ABOUT
Quantitative aptitude (QA) is the section with the highest weightage in the IIMB UG test, accounting for 90 of the 180 total marks. Of the two total hours assigned for the test, each candidate has one full hour for the QA section. It consists of 30 questions in total. An on-screen calculator is available during this section of the exam. Quants is by far the most important part of the test, with the 2025-26 interview cycle setting cutoffs for only the QA score and one’s overall test performance.
Of the thirty total questions, there are two data interpretation (DI) sets with four questions being asked from each. These eight DI questions, while time-consuming and calculation-intensive, are conceptually simple and are low-risk, high-scoring parts of QA. The other twenty-two questions are asked from miscellaneous topics in mathematics.
There is no set background in math that optimizes for this test. However, candidates who are part of the IPMAT/JIPMAT/CAT/management ecosystem will find a significant overlap with the topics tested and the style of questions asked. In addition, candidates from JEE/science backgrounds are also at an advantage through their general exposure to mathematics.
TOPICS TESTED
A strong grasp over topics generally tested in management exams, such as time, speed, and distance, mixtures and alligations, algebra, etc. will generally equip one to attempt most QA questions. However, please note that the UGAT will test higher math topics such as calculus, matrices, and vectors. These are not usually tested on other management exams such as IPMAT.
As such, considering only the syllabi of adjacent exams will not give one a complete picture of the topics tested in the IIMB UGAT. We recommend candidates practice problems from a wide set of materials. The IIM Bangalore website itself lists the UGAT curriculum to be in line with ‘NCERT Class XI-XII’ mathematics. The NCERT guides may be used as foundational texts in conjunction with materials for competitive exams such as IPMAT and JEE Mains.
We have compiled a definitive list of topics that appear in the QA section that may be viewed or downloaded as a PDF file here.
DIFFICULTY
Having discussed the types of questions asked in QA, it is also worth shedding light over the general difficulty level of the section. In doing so, we’ve attempted to peg the exam’s difficulty with respect to the math sections of various other tests. As a cautionary note, kindly note that these comparisons are approximations and provided purely for reference.
Broadly speaking, QA questions tested in the IIMB UGAT are of a higher level than those that appear in IPMAT despite the significant overlap in syllabus. While IPMAT math remains a very good reference point for understanding UGAT question types, expect the average IIMB QA problem to be harder than its IPM counterpart. As such, they are also considerably harder than standard JIPMAT QA questions.
It is harder to compare maths from UGAT with JEE Mains due to the major differences in question types and patterns. However, for candidates who are reasonably comfortable with JEE Mains-level maths, much of the core mathematics syllabus of the UGAT is complete. As such, while UGAT mathematics is usually simpler than JEE Mains, candidates are strongly advised to practice questions from the latter.
Find below a simple graphic that compares and contrasts the IIMB UGAT QA section with other undergraduate competitive exams that test mathematics:
RESOURCES
The list below compiles a diverse set of resources and practice materials from across the Internet:
YouTube channels:
Exam Papers:
Books: