Most Important Physics Topics for IMAT (2023–2025)
A 3-Year Trend Analysis for Serious IMAT Aspirants
Over the last three years, the IMAT Physics section has shown evident patterns—not in repeating identical questions, but in repeating core topics and testing styles. Students who rely on memorisation or last-minute topic spotting often struggle, while those with strong fundamentals consistently score well.
This blog is based on a detailed analysis of IMAT Physics questions from 2023, 2024, and 2025. The goal is simple: Identify the most important Physics topics based on these three years and show how frequently they are tested.
OVERVIEW: PHYSICS IN IMAT (2023–2025)
| Year | Questions | Overall Difficulty | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | Moderate–High | Conceptually dense, multi-step reasoning |
| 2024 | 6 | Mixed | Wide difficulty spread; one multi-concept challenge |
| 2025 | 6 | Easy–Moderate | Higher proportion of conceptual and direct questions |
"Key observation: IMAT rotates topics within a fixed core syllabus. Entire chapters may disappear for a year, then return suddenly. This makes selective preparation risky."
The analysis is based on the official IMAT papers uploaded by the MUR. You can access the official papers and solutions here:
YEAR-WISE PHYSICS TOPIC BREAKDOWN
2023 IMAT 2023 – Physics Topics
| Q# | Topic |
|---|---|
| 56 | Collision (Dynamics) |
| 57 | Ideal gas (Thermodynamics) |
| 58 | Calorimetry (Thermodynamics) |
| 59 | Average Velocity (Kinematics) |
| 60 | Charge Distribution (Electricity) |
What IMAT tested in 2023
IMAT 2023 did not focus on direct or one-step formula-based questions. Instead, the physics section tested a student’s ability to carefully interpret the question, select the correct physical principles, and execute multi-step reasoning accurately.
- Collision (Q56) was the most challenging question of the year. It required either a strong recall of collision formulas or a clear step-by-step derivation using conservation laws.
- Thermodynamics questions (Q57 & Q58) were conceptually demanding and time-consuming. They were not direct applications of standard formulas; instead, students first had to clearly understand the physical process described, interpret the data correctly, and apply multiple concepts with precise unit conversions and logical sequencing.
- Average velocity (Q59) was comparatively more straightforward, but still not a one-step numerical.
- Charge distribution (Q60) was the easiest question in the section. Although it appeared formula-based at first glance, it was actually purely conceptual.
Overall, IMAT 2023 physics rewarded patience, conceptual clarity, and error-free execution, rather than speed or rote memorisation.
2024 IMAT 2024 – Physics Topics
| Q# | Topic |
|---|---|
| 55 | Power (Dynamics) |
| 56 | Ideal gas (Thermodynamics) |
| 57 | Resistance (Electricity) |
| 58 | Electron in a magnetic field (Electromagnetism) |
| 59 | Simple Harmonic Motion (Kinematics) |
| 60 | Oscillations (Kinematics) |
What IMAT tested in 2024
IMAT 2024 Physics featured a wide spread of difficulty, ranging from very straightforward scoring opportunities to one highly demanding, multi-concept question. The section clearly tested whether students could identify easy marks quickly while also handling deeper conceptual integration when required.
- Power (Q55) was conceptually simple, but the question became confusing due to incorrect answer options. Even well-prepared students had to rely on physical reasoning rather than option matching.
- Ideal gas (Q56) was a relatively easy, relation-based question. The physics involved was straightforward, and students who understood proportional reasoning could solve it comfortably.
- Resistance (Q57) was a purely formula-based question with minimal conceptual depth involved.
- Electron motion in a magnetic field (Q58) was the most conceptually demanding question of IMAT 2024. It was an actual multi-concept problem, involving magnetism, electricity, circular motion, and kinematics. This question strongly differentiated students with deep understanding from those relying on surface-level preparation.
- Simple Harmonic Motion and Oscillations (Q59 & Q60) appearing under kinematics represented an unexpected shift. Instead of conventional velocity–acceleration kinematics, these questions tested the understanding of oscillatory motion, catching students off guard if they had prepared kinematics narrowly.
Overall, IMAT 2024 Physics rewarded strategic awareness: students who quickly secured marks from easy relation- and formula-based questions had more time to invest in the challenging, concept-heavy problems.
2025 IMAT 2025 – Physics Topics
| Q# | Topic |
|---|---|
| 55 | Rectilinear Motion (Kinematics) |
| 56 | Resistance (Electricity) |
| 57 | Current Direction (Electricity) |
| 58 | Gravitational Acceleration (Dynamics) |
| 59 | Force (Dynamics) |
| 60 | Hydrostatic pressure (Fluid Mechanics) |
What IMAT tested in 2025
IMAT 2025 Physics was overall easier and more concept-oriented compared to 2023 and 2024. The paper contained more accessible questions, with a clear shift toward statement- and interpretation-based MCQs, rather than lengthy numerical calculations.
- Rectilinear motion (Q55) was a moderate-level question. It was not a direct one-step numerical, but it was approachable with a clear understanding of basic kinematics.
- Resistance (Q56) was a direct, formula-based question and one of the easiest scoring opportunities in the paper.
- Current direction (Q57) was a very easy conceptual question, testing one of the most fundamental ideas in electricity. No calculation was required, only conceptual clarity.
- Gravitational acceleration (Q58) was formula-based but not tricky. It tested a standard gravitation result and rewarded students who remembered the correct expression and applied it carefully.
- Force-based dynamics (Q59) was the most challenging question of the section, though not excessively difficult. The presence of two distinct cases required careful analysis and the correct application of Newton’s laws, making it the most time-consuming problem in the paper.
- Hydrostatic pressure (Q60) was purely conceptual from fluid mechanics with no numerical complexity involved.
Overall, IMAT 2025 featured more easy and moderate questions than IMAT 2023 and 2024. The questions were generally shorter, especially in Physics, and the paper placed a clear emphasis on concept-based and statement-based MCQs, which were very different from IMAT 2023.
CONSOLIDATED TOPIC FREQUENCY
This table shows how often each major Physics topic appeared across the last three IMAT exams combined.
| Physics Topic | Total Questions (3 Years) | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 4 | Very High |
| Dynamics | 3 | Very High |
| Thermodynamics | 3 | Very High |
| Kinematics | 2 | High |
| Oscillations & SHM | 2 | High |
| Magnetism | 1 | Medium |
| Gravitation | 1 | Medium |
| Fluid Mechanics | 1 | Medium |
FINAL PREPARATION PRIORITY
Based on IMAT Physics papers from 2023 to 2025, students should prioritise preparation in the following order:
Electricity
Resistance, current, basic charge concepts. Most consistently tested topic across three years.
Dynamics
Forces, collisions, power, Newton’s laws. Appeared every year, often as the most challenging question.
Thermodynamics
Ideal gas laws, calorimetry. Moderate frequency but conceptually layered; accuracy and interpretation matter more than formulas.
Kinematics & SHM
Rectilinear motion, average velocity, Oscillations. Typically moderate difficulty or appearing in unexpected placements.
How to Use This Priority List Effectively
- Do not skip low-frequency topics altogether — IMAT uses them strategically for easy marks.
- Aim to be error-free in high-frequency topics rather than attempting everything superficially.
- Conceptual clarity matters more than speed; most Physics questions are solvable within the time if appropriately understood.
Final Thoughts
Across IMAT 2023–2025, the Physics section has remained concept-driven rather than computation-heavy, firmly aligned with the official syllabus, and predictable at the topic level (but unpredictable in question framing).
Students who rely on memorisation or selective studying often struggle, whereas those with strong fundamentals and careful reasoning consistently score 3 – 5 correct answers out of 6. The key to IMAT Physics is not just solving more complex questions, but also solving easier ones with depth—understanding the concept behind them, knowing why the correct option is right, and clearly recognising why the other options are wrong.