IBSAT Exam Pattern has 140 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided in four sections on Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. IBSAT exam pattern has very high weightage on English language with two sections dedicated to it: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. IBSAT 2025 exam will be held on December 27 and 28, 2025. Read exam pattern, type of questions, and other details in this article.
IBSAT Entrance Exam 2025 is conducted by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (a deemed to be University). IBSAT is an Internet Based Aptitude Test which can be taken from home. Top colleges accepting IBSAT exam scores are IBS Hyderabad, IBS Mumbai and IBS Gurgaon. Check key highlights of IBSAT exam 2025.
| IBSAT Exam Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| IBSAT Conducting Body | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (a deemed to be University) |
| IBSAT Official Website | ibsindia.org |
| IBSAT Full Form | ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test |
| Top MBA colleges accepting IBSAT exam scores | IBS Hyderabad, IBS Mumbai, IBS Gurgaon, and other cities |
| IBSAT Exam Date 2025 | December 27 & 28, 2025 |
| IBSAT Testing Mode | Online Proctored computer-based test from home |
| IBSAT Exam Time Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Questions | 140 |
| IBSAT Scoring Pattern | +1 Mark for Correct answer, No negative marking |
| Exam Sections | Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation |
| Type of Questions | MCQs |
| IBSAT Exam Difficulty Level | Easy to Moderate |
| IBSAT exam registration process | Online on IBSAT website & Offline |
| IBSAT Entrance Exam Application Fee | Rs. 1800 |
IBSAT Exam Pattern has 140 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided in four sections on Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. Verbal Ability has the maximum weightage. Check break up of questions and maximum marks by section.
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2025
| Exam Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 50 | 50 |
| Reading Comprehension | 30 | 30 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 140 | 140 |
The Verbal Ability section in IBSAT carries overall 36% Weightage in the exam. Out of total 140 questions, 50 questions are based on Verbal Ability. This VA section in IBSAT does not include Reading Comprehension which is a separate section. Below is shared the topic wise Verbal Ability sectional pattern with number of questions in the exam and actual IBSAT questions in previous years.
IBSAT Exam Pattern: Type of Questions in Verbal Ability Section
| Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | Description | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | Vocabulary | Synonyms (5 Qs); Antonyms (5 Qs); Meaning of Idiom/Phrase (5) | 15 |
| -- | Jumbled Paragraph | Placing the Jumbled sentences in coherent paragraphs (5 Qs) | 5 |
| -- | Fill in the Blanks | Selecting appropriate words in the blank spaces of passage (5 Qs) | 5 |
| -- | Error Correction in Sentences based on Grammar and Tenses | Spotting the error in sentences (5 Qs); Correction and replacement of part of sentences (10 Qs) | 15 |
| -- | One Word Substitution | Substituting a phrase/part of sentence with one word (5 Qs) | 5 |
| -- | Reasoning | Analogy – Word Relation | 5 |
| Total VA Questions | -- | -- | 50 |
Reading Comprehension in IBSAT is a separate section and is not clubbed with Verbal Ability. The Reading Comprehension section in IBSAT carries overall 21% Weightage. Out of total 140 questions, 30 questions are based on Reading Comprehension only. The questions are based on long and short RC passages on different topics. Below is shared the topic wise Reading Comprehension sectional pattern with number of questions in the exam and actual questions to help you familiarise with the type of questions:
Exam Wise Section wise Topics & Types of Questions Table
Year: IBSAT 2023
Section: Reading Comprehension
| Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | Description | No of Questions Appeared in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Includes Long and Short RC Passages on Literature, History, Business & Economics, Social Issues, Current Affairs | Long RC Passages: 3 Passages of 600-700 words with 8Qs each; Short RC Passage: 1 Passage of 500 Words followed by 6 questions | 30 |
| Total Questions | -- | -- | 30 |
The Quantitative Aptitude Section in IBSAT also carries overall 21% Weight in the exam. The section comprises 30 questions out of total 140 questions. Major topics on which questions are based include Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number system among others. Below is shared the topic wise Quantitative Aptitude sectional pattern with number of questions in previous year question paper.
IBSAT Exam Pattern: Type of Questions in Quantitative Aptitude
| Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | Description | No of Questions Appeared in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | TSD, T&W | Time & Work (1 Q); Time Speed & Distance (2 Qs) | 3 |
| Arithmetic | Percentage, Profit & Loss | Profit and Loss (2 Qs), Percentages (4 Qs) | 6 |
| Algebra | Equation, Formulae | Equation and Other Topics (4 Qs) | 4 |
| Modern Math | Probability, Log, Underroot | Probability (2 Qs), Underroots (3 Qs) | 5 |
| Number System | Dvisions, Multiples | Divisibility, Factors, Multiplicity | 3 |
| Geometry | Angles, Circles, Rectangles, Others | Angles (2 Qs); Circles (2 Qs); Rectangles (1 Qs); Area/Circumference (1 Qs) | 6 |
| -- | Trigonometry, Mensuration Etc | Trigonometry (1 Q), Mensuration (2 Qs) | 3 |
| Total Questions | -- | -- | 30 |
The Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency (DIDS) Section in IBSAT also carries overall 21% Weight in the exam. The section comprises 30 questions out of total 140 questions. Major topics on which questions are based include Graphs, Pie Charts, Data Tables, Problems with data followed by statement questions confirming data sufficiency among others. Below is shared the topic wise DIDS sectional pattern with number of questions in the exam and previous year question paper.
IBSAT Exam Pattern: Type of Questions in Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | Description | No of Questions Appeared in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Bar Graphs, Data Table, Pie Chart | Bar Graph (5 Qs); Data Table (5 Qs); Pie Chart (5 Qs) | 15 |
| Data Sufficiency | Statements, Clocks & Calendars, Data Based Relations, Data Surveys | Statements based on Data (2 Qs); Relationship (1 Q); Volume (1Q); Arithmetic based (2 Qs); Clocks, Calendar & Dates (2 Qs); Teams & Surveys (2 Qs); Geometry based (2 Qs); Data Divisibility (1 Q); Integer based statement (1 Q); Others (1 Q) | 15 |
| Total Questions | -- | -- | 30 |
IBSAT marking scheme is given below.
IBSAT and MAT exam pattern have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronize their sectional and overall exam preparation. Check comparison below.
In conclusion, IBSAT exam pattern has very high weightage on English language with two sections dedicated to it: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. IBSAT Exam Pattern has 140 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided in four sections on Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Adequacy & Data Interpretation. Read exam pattern, type of questions, and other details in above article.
| Component | IBSAT | MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 140 | 150 |
| Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam | 2 Hours | 2 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: 30 |
| Section-2: Name and Number of Questions | Reading Comprehension: 30 | Intelligence & Critical Reasoning: 30 |
| Section-3: Name and Number of Questions | Quantitative Ability:30 | Data Analysis & Sufficiency: 30 |
| Section-4: Name and Number of Questions | Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy: 30 | Mathematical Skills: 30 |
| Section-5: Name and Number of Questions | Not Applicable | Economic & Business Environment: 30 |
| Facility to Choose Order of Sections & Questions | Any question from any section within overall time limit | 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 |