IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2024-26: CAT Cutoff, Weightage for GD, PI, and WAT

Akansha Sirohi

Updated On: January 22, 2024 04:35 pm IST | CAT

The IIM Bangalore admission process 2024 has begun on January 12, 2024. Check out important details regarding the IIM Bangalore selection criteria 2024-26 right here.

IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2024

IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2024: Every Indian Institute of Management (IIM) has its method and cut-offs for selecting students for the various management programmes it offers. IIM Bangalore also has its structured selection criteria for 2024-26 according to which admissions to the Post Graduate Programme are done. The same includes shortlisting based on CAT 2023 scores and performance in PI/WAT.

The CAT 2023 exam was conducted on November 26, 2023, across 155 test cities in India. The IIM Bangalore admission process began on January 12, 2024, with the release of IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2024. The PI round is anticipated to be conducted in the third week of February 2024. Aspirants will find all the information they need about the IIM admission criteria 2024 right here!

Also Read: 

CAT 2023 Score vs PercentileCAT Toppers List 2023
What is a Good CAT 2023 Score/Percentile?CAT 2023 Exam Day Mistakes You Must Avoid

IIM Bangalore Selection 2024-26: Important Dates

The most important dates pertaining to the IIM Bangalore MBA selection process 2024-26 have been provided below.

Events

Dates

Application Process 

January 2024
Round 3 Withdrawal Last DateJanuary 2024
MBA IIMB Test-2January 2024
IIMB Shortlist for PI-WAT Announcement DateJanuary 12, 2024

Interview Dates

Third week of February 2024

Admission Offer and Waitlist

First week of March 2024

Last Date for Offer Acceptance 

Third week of March 2024
MBA 2024 Withdrawal Last DateLast week of March 2024

IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2024: Important Points

The most significant points regarding the IIM Bangalore selection criteria 2024 have been provided below:
  • The CAT score is still one of the most significant factors in determining your admission to IIM-B, with 55% weightage in the first phase and 25% weightage in the second phase.
  • The 85 percentile continues to be the minimum overall CAT cut-off. The 80 percentile continues to serve as the minimum cut-off for VARC. The cut-off for QA and DILR, however, has increased from 75 percentile to 80 percentile.
  • The IIM Bangalore has reinstated the graduation marks component to the pre-PI selection process and given it a weightage of 10% after eliminating it in 2022. The weightage for the 10th and 12th grades has been reduced from 15% to 10%. Once more, the admissions procedure will be influenced by your graduation grades. This indicates that in order to have a good probability of getting into IIM Bangalore, at least two out of the three academic requirements must be met. Graduation marks are not divided into separate groups based on graduation streams, as was the case at IIM Ahmedabad.
  • Graduation scores have also made a resurgence in the post-PI shortlisting process, accounting for 5% of the overall weightage. The weightage for the 10th and 12th grades has decreased from 10% to 5%.
  • The maximum number of points for work experience will be awarded to applicants having 3 years of work experience or more (as of July 2023). However, this is only applicable during the WAT-PI round of shortlisting. The panellists will also assess each candidate's quality of professional experience in later stages.
  • Gender diversity has a 5% weightage in the first phases of the process, according to IIM Bangalore. For academic diversity, no specific weightage has been given.
  • IIM Bangalore has also categorized DILR performance > VARC performance > QA performance inside CAT, which may provide some relief to individuals who score poorly on the QA component. This applies for both the pre-PI and post-PI phases.
  • In 2023, the weightage for the "Personal Interview (PI)" component increased from 35% to 40%. This implies that your PI will have a far greater impact on the selection process.
  • Women will have a modest advantage in the admissions process, but only at the pre-PI shortlisting stage. Academic diversity is still given no weightage.

Phase-wise IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2024

IIM Bangalore assesses candidates through a comprehensive evaluation process that takes into account their previous academic performance, Common Admission Test (CAT) score, performance in personal interviews, and prior work experience. To gauge their admission prospects at IIM Bangalore, candidates can review the CAT exam analysis 2023 and CAT Cutoff 2023.

IIMB follows a two-phase selection process for its PGP program. In the initial phase, all eligible candidates who take the CAT 2023 exam are assessed to determine those invited for a personal interview (PI). Selected candidates undergo a Writing Ability Test (WAT) during the PI process, addressing a topic provided by IIMB. The interview panel evaluates aspects such as academic background, work experience quality, and personal traits. The WAT submissions are independently assessed. In the second and final phase, the cumulative scores of the WAT, interview, and pre-PI scores, each assigned appropriate weightages, are used to make the ultimate selection of candidates for the program. The selection criteria for IIM Bangalore 2024 intakes are:

  • Phase 1: Candidates will be shortlisted for PI-WAT rounds. 
  • Phase 2: WAT and PI rounds
  • Phase 3: Final Merit List of Selected candidates will be declared.

