CAT Selection Process 2025-26: Check IIM Admission Criteria, Cut Offs, Dates and PI Shortlist

The IIMs assess each candidate's CAT result against the final cut off and academic profile to create a list of students who are eligible to participate in WAT-PI. IIM admission process of all 21 institutes lasts for three to four months and the classes commence from June-July. Admission procedure of non-IIMs also get over around the same time.

IIM admission 2026 will be based on three parameters including, CAT score, WAT/GD-PI, academic record. The IIM admission procedure 2026 includes the following stages: 

• First phase: Shortlisting of candidates through CAT 2025

• Second phase: WAT/GD-PI round

• Third phase: Final selection

IIM Selection Process Through CAT

First phase:

Each test takers will be shortlisted on the basis of his/her CAT score viz-a-viz CAT cut offs fixed by each IIM individually for that year. Minimum IIM cut-offs are generally over 90 percentile for General candidates (much lower for reserved category candidates), which means, those who will score above 90 percentile in CAT will be eligible for the interview round. But whether they are invited for the interview, depends on the actual CAT score and past academic record. CAT cut-offs of newer IIMs will range between 70-80 percentile.

Second phase:

In this phase, IIMs will conduct WAT/PI round. This stage is the decider as the selection panel finalises a candidate on the basis of their performance in this round. A few years ago, the IIMs replaced GD with WAT. For the past coupile of years, some of the IIMs conduct only the PI. 

Third phase:

In this phase, the candidates will be scored on the basis of their academic performance and work experience. Here’s a break up of parameters on which candidates will be selected for IIM admission 2026.

*The above table contains parameters and weight of IIM Bangalore for CAT 2024. Weights of each parameter varies for each IIM year on year.

Also Read:

• How Scaled CAT Score are Calculated for Three Slots?
• CAT Score vs Percentile: How to Calculate?
• Understanding CAT Normalization Process

On the basis of CAT percentile, candidates are shortlisted for WAT/GD-PI processes. Following is an example of the process of calculation of Composite Score for shortlisting for WAT/GD-PI, issued by IIM Lucknow: 

IIM Written Ability Test or WAT will be an essay writing test in which candidates will be given a topic to write upon in fifteen to thirty minutes. The topics of WAT can be from any field, thus candidates must read on various topics. The purpose of WAT will be to check the candidate’s clarity of ideas and understanding of his/her surroundings.

The IIM Personal Interview round is the most crucial round of IIMs admission. It carries about 30-40 per cent weight in selection process. In PI, the candidates will have to face a panel of two to four interviewers who will assess them on their confidence, communication skills, managerial skills and leadership qualities, etc. The main line of questioning is usually on the field of study or career of the candidate. The secret of succeeding in this round is staying calm and being honest with your answers.

MBA aspirants must start WAT-PI preparation immediately after CAT exam so that they get enough time before colleges start conducting the selection round. Check out WAT-PI experiences of candidates who converted IIM interview calls.

Also Read:

• All about Baby IIMs
• Tips and tricks to crack WAT/GD-PI
• IIM Shortlist: Check Dates, Cut Offs, Shortlist and Admission Status of all IIMs

Common Admission Process or CAP is conducted for the new IIMs namely, IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy, IIM Udaipur. Under this process, common rules and guidelines are followed for selection of candidates for admission.

Components of IIM CAP

The admission process of nine new IIMs comprise same selection process like older IIMs, that is, Written Ability Test or Group Discussion and Personal Interview. Qualifying CAT cut off and weightage of selection parameters are also common to these nine IIMs, but much lower than older IIMs. It is easier to get through Baby IIMs as the selection criteria is also not as stringent as top IIMs.

IIM CAP Process 2026: Key Points

• The participating IIMs will send the list of candidates shortlisted for WAT-PI process to the institute conducting CAP.
• From this combined list, the CAP conducting institute will conduct the WAT-PI Round. Qualifying CAT cut offs and weightage of admission parameters will be common to all CAP participating institutes.
• After the CAP, each participating IIM will assess the candidates’ performance viz. WAT, PI, CAT score, profile, etc. and prepare their individual merit list to make admission offer
• The final list of selected candidates for MBA admission will be displayed on individual institute website; available only to candidates having institute login. 
• Candidates will have to accept the offer of admission letter and pay the requisite fee amount to confirm admission within the given deadline.

Also Read: What is IIM CAP? Check Details

IIM shortlists 2026-278 will be announced by the IIMs individually. Upon announcement, candidates will have to log in to the shortlist link available at the institute websites to see their status and apply for IIM MBA WAT-PI round. Shiksha has provided direct links of 2025 PI shortlist for all IIMs below, for reference:

*Number of seats mentioned above is as per previous academic session.

Candidates selected for first round of IIM admission process 2025 will receive call letters on their registered email ID.

The IIM call letter will contain the following information:

• Registration link

• Last date to complete the registration

• Date, time and venue of WAT/GD and PI

Documents to be carried at the time of WAT and PI:

• Class 10 marksheet and certificate

• Class 12 marksheet and certificate

• Graduation marksheet and certificate

• Reservation category certificates (if applicable)

• IIM interview call letter

• CAT 2024 scorecard

IIM Shortlist and Admission Criteria

Listed below are the shortlist & admission criteria of each IIM Campus. Click on the links to read in detail:

CAT score is valid for admission to over 1,300 MBA colleges in India. The admission process in these colleges too includes WAT/GD/PI conducted individually by each institute. Candidates are required to apply for admission by filling the online form of preferred colleges. The admission cycle of top MBA colleges in India is same as that of IIMs, i.e August to May. Check below key points:

• Application fees and dates of MBA colleges will be different from each other. Candidates will have to apply separately to preferred B-schools.
• WAT-GD-PI round will be conducted on separate dates. Candidates will have to be present in person for the same.
• Several B-Schools might ask for LoR and SoP. Prepare the the documents under expert guidance to put your best foot forward. 
• Check MBA course fee, specialisarion and infrastructure before finalising on admission. 
• The most important thing to check before finalising admission is the college's placement record. You need to ensure you get the best ROI as MBA is an expensive course.

Also Read: 

• MBA Admission 2025-2026: Application Deadline of Top MBA colleges in India
• List of all MBA Colleges in India Accepting CAT score
• 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2024-25 (MBA): Current & Latest GD Topics with detailed analysis

Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT admission and selection process: