IIM admission criteria 2025 for all campuses will be released before the CAT 2024 exam. Check latest IIM admission criteria for all 21 institutes. Know CAT 2024 cut offs, shortlisting parameters, WAT-PI score, etc. for IIM selection process 2024.
IIM Admission Criteria and Selection Process 2025 - The first step towards getting into the IIMs is taking the CAT exam. The next steps are Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The WAT and PI are the main selection criteria of IIM MBA admission. They are conducted after the CAT result announcement. Candidates who meet the CAT cut off, are shortlisted for WAT and PI. Final selection for IIM admission is based on candidate's overall profile - CAT score, academic score, work experience, category and WAT and PI score. Several IIMs have released their MBA admission criteria for 2025 batch. Other institutes will announce in the upcoming months.
Latest: CAT 2024 result out, download scorecard - live updates
CAT 2024 toppers - 14 candidates score 100 percentile, 29 score 99.99 percentile
The CAT exam 2024 was held on November 24, 2024 and the result will be announced soon. The IIMs will release the PI shortlist forms in January 2025. IIM aspirants should check the qualifying cut offs, selection criteria and parameters of their preferred IIMs to plan and score accordingly in CAT 2024.
CAT 2024 result,was announced on December 19, 2024. The 21 IIM campuses will start to screen the test takers in the first week of January 2025 on the basis of their respective CAT scores and academic record (performance in Class 10, Class 12 and graduation). CAT cut off percentiles will be fixed for each IIM, section wise and category wise. Cut off percentiles and weight allotted to CAT (and other parameters) to get shortlisted for the WAT/GD-PI round will vary for each IIM.
IIM Admission and Selection Criteria 2025-27
The IIMs announce admission criteria and selection process for candidates to know the shortlist cut-off, selection criteria, parameters and process of shortlisting candidates. The IIM admission process not only includes selection of candidates based on their CAT cut off percentile but also on the basis of their WAT/GD and PI performance, academic history, academic diversity, gender diversity and work experience.
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Stages of IIM Admission and Selection Process
IIM admission process is divided into three stages. Given below is an overview of the three stages of IIM admission:Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of their CAT 2024 exam score
Once the CAT result is announced, the candidates have to apply for WAT/GD-PI round by each IIM through official notification on its official website. Candidates who meet the shortlist cut off have to login through their CAT IDs to submit their name and CAT score.
Stage 2: Screening of candidates for WAT/GD-PI
In the second stage, the candidates who applied for WAT/GD-PI are shortlisted on the basis of their CAT score and academic record after which interview letters are sent to selected candidates to participate in WAT-GD-PI round. The WAT-GD-PI round is conducted at designated cities between February to April.
Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score and Final Selection
In the third stage of IIM admission, the composite score of each candidate is calculated on the basis of various parameters to finalise his/her selection. Given below is the list of eight main parameters and their definitions:
| IIM Admission Parameter | What It Means? |
|---|---|
| CAT score | Overall percentile score obtained in CAT exam. |
| Graduation Score | The aggregate percentage obtained in a three-year degree course or equivalent. |
| Class 12 Score | The aggregate percentage scored in Class 12 or equivalent. |
| Class 10 Score | The aggregate percentage scored in Class 10 or equivalent. |
| WAT/GD-PI | Each candidate's performance in WAT/GD-PI is assessed and marks are allotted accordingly. |
| Academic Diversity | Candidates from non-engineering background are given extra points to ensure fair representation of students from other streams. The points for academic diversity vary for each campus. |
| Gender Diversity | The IIMs give extra points to female/transgender candidates to encourage fair representation of each gender. The points for gender diversity vary for each campus. |
| Work Experience | Extra points (from 1-5) are given to candidates having prior work experience. For this, a range is defined from lowest to highest. The points for work experience vary for each campus. |
What is CAT Composite Score?
The composite score refers to the total score (out of 100) a candidate obtains during the final selection process, calculated on the basis of the abovementioned parameters. For weightage of parameters and calculation of composite score of each IIM campus, refer to the table of campus-wise IIM admission and selection criteria at the bottom.Also Read: CAT score vs CAT percentile: Understand the difference
IIM Eligibility Criteria
IIM eligibility criteria for MBA programmes is same as CAT eligibility criteria, i.e. minimum 50 per cent aggregate marks in graduation. Those who are eligible to appear in CAT are also eligible for admission to the IIMs. However, they have to meet a few other requirements for selection. Take a look at the IIM eligibility criteria below:
- The basic IIM eligibility criteria is graduation with minimum 50 per cent aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent for SC, ST and PWD/DA category)
- Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification exam or awaiting their results, are also eligible to apply
- To be eligible for IIM interview call, the candidates must meet the IIM shortlist/qualifying cut off
- To expect interview call and participate in WAT/GD-PI, the candidates must meet the minimum IIM call cut off
Also read:
IIM CAT Cut Offs: Qualifying vs Final
Check the table below for previous year's qualifying CAT cut offs vs expected final CAT cut offs:
| IIM |
Qualifying CAT cut offs |
Expected CAT cut offs |
|---|---|---|
| 80 |
99-100 |
|
| 85 |
99-100 |
|
| 85 |
99 |
|
| 90 |
97-99 |
|
| 90 |
97-99 |
|
| 85 |
97-98 |
|
| 85 |
95-96 |
|
| 85 |
95-96 |
|
| 93 |
95-96 |
|
| 93 |
94-95 |
|
| 93 |
94-95 |
|
| 93 |
94-95 |
|
| 94 |
94-95 |
|
| 80 |
92-94 |
|
| 93 |
92-94 |
|
| 93 |
92-94 |
|
| 75 |
90-94 |
|
| 93 |
90-94 |
|
| 95 |
95-97 |
|
| 85 |
90-94 |
|
| 93 |
90-94 |
|
| 85 |
90-94 |
Candidates who make it to the final selection list are intimated through email. The most important aspect of IIM admission process is "confirmation of admission". Selected candidates are required to confirm their admission by filling up the offer acceptance form and paying the requisite admission acceptance fee (adjustable in the first installment of tuition fee). In case any candidate fails to submit the offer acceptance form and pay the fees within the given time duration, his/her seat will be offered to the next best candidate.
IIMs also have a provision to defer admission. Under this provision, candidates who wish to earn some work experience before pursuing the MBA course are allowed to postpone their admission for up to a maximum of two years. This system was introduced in 2015 and around 10 per cent of seats are kept aside for such candidates.
- Candidates will be selected for the second phase of IIM admission process on the basis of their CAT 2024 score and academic history.
- The shortlisting is done through an online process wherein the candidates have to apply for the interview call. If selected, the institutes will reach out to them through email.
- The candidates are required to participate in the WAT/GD-PI to be eligible for the final phase of admission, i.e. calculation of the composite score for final selection.
Also Read: Interview and WAT-GD tips for MBA aspirants
FAQs Related to IIM Admission and Selection Process 2025
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for MBA by IIM?
A: To be eligible for admission to MBA programme offered by the IIMs, the candidate must be a graduate and have cleared the CAT exam with at least 95+ percentile (General category). The cut offs for General category is as high as 99-100 percentile in the top six IIMs.
Q: How can I get selected into an IIM?
A: To get selected for MBA programme of an IIM, one has to appear for CAT exam and clear selection rounds such as Written Ability Test (WAT) or Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). One has to score above 95 percentile and clear all the selection rounds. They need to also have a good academic record of high scores in Class 10, 12 and Graduation.
Q: Do Class 10 and Class 12 marks matter in IIM?
A: Yes, Class 10 and Class 12 marks play a crucial role in IIM selection process as the institute looks for candidates who have been a good performer in academics throughout, and not only in CAT. The first round of IIM shortlisting is based on Class 10 and Class 12 scores along with CAT exam score.
Q: What is the CAT cut off for GEM candidates for top IIMs?
A: CAT cut off for GEM candidates for top IIMs such as IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Bangalore, IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Lucknow, IIM-Kozhikode is usually above 99 percentile for General category students. For Reserved category students, the cut off marks are lower, around 93-95 percentile.
Q: Is IIM eligibility criteria different from CAT eligibility criteria?
A: No, the academic eligibility criteria of IIM for MBA programme are same as CAT, i.e. minimum 50 per cent aggregate in graduation in any stream or equivalent (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD candidates). Candidates having professional degree equivalent to graduation should also have the requisite score.
Q: What are the parameters taken into consideration in IIM selection process?
A: In IIM selection process, the factors taken into consideration for admission are:
- Performance in CAT exam
- Performance in Class 10, 12 and Graduation
- Performance in WAT/GD-PI
- Academic diversity
- Gender diversity
- Work experience
Q: How much marks is allotted to female candidates under diversity factor?
A: The marks/weightage allotted under gender diversity factor is up to five marks. It varies for all IIMs (between one to five). Female and transgender category candidates can benefit from diversity factor.
Q: If I do not meet CAT cut off, will I still be considered for WAT-PI?
A: To be eligible for the WAT-PI round of IIM admission, it is mandatory to meet the minimum CAT cut off. The CAT cut off varies institute wise and category wise. For top IIMs the cut offs are higher, whereas for new and baby IIMs, the cut offs are low. Thus, candidates must apply to maximum number of IIMs.
Q: Is the weightage of CAT higher than WAT-PI?
A: In most of the top IIMs, the weightage of WAT-PI is more than CAT and in newer/baby IIMs, it is vice versa for final selection of candidates for admission to MBA/PGP programmes. That is because, the WAT-PI round is a personality assessment test in which a candidates is judged on his/her knowledge, problem solving skills, experience and other traits that are essential to be a good manager.
Q: Is CAT score mandatory for IIM admission?
A: Yes, CAT score is mandatory for admission to all MBA and PGP programmes offered by the IIMs. For Executive MBA programmes, GMAT and GRE scores are also accepted.
Q: How many candidates apply for CAT every year?
A: Over two lakh candidates apply for CAT every year, there has been increase in CAT applications by a good percentage in the last two years. For CAT 2024, the number of applications received is 2.29 lakh while in CAT 2023, the number of applications was 3.3 lakh, a record high of all time. Previous to that, in CAT 2022, about 2.55 lakh candidates applied and 2.22 lakh candidate appeared for it. In 2021, a total of 2.31 lakh candidates applied for CAT and 1.92 appeared in it. In 2019, the number of applicants was 2.44 lakh, while in 2020 it was 2.30 lakh.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
With a 70 percentile in CAT and 58% in graduation, admission to BITS Pilani for MBA may be difficult, as they typically have high cut-offs and look for strong academic performance. BITS Pilani usually requires a higher CAT score (above 90 percentile) and a solid academic record. However, it's worth
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The CAT result date for SIES College of Management Studies typically follows the official CAT result release date, which is usually in the first week of January. Once the results are out, SIES College will shortlist candidates based on their CAT scores for further rounds like Group Discussion (GD) a
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With a 50-60 percentile in CAT, top IIMs may be out of reach, but there are still several good options for you. Consider institutes like IMS Noida, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indira Institute of Management, and ITM Business School. Other options include BIMTECH, UPES, and Lovely Professional
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With a 68 percentile in CAT, getting into one of the new IIMs (like IIM Kashipur, IIM Rohtak, IIM Trichy, etc.) could be challenging, even under the OBC category. While new IIMs generally have slightly lower cut-offs compared to the older ones, they still maintain high academic and professional stan
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With a CAT percentile of 44.28, getting into top-tier B-schools may be tough, but there are still good options available. You can consider institutes like IMS Noida, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Amity Business School, ITM Navi Mumbai, and LPU Punjab. Other options include Welingkar Institute, B
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With a 98.07 percentile in CAT, you're in a strong position for calls from top B-schools in India. Based on your profile (Gen CAT, Non-Eng Male, 22 months work experience, 84% in Xth, and 91% in XII), you can expect calls from prestigious institutes like:
- IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Luckn
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
With an 87 percentile in CAT, you have some good B-school options in India. Consider institutes like IILM University (New Delhi, Gurgaon), which offers a strong MBA programme with industry exposure, or Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB), Bhubaneswar, known for its solid curriculum and placements.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 hours ago
IILM University helps MBA Specialization studentss stay update with the latest developed reesources. they offer industry visit and seminor in your specialisation by the expert in related field . althrough faculty incourage the student to develope there skills . The university have the good connectio
A
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
Yes, IILM University offers opportunities for MBA students, including those with a single specialization, to showcase their work at various events like conferences and seminars. These platforms allow students to present their research and projects to industry professionals and academicians. The univ
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, students with 80% and above in CAT are eligible for a waiver of INR 3.50 Lacs at Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida. The total course fee for PGDM is INR 15.75 lakh. After waiver, students have to pay INR 12.25 Lacs as PGDM fee.
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Contributor-Level 10
I have 58% in my graduation and 70 percentile in CAT. Can I get admission to an MBA at BITS Pilani?