The IIMB UG exam pattern for the November 2026 test is out, and one change matters: the test is now 135 minutes, up from 120 in the first cycle. If you are applying to IIM Bangalore’s B.Sc. (Hons) programmes in Data Science or Economics, this guide gives you the pattern, the marking rules, and how each section feeds your final score. IIMB’s application window runs from August 17 to October 15, 2026 (5:00 pm IST), so you have days, not weeks, to apply.
Also Read: IIM Bangalore UG Admission Process 2026: Eligibility, Exam & Cutoff Guide
IIMB UG Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Test name | IIMB UG Admissions Test (also written UGAT or UG-AT) |
| Programmes | B.Sc. (Hons) Data Science; B.Sc. (Hons) Economics |
| Mode | Computer-based test at centres in India |
| Test date | November 15, 2026 (tentative) |
| Duration | 135 minutes |
| Total questions | 60 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) |
| Sections | Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (30), Logical Reasoning (15), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (15) |
| Negative marking | One-third mark deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Syllabus basis | NCERT, Classes X to XII |
| Result | December 15, 2026 (tentative) |
Which Test Is This? Clearing Up “2026” vs “2027-31”
IIMB held its first UG Admissions Test on December 13, 2025, for the 2026-30 batch. The test on November 15, 2026 is for the 2027-31 batch. Many sites and aspirants call it the “2026” test because of the exam year, so this article uses the same label.
Two other points avoid confusion:
- This test is not IPMAT. IIMB runs its own UG test. See our IPMAT syllabus guide if you are also targeting IIM Indore or Rohtak.
- It covers the B.Sc. (Hons) programmes. IIMB’s BBA in Digital Business & Entrepreneurship is a separate programme with its own admission route, and this pattern does not apply to it.
What Changed From the First Test
| Feature | First test (Dec 13, 2025) | November 2026 test |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes | 135 minutes |
| Questions | 60 MCQs | 60 MCQs |
| Sections | English, LR, Quant & DI | Same three sections |
| Section sizes | 15 / 15 / 30 | 15 / 15 / 30 |
| Negative marking | Reported as +3 / −1 | One-third of a mark per wrong answer |
The extra 15 minutes gives you about 15 seconds more per question on average. Only the duration has changed; the question counts have not.
Also Read: IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2027: CAT Weightage, Cutoff & PI Process Explained
Section-Wise Pattern
| Section | Questions | Share of paper | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QADI) | 30 | 50% | Maths up to Class XII level, statistics, charts and tables |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | 15 | 25% | Puzzles, arrangements, analytical reasoning |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 15 | 25% | Reading comprehension, grammar and sentence-level questions |
IIMB specifies the NCERT Class X to XII syllabus. Detailed topic lists seen on coaching sites are indicative, based on test-taker reports:
- QADI: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, statistics, probability, and DI from graphs and charts.
- LR: puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, series, analogies, and assumption-based questions.
- VARC: comprehension, vocabulary, error detection, para-jumbles, fillers, and sentence completion.
Test-takers of the first cycle reported QADI as the toughest section. Use that as a signal for where to spend practice time, not as a guarantee for 2026.
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
IIMB’s published rule is that one-third of a mark is deducted for each incorrect answer, and unattempted questions score zero. Many coaching sites express the same ratio as +3 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one, with a maximum of 180 marks. I couldn’t confirm the marks per correct answer from IIMB’s own document, so check the official brochure for the exact figure.
Using the +3/−1 model as an illustration:
| Attempt | Correct | Wrong | Blank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Careful | 40 | 10 | 10 | 120 − 10 = 110 |
| Aggressive | 48 | 12 | 0 | 144 − 12 = 132 |
| Overreach | 36 | 24 | 0 | 108 − 24 = 84 |
Guessing math: with a 1/3 penalty, a blind guess among four options has an expected value of zero, since 0.25 × 3 − 0.75 × 1 = 0. If you can eliminate even one option, a guess turns positive (0.33 × 3 − 0.67 × 1 ≈ +0.33). Confirm the number of options per question in your first mock.
