The IBSAT 2025 exam will be a computer-based home-proctored test of 120 minutes, comprising 140 MCQs across four sections. One mark is awarded per correct answer and there is no negative marking.
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It is conducted for admission into the MBA/PGPM programmes of ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education and its constituent campuses.
- The exam is scheduled for 27 & 28 December 2025.
- The IBSAT 2025 syllabus includes Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation.
- The highest weightage section is Verbal Ability (50 questions).
The IBSAT 2025 syllabus includes Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. As per the IBSAT paper analysis from past years, the difficulty level of the IBSAT exam is easy to moderate.
The most important topic that carries the highest weightage is Verbal Ability in the IBSAT syllabus. According to the IBSAT 2025 exam pattern, there are 140 questions asked from the respective syllabus.
As per the marking scheme of the IBSAT examination, 1 mark will be given for each correct answer, and there will be no deduction for incorrect answers. The IBSAT Verbal Ability section can be the highest-scoring subject. It can improve the overall percentile.
Also Read:
What is IBSAT Syllabus?
The IBSAT syllabus outlines the four core areas assessed in the exam: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. Designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude for MBA/PGPM programs, it tests language command, analytical reasoning, numerical ability, and data-based decision-making.
The syllabus is broadly similar to that of other management entrance tests like NMAT or SNAP, but with a simpler difficulty range (easy to moderate). Each section contributes to the overall score, and there is no sectional time limit, allowing flexible time management.
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Sections | 4 (Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation) |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Total Questions | 140 MCQs |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer, no negative marking |
| Purpose | Tests language proficiency, reasoning ability, and numerical aptitude for MBA/PGPM admissions |
| Conducting Body | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) |
IBSAT Syllabus 2025 – Section-Wise Topics
The IBSAT exam has four sections: Verbal Ability that carries 50 marks, Reading Comprehension that carries 30 marks, Quantitative Aptitude that carries 30 marks, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation that carries 30 marks.
IBSAT 2025 Syllabus for Verbal Ability
In the IBSAT question paper, the verbal ability section is language-oriented and carries the highest weightage. Consists of 25 -30 questions from Reading Comprehension, 5-7 from Grammar and sentence correction, 8-10 from Vocabulary, and 3-5 from Verbal Reasoning questions.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Synonyms & Antonyms | One-word replacements, meaning of idioms-phrases |
| Grammar & Usage | Tenses, prepositions, articles, subject-verb agreement, error spotting |
| Fill in the Blanks / Cloze | Completing sentences or passages |
| Sentence Correction / Jumbles | Rearranging or correcting flawed sentences |
| Vocabulary in context | Usage of idioms, phrases, word relations |
Topics:
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitutions)
- English Usage
- Grammar (Tenses, Prepositions, Articles, Subject-Verb Agreement)
- Sentence Completion
- Sentence Correction
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Reading Comprehension (2–3 passages)
- Idioms and Phrases
Important Books for IBSAT Verbal Ability
IBSAT has given a high weightage to English, so this is an important section.
| Recommended Books | Author | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Vocabulary building with exercises |
| High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin | Grammar rules and sentence correction |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | Quick revision of grammar with MCQs |
IBSAT Syllabus for Reading Comprehension
In the IBSAT question paper, this section tests reading speed, comprehension, and interpretation.
The IBSAT question paper reading comprehension section consists of factual, analytical, opinion-based, inference-based, and vocabulary-based passages. Candidates can expect 4-5 passages.
| Types of Passages: | Skills Tested: |
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Important Books for IBSAT Reading Comprehension
| Recommended Books | Author | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| How to prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay | Factual and interference-based questions |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT | Nishik K. Sinha | Tone, interference, and main idea questions |
| Arihant’s MBA Entrance RC Practice book | _ | Focuses on RC with multiple difficulty levels |
IBSAT Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude
In the IBSAT question paper, quantitative aptitude section covers basic mathematics from the high school level. It may consist of 8-10 questions from arithmetic, 6-8 from Algebra, 4-6 from geometry & mensuration, and 1-3 questions from topics like permutation and combination, probability, time, speed, and distance.
Topics:
- Number System
- Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Averages, SI & CI)
- Algebra (Linear & Quadratic Equations)
- Geometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles)
- Mensuration
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Time & Work
- Permutation & Combination
- Probability
- Set Theory
- Data Sufficiency (Quant-based)
| Recommended Books | Author | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Covers all basic topics; best for beginners |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude | Arun Sharma | More strategic and CAT-aligned with varying difficulty levels |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha | Useful for deeper conceptual understanding (optional for IBSAT). |
Important books for IBSAT Quantitative Aptitude
IBSAT Syllabus for Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation
In the IBSAT question paper, this section consists of 8-10 questions from Caselets, 6-8 from Bar graphs, 5-7 from Pie charts and 3-5 from line graphs, and 4-6 from data sufficiency.
Data Interpretation:
- Bar Graphs
- Line Charts
- Pie Charts
- Tables
- Caselets
- Mixed Graphs
Data Adequacy:
- Tests whether the given data is enough to answer a question.
- Usually involves logical reasoning and basic math.
Important Books for IBSAT Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy
| Recommended Books: | Author | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit Sinha | Good for practicing caselets, bar/line/pie/table graphs. |
| Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma | Covers multiple levels of difficulty; focus on Level 1 and 2. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | R.S. Aggarwal | Contains a separate section on DI basics |
Ques. Is the IBSAT syllabus similar to CAT or NMAT?
Ans. IBSAT’s syllabus covers similar areas like English, Quant, and Data Interpretation but the level of difficulty is easier than CAT and NMAT.
- No Logical Reasoning or GK section
- Language-heavy with nearly half the paper on English
- Focuses more on speed and comprehension than logic puzzles
Ques. Does IBSAT have sectional time limits?
Ans. No, there are no sectional time limits in IBSAT.
- You can attempt any section in any order
- It helps you balance your time based on your strengths
Ques. Which section of IBSAT is the toughest?
Ans. Most candidates find Quantitative Aptitude slightly tougher than others.
- Questions are formula-based but lengthy
- Arithmetic and Algebra dominate the section
Ques. Are topics like Logical Reasoning or GK asked in IBSAT?
Ans. No, IBSAT does not include Logical Reasoning or General Knowledge.
- Only Verbal, RC, Quant, and Data Interpretation topics are tested
- This makes IBSAT more predictable and reading-oriented
Ques. How can I prepare effectively for IBSAT 2025 syllabus?
Ans. Focus on English and basic maths practice for steady improvement.
- Practice 2 RCs daily to improve comprehension speed
- Revise Quant formulas weekly
- Take 2–3 mock tests every week to improve time management
IBSAT Difficulty Level Analysis
The IBSAT exam’s difficulty level has remained easy to moderate, but subtle shifts have been noticed across sections. Quantitative Aptitude showed slight variation in question complexity in 2024, while Verbal Ability continued to dominate scoring potential. Candidates generally find the paper speed-based rather than conceptually tough.
| Year | Overall Difficulty | Toughest Section | Easiest Section | Avg. Attempts for 90+%ile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Easy–Moderate | Quantitative Aptitude | Verbal Ability | 110–115 |
| 2024 | Moderate | Reading Comprehension | Data Interpretation | 105–110 |
| 2025 (Expected) | Easy–Moderate | Quantitative Aptitude | Verbal Ability | 115–120 |
Time-Management & Attempt Strategy according to IBSAT Syllabus 2025
Given the IBSAT pattern (no sectional time limits + no negative marking), your attempt strategy should focus on maximizing attempts while maintaining accuracy. Efficient time use can directly lift scores, especially in Verbal and RC.
| Section | Ideal Time Allocation | Recommended Attempts | Accuracy Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 35–40 mins | 45–50 | 85–90% |
| Reading Comprehension | 25–30 mins | 25–30 | 75–80% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25–30 mins | 25–28 | 70–80% |
| Data Adequacy & Interpretation | 25 mins | 20–25 | 70–75% |
| Total | 120 mins | 115–125 | |
IBSAT Exam Pattern
The IBSAT question paper is divided into 4 parts: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 50 | 50 |
| Reading Comprehension | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 140 | 140 |
Various programs are offered by the institute, but there is no difference between the syllabi.
- No sectional timing is given; candidates have to complete the examination within 120 minutes
Ques. Is there sectional time-limit in the IBSAT exam?
Ans. No, there is no fixed time allocated to each section. Candidates have the entire 120 minutes (2 hours) to attempt all 140 questions and may choose to switch between sections as they like.
Ques. What is the mode of the IBSAT test? Can I take it from home?
Ans. Yes. The exam is conducted in an online, home-proctored format, meaning you can take it from your laptop/desktop at a suitable location, subject to meeting technical & proctoring requirements.
Ques. How many questions are there and how is the marking done?
Ans. The paper consists of 140 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) spread across four sections, each correct answer awards +1 mark, and there is no negative marking for incorrect or unanswered questions.
Ques. What is the distribution of questions across sections?
Ans. Here is the breakdown:
- Verbal Ability: 50 questions
- Reading Comprehension: 30 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions
- Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation: 30 questions
Total = 140 questions.
Ques. How difficult is the IBSAT exam compared to other MBA entrance tests?
Ans. The difficulty level is typically rated easy to moderate. The structure is more straightforward compared to some other high-end management tests, with clear section-wise breakdowns and no negative marking.
IBSAT 2025 Marking Scheme
As per the IBSAT 2025 Marking scheme, for each correct answer, 1 mark will be awarded and no marks will be deducted for incorrect or unanswered questions.
| Answer Type | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +1 |
| Incorrect Answer | 0 |
Ques. Is there negative marking in IBSAT 2025?
Ans. No, IBSAT has no negative marking for wrong or unattempted questions.
- You can attempt all 140 questions without fear of losing marks
- It’s advisable to attempt every question to maximize your score
Ques. How are scores calculated in IBSAT?
Ans. Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
- Total score = Number of correct answers × 1
- Final percentile is calculated after normalization across slots
Ques. Does IBSAT have sectional cut-offs?
Ans. No, IBSAT does not have sectional cut-offs in score evaluation.
- The overall score is considered for selection
- Section-wise performance may be reviewed in later stages like GD/PI
IBSAT Previous Years’ Question Papers
Aspirants can go through the table below to check the IBSAT previous years papers with answer key PDF.
IBSAT Exam-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Ques. What is the pattern of the IBSAT exam 2025?
Ans. IBSAT 2025 question paper will consist of 140 questions carrying 1 mark each, and there will be no deduction in the marks if any question is answered wrong. It will be conducted in a computer-based format. The question paper is divided into four parts: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. And the total time given to attempt the exam is 120 minutes. No sectional timing is given to the appearing candidates.
Ques. Is there any negative marking in IBSAT?
Ans. Generally, there is no negative marking in the IBSAT examination; 1 mark is awarded for answering a question correctly. And no mark is deducted for committing any wrong answer.
Ques. What are the sections of the IBSAT exam?
Ans. There are 4 sections in the IBSAT question paper, and they are as follows:
- Verbal Ability(VA): Consists of 25 -30 questions from Reading Comprehension, 5-7 from Grammar and sentence correction, 8-10 from Vocabulary, and 3-5 from Verbal Reasoning questions.
- Reading Comprehension(RA): Candidates may witness factual, analytical, opinion-based, inference-based, and vocabulary-based passages.
- Quantitative Aptitude(QA): May consist of 8-10 questions from arithmetic, 6-8 from Algebra, 4-6 from geometry & mensuration, and 1-3 questions from topics like permutation and combination, probability, time, speed, and distance.
- Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation: Consists of 8-10 questions from Caselets, 6-8 from Bar graphs, 5-7 from Pie charts and 3-5 from line graphs, and 4-6 from data sufficiency.
Ques. Can I give the IBSAT exam from home?
Ans. Yes, the candidate can appear for the exam from home. It is a 2-hour-long examination consisting of 140 questions from various topics from the respective syllabus of the IBSAT. The syllabus overview and exam pattern are officially provided by the ICFAI Foundation of Higher Studies through the official brochure or notification.
Ques. How many colleges accept IBSAT?
Ans. In total, 15 colleges all over the country accept IBSAT exam scores, and 9 of which are the ICFAI B-school campuses spread all over the country. These ICFAI B-schools are affiliated with ICFAI University.
*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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