Also Read: IIM Ahmedabad Admission/ Selection Criteria 2024-26

IIM Bangalore Selection Phase 1: Shortlisting for WAT/PI

The shortlisting process for the WAT-PI rounds will be the first step in the IIM Bangalore admission process in 2024. An online form must be submitted to IIM Bangalore's shortlisting process to confirm participation in WAT/PI and participation via video conferencing.

How to Apply for IIM Bangalore PI Shortlisting 2024

Candidates may apply for PI shortlisting by following the instructions provided below if they picked IIM Bangalore as their preferred institute on their CAT 2023 application form:
  1. Visit the IIM Bangalore official website.
  2. Go to the 'Admissions' tab
  3. Click on 'PGP 2024 Call for Interview Shortlist'
  4. Enter the necessary details including the CAT 2023 application number and email address.
  5. Fill out the form and submit it.
Candidates who are selected for the WAT-PI rounds will be informed via email.

Selection Criteria 2024 for WAT and PI

Candidates who wish to seek admission at IIM Bangalore need to meet the shortlisting criteria for the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds. For the WAT-PI round, candidates will be chosen based on the criteria listed in the table below:

ParameterWeightage
CAT Score*55%
10th Board10%
12th Board10%
Bachelor’s Degree Marks10%
Gender Diversity5%
Work Experience/ Professional Course10%
*The 55% of CAT weightage includes 19% for VARC, 21% for DILR and 15% for QA.

Note: It is important to note that IIM Bangalore places a strong emphasis on consistency and excellence in academics and across all other parameters.

IIM Bangalore Selection Phase 2: Criteria for WAT and PI

Candidates who are shortlisted are called for the Phase 1 round of selection which includes the Personal Interview (PI) and the Writing Ability Test (WAT) where the candidate is given about 30 minutes to write on the topic given by the institute. The following are the minimum cutoff requirements of IIM Bangalore:

Category

Minimum ​Percentile Required for 1st Shortlist

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall

General

80

75

75

85

NC OBC

75

65

65

75

SC

65

60

60

70

ST

55

55

55

65

EWS

70

65

65

75

PWD

50

50

5060

Note: The normalized or standardized scores of a candidate in all these components are considered for the evaluation process.
In the initial shortlist, candidates possessing certifications in Chartered Accountancy, Cost Accounting, and Company Secretary are eligible for additional weightage under the professional course category. However, no other professional courses qualify for such consideration. The professional course score is standardized for all candidates in the initial shortlist. To ensure fair evaluation, the average, standard deviation, and adjusted scores are computed by taking into account the scores (final as applicable) of all applicants with professional qualifications in the initial shortlist for the purpose of normalization.

Evaluation of Personal Interview

The panel taking the Personal Interview of a candidate assesses applicants based on their level of motivation, ability to fit in with the group, and potential benefits from PGP. It will be necessary for all applicants to submit two confidential reference letters, either from their employment or from professors at the universities they attended.

Evaluation of Personal Interview

During the Personal Interview, candidates are evaluated based on their motivation, ability to fit into the group, and the potential benefits they can derive from the PGP program. All applicants are required to submit two confidential reference letters, either from their employment or professors at their attended universities.

Evaluation of Written Ability Test

The assessment of the Written Ability Test (WAT) in the selection process at IIMs focuses solely on the candidates' essays. The evaluation considers both the content and writing style of the candidates.

Performance in 10th and 12th Board Exams

Candidates' marks in the 10th and 12th board exams are normalized by dividing the marks by the 90th percentile score obtained by the candidate in that board. The 90th percentile score is determined by evaluating the databases of 10th and 12th board marks of candidates from the last two years.

Performance in Graduation

The final scores obtained in graduation are considered. For candidates currently pursuing graduation, marks obtained until the final year are taken into account.

Professional Course Criteria

Candidates with Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, or Company Secretary Certificates are given a specific privilege in the selection process. No other professional courses are eligible for these criteria.

Evaluation of Work Experience

A pre-PI score for work experience is calculated using the equation: 

Work Experience = 8x/36; if 0 < x < 36 

OR 

Work Experience = 8 if x > 36, where x represents the months worked up to the exam notification. 

The upper limit of work experience is capped at 36 months. The maximum pre-PI stage score for work experience is 8, further multiplied by the score given for the quality of work experience, which is assessed on a 5-point scale (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) by interviewers in the Personal Interview round during Phase 2 to determine the weighted work experience score.

