IIM Admission Criteria and Selection Process 2024: Check CAT Cut Offs and WAT-PI Scores

Check latest IIM admission criteria for all 20 institutes. Know CAT 2023 cut offs, shortlisting parameters, WAT-PI score, etc. for IIM selection process 2024.
IIM Admission Criteria and Selection Process 2024 - The first step towards getting into the IIMs is taking the CAT exam. The next steps are Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Intervew (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.
The CAT 2023 was held on November 26 and the result will be announced within 20 days of the test. The IIM admission process for 2024-26 MBA/PGP batch will begin with the release of PI shortlists. The interviews are expected to be held in February 2024.
IIM Admission and Selection Criteria 2024-26
The IIM admission criteria and selection process 2024 have been released. 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 percentile but also on the basis of their WAT/GD and PI performance, academic history, academic diversity, gender diversity and work experience.
Also Read:
- CAT 2023 Student Reaction and Review
- CAT 2023 Answer Key Live Updates: Check Link and Process to Download, raise objection
- CAT exam analysis 2023 for sessions 1, 2 and 3
-
CAT 2023 Slot 1 Answer Key and question paper analysis
-
CAT 2023 Slot 2 Answer Key and question paper analysis
-
CAT 2023 Slot 3 Answer Key and question paper analysis
- What is IIM CAP? Know process, criteria and participating IIMs
- IIM Shortlist for MBA: Know institute wise deadline, process, cut offs
After the declaraion of CAT 2023 result, the 20 IIM campuses will start to screen the test takers on the basis of their respective CAT scores and academic record (performance in Class 10, Class 12 and graduation). CAT cut off percentiles have been 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 varies for each IIM.
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 PGP 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 2023 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 2023
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, but for 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, atotal 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.
Download this article as PDF to read offline
Download as PDF
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio
Upcoming MBA Exam Dates
Next Story
Comments
(4)
k
2 years ago
Report Abuse
Reply to krishna verma
M
3 years ago
Report Abuse
Reply to Mohammed Shamil
Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content
3 years ago
Report Abuse
L
3 years ago
Report Abuse
Reply to Lavanya
Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content
3 years ago
Report Abuse
e
3 years ago
Report Abuse
Reply to eis eis