IIM Ahmedabad - Indian Institute of Management

Yes, IIM-A is one of the premier B-Schools in India, so it is also the best college for finance stream. Placements of IIM-A has been consistently good. Do refer the following audited placement reports of previous years:- https://web.iima.ac.in/iprs/download.php

IIM A do not admit students from CMAT. One has to clear CAT or GMAT to get admission in IIM, Ahmedabad.

IIM Ahmedabad do not admit students through CMAT. One has to clear CAT/GMAT to get an admit into IIM A.

You have a good chance of admission at IIM- C/FMS and other premium B-Schools. I would suggest you to prepare for current affairs, B.Tech related basics, macroeconomics and some puzzles and mathematics as such for WAT & PI.

Only CET marks are used to apply to XIMR. XAT marks may be considered during your interview round for institute level seats or minority quota. However, it is mandatory for a candidate who wish to apply to appear for the MHCET exams and application process begins only afterwards i.e sometime in May-June.
XAT scores are however primarily used for applying to XLRI, Jamshedpur.
Hope this helps!

No, your overall CAT score is considered for IIM calls. Having said that, you can play on your strengths and excel in verbal/LRDI and manage to clear the cut-off of quant section to get calls, provided you manage a good overall CAT score.

Yes, they do. Do understand that IIM A students usually have stellar academics. A good academics (relatively) become average academics with this peer group. So, a poor academics will become even poorer (relatively) which might be a huge downer for such firm's shortlisting.

IIM A admits through CAT exam only for Indians. Cut-off score is the minimum requirement to be considered for further scrutiny and does not guarantee a call or admit.

I would suggest you to pursue a course from an AICTE certified institute. Your degree might not be recognized universally in case you choose to pursue any course from an institute which is not AICTE approved.

No problem. You can always re-appear next year. But I would suggest to gain some relevant experience while dropping for CAT.