IIM Counselling

The difference between the qualifying CAT cut-off and the final CAT cut-off lies in their purpose and the stage of the selection process they are associated with:

Qualifying CAT Cut-off:

• This is the minimum percentile score required to be shortlisted for the next stage of the selection process.
• It acts as a screening tool at the initial stage of shortlisting candidates for further evaluation by individual institutes.
• The qualifying cut-off can vary depending on the institute and the specific MBA programme you're applying to.

Final CAT Cut-off:

• This is the actual cut-off percentile score used by institutes for final selection.
• It determines who gets admitted to a particular MBA program.
• Final cut-offs are generally not announced publicly.

Students who are appearing for the Class 12 board exams and also the IPMAT exam should know that they need to balance the IPMAT preparation along with the Class 12 board preparation in order to succeed in both. Students can prioritize Class 12 board exams as they are important for academic performance and admission to the IPMAT colleges. 

Preparing for the board exams will build a strong foundation for the IPMAT exam preparation as well. No amount of prep can be enough if one does not have a good study plan. A well structured study plan which allocates time to IPMAT exam preparation as well as Class 12 board can be good for acing the exams. By identifying the common topics, students can prioritize and organize IPM and boards syllabus accordingly. Students should regularly revise the topics through a revision plan which covers the complete syllabus.