How the Test Score Is Used
The test is only the first stage. The weights below come from IIMB’s 2027-31 admission procedure, as reported by preparation sites that quote it.
| Stage | Component | Weight (points) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-interview score | UG Test (total) | 70 |
| LR | 30 | |
| QADI | 20 | |
| VARC | 20 | |
| Class X overall (standardised) | 15 | |
| Class X Mathematics (standardised) | 10 | |
| Gender diversity (pre-interview only) | 5 | |
| Final score | UG Test | 40 |
| Personal Interview | 40 | |
| Class X overall | 10 | |
| Class X Mathematics | 10 |
Two takeaways:
- LR counts for more than its size suggests. It has 15 questions but 30 of 70 test points. Relatively, each LR question carries about 2.0 points against roughly 0.67 for each QADI question and 1.33 for each VARC question. This is a relative-weight view of how section performance is scored, not marks per question.
- The first shortlist has section floors. Candidates need a minimum positive raw score in all three sections. For the 2025 test, the QADI percentile floor was reported as 80 for General and 70 to 75 for reserved categories. Treat these as past-cycle indicators, not 2026 cutoffs.
Suggested Time Plan for 135 Minutes
This is a planning split, not an official rule. Adjust it after two or three mocks.
| Section | Questions | Suggested time | Minutes per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| QADI | 30 | 65 min | about 2.2 |
| LR | 15 | 35 min | about 2.3 |
| VARC | 15 | 30 min | 2.0 |
| Review buffer | — | 5 min | — |
LR puzzle sets are time-heavy, so scan a set before committing. VARC is the section where reading speed is the limit, so don’t spend more than 8 minutes on a single passage.
For a worked-out section strategy, read our guide on balancing Quant, LR and Verbal for IIM Bangalore UG.
Details That Are Not Confirmed
- Sectional time limits: sources disagree. One recent guide says there are none for the 135-minute test, while an older table lists 30, 30 and 60 minutes. Check the official brochure, and practise both ways.
- Date: November 15 is described as tentative.
- Official mock: one source says IIMB releases the mock test link to applicants only after the application window closes.
Summary
The IIMB UG exam pattern 2026 has 60 MCQs in 135 minutes: 30 in QADI, 15 in LR and 15 in VARC, with one-third negative marking and an NCERT Class X to XII syllabus. The duration is the only change from the first test. QADI is half the paper, but LR carries the heaviest weight in the pre-interview score. Plan your time per section, and guess only when you can eliminate options.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the IIMB UG exam pattern 2026?
It is a computer-based test with 60 multiple-choice questions in 135 minutes. It has 30 questions in Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, 15 in Logical Reasoning, and 15 in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
2. How long is the IIMB UG test in 2026?
The test is 135 minutes. The first test in December 2025 was 120 minutes.
3. Is there negative marking in the IIMB UG test?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for each incorrect answer, and unattempted questions carry no penalty. Many sources model this as +3 for correct and −1 for wrong.
4. Are there sectional time limits in the IIMB UG test?
Sources conflict, so treat it as unconfirmed. Check IIMB’s official documents and practise with both a flexible and a section-wise clock.
5. Which section matters most in IIMB UG?
QADI is half the paper, but LR carries 30 of the 70 test points in the pre-interview score. Strong performance in all three sections is needed because each has a minimum cut.
6. Is the IIMB UG test the same as IPMAT?
No. IIMB conducts its own UG Admissions Test for its B.Sc. (Hons) programmes and does not use IPMAT scores.
7. When is the IIMB UG test and when does the application close?
The test is tentatively on November 15, 2026, and applications close on October 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm IST.
Conclusion
Know the format before you plan the prep: 60 questions, 135 minutes, three sections, and a one-third penalty for each wrong answer. Pace yourself by section, treat LR as a high-value section, and verify the small unconfirmed details on the official site. Ready to test yourself? Take a timed IIMB UG-style practice set on CatMock and check your time per section.
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