IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023

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Updated on
May 26, 2023

Conducted by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (a deemed to be University), IBSAT 2023 is an important MBA entrance exam. It is the gateway to MBA/PGPM 2024-26 at 9 campuses of ICFAI Business School (IBS) located at Hyderabad, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. The application for IBSAT 2023 exam can be submitted online as well as offline till 3rd week of December 2023.

IBSAT 2023 Registration Open: Register Now

IBSAT 2023 exam will be conducted on December 23 & 24, 2023. IBSAT 2023 is an online computer based test of 2 hours duration and offers opportunity for MBA admission 2024 in all the 9 ICFAI Business schools. ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT) 2023 is a moderate difficulty level exam which consists of 140 questions divided into 4 sections 

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Welingkar Mumbai | Closing Soon | Apply Now Jaipuria Noida, Lucknow | Closing Soon | Apply Now
S P Jain Global Mumbai | Closing Soon | | Apply Now JAGSoM Bangalore | Closing Soon | Apply Now
SDA Bocconi Asia Center | Closing Soon | Apply Now VBS Mumbai | Closing Soon | Apply Now
Woxsen University | Closing Soon | Apply Now       Jaipuria Noida, Lucknow | Closing Soon | Apply Now
SOIL Gurgaon | Closing Soon | Apply Now Mahindra University HYD | Closing Soon | Apply Now
IBA Bangalore | Closing Soon | Apply Now JIMS Rohini Delhi | Closing Soon | Apply Now

IBSAT 2023 Exam Pattern: Highlights
IBSAT is a moderate difficulty level MBA entrance exam. Key highlights of IBSAT 2023 exam pattern are:

IBSAT Exam Conducting Body
ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (a deemed to be University)
IBSAT 2023 Exam Dates
December 23 & 24, 2023
Number of MBA colleges under IBSAT 2023
9
Mode of IBSAT 2023 exam
Online computer based test of 2 hours duration
IBSAT 2023 Exam Application Fee
Rs.1800/-
IBSAT Full Form
ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test
Total Questions in IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023
140
Sectional Division of IBSAT 2023 Pattern
4 Sections on VA, RC, QA, DADI
Number of questions in Each Section in revised IBSAT 2023 pattern
VA-50; RC-30; QA-30; DA&DI-30
Type of Questions in IBSAT 2023 Pattern
MCQs
Scoring Scheme in IBSAT 2023 Pattern
+1 Mark for Correct answer, No negative marking
IBSAT 2023 Pattern - Exam Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate
Importance of Taking IBSAT exam pattern 2023
Offers Admission opportunity in 9 ICFAI B-schools
IBSAT exam application process
Available Online & Offline

Sectional Composition of Exam Pattern for IBSAT 2023
Exam Pattern for IBSAT 2023 is divided into four sections  - Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude; Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. Section-wise split of questions is as under:  

IBSAT 2023 Exam Component
Number of Questions
Verbal Ability    
50 MCQs
Reading Comprehension
30 MCQs
Quantitative Aptitude   
30 MCQs
Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation
30 MCQs

Exam Pattern for IBSAT 2023: Important Points for Test Takers
The online computer based IBSAT 2023 exam Pattern with 2 hours of test duration on both exam days has following important points to note for test takers before taking the exam:

  • Exam Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
  • Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • Number of Answer Options: 5
  • Section Split: Only Exam with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension with separate sections
  • Maximum Weightage Section: Verbal Ability with 50 MCQs, all others have 30 MCQs each
  • Negative Marking: No
  • Sectional Time Limit: No Sectional Time Limit. You can switch from one section to other within overall time limit of 2 hours
  • Scoring Pattern: +1 Mark for each correct answer and no marks for un attempted question or wrong answer
  • IBSAT Cut off for IBS Hyderabad: Not Very High

IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023: Similar as last Year
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 is not much changed from last year IBSAT exam. ICFAI Foundation, a Deemed University, has been conducting IBSAT exam for last many years for MBA admission in 9 ICFAI colleges. Scores of IBSAT 2023 exam will be used as admission criteria in all the ICFAI B-schools across the country for the MBA/PGDM 2024-26 batch. 

Alert! MBA Admissions 2024 Open for Top Colleges | Apply Now
Welingkar Mumbai & Bangalore | Apply Now Rajagiri Business School Kochi | Apply Now
SCMS Cochin | Closing Soon | Apply Now SDA Bocconi Asia Center Admission | Apply Now
Woxsen University | Closing Soon | Apply Now Delhi School of Business (DSB) | Apply Now
Rajagiri Business School Kochi | Apply Now Jaipuria Noida, Lucknow | Closing Soon | Apply Now
XIME Bangalore | Closing Soon | Apply Now NDIM New Delhi (NDIM) | Closing Soon | Apply Now
Sparsh Greater Noida | Closing Soon | Apply Now SIES Mumbai | Closing Soon | Apply Now

 

IBSAT Pattern 2023: How to answer IBSAT question?

  • You have to choose the correct answer option out of the multiple choices given below the question on the computer screen
  • Click and Mark the correct answer option, save and proceed for next question
  • Time duration to complete the IBSAT exam as per the IBSAT pattern 2023 is 2 hours
  • Each correct answer is awarded +1 Mark
  • No penalty for Wrong answer

IBSAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Difficulty Level in IBSAT Pattern
Although IBSAT Exam pattern and Syllabus contains all the topics on which questions are asked in other MBA entrance exams also, the past IBSAT paper pattern reveals that IBSAT syllabus and pattern does not throw tough questions in the IBSAT exam. 

 

No GK in IBSAT Syllabus and Pattern 2023
Unlike many other MBA entrance exams, like CMAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, there is no GK section in IBSAT exam pattern and syllabus. The IBSAT syllabus and pattern for each section does not ask you to prepare GK for the IBSAT test pattern, although it will be required to clear the final selection round of MBA colleges accepting IBSAT score.

 

IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023: Sub Sections in IBSAT Syllabus and Pattern
IBSAT Exam pattern 2023 is further subdivided. This sectional sub-division in IBSAT Pattern 2023 makes IBSAT 2023 as an exam with 5 effective sections. Here are the key details:

  1. Section-1 in IBSAT exam 2023 on Verbal Ability with maximum number of 50 questions, consists of all important parts of English Language – Grammar, Sentence formation, vocabulary usage, idioms, phrases, one word substitution, jumbled paragraphs among others
  2. Section-2 on Reading Comprehension with 30 questions based on RC passages is not very difficult. RC passages are of moderate difficulty level and RC based questions are directly related to the information contained in the passage and can be attempted fairly well.
  3. Section-3 on Quantitative Ability in IBSAT 2023 exam pattern consists of questions to test your Mathematical Skills. It is very wide and covers each and every topic in Mathematics with greater emphasis on Arithmetic. However, the section is of moderate difficulty level.
  4. Section-4 in IBSAT 2023 exam pattern is on Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. It has two types of questions – the first type is on Data Interpretation which require Data Analysis, Data comparison, Data Trends and other type of questions are on Data sufficiency.

IBSAT Pattern Vs CAT, XAT, NMAT, ATMA MBA Entrance Exams
IBSAT exam pattern is not much different than the other national level MBA entrance exams. Below are shared quick comparison of IBSAT exam pattern 2023 with other National level exams: 

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IBA Bangalore Admission 2024 | Apply Now CIMP Patna PGDM Admission 2024 | Apply Now
Amrita Business School Admission 2024 | Apply Now  MDI Murshidabad  Admission 2024| Apply Now 
IPE Hyderabad Admission 2024 | Apply Now Appejay School of Management | Apply Now
SSIM Hyderabad Admission 2024 | Apply Now Sri Balaji University Pune MBA | Apply Now

IBSAT Exam Pattern Vs IIMs CAT
IBSAT exam pattern and IIMs CAT exam have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. A quick analysis between IBSAT 2023 exam pattern and CAT exam will bring home the facts:

Exam Pattern Component
IBSAT Paper Pattern
IIMs CAT Pattern
Total Questions
140
66
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
2 hours
 2 hours
Question Format
All MCQs
48 questions are MCQs, rest 18 are Non-MCQs
Answer Options for MCQs
 5
4
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
 1
3
Negative Marking
Not Applicable
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
Exam Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate
Difficult
Number of Sections
4
3
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
Verbal Ability: 50
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24
Section-2: Name and Number of questions
Reading Comprehension: 30
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
Quantitative Ability:30
Quantitative Ability-22
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
Date Adequacy & Data Interpretation:30
Not Applicable
Facility to Choose Order of Sections
Yes, any section/question within overall time limit
No, should follow pre-defined sectional order
Individual Sectional time limit
No, Candidate to complete the test in 120 minutes
Yes, each section with 40 Minute time limit
Top MBA colleges accepting exam score
IBS Hyderabad; IBS Dehradun; IBS Jaipur and other 6 ICFAI colleges
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of others

IBSAT Exam Pattern V/s XAT
IBSAT Exam Pattern and XLRI - XAT exam have many similarities. It helps the IBSAT and XAT test takers to prepare for them with less extra efforts. Below are shared key comparative features of IBSAT Test pattern with XAT exam  

