2019 IIM Selection Criteria for admissions through CAT

The Indian Institutes of Management are considered as the top B-schools of India. It is a very highly sought after B-schools by every MBA aspirants. Although the selection criteria for the IIMs are published separately, generally there are two main stages of admission process.

• The first stage involves writing the CAT exam and qualifying it.
• The second stage involves the shortlisting based on the CAT score, cut-offs, and further other selection processes.

Once the CAT score of the candidate qualifies as per the institute’s cut-off, they are eligible for the second stage. During the second stage, IIM admission criteria will involve the shortlisting followed by PI, WAT, and GD. However, other factors such as academic record, work experience, etc., also contribute to the final points.

CAT Score and Cut-off

The shortlisting of candidates are done based on the minimum CAT percentile as per the requirement of the institute. The official admission cut-offs are released during the selection process itself by the IIMs. Thereafter, the names of the shortlisted candidates are released post the CAT results.

Initially, the IIMs conducted the Group Discussion and Personal Interview round as the next selection process after the shortlisting. However, now, WAT has replaced the GD round in most of the IIMs. The table below contains the factors that responsible in the calculation of the final score for the IIMs:

Receiving Calls from IIMs

While a high CAT score is crucial, it doesn’t quite guarantee a call from the IIMs. There is a system of points division procedure based on which the call is sent through to the deserving candidates. Every IIM has different weightage focus. Background diversity, academic excellence, PI performance, etc., these are some of the various factors that IIMs give favored weightage. Because of this different weightage focus by different IIMs, the tables below are gathered in an attempt to help you figure out which IIM of the top three has your best chance for admission:

IIM Ahmedabad

First stage shortlist:

Preliminary Based on minimum CAT

Second stage shortlist:

• Academic record is prioritized (10^th + 12^th + Graduation).
• Performance in WAT and PI rounds.
• Application Rating score of a candidate divided by the average of top Application Rating scores in the overall pool.

IIM Bangalore

First stage shortlist:

Minimum CAT section-wise and aggregate percentile score.

Second stage shortlist:

• Academic record (10^th class + 12^th class + Graduation).
• Extra points under professional courses for candidates from Charted Accountancy (CA) and Company Secretary (CS) background.
• Work Experience
• Overall raw score conversion to final aggregate score.
• Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI)

IIM Calcutta

First stage cut-off:

• Minimum CAT percentile

Second stage cut-off:

• CAT score
• Past Academic Record (10^th class + 12^th class)
• Gender Diversity
• Final score based on WAT, PI, CAT score, bachelor’s degree, PG, and work experience.

For your information, the table below contains the list of 20 IIMs divided between the old IIMs, the new IIMs, and the latest IIMs-

All the factors responsible in determining the list of shortlisted candidates are available individually on the IIMs’ websites. Hence, to be further clear on the selection criteria 2019, please visit the official page www.iimcat.ac.in.

*Career Launcher is not liable for the information provided

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