recorded lectures and attend live lectures for knowledge enhancement.
- Note down important formulas and shortcuts in a single notebook for every chapter.
- Develop a habit of reading current affairs regularly.
- Enhance your reading skills, grammar & vocabulary by reading novels, top editorials and newspapers.
- Solve PYQs as per the actual exam environment to develop a solid grip on your speed.
Final Words
Just in case you are unsure that if you can clear IPMAT 2026 or not, then now you know which additional options are available for you. Remember that you must submit an online application to appear for these top 10 backup exams for IPMAT 2026. Prepare with a strategic approach because every college has a different pattern and releases a separate cut-off list. Only those candidates will gain admission into these distinguished B-schools who hit the target score in 2026. Henceforth, gear up and prepare with sheer determination to fulfil your dream of studying an undergraduate (BBA UG) degree at any of these recognised management institutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best backup exams for IPMAT 2026?
IIM Bangalore BBA DBE Entrance Test, St Xavier’s Entrance Test, MAH BBA CET, UGAT 2026, SSCBS (CUET UG), NMIMS NPAT 2026, Christ University Entrance Test (CUET), Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET), IIM Kozhikode BMS Aptitude Test and St.Xavier’s BMS Entrance Test can be your alternatives apart from appearing for the IPMAT 2026.
Can I appear for the IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT 2026?
Yes, you must complete the registration process via the official website of IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak and NTA to appear for all three entrance exams in 2026. The IPAMT registration fees will vary for every exam and every B-school.
Is there any negative marking in the IIM Bangalore BBA DBE entrance test?
The IIM Bangalore BBA DBE Entrance Test will consist of 60 questions. Each section will have 15 questions. The three main sections are QA & DI, VARC and LR. You will get +1 mark for every correct attempt. There is no negative marking in this exam.
Suggest preparation strategies to ace backup exams for IPMAT 2026?
Firstly, you must develop familiarity with the main syllabus. Visit the official website to get the latest information about the subjects. Check the marking scheme and PYQs to analyse which are the repetitive topics. Create a customised study plan which includes covering basic concepts, revision and mock test practice
Which exam is mandatory to pursue a BBA from SSCBS?
It’s mandatory to achieve the cut-off score in CUET UG to secure admission in the BBA course at SSCBS Delhi. There will be 3 different sections,i.e, Language, Mathematics and General Aptitude. Each section will consist of 50 different questions.
