IBSAT exam pattern 2023 is set by the ICFAI Business School. Candidates must understand the IBSAT paper pattern to get into the MBA programs offered by IBS Bangalore and IBS Hyderabad. Applicants will have 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete 140 MCQ-type questions as per the IBSAT 2023 exam pattern. The IBSAT paper has 4 sections. At the same time, the IBSAT exam difficulty level is considered to be moderate.
The candidates will be awarded 1 mark for each correct answer per the IBSAT marking scheme. There is no negative marking in IBSAT.
Table of Content
- IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
- IBSAT Exam 2023 Question Distribution
- IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme
- IBSAT Exam Pattern vs Other MBA Entrance Exams
- IBSAT Syllabus 2023
- IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023: Difficulty Level
- IBSAT Sample Papers 2023
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
Candidates must understand the IBSAT exam pattern 2023 before they appear for the exam. The best way to get familiar with the IBSAT 2023 exam pattern is by reviewing the previous year's papers and sample papers. A general overview of the pattern for the IBSAT paper is tabulated below.
| Highlights | Particulars |
| Exam Name | ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT) |
| Conducting Body | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education |
| Website | www.ibsindia.org |
| Number of Papers | 1 |
| Number of Sections | 4 |
| Sectional Details | Data Adequacy and Data Interpretation |
| Quantitative Techniques | |
| Reading Comprehension | |
| Vocabulary | |
| Number of Questions | 140 |
| Question Type | MCQs |
| Mode | Proctored Home Based Test |
| Time Allotted | 120 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | 1 Mark Per Correct Answer |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
IBSAT Exam 2023 Question Distribution
As per the IBSAT exam pattern 2023, the paper will have 4 sections. Candidates will attempt 140 questions combined in all 4 sections of the IBSAT paper. Candidates need to understand the question distribution as per the IBSAT paper pattern to develop their preparation strategy. Based on this division of the IBSAT paper, candidates can prepare for the exam by giving more importance to the section with relatively more questions.
The question division as per the IBSAT 2023 exam pattern is provided below for the applicants.
| Sections | No. of Questions/No. of Marks |
| Data Adequacy and Data Interpretation | 30 |
| Quantitative Techniques | 30 |
| Reading Comprehension | 30 |
| Verbal Ability | 50 |
| Total Questions/Marks | 140 |
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme
It is essential for candidates to understand the marking scheme of the paper as per the IBSAT exam pattern 2023. The IBSAT marking scheme is discussed below for the candidates.
| Elements | Details |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 1 |
| IBSAT Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
| IBSAT Total Marks | 140 |
IBSAT Exam Pattern vs Other MBA Entrance Exams
There are multiple exams for candidates to take admissions in the MBA programs colleges offer across the country's length and breadth. Candidates can understand the basic difference between the IBSAT exam pattern 2023 and the pattern of other entrance exams for MBA is provided below.
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 vs CAT Exam Pattern
CAT remains the most sought-after exam in India to get into IIMs for MBA programs. Candidates must understand the differences between the CAT exam pattern and the IBSAT paper. The difference is tabulated below.
| Highlights | IBSAT Paper Pattern | IIMs CAT Pattern |
| Total Number 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 the overall time limit | No, should follow pre-defined sectional order |
| Individual Sectional Time Limit | No, the Candidate is to complete the test in 120 minutes | Yes, each section with 40 Minute time limit |
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 vs XAT Exam Pattern
Many students appear for the XAT exams. Therefore it is essential to understand the basic XAT exam pattern 2023. The comparison of the same with the IBSAT exam pattern is tabulated below.
| Highlights | 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 |
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 vs NMAT Exam Pattern
Many candidates appear for the NMAT exams. Therefore it is essential to understand the basic NMAT exam pattern 2023. The comparison of the same with the IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 is tabulated below.
| Highlights | 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 the overall time limit | Yes, but once chosen the order, has to follow |
| Individual Sectional Time Limit | No | Yes, varying time limits of 28 minutes to 52 minutes |
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023 vs MAT Exam Pattern
Many applicants appear for the MAT exams. Therefore it is essential to understand the basic MAT exam pattern 2023. The comparison of MAT with the IBSAT 2023 exam pattern is tabulated below.
| Highlights | 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 the overall time limit | Yes any question from any section within the overall time limit |
| Individual Sectional Time Limit | No | No |
IBSAT Syllabus 2023
After going through the pre-defined IBSAT exam pattern, candidates can move forward to the announced exam syllabus. The IBSAT syllabus 2023 is announced by the official authorities responsible for organizing the exam. The syllabus is divided into four major sections to test the course-required knowledge of the applicant. The four primary areas of the syllabus are mentioned below.
- Quantitative Techniques
- Data Interpretation & Data Adequacy
- Vocabulary, Analytical Reasoning and
- Reading Comprehension
IBSAT Exam Pattern 2023: Difficulty Level
To analyze the exam pattern's difficulty level through the IBSAT exam pattern, candidates should refer to the exam pattern announcements from previous years.
- The official authorities follow the exam pattern, which is easy to understand and does not create any confusion for the applicants.
- Once the candidates understand the exam pattern, they can focus on preparing for the exam.
- This will also help them avoid unnecessary mistakes during the attempt, which could affect their final result as well.
IBSAT Sample Papers 2023
To develop a better understanding of the IBSAT exam pattern 2023, candidates can also refer to IBSAT mock tests and sample papers 2023.
- The official authorities at IBS have been following a similar exam pattern trend.
- IBSAT 2023 sample papers available on the official website will help candidates practice the pattern and structure of the exam.
- Sample papers will contribute to building confidence and teach proper time management during the exam.
