IPMAT previous year papers – the resource that is often overlooked when it comes to IPMAT preparation in general. IIM Indore’s question papers from the previous years (2019 and 2020) are great resources that will help an aspirant get a detailed idea about where to focus on, especially for the Quant section. With the IIM Ranchi’s announcement stating it will consider the scores of IIM Indore IPMAT, an analysis of the previous year papers of Indore will equip an aspirant for a candidature at two IIMs.
Let us get started with IIM Indore’s papers.
IIM Indore – IPMAT previous year papers
We are going to take a look at the Quant section of IIM Indore’s IPMAT papers of both 2019 and 2020.
Note: Please be informed that the analysis is based on the available questions from the past year papers, and this need not be representative of the whole question paper.
IIM Indore IPMAT Quant 2019
The table below gives a split up of the number of questions from the various broad topics in Quant in IIM Indore’s 2019 paper.
| Topic | Number of questions |
| Arithmetic | 9 |
| Algebra | 19 |
| Geometry | 11 |
| Number Theory | 6 |
| PnC and Modern Math | 6 |
| Matrices and Determinants | 4 |
| Data Interpretation | 5 |
| Total | 60 |
As can be seen clearly, Algebra – with 19 questions – takes precedence over everything else, with Geometry at a distant second (11); this, in turn, is followed by Arithmetic (9), with the rest of the topics following suit.
As always, the representation in percentages gives us some reference point to benchmark. From the pie chart, it is clear that close to one-third of the Quant section consists of questions from Algebra. Approximately one-fifth is from Geometry; if you combine DI with Arithmetic, that occupies close to 22% of the Quant section.
While this gives us an overview of the number of questions, let us also delve deep into the level of difficulty.
IIM Indore IPMAT Quant 2019 – Level of difficulty
| Level of difficulty | Number of questions |
| Easy | 17 |
| Medium | 27 |
| Hard | 16 |
| Total | 60 |
Note that the level of difficulty is decided based on two parameters – the conceptual intricacies, and the time required to solve a question. An ‘Easy’ question is usually the one that requires 90 seconds or less to solve, a question marked ‘Medium’ takes anywhere between 90 and 150 seconds, and a ‘Hard’ question takes more than two-and-a-half-minutes.
It must also be noted at this juncture that the Easy questions are more or less always from the Arithmetic concepts and Number Theory.
IIM Indore IPMAT Quant 2020
Let us follow the same pattern similar to the one we used for the 2019 Quant section, namely the classification of questions based on topics/concepts, the weightage and then the categorization based on difficulty.
| Topic | Number of questions |
| Algebra | 6 |
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Geometry | 4 |
| Combinatorics | 4 |
| Number Theory | 2 |
| Matrices and Determinants | 1 |
| Data Interpretation | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
There is a significant variation in the number of questions from the various topics, but it must also be noted that the sample space in this case is smaller (30 questions) than that for 2019 Quant (60 questions). Take a look at the pie chart as well.
Over here, Arithmetic takes precedence, with 8 questions, followed by Algebra with 6 questions. If you combine the Data Interpretation into the fold (with 5 questions), since the concepts are more likely to go in tandem with the Arithmetic topics, approximately two-thirds of the Quant section (~65%) can be covered. The next spots are taken by Geometry and Combinatorics (Permutations and Combinations, and Probability), with four questions each. The questions on Number Theory and Matrices and Determinants are practically insignificant in comparison to the others.
IIM Indore IPMAT Quant 2020 – Level of difficulty
| Level of difficulty | Number of questions |
| Easy | 11 |
| Medium | 14 |
| Hard | 5 |
As can be seen in both the 2019 and 2020 papers, the ‘Medium’ questions are always high in number.
Inferences for the Quant section from the IIM Indore IPMAT previous year papers
There are certain takeaways that an aspirant should definitely keep in mind, while preparing for IPMAT in general, and IIM Indore IPMAT in particular.
1) Arithmetic and Algebra are the go-to topics for starters
This is not an empty statement. As can be seen from the data from the last two years’ papers, Arithmetic (plus DI) and Algebra occupy the lion’s share in the Quant section. Not to forget that the easiest of questions appear from the Arithmetic topics mostly, and can be solved in 60-90 seconds per question.
2) Number Theory and Geometry should not be overlooked
While Number Theory consists of several Easy questions – just like Arithmetic, Geometry is an equally important topic, because of the vastness of the topic. Remember, in an examination context, you will have some time to solve questions from non-Arithmetic concepts, and Geometry might come in handy at that point in time.
In conclusion…
With the postponement of the IPMAT examination across the board, you have enough time in hand now to finish off your Board examinations as well as prepare at leisure for IPMAT. Make the best out of it!
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Written by Giridharan Raghuraman, with inputs from Praveen Thankasala and Raghul A
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