IIM Selection Criteria 2024-26: CAT Cutoffs, GD/PI/WAT, Weightage

IIM Selection Criteria 2024-26 involves the requirements that candidates have to meet to get MBA admission into the IIMs. IIM admission criteria 2024-26 are different for each IIM institute depending on the CAT score and academic requirements. IIM selection criteria change based on the yearly performance of the institute and admission statistics of the previous year.

Candidates who qualify for the CAT exam and meet the qualifying cutoff set by individual IIMs are selected for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The IIM selection criteria also include meeting the final CAT cutoff requirements. The final admission into IIMs is based on the candidate's overall profile - CAT score, academic background, work experience, category, and WAT & PI score.

This year, the CAT exam was conducted on November 26, 2023, in three slots while the CAT result 2023 was released on December 21, 2023. If you are seeking admission into IIMs, then go through the complete details about IIM admission criteria 2024-26 provided below. We have also created a separate section where you can find the selection criteria of all the individual IIMs.

Also Read: What is IIM CAP 2024?

IIM Selection Criteria 2024-26: Stages of IIM Admission Process

The IIM selection criteria 2024 is divided mainly into three steps as provided below:

Stage 1: Shortlisting of Candidates Based on CAT Score

Once the CAT results are out, candidates will be selected based on their CAT scores. They will be invited to apply for the WAT/GD-PI round by each IIM. Candidates need to submit their name and CAT scores while applying for the WAT/ PI round.

Stage 2: Written Ability Test and Personal Interview

Candidates will have to perform well in the WAT, PI, and GD rounds to get selected for the next round. These rounds will test the leadership qualities, personality, intelligence, knowledge, and communication skills of the candidates.

Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score and Final Selection

In this stage, a final selection list will be prepared after considering the candidates' performance in the WAT, PI, CAT exam, Work Experience, Diversity, and Academic Records of the candidates. 

Candidates who get selected for admission will be informed about their selection via mail. They will then have to confirm their admission by filling up the offer acceptance form and paying the requisite admission acceptance fee (adjustable in the first installment of the tuition fee). Those who fail to submit the admission acceptance fee before the deadline will be considered ineligible and their seats will be passed to the next deserving candidate. IIM also offers a facility of deferring admission through which the candidates who want to earn some experience before pursuing the PGP course are allowed to postpone their admission for up to a maximum of two years.

IIM Admission Process 2024 Based on CAT

The step-wise process to get admission in IIMs based on CAT can be checked from the infographic provided below:

1. Register for the CAT Exam: Registering for the CAT exam is the initial step for candidates who intend to pursue MBA courses through CAT. 

2. Appear for CAT: Every year, the CAT exam is given to applicants for management programs offered by some of the best B-schools in India that recognize CAT scores. 

3. Apply to MBA Colleges Accepting CAT: The application process for MBA colleges accepting CAT starts around the same time as the CAT exam. 

4. Wait for CAT Results and Admission Calls: Candidates must be patient and wait for the CAT results to be announced and the admission calls to take place based on their CAT results.

5. Appear for GD/PI/WAT Rounds: The final stage of the MBA selection process is the GD/PI/WAT rounds that are conducted for students who are selected for these phases based on their performance in the CAT exam. 

6. Meet Final IIM Cutoff & Receive Offer Letter: The last stage includes meeting the final cutoff released by IIMs. Once all the stages of the CAT Selection process are complete, candidates will receive their offer letter if they are selected for admission.

IIM Eligibility Criteria 2024-26

The IIM admission criteria 2024 will be the same as CAT eligibility criteria i.e. 50% marks in graduation. Those who are eligible to apply for CAT are also eligible to get admission into IIM. However, there are some additional requirements that the candidates must meet to get admission into IIM. The IIM eligibility criteria are provided below.

• Candidates need to meet the shortlisting cutoff to be eligible for an IIM interview call

• Those who have satisfied the minimum cutoff of IIM need to satisfy the call cutoff of IIM to have higher chances of getting a call from IIM

• Candidates who are appearing for the final year of graduation are also eligible for admission. These candidates will have to submit their passing certificate along with other documents before the date decided by the college. 

Also Read: IIM Cut Off 2023

IIM Selection Criteria 2024 and PGP Seats

Check the table provided below to know the selection criteria for IIMs 2023 and the total PGP seats available at the IIMs:

Also Read: IIM Eligibility Cut Off vs IIM Call Cut Off

Final CAT Cutoff for IIMs (Expected)

The minimum score required to be considered for admission to the flagship management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management is known as the final CAT cutoff 2023 for IIM admission. Given that there is intense competition for admission to the IIMs, it should be expected that the final CAT cutoff in 2023 will be significantly higher than the qualifying CAT cutoff. That being said, in order to prepare for the CAT exam and the selection process, candidates need to be aware of the final CAT cutoff 2023 for admission to IIM. Check out the following table to learn about the anticipated final CAT cutoff for IIM admission in 2023:

IIM MBA Admission Status 2024-26

IIM admission status for 2024-26 will be updated below as soon as information is available on the official website of the respective colleges:

IIM Admission Criteria 2024: Important Points to Remember

Some of the important points related to the IIM admission criteria 2024 that the candidates must keep in mind during the selection process are listed below

• Candidates who get selected for the WAT/ PI round will be informed via mail after the result declaration

• Candidates need to apply for the interview call. After this, the college will inform the candidates about their selection

• Candidates need to participate in WAT/GD-PI to get selected for the final phase of admission 

List of MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2023 Scores

Check out the list of all MBA colleges that accept the CAT percentile within the given range. It will give you an estimate of your chances of getting admission into the college of your choice.

Changes in the IIM Selection Criteria 2024-26 with Respect to IIM Kozhikode

The admission policy for the postgraduate program at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has been revised for the 2024–2026 academic year. While the CAT scores will account for 45 percent of the weightage when selecting candidates for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and personal interview (PI), academic performance and gender diversity will receive 10 and 5 percent weightage, respectively. Collectively, these two components barely made up 10% of the shortlisting process for candidates in the last year. On the other hand, the Class 10 and Class 12 percentage scores will carry 25% and 15% weightages, and work experience will receive 5 percent weightage.

The selection procedure at IIM Kozhikode has three stages. A candidate in the general category would need to clear the first stage with a minimum CAT score percentile of 85 and a sectional percentile of 75. Moreover, passing Class 10 and Class 12 with 60% of the total marks is required. A candidate must meet specific requirements in order to be deemed qualified for the second round and to be invited to the written ability test (WAT) and personal interview (PI). An Aggregate Index Score (AIS) will be used to determine which candidates in each category will make it to the shortlist. The AIS is calculated using the following factors: work experience, gender and academic diversity criteria, and performance in CAT 2023, Class 10, and Class 12. 

If you are targeting IIMs, it is important to realize that scoring a high CAT percentile is not enough. You will also require an impressive profile to get a call from either of the IIMs. This means that you must have a good academic background as well as quality work experience. Performance in the personal interview (PI), group discussion (GD), and writing ability test (WAT) also play an essential role in the selection procedure. Candidates must also note that IIMs give points for gender diversity to maintain a balance on campus.

Once the CAT 2023 exam is over, you can check the CAT 2023 exam analysis and CAT 2023 cutoff to calculate your chances of getting selected at any IIM. You can also predict your CAT 2023 percentile through our CAT Percentile Predictor 2023 or use our CAT 2023 College Predictor to find out the best colleges according to their CAT scores 2023.

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