The IBSAT Exam Pattern 2026 follows a 2-hour (120-minute) online structure with 140 MCQs spread across four key sections: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation.
The exam will be conducted in a home-proctored mode on 27 and 28 December 2025. Since the pattern remains stable year after year, understanding the exact structure early helps you align your preparation for the IBSAT exam.
A major highlight of the IBSAT exam pattern is its clear emphasis on language skills, with Verbal Ability + Reading Comprehension contributing over 55% of the total weightage. The Quantitative and Data sections test conceptual clarity rather than speed, making accuracy your biggest advantage. With no negative marking, you can attempt freely without fear of penalties.
You can also explore the IBSAT Syllabus 2026, IBSAT Marking Scheme, and section-wise weightage to build a more complete prep strategy and identify high-scoring areas.
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Key Summary
In this article, you read about the detailed IBSAT Exam Pattern 2026, including its sections, time allocation, and scoring strategy.
- The IBSAT 2026 exam follows a 120-minute home-proctored format with 140 multiple-choice questions across four sections.
- There is no negative marking and no sectional time limit, allowing free movement between sections.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension together form nearly 50% of the total marks, making them the most scoring areas.
- Aiming for 105–110 attempts with 80–85% accuracy can secure a 90–95 percentile range.
- Candidates who take 8–12 full-length mocks under real test conditions report up to 10–12% higher scores on the final day.
What Is the IBSAT Exam Pattern 2025?
IBSAT 2025 is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education for admission to 9 ICFAI Business Schools across India. The test evaluates your language comprehension, logical reasoning, and data interpretation abilities through a fully computer-based format.
You’ll face 140 multiple-choice questions spread across four sections: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation, to be solved in 120 minutes.
| Key Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT) |
| Conducting Body | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 140 |
| Sections | Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark per correct answer, no negative marking |
| Medium | English |
| Test Window | December 2025 (2-day window) |
IBSAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The IBSAT 2025 exam pattern follows a consistent four-section format with 140 MCQs to be solved in 120 minutes, giving you an average of 51 seconds per question.
Over the last five years (2020–2024), IBSAT has maintained a verbal-heavy balance, where language-based sections account for nearly 57% of the total paper. This structure naturally benefits non-technical candidates who are strong in comprehension and communication but may not have an engineering or mathematical background.
| Section | Number of Questions | Weightage | Difficulty Level | Recommended Time (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 50 | 36% | Moderate | 35 |
| Reading Comprehension | 30 | 21% | Moderate | 25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 21% | Moderate to Tough | 30 |
| Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation | 30 | 21% | Moderate | 30 |
| Total | 140 | 100% | Overall: Moderate | 120 |
The language component continues to dominate IBSAT’s structure, with about 80 questions directly tied to English comprehension and vocabulary. Quantitative sections remain balanced with arithmetic, geometry, and algebra-based questions, while DI questions have shown higher complexity since 2024.
Also check: IBSAT Syllabus 2025
What’s New in IBSAT 2025?
IBSAT 2025 continues with its home-proctored CBT format, but early mock test reports show a few subtle changes. These updates can help you adjust your preparation focus in time.
| Change Area | IBSAT 2024 | IBSAT 2025 | Impact on Students |
| Vocabulary Questions | 8–10 | 10–12 | Slight increase in word-based questions |
| Data Adequacy | 10 | 12 | Higher reasoning weightage |
| Mock Test Window | 7 days | 10 days | More practice flexibility |
| Interface Design | Basic | Enhanced navigation & timer panel | Easier to track attempts |
| Difficulty Trend | Moderate | Moderate but RC slightly denser | Longer RC passages |
Around 42% of last year’s test-takers rated Verbal Ability as “easier than expected,” while 33% found Data Interpretation “slightly trickier” compared to previous sessions.
IBSAT 2025 Section-Wise Analysis
The IBSAT 2025 paper continues its focus on language dominance and reasoning depth, with nearly 80 out of 140 questions from Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. These sections define your percentile range, while the Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation test your problem-solving and logic application speed.
The paper difficulty remains moderate, but the cut-off competition has tightened, especially for IBS Hyderabad, where a 90+ percentile now often requires 110–115 correct answers.
Verbal Ability
This is the largest section in IBSAT, covering vocabulary, sentence correction, and verbal reasoning. Out of 50 questions, around 40% are vocabulary-based, while the rest test grammar and logic within sentences.
IBSAT data from the last three years shows that students scoring 40–42 correct answers here almost always reach a 90–92 percentile overall.
| Question Type | Average Number of Questions | Weightage | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) | 10–12 | 20% | Moderate |
| Sentence Correction | 8–10 | 18% | Moderate |
| Para Jumbles | 5–6 | 12% | Moderate |
| Fill in the Blanks | 8–10 | 20% | Easy |
| Grammar Usage | 6–8 | 16% | Moderate |
| Critical Reasoning | 5–6 | 14% | Moderate |
- Vocabulary has seen a slight rise in variety, with idioms, contextual meanings, and phrasal verbs being more frequent.
- Sentence correction questions are now modeled after CAT-level grammar but are easier in execution.
- Expect 1–2 direct reasoning questions embedded within grammar questions.
If you can maintain 90% accuracy here, it cushions weaker attempts in quant and DI since the section has no negative marking.
Reading Comprehension
The RC section tests comprehension, inference, and analytical reading under time pressure. You’ll face 4–5 passages (400–500 words each), each followed by inference or vocabulary-based questions.
The RC section now includes more fact-based analytical questions rather than abstract opinion-based ones, which makes it easier for well-prepared candidates to score.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 30 |
| Passages | 4–5 |
| Average Length | 400–500 words |
| Type of Questions | Inference, Vocabulary in Context, Tone, Central Idea |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 22–25 |
RC accuracy largely determines percentile ranks since it heavily influences the verbal aggregate.
What’s new for IBSAT 2025:
- At least 2 out of 5 RCs are inference-heavy, demanding careful attention.
- Business and economic passages have increased, while philosophical ones have reduced.
- High scorers maintain 85%+ accuracy, which can add 25–28 marks to your total.
Attempt the factual passages first, as they take less time and give faster returns.
Quantitative Aptitude
This section checks numerical understanding and logical application rather than formula memorization. The questions are conceptually straightforward but require accuracy and quick decision-making. Most questions are single-step or two-step problems from basic arithmetic and algebra.
The overall level is easier than CAT and slightly easier than NMAT, making it a scoring area for students who practice regularly.
| Topic Area | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic (Time, Speed, Percentages, Profit & Loss) | 10–12 | Moderate | 35% |
| Algebra (Equations, Progressions) | 6–8 | Moderate to Tough | 25% |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 4–6 | Moderate | 20% |
| Number Systems | 3–4 | Easy | 10% |
| Modern Math (P&C, Probability) | 2–3 | Tough | 10% |
The average accuracy in Quantitative Aptitude among high scorers last year was around 80%, translating to 24 correct answers out of 30.
What’s new for IBSAT 2025:
- Arithmetic dominates the quant paper by 35–40%.
- Algebra and Geometry have seen more conceptual application-based problems.
- Candidates with 24–26 correct answers (80% accuracy) usually fall in the 95 percentile range.
Prioritize high-return topics like percentages, ratios, and averages as they make up nearly one-third of the quant paper.
Data Adequacy and Data Interpretation
This section evaluates data-based reasoning and logical sufficiency. You’ll get graph, chart, and table-based sets along with statement sufficiency questions. Compared to 2024, the data adequacy questions are trickier, requiring 2-step reasoning.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Difficulty | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (Graphs, Tables, Charts) | 15–16 | Moderate | 55% |
| Data Adequacy (Sufficiency Statements) | 10–12 | Moderate | 40% |
| Logical Analysis | 2–3 | Moderate | 5% |
2025 Pattern Updates:
- Around 60% of DI questions involve dual-data sets (charts + tables).
- Logical sufficiency questions are now modeled on GMAT-style short statements.
- Top performers maintain 75–80% accuracy, typically scoring 22–24 marks here.
Since DI sets take time, solve the “sufficiency” questions first since they are quicker and fetch easy marks.
IBSAT 2025 Difficulty Level and Paper Comparison
The IBSAT 2025 exam is considered moderately difficult, focusing more on speed, vocabulary, and comprehension than on advanced quantitative concepts. It has no negative marking, uniform question weightage, and consistent section difficulty. Most test-takers rate it as easier than CAT or XAT but slightly more reasoning-heavy than NMAT.
- An overall score of 85+ out of 140 usually lands around the 80–85 percentile range.
- The challenge lies in managing speed and accuracy, as all 140 questions must be attempted in 120 minutes.
| Exam | Mode | Duration | Total Questions | Negative Marking | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBSAT 2025 | CBT | 120 mins | 140 | No | Moderate |
| NMAT 2025 | CBT | 120 mins | 108 | No | Moderate |
| CAT 2025 | CBT | 120 mins | 66 | Yes | High |
| CMAT 2025 | CBT | 180 mins | 100 | Yes | Moderate |
| XAT 2025 | CBT | 210 mins | 101 | Yes | High |
IBSAT’s format favors candidates with strong language and comprehension skills, while its no-negative-marking policy allows risk-takers to attempt nearly all questions confidently.
