Droppers VS Freshers IPM Preparation Strategy 2025

Overview: Prepare with the droppers vs freshers IPM preparation strategy 2025. Learn how each group can manage time, complete the syllabus, use study resources, and approach mock tests to excel in the IPMAT exam.

Being an IIM aspirant is challenging, requiring rigorous hard work and dedication to achieve your goal. IIMs are for individuals who devote every second to thinking about and preparing for the exams.

In this article, we will explore how freshers need to prepare for the IPMAT, and on the other hand, how droppers need to approach their preparation for the same exam.

So without further ado, let's dive into a detailed understanding of the differences in strategies for freshers and droppers preparing for IPMAT 2025.

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Factors Affecting the Droppers vs Freshers IPM Preparation Strategy

While you are in different stages, the overall IPMAT preparation strategy would be slightly different for both freshers and droppers. 

Students currently in 12th grade often have the advantage of being familiar with the core subjects. However, droppers benefit from having extra time, allowing them to thoroughly cover the core subjects at a more comfortable pace.

Time in Hand

Time is the biggest factor initiating the major difference between the freshers and the droppers.

Freshers VS Droppers - Freshers

Freshers VS Droppers - Droppers

Students who are going to appear for the 12th board exam and simultaneously prepare for the IPMAT exam will have less time to prepare for the IPMAT exam. Due to classes, tuition, and assignments at home, they can hardly pull out 2-3 hours for the preparations. It is advised for 12th students not to look at the small number daily; instead, look at the bigger picture that they have 20-25 hours per week to prepare for the IPMAT exams. This will also help them regain their confidence.

Students who have passed out of 12th and are preparing for the IPMAT examination have enough time to dedicate to IPMAT preparations. Mostly, they attend coaching classes; rather than that, they do not have any other tasks for the day, so they can easily dedicate 8-10 hours to the day. Looking at the bigger picture, they will have almost 50-60 hours a week to prepare for IPMAT exams.

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Syllabus Completion

Without your IPMAT syllabus being complete, you won't be able to fully utilize the time you have.

Freshers VS Droppers - Freshers	Freshers VS Droppers - Droppers
Look at the time available per week to determine priorities. Given the toughness of the exam, consider the weightage of the topics. Create a plan prioritizing high-weightage topics. Aim to be conceptually clear, practice a lot, and clear all doubts before the end of January 2024. At this point, aim for a 40% syllabus that consists of 70% weightage.	With ample time per week, prepare a plan that will cover the entire syllabus and covering all the topics. The aim should be to complete at least all of the syllabus for Maths and English by the end of January 2024. If this goal is achieved, the preparation is on the right track

Study Material and Resources

IPMAT study materials and external resources play an important role in the droppers vs freshers IPM preparation strategy.

Freshers VS Droppers - Freshers	Freshers VS Droppers - Droppers
Even if you are attending classes for 12th, you are somehow boosting your preparations for IPMAT. Rely on the class notes, worksheets, and whatever books you refer to. Do not refer to many resources for your studies, as one reference book is enough to help you. Going through lots of reference books will eventually confuse you without any help.	For droppers, you need to follow the same pattern as the freshers. Apart from that, you have an extra amount of time compared to the 12th students, so you should take up the responsibility to aid your preparation with least referring to two reference books simultaneously. Especially for maths, you should do a lot of practice referring to Arun Sharma’s book.

Check: List of Best Books for IPMAT Preparation 2025

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Mocks and Test

IPMAT mocks plays a vital role in analysing your overall droppers vs freshers IPM preparation strategy and performance.

Freshers VS Droppers - Freshers

Freshers VS Droppers - Droppers

To analyze your preparations and determine the weak points and your progress, you need to constantly attempt the previous year’s papers, mocks, and test series. For 12th-grade students, you need to focus more on the part test (topic test) and sectional test (like Maths, LR, English, etc.). Due to the time limitation, students cannot attempt mocks frequently. However, you should try attempting mocks once a month.

For the droppers, the mocks are even more important, and as they have probably attempted the exam once, they are also aware of the pattern and question types. The constant practice of part and sectional tests is compulsory for droppers but at a higher frequency than the freshers. Apart from that, you must attempt full-length mocks more often, mostly once a week, as you have more time in hand than the freshers.

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Feb-May Strategy

During this crucial month, the 12th fresher and droppers can create a major gap between their preparations.

Freshers VS Droppers - Freshers

Freshers VS Droppers - Droppers

During this month, the freshers are mostly occupied by the board’s preparation and series of exams. They will probably be unable to dedicate even the 2-hour time for IPMAT preparations, which is normal. During that time, at least dedicate one hour for practice and revisions or pick up easy topics left out earlier. Also, try to stick to your strategy of attempting mocks monthly. After the 12th board, you will suddenly have enough time, expectedly 40-50 days, and you can dedicate all the time to IPMAT preparation.

Droppers during this month should accelerate their preparation pace with revisions, clearing any doubt regarding any concept and attempting lots of mocks. Go through a thorough revision process to clear out each and every topic. While 12th students are busy with their boards, take advantage to get a step ahead and boost your preparations. In the last months, stop revising, attempt only mock tests, and keep analyzing your scores after each and every mock test.

Check: IPMAT Previous Yera Question Papers

Motivation and Mindset

Maintaining motivation and a positive mindset is crucial for both freshers and droppers during IPMAT preparation. Freshers, who juggle board exams alongside IPMAT preparation, should focus on short, consistent study sessions to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. It's essential to celebrate small wins, like completing a topic or scoring well in a mock test, to build confidence.

For droppers, the challenge often lies in sustaining momentum over a longer preparation period. Setting realistic goals, tracking progress, and taking regular breaks can help keep the motivation high. Joining study groups or engaging in peer discussions can also provide a much-needed boost and fresh perspectives on tackling challenging areas

Whether you are a fresher balancing school commitments or a dropper dedicating all your time to IPMAT exams, understanding your strengths and managing your time effectively are key to success. By focusing on tailored strategies, consistent practice, and the right study materials, both freshers and droppers can excel in the IPMAT exam.

The right approach, paired with determination and dedication, will help you achieve your goal of securing a spot at your dream IIM..

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Key Takeaways:

• Time Management: Freshers should balance board exams with IPMAT prep, while droppers should fully utilize their extra time for in-depth study.
• Syllabus Prioritization: Freshers focus on high-weightage topics, while droppers aim to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly.
• Study Resources: Freshers should limit reference materials to avoid confusion; droppers can explore more resources for comprehensive preparation.
• Mock Tests: Both groups should take regular IPMAT mock tests, with droppers doing so more frequently to leverage their familiarity with the exam.
• Stay Motivated: Freshers should keep a steady pace, and droppers should set goals and use study groups to maintain motivation.