Balancing 12th Boards and IPMAT Preparation: A Survival Guide

Juggling two worlds with one pair of hands—no wonder the weight feels heavier than it should….

Let’s embrace this juggling and strategize in a manner that you ace both balancing 12th Boards and IPMAT preparation. 

Let’s cut to the chase and get straight to the point, Read along to amp up your preparation.

Why are 12th Boards important?

With the rise of entrance exams being the primary admission criteria for top universities, many students tend to overlook the significance of Class 12 board marks. However, here are a few crisp pointers to remind you why your 12th board results still matter-

• Eligibility Criteria-Most entrance exams—including IPMAT—require a minimum percentage (55%-60%) in Class 12 to qualify. Falling short here can disqualify you before the real race even begins.
• Backup Admission Route-Not everyone cracks entrance exams. Your board marks are often used for admission into non-entrance-based courses, making them a strong safety net. It is also required in competitive exams like Banking, SSC, UPSC etc.
• Profile Building for Interviews-IIMs and other top institutes consider your academic profile—including board marks—during interviews. A solid score reflects consistency and discipline.
• Scholarship Opportunities-Many merit-based scholarships rely heavily on your Class 12 performance. Higher marks can ease financial burdens significantly.
• Future Academic Plans-If you plan to study abroad or pursue post-graduate courses later, your 12th marks may be considered during applications—even years down the line.
• First Impression in Internships & Jobs-Early job or internship applications sometimes consider board marks as part of shortlisting, especially when you’re fresh out of school.

Importance of IPMAT Preparation

Cracking the IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test) opens doors to some of the most prestigious management programs in India, offered by institutes like IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, and more.

Here’s why putting focused effort into IPMAT prep is a game-changer:

• Direct Entry to IIMs After Class 12-IPMAT is your golden ticket to IIMs without waiting for a CAT exam or post-grad degree. It puts you on a fast-track management career path right after school.
• Opens Doors Beyond IIMs-Scores from IPMAT are also accepted by other reputed institutes, and strong aptitude skills built during prep can help with other exams like NPAT, JIPMAT, and CUET.
• Limited Seats, High Competition-Thousands apply, but only a few hundred make it through. Strategic preparation gives you the competitive edge to stand out in this tight race.
• Provides Clarity-If a student is sure about pursuing a career in Management, right in their 12th Standard, then this exam carves a direct pathway.
• Time Saver- Students will not have to wait for their graduation to begin with their management career.

Strategy of balancing 12th Boards and IPMAT Preparation

Here are some practical and doable tips to strategize your preparation

• Prepare a customized Plan- Every student has a unique study pattern. Prepare a plan that suits you the best. It can go like 2 hours for Boards and 1.5-2 hours daily for IPMAT preparation.
• Parallel Preparation-Doing Math for Boards? Wrap up with 20 minutes of IPMAT Quant.
  Reading English chapters? Pick one IPMAT RC or Para Jumble. Leverage subject overlap to keep skills sharp without burnout
• Structured Preparation- Visit various online coaching platforms and choose the right one. IPMAT Online Coaching with Expert mentors helps you balance both.

1. • Use Boards for Concept Clarity, IPMAT for Application-Board exams are about depth; IPMAT is about speed and versatility. Learn thoroughly for boards—then train your brain to apply it faster in IPMAT-style questions. It’s like learning to cook slowly, then competing in MasterChef.

• Practice Mock Tests- IPMAT Mock Tests help you simulate the exam day, and helps boost confidence.
• Keep a track- A record of what has been done, what is to be done and the weak areas after analyzing your mocks is a must.
• Practice PYQ’s- IPMAT Previous Year Questions help you understand the exam pattern and what to expect on the exam day.

1. • Recharge Is Non-Negotiable- Don’t romanticize the hustle. One tired brain handles neither well. Sleep well. Move your body. Laugh a little. These are prep tools too.

• Resources- Be Wise while finalizing your Books and Study Materials.
• Test Series- Consider enrolling in IPMAT Test Series to acquaint yourself with the IPMAT Exam Pattern. Do not forget to do an analyze after every test.
• Exam Analysis- Have a look at IPMAT Exam Analysis. To get a grasp over the exam.

Pro Tip: Sync with the Exam Timeline

From January – February, go 70% Boards, 30% IPMAT.

From March onward (post-Boards), flip it – go 90% IPMAT, 10% revision for Boards if needed. Timing is everything.

Common Mistakes to avoid

It’s normal to question whether I am on the right path or not. Let’s learn some signs to clarify whether the measure that you’ve adopted will take you to the right path or not:

1. Prioritizing one over the other- while it’s normal to prioritize one thing over the other on some days, but know how to balance both Class 12th Boards and IPMAT preparation.
2. Overconfidence- Self-belief does take you places, but understand when it’s turning towards overconfidence. Do not undermine any one preparation over the other.
3. Over-Reliance- Don’t let a plethora of resources confuse you or make you over dependent on them. Choose the right IPM exam mentor and remember that nothing can beat self-study.
4. Inconsistency- A consistent preparation is the key to crack any exam. Never undermine its worth.

Conclusion

Voila!

You are all set to be a maestro of both the exams. Revisit the above mentioned strategies as and when needed. Do not let the journey overwhelm you, always remind yourself of your final destination. Management journey has its own ups and downs, have a structured preparation so that you don’t feel lost. Preparation with expert mentors who have a legacy of result, bring you a step closer to your destination.

We Wish you luck!

Team CL