B.S. in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence 

at IIM Sambalpur, Sambalpur

The answer to this question of whether an average student can get into IIM can be both yes and no depending on the definition of an average student.

• Based on Academics (Class 10/ Class 12/ Graduation): While a student with average scores in Class 10, Class 12 and graduation with a good CAT score certainly has good chances of getting a call from IIM-A, chances are less for someone with an average CAT score.
• Based on student category (General or Reserved): While it is tough for a General category average student to grab a seat at IIM due to high score requirements, a reserved category student can get admission being at average scores as well.
• Based on past work experience, diversity and other factors: Gender and academic diversity is also a factor on which students are shortlisted at IIM. IIMs judge the past academic category based on the degree obtained by the students before MBA and then a weightage is allotted based on that. For Engineers, the percentage for scoring the highest marks is higher as compared with other streams
• Performance in selection rounds: Once you make it to the final selection rounds, i.e., AWT/PI process, it can be considered a fresh start. At this stage, students can forget their past average-ness but definitely require good grasp over the past subjects as academics-related questions are asked in the interview.

Based on the above factors, it can be considered that while getting into top Management institutes, such as IIM is extremely tough, the past performance, CAT performance, student category and a lot of factors can be the reasons for a student to receive that final call.

IIM Sambalpur placements 2025 highlights as compared with 2024 and 2023 are presented here:

Companies such as Deloitte, Accenture and ICICI Bank visited the campus during the placement drive 2025. The average package received by MBA students in 2025 stood at INR 15.65 LPA.

The salary trend witnessed during IIM Sambalpur placements over the past three years for the MBA program is presented below:

IIM Sambalpur MBA summer placements highlights for the batch of 2024-26 are presented here:

Work experince accounts for 15% weightage during the preparation of final merit list. The marks alloted to students with work experience of n number of months is presented here:

The admission policy of IIM Sambalpur differes from course to course. Candidates seeking admission in IIM Sambalpur MBA must have a graduation degree from any stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved category) from a recognised University and they need to appear for CAT and match the IIM Sambalpur cutoff to become eligible for further rounds of selection. IIM Sambalpur conducts a PI round for candidates who gets shortlisted after CAT.

For admission to Executive MBA course of IIM Sambalpur the candidate should have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification in any area of study with a minimum of 50% aggregate. Additionally, the candidate must have atleast 3 years of full time work experience after graduation. Admission to IIM Sambalpur EMBA course is done through a Personal interview.

For other IIM Sambalpur course admission policies, check the table below:

To apply for the CAT exam, candidates are required to create an account, fill the CAT registration form and pay the exam application fee. The CAT form have to be submitted before deadline after which no application will be accepted. The exam is usually conducted in November. Students are required to appear for the CAT exam in Computer Based Testing mode at allotted test centres. CAT exam for IIM Sambalpur admission is held in three slots. 

Morning slot: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Afternoon slot: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Evening slot: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

IIM Sambalpur CAT cutoff 2023 for admissions 2024 is yet to be released. Candidates seeking admission to IIM Sambalpur must appear for CAT as well as meet the sectional and overall cutoff percentile. Tabulated below is the previous year IIM Sambalpur CAT cutoff 2022 for candidates to have an estimated cutoff percentile: 

* In case of female candidates under general category, the overall cut-off percentile for eligibility for PA process is>= 80 with sectional cutoff of 65 percentiles.

For admission to MBA (or PGP) batch at IIM Sambalpur, the CAT test is usually conducted on November. Aspirants of IIM Sambalpur are required to appear for the exam in Computer Based Testing mode at the allotted test centres. CAT exam is held in three slots:

Morning slot: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Afternoon slot: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Evening slot: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM