IIFT MBA (IB) exam covers 110 MCQs across VARC, DILR, QA, and General Awareness in 2 hours, with separate sectional cutoffs that can eliminate you even with a high total score. From 2027, IIFT is returning to its own entrance test after using CAT scores since 2024, making these PYQs your primary practice resource. Download the papers below, then check the section-wise weightage table.
Official website: iift.ac.in
- Total questions: 110 MCQs in 2 hours, total 300 marks
- VARC: 35 questions, +3 correct, -1 wrong (105 marks)
- DILR: 30 questions, +3 correct, -1 wrong (90 marks)
- QA: 25 questions, +3 correct, -1 wrong (75 marks)
- GA: 20 questions, +1.5 correct, -0.5 wrong (30 marks)
- Key 2027 change: IIFT is returning to its own entrance test - historical PYQs from 2019 to 2023 are your closest practice material
- Good attempt target: VARC 23-25, DILR 18-20, QA 15-16, GA 12-13
IIFT MBA Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF
Solve these five practice papers after completing at least two PYQs so the format is familiar.
| Sample Paper | PDF Download |
|---|---|
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 1 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 2 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 3 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 4 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 5 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 6 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 7 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 8 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 9 | Download PDF |
| IIFT MBA Sample Paper 10 | Download PDF |
PDFs will be updated as new papers are added. Bookmark this page.
Historical IIFT papers from 2008 to 2023 are available. Start with 2022 and 2023 before working backwards.
| Year | Sets Available | Solutions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 set (NTA conducted) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2022 | 1 set (NTA conducted) | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2021 | 1 set | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2020 | 1 set | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2019 | 1 set | Available | Collegedunia |
| 2018 and earlier | Multiple sets (2008-2018) | Available | Collegedunia |
IIFT MBA Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026
IIFT uses a different marks-per-question rate across sections. GA at 1.5 marks each looks low, but its sectional cutoff eliminates students who ignore it.
- Duration: 2 hours, no section-wise time limit
- Negative marking: -1 in VARC, DILR, QA; -0.5 in GA per wrong answer
- Sectional cutoffs: All four sections have independent cutoffs - clearing the overall score alone is not enough
IIFT Sample Papers After the 2024 CAT Switch - Why 2019 to 2023 Papers Matter Most
IIFT used CAT scores for admissions from 2024 to 2026. From 2027, IIFT runs its own test again. NTA-era papers from 2019 to 2023 are the most relevant prep material.
- GA style: Mixes business, economy, science, and international affairs - harder than most management exam GA sections
- DILR sets: Calculation-heavy caselets that require careful reading before you decide which set to attempt
- VARC: 5 to 6 RC passages of 400 to 600 words each, denser than most management exams
- Solve 2023 first to benchmark, then work backwards through 2022 and 2021
IIFT Section Wise Topic Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers
| Topic | Section | Questions | Difficulty | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | VARC | 14-16 | Moderate-Hard | Inference questions, tone, paragraph main idea |
| Verbal Ability | VARC | 19-21 | Moderate | Para jumbles, fill-in-the-blanks, word usage |
| Data Interpretation | DILR | 15-18 | Moderate-Hard | Pie charts, bar graphs, tables, multi-step calculations |
| Logical Reasoning | DILR | 12-15 | Moderate | Seating arrangement, blood relations, coding-decoding |
| Arithmetic | QA | 12-15 | Moderate | Percentages, profit-loss, time-speed-distance, mixtures |
| Algebra and Geometry | QA | 8-10 | Moderate-Hard | Quadratic equations, coordinate geometry, mensuration |
| Business and Economy | GA | 7-9 | Easy | RBI policy, Union Budget, trade agreements, major mergers |
| Current Affairs and Sports | GA | 6-8 | Easy | Awards, appointments, international summits, sports results |
| Science and Technology | GA | 3-4 | Easy | Space missions, tech launches, health discoveries |
Do not skip GA. It carries only 30 marks but has a mandatory sectional cutoff. Students scoring below 10 in GA are eliminated regardless of VARC or QA performance.
IIFT MBA Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving
One full-paper walkthrough shows you the pacing across four sections and which DILR sets experts skip on the first pass.
Video solutions for IIFT 2026 will be linked here once available. Search for IIFT 2022 or IIFT 2023 paper walkthrough on YouTube to find recent full-paper solutions.
How to Use IIFT Sample Papers to Clear in First Attempt
Students who review every wrong answer improve faster than those who pile up attempts without analysis.
- Start with GA every paper: 15 minutes on GA at the start trains the habit that protects your sectional cutoff on exam day.
- Skip DILR sets early: If a set's first question takes more than 3 minutes, skip the full set and return after easier ones.
- Log errors by type: Separate "blank concept" errors from "calculation mistake" errors - each needs a different fix.
- Track section scores separately: A high total that misses one sectional cutoff still eliminates you.
IIFT Sectional Cutoff Strategy - How to Hit the Cutoff Using Sample Papers
Knowing which sets to skip is the skill most students build only after their first attempt. Build it during practice instead.
- In VARC, RC before VA: Finish all RC passages before moving to Verbal Ability - RC gives more marks per accurate minute.
- In DILR, select before you solve: Spend 90 seconds scanning all sets. Pick two easy DI sets and two LR sets to attempt first.
- In QA, Arithmetic first: Arithmetic is faster than Algebra - clear 12 to 15 Arithmetic questions before shifting to Geometry.
- Set a floor per section: Decide the minimum you will attempt in each section and hold to it every paper.
IIFT MBA 30 Day Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers
- Week 1 - Solve the 2023 paper untimed. Record section-wise score and note the topic behind every error - this is your Week 2 revision list.
- Week 2 - Spend 4 days on your two weakest topics, then solve the 2022 paper timed. Check if your error count in those topics dropped.
- Week 3 - Solve 2021 and 2020 back to back. Track GA score each time. If it stays below 12, add 10 minutes of daily business news reading.
- Week 4 - One full paper daily under exam conditions starting with GA. Stop new papers 2 days before the exam and review your error log only.
FAQs on IIFT MBA Sample Papers 2026
Ques. How many IIFT sample papers are enough to get shortlisted?
Ans. 8 to 10 full papers with error review is the working number. More papers without review will not move your score past the shortlisting cutoff.
Ques. Are IIFT PYQ question types repeated in new papers?
Ans. Exact repeats are rare, but GA topic mix, DI set formats, and VARC passage density repeat consistently across years.
Ques. Which IIFT paper should I start with?
Ans. Start with 2023, the most recent NTA-conducted paper. Solve untimed first, then re-attempt under the 2-hour limit to find your weak sections.
Ques. Can I clear IIFT in 30 days using only sample papers?
Ans. Yes, if your CAT-level basics are solid. If QA or VARC fundamentals are weak, spend the first 10 days on topic revision before shifting to full papers.
Ques. Where to download IIFT question papers with answer key PDF for free?
Ans. Collegedunia has IIFT papers from 2008 to 2023 with answer keys at collegedunia.com/exams/iift/question-paper. NTA's official website also has the 2019 to 2023 papers.
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