Component
IBSAT 2023 Paper Pattern
XLRI – XAT Pattern
Total Questions
140
101
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
2hours
3 hours & 10 Minutes
Question Format
All MCQs
100 MCQs + 1 Descriptive Essay Writing Test
Answer Options for each MCQ
   5
  5
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
    1
  1
Negative Marking
Not applicable
 0.25 mark; No negative marking for GK section
Exam Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate
Moderate to High
Number of Sections
   4
  5
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
Verbal Ability: 50
English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions
Reading Comprehension: 30
 Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
Quantitative Ability:30
Decision Making-21
 Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy: 30
 
 
General Awareness-25
Section-5: Name and Number of Questions
Not Applicable
Essay Writing Test-1 Question
Sectional Score Not Counted for Percentile Calculation
None
General Awareness and Essay Writing Test
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit
Individual Sectional Time Limit
No
No
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
IBS Hyderabad; IBS Dehradun; IBS Jaipur and other 6 ICFAI colleges
XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB, Great Lakes, LIBA, BIMTECH, XIME among 150 B-schools

IBSAT Exam Pattern V/s NMAT by GMAC
IBSAT Exam Pattern and NMAT by GMAC exam have many similar sections and question pattern. The candidates preparing for both the exams may coordinate their sectional and overall exam preparation. A comparative analysis detailing the key features of IBSAT Test Pattern and NMAT by GMAC is shared below:

Component
IBSAT Paper Pattern 2023
NMAT by GMAC
Total Questions
140
108
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
2hours
2 hours
Question Format
All MCQs
All MCQs
Answer Options for each MCQ
    5
  5
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
    1
  1
Negative Marking
Not Applicable
No Negative marking
Exam Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate
Moderate to High
Number of Sections
   4
  3
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
Verbal Ability: 50
Language Skills-36
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions
Reading Comprehension: 30
Logical Reasoning-36
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
Quantitative Ability:30
Quantitative Skills-36
 Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy: 30
Not applicable
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit
Yes, but once chosen the order, has to follow
Individual Sectional Time Limit
No
Yes, varying time limit of 28 minutes to 52 minutes
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
IBS Hyderabad; IBS Dehradun; IBS Jaipur and other 6 ICFAI colleges
NMIMS, VIT, XIMB, IBS-ICFAI,
MISB Bocconi, Alliance University

IBSAT Exam Pattern Vs MAT
IBSAT Exam pattern and MAT exam pattern have many similarities. Below are shared the key features of IBSAT paper pattern 2023 and MAT exam.

Component
IBSAT 2023 paper pattern
MAT
Total Questions
140
200
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
2 Hours
2½ hours
Question Format
All MCQs
All MCQs
Answer Options for each MCQ
5
4
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
1
1
Negative Marking
Nil
0.25 mark
Exam Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate
Easy to Moderate
Number of Sections
4
5
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
Verbal Ability: 50
Language Comprehension-1: 40  
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions
Reading Comprehension: 30
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 40
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
Quantitative Ability:30
Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 40
 Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy: 30
Mathematical Skills: 40
 
 Section-5: Name and Number of Questions
Not Applicable
Indian & Global Environment: 40
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions
Any question from any section within overall time limit
Yes any question from any section within overall time limit
Individual Sectional Time Limit
No
No
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
IBS Hyderabad; IBS Dehradun; IBS Jaipur and other 6 ICFAI colleges
Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 600 MBA colleges

IBSAT Pattern Vs ATMA
The IBSAT exam pattern and ATMA exam have many similarities. Accordingly, a candidate preparing for both the exams can prepare well by deploying less efforts with more output. Below are the key features of IBSAT Test pattern and ATMA exam pattern

Component
IBSAT 2023 paper pattern
ATMA
Total Questions
140
180
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
2 hours
3 hours
Question Format
All MCQs
All MCQs
Answer Options for each MCQ
5
    4
Marks Awarded for Each Correct Answer
1
    1
Negative Marking
Nil
0.25 mark
Exam Difficulty Level
Easy to Moderate
Easy to Moderate
Number of Sections
4
   6
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
Verbal Ability: 50
Analytical Reasoning Skills-1: 30
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions
Reading Comprehension: 30
Verbal Skills-1: 30
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
Quantitative Ability:30
Quantitative Skills-1: 30
 Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy: 30
 
Verbal Skills-2: 30
 
 Section-5: Name and Number of Questions
Not applicable
Analytical Reasoning Skills-2: 30
Section-6: Name and Number of Questions
Not applicable
Quantitative Skills-2: 30
Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions
Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit
No, should follow pre defined order
Individual Sectional Time Limit
No
Yes, 30 Minutes for each Section
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
IBS Hyderabad; IBS Dehradun; IBS Jaipur and other 6 ICFAI colleges
PUMBA, Dy Patil, IFIM, Welingkar, Christ University, NDIM, DSIMS, IPE, IESMCRC, FIIB among 100 MBA colleges
Short name
Pattern

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