UG Management (BBA / IPM) Entrance Exams 2027
After Class 12 you can enter management through five-year integrated programmes (IPM at IIMs) or BBA programmes at universities like NMIMS and Symbiosis. IPMAT, NPAT and SET are the main tests, mostly held between February and May.
Updated
Management (UG) Exams Compared
| Exam | Exam date | Registration | Questions / Marks | Negative marking | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPATUniversity | 10 Feb – 31 Mar 2027 | 28 Jan – 26 May 2027 | 120 / 120 | No | Expected |
| SETUniversity | 1 May 2027 | 10 Jan – 15 Apr 2027 | 60 / 60 | No | Expected |
| IPMATNational | 3 May 2027 | 1 Feb – 17 Mar 2027 | 90 / 360 | Yes, −1 (except short-answer questions) | Expected |
“Expected” dates are projected from last year's official schedule; “Official” dates come from the conducting body's notice.
How Management Admissions Work in 2027
There are two routes. The five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) at IIM Indore — with similar programmes at IIM Ranchi, Rohtak, Bodh Gaya, Jammu and Shillong — combines a BBA and an MBA, so you skip CAT and sit IIM placements. IPMAT Indore, held in early May, is the main gateway and is the most competitive test in this stream.
The second route is a three-year BBA at a private university. NMIMS admits through NPAT, which runs in two long testing phases from February to June so you can pick a date and retake to improve. Symbiosis uses SET, held as two tests in early May, followed by a PI-WAT. In Delhi NCR, IPU CET fills BBA seats at 100+ GGSIPU colleges, and CUET UG opens BBA/BMS at DU and other central universities.
All of these tests lean on the same three skills — quantitative aptitude at roughly Class 10 level, verbal ability and logical reasoning — so one preparation plan covers them. What differs is timing: IPMAT registration closes in mid-March, much earlier than most students expect, while NPAT stays open until late May.
Which Management Exams Should I Take?
Want an IIM straight after school
IPMAT Indore (+ IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT for the other IPMs), with NPAT and SET as backups.
Want a top private BBA
NPAT + SET. Take an early NPAT slot so you can retake if needed.
Want BBA in Delhi
CUET UG (DU's BMS/BBA) + IPU CET, plus NPAT for NMIMS.
Management (UG) Exam Calendar & Clashes
Upcoming exam days by month, and the ones that collide with other exams.
Watch out for these clashes
- IPMAT exam (3 May 2027) overlaps with VITEEE exam (28 Apr – 3 May 2027) — Engineering.
- SET set test 1 (1 May 2027) overlaps with VITEEE exam (28 Apr – 3 May 2027) — Engineering.
- SET set test 1 (1 May 2027) is within two days of NEET UG exam (2 May 2027) — Medical.
- SET set test 1 (1 May 2027) is within two days of IPMAT exam (3 May 2027).
- IPMAT exam (3 May 2027) is within two days of NEET UG exam (2 May 2027) — Medical.
- IPMAT exam (3 May 2027) is within two days of TS EAPCET agriculture & pharmacy exam (4 – 5 May 2027) — Engineering.
- SET set test 2 (9 May 2027) overlaps with TS EAPCET engineering exam (6 – 9 May 2027) — Engineering.
- SET set test 2 (9 May 2027) is within two days of MH CET Law exam (5-year llb) (8 May 2027) — Law.
- SET set test 2 (9 May 2027) overlaps with COMEDK UGET exam (9 May 2027) — Engineering.
Where an exam offers multiple slots, book one that leaves a gap. Testing windows longer than two weeks (such as CUET UG, NPAT and NATA) aren't listed because you get or choose a single slot within them. Dates marked expected may move when official notices are out.
Track Management (UG) Exams
NPAT 2027
NMIMS Programs After Twelfth
Next up
Registration
28 Jan – 26 May 2027
SET 2027
Symbiosis Entrance Test (UG)
Next up
Registration
10 Jan – 15 Apr 2027
IPMAT 2027
Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test (IIM Indore)
Next up
Registration
1 Feb – 17 Mar 2027
Get guidance on management (ug) admissions
Talk to Insiders who've been through these exams — strategy, colleges and more, free on the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better — IPM at an IIM or a BBA?
IPM is a five-year integrated BBA + MBA programme at an IIM, so you skip CAT and get IIM placements. A BBA is a three-year degree after which you can work or prepare for CAT/GMAT. IPM is more competitive; a BBA offers more flexibility.
Are maths skills important for IPMAT and NPAT?
Yes. Quantitative ability is a major section in IPMAT (with short-answer questions that have no options) and NPAT. Class 10-level arithmetic, algebra and data interpretation are the core topics to master.
Can I write IPMAT, NPAT and SET in the same year?
Yes. They are conducted by different institutes on different dates, and most BBA aspirants write all three to maximise options.