IPM or Integrated Programme in Management is a five-year course offered by IIMs, and one has to clear IPMAT or aptitude test to get admission. At the same time, NPAT exams or National Test for Programs are conducted by NMIMS for offering admission in BBA/B.Sc (Finance) course.
Both NPAT and IPM are for students who have completed their 12th and are going to pursue their careers forward. However, there has been a rising confusion about both exams. Most often, students cannot decide which one to go for. But here you will find all the details regarding both the courses and their differences.
What is IPM?
IPMAT is the test that can allow the students to enter IIM and take admission in the IPM after completion of the 12th standard. Integrated programme Management is a dual degree programme where one will get both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. For securing admission in it, aspirants need to clear IPMAT, and then the shortlisted people will go for a written test and interview round.
Over the years, IPM has become a great option for students apart from Law, Engineering, and Medical. It is a gateway for getting admission in the IIMs and best for making a career in the management field. At such a young age, aspirants get the chance of getting admission in IIMs with less competition. Moreover, its well-charted curriculum and knowledge can provide better placements. Anyone eager for a management career can opt for the option.
What is NPAT?
NPAT or NMIMS Programs is an entrance exam conducted every year for the students who have passed their 12th standard. NPAT offers admission for courses including B.sc, BBA, B.Com, B.Tech, B.Des, MBA (Technology), and many others. Different campuses of NMIMS offer admission on the basis of the NPAT scores.
It is excellent for students who want to pursue their careers in a different field and just not in management. NPAT also allows taking admission in integrated courses which the aspirants can select. Overall, it is a great start for students in their career path.
Top Differences between NPAT and IPM
- Exam Pattern:
In the NPAT exam, there are a total of 120 questions with a time limit of 120 minutes. It has a negative marking of ¼ marks. The exam comprises quantitative ability, English, logical reasoning, and every section carry 40 questions, each making it a total of 120 questions.
The IPMAT exam is an online test with a duration of 2 hours. It has three sections, namely Quantitative Ability of MCQ type questions, Quantitative Ability of Short Answers, and Verbal Ability of MCQ type questions. It carries four marks and has a negative marking of 1 mark. Apart from the Quantitative ability (SA), which has 20 questions, all other sections have 40 questions each. Moreover, there are other two rounds of written ability test or WAT and personal interview of PI round where the markings are different. Along with that, some IIMs have different numbers of questions.
- Selection Procedure:
The admission in NMIMS requires the candidate to get selected in the entire procedure. First, the aspirants have to attempt the NPAT exam and qualify for it. There is no other test or written round. After that, the selected students will be able to go for the personal interview round. The candidates clearing both the factors can then take admission in the institutes.
For taking admission to the IPM, one needs to qualify in the complete selection process. Initially, they have to crack the entrance test, and then they have to clear the written ability test. Those candidates who got selected in both rounds will then proceed to the interview round. After qualifying in the three stages, the students can take admission in it.
- Eligibility Criteria:
The educational criteria for all the students preparing for the NPAT exam are that they must have cleared the 12th standard with Statistics and Mathematics. Furthermore, the candidate needs to have 50% marks for BBA or B.Sc in their 12th standard. They will also require 60% marks for B.com (Hons.). Also, it needs candidates to secure at least 60 percent in the 12th board exams.
The IPMAT eligibility criteria are that students should have 60% in the 12th standard and 55% for SC/ST/PwD category candidates.
Conclusion
Both the tests for IPM and NPAT are there for giving admission to candidates who have completed the 12th standard. However, the institute accepting students are different and have their own benefits in boosting the students’ career path. Through these differences, you can analyze and decide which institute you want to opt for.
