Eligibility Criteria of CAT 2016 and IIMs Differ

Eligibility criteria provided on the CAT 2016 website don’t coincide with the admission policies of the Indian Institutes of Management. The mismatch in these criteria can prove to be a disadvantage for students meaning that even a percentile as good as 100 in CAT 2016 cannot assure you a seat in the top most IIMs.

Being one of the best bureaucrat or a faculty member of a prestigious institute will not factor this year unless you have pursued a three-year graduation course.

As per CAT 2016 eligibility criteria, there is no age limit to appear for the exam hence candidates are eligible for the 20 IIMs in the country. The registration form has been updated by CAT Centre 2016 and candidates must now have 14 years of education up to graduation to appear for the exam. This allows the students who graduated in 2 years – as per old pattern – to appear for CAT 2016 hence stating them eligible for courses offered by IIMs.

However, IIM Ahmedabad states that a student must have a minimum of 15 years of education till graduation in order to be eligible for admission hence, disagreeing with the criteria of CAT 2016. The policy announced by IIM Ahmedabad states that for PGP 2017-19 batches, candidates should have completed minimum three years of education for graduation after completing 10+2 or equivalent. The policy is followed by most of the IIMs.

Also Read:CAT 2016: Important Dates and Eligibility Criteria

As per the old education system, PSU Executives and top bureaucrats graduated with a degree that was awarded for 2-years courses. Such candidates will be allowed to appear for CAT 2016 but they won’t be eligible for admission to the premier IIMs of the country even though they have scored 100 percentile in CAT.

This mismatch in policies will greatly affect bright aspirants who wish to study at IIMs.