IIM Lucknow MBA Admission Criteria 2026-2028: PI Calls OUT; Check CAT Cut Off 2025

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.

The CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore hovers between 97-100 percentile. The qualifying CAT cut off required for being eligible for IIM Bangalore's Written Ability test (What) and Personal Interview PI is 85 percentile for General category students, whereas for SC candidates, it is 70 percentile. For ST candidates, it is 65 percentile and for PwD candidates it is 60 percentile. Given below are the sectional and overall qualifying CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore.

• General category: 80 VARC 75 DILR 75 Quantitative Aptitude 85 (Overall)
• NC-OBC category: 75 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
• EWS category: 70 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
• SC category: 65 VARC 60 DILR 60 Quantitative Aptitude 70 (Overall)
• ST category: 55 VARC 55 DILR 55 Quantitative Aptitude 65 (Overall)
• PwD category: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall)

CAT cut offs do not flutuate much. For the past few years, the CAT exam cut offs for IIMs or other top colleges have not seen much change. If there is any change at all, it is in decimals. However, that decimal point too can make or mar admission chances. CAT cut offs for 2026 admission will largely remain the same as the CAT 2025 exam difficulty level was same as last year and number of takers dipped from last year.

IIM Lucknow has a multi-step admission process which students need to follow for admission. Starting with the application, students are required to go through the course-specific entrance exam followed by other selection rounds (if applicable). After the selection rounds are over, course-wise merit lists are released on the official website after which interested candidates can submit the fee and confirm their admission. A step-by-step process is mentioned in detail:

IIM Lucknow Application Process 2024 for Admission Year 2025

The application process of IIM Lucknow PGP courses takes place via CAT. Therefore, candidates need to visit the official website of CAT to register themselves. For more details, check out CAT application process.

For other courses, check below the application fee and steps to apply for admission:

1. Visit the official website of IIML.
2. Select the course and 'Apply Now'.
3. Read the instructions and register with the basic detail.
4. Fill out the application form.
5. Upload the documents and pay the application fee.
6. Submit the application form.

Documents Required at the Time of Application:

• Scanned photograph and signature
• Class 10 and Class 12 marksheet
• Graduation and post-graduation marksheet (if required), etc.

The application fee is tabulated below:

NOTE: The above-mentioned application fee is as per past years' data. Hence, is indicative.

2. Selection Round: Candidates selected for MBA based on their Class 10, Class 12, CAT qualifying and CAT final cutoff are called for further selection rounds, such as the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. A commutative score is then calculated based on the performance of the candidates in all the aforementioned parameters. Similarly for other courses, candidates who meet the set eligibility need to go through the institute-specific selection process and get shortlisted. 

3. Merit List and Admission Confirmation: After completion of the selection rounds, a category-wise merit list is released based on the Final Composite Score. The provisional admission offers are made accordingly, adhering to the reservation norms. Students who are willing to take admission now must pay the admission fee and confirm their seats.