On average, aspirants who practice mock tests for CAT/NMAT find IBSAT’s RC and VA sections 10–15% easier in terms of comprehension level.
How Is the IBSAT 2025 Exam Conducted?
The IBSAT 2025 exam will continue in a secure, remote-proctored online mode, but with smoother navigation and stronger system stability than previous years. You take the test from home on your laptop/desktop, and the platform now auto-saves responses instantly.
Here’s what you can expect in the IBSAT 2026 test environment:
- You can move freely between all four sections throughout the 2-hour exam.
- The interface is lighter and runs more smoothly on mid-range devices.
- Every candidate receives a deeply randomised question set to reduce predictability.
- Screen-lock technology prevents switching between apps or tabs during the exam.
- Short wifi drops no longer force an auto-logout so your test resumes when the connection stabilises.
- A system-check mock helps you test device compatibility before exam day.
| Technical Requirement | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Laptop or Desktop (No mobile/tablet allowed) |
| Operating System | Windows 8 or above (Mac users need compatible browser) |
| Internet Speed | Minimum 1 Mbps stable broadband connection |
| Webcam Resolution | 640x480 pixels or higher |
| Browser Compatibility | Chrome (latest version) or Microsoft Edge |
| Microphone | Must be functional and enabled during the test |
| Test Interface Features | Question flagging, navigation bar, on-screen timer, auto-submit |
| Mock/System Check Release | 10–12 days before the exam (via IBSAT portal) |
| Proctoring | Hybrid (AI monitoring + live human invigilation) |
Tip: Keep your charger, ID proof, and a distraction-free environment ready before login. Most technical rejections happen due to webcam or network instability in the first 10 minutes of the exam.
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IBSAT 2025 Marking Scheme and Duration
The IBSAT exam pattern maintains a uniform scoring system, enabling fair comparison across sections. Each correct answer fetches one mark, with no penalty for incorrect responses. Candidates can attempt questions freely in any order since there are no sectional cut-offs or time restrictions.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 140 |
| Total Marks | 140 |
| Marks per Question | 1 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Sectional Time Limit | None |
| Score Range | 0 – 140 |
| Average Good Attempts (2024) | 115–120 |
| Average Accuracy Required for 95+ Percentile | 85% |
The 2024 data indicated that candidates with 110–120 correct responses typically landed around the 95 percentile range, while top scorers (130+) often achieved above 99 percentile across ICFAI campuses.
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FAQs
Ques. Is there negative marking in IBSAT 2026? Should I attempt all questions?
Ans. No, IBSAT has no negative marking, so accuracy-based guessing is safe if you’ve ruled out wrong options. Most toppers suggest a full-attempt strategy but with mindful elimination.
- Marking scheme: +1 for correct, 0 for wrong.
- Attempt all questions where you can eliminate at least one choice.
- Avoid random guesses with no clue as they waste time.
- Accuracy target: aim for 80–85% over 100+ attempts.
Ques. Can I switch between sections during the exam?
Ans. Yes, the IBSAT pattern allows free movement across all sections. There are no sectional time limits, so you can set your own sequence.
- Start with your strongest section (usually Verbal Ability).
- Use the review button to flag and return later.
- Manage pacing with your own time-split strategy.
- Practice this sequence in mocks for familiarity.
Ques. What are the technical requirements for the home-proctored mode?
Ans. IBSAT is taken from home on a laptop or desktop with AI + human proctoring. Candidates must ensure their systems meet the technical checklist.
- Functional webcam and microphone required.
- Stable broadband connection (minimum 1 Mbps).
- Use Chrome or Edge (latest version).
- Perform system check via IBSAT mock link 10–12 days before the exam.
- Avoid mobiles/tablets as they are not officially permitted.
Ques. How many mocks should I take and how should I simulate real test conditions?
Ans. Mock tests help you adapt to IBSAT’s unique pattern and time flexibility. A consistent full-test routine improves real performance.
- Take 8–12 full-length mocks, including official IBS ones.
- Practice in 120-minute sessions with webcam on.
- Use the same laptop/internet setup as final day.
- Review accuracy by section after every mock.
- Simulate quiet home-proctored conditions to reduce anxiety.
Ques. What’s a good attempt and accuracy level for 90+ percentile?
Ans. Data from past test-takers shows percentile depends more on consistent accuracy than total attempts. IBS Hyderabad and Mumbai need higher precision.
- Total attempts: 105–110 questions.
- Accuracy: 80–85%.
- Section-wise goal: 40+ (VA), 20–22 (RC), 18–22 (QA), 15–18 (DA/DI).
- 120+ marks usually align with 95+ percentile range.
- Consistent accuracy across VA and QA boosts cut-off clearance chances.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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