Also Read:

Steps to Follow for Admission to Top MBA CollegesList of Courses Offered at IIMs

IIM Bangalore CAT 2023 Sectional Weightage

The sectional weightage of CAT 2023 for IIM Bangalore selection is given below:

CAT 2023 Sections

Weightage

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

19

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

21

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

15

Total

55

The maximum scores for work experience and professional courses are considered. A common weightage of 10 has been set for work experience or professional courses. The advantages of both work experience and professional courses are not given together to one candidate. A candidate can either benefit from work experience or a professional course as per the above-mentioned weightage out of 10.

Work Experience* Score Calculation
ComponentScore
Experience between 0 to 36 months (X)10X/36
Experience greater than and equal to 36 months10
*For work experience in months up to July 2023.

NOTE: Out of the candidates shortlisted based on the CAT scores, the top 10 students don’t have to appear for WAT and they directly qualify for PI based on their excellent performance in the following fields:

  • Total score in CAT

  • Adjusted Bachelors score (Commerce/Science/Arts)

  • Performance in Professional Course (CA/ICWA/CS)

However, these candidates go through the regular selection process in Phase 2.

Also Read:One-year Executive MBA vs Two-year Full-time MBA

IIM Bangalore Final Selection (Phase 3)

Check out the final selection criteria and sectional weightage for IIM Bangalore: 

ParameterWeightage
Personal Interview40%
WAT10%
CAT score*25%
10th Board5%
12th Board5%
Bachelor’s Degree5%
Work Experience/ Professional Course10%
*The 25% of CAT weightage includes 8.75% for VARC, 10% for DILR and 6.75% for QA.
  • The assessment of the Written Ability Test (WAT) hinges on both the content and writing style of the candidate. Each interviewer conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine the candidate's suitability for the program. In the WAT, the content score holds a weight of 7.5, and the content style is also assigned a score of 7.5.
  • Candidates are mandated to provide three confidential reference letters from either faculty or employers, which play a crucial role in the Personal Interview (PI) evaluation. The scores from all interviewers in the PI are averaged, while the scores for WAT by each interviewer are independently considered. The PI is assigned a weight of 30.
  • The interview panel factors in the work experience score, multiplied by the quality of work experience, to assess the relevance of a candidate's professional background. Each interviewer rates work experience on a scale of 5, and the average of these scores is multiplied by the pre-PI work experience score to determine the weighted work experience score.
  • The scores attained in this phase, along with considerations such as gender diversity, undergo standardization to derive an aggregate score. Admission offers are extended based strictly on the ranks secured within each category determined by this comprehensive score.

Candidates qualifying in both phases will be shortlisted for admission to IIM Bangalore. Candidates will have the time to complete the admission process. Candidates must appear for all the stages and qualify to be considered for the shortlisting. 

Related Links
List of IIM Colleges in India 2023Written Ability Test (WAT) for IIMs and Other Top MBA Colleges
CAT 2023 Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMsIIM Eligibility Cut Off vs IIM Call Cut Off

If you still have any doubts or queries about the IIM Bangalore selection criteria, you can ask our experts on the CollegeDekho QnA Zone. Candidates may fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) to clear doubts related to the admission process. 

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FAQs

What are the key factors of IIM Bangalore selection criteria for 2024-26?

The key factors of IIM Bangalore's selection criteria for 2024-26 include CAT 2023 scores, performance in PI/WAT, graduation marks, work experience, and gender diversity, with CAT scores holding 55% weightage in the first phase and 25% in the second.

How much weightage is given to graduation marks in IIM Bangalore's selection process?

The weightage that is given to graduation marks in IIM Bangalore's selection process is 10% weightage in the pre-PI selection process and 5% in the post-PI shortlisting process, reinstated after being eliminated in 2022.

How is work experience considered in IIM Bangalore's selection process?

Maximum points for work experience in IIM Bangalore's selection process are awarded to candidates with 3 years or more (as of July 2023), but this applies only during the WAT-PI round. The quality of professional experience is evaluated later.

What is the weightage for gender diversity in IIM Bangalore's selection process?

The weightage for gender diversity in IIM Bangalore's selection process is  5% weightage in the initial phases of the process, while no specific weightage is assigned for academic diversity.

 

What is the weightage for gender diversity in IIM Bangalore's selection process?

The weightage for gender diversity in IIM Bangalore's selection process is  5% weightage in the initial phases of the process, while no specific weightage is assigned for academic diversity.

 

How is CAT performance categorized by IIM Bangalore?

CAT performance is categorized as DILR performance > VARC performance > QA performance by IIM Bangalore providing some relief to those who score lower in the QA component, both in pre-PI and post-PI phases.

 

What changes have been made to the IIM Bangalore selection criteria in 2024?

Notable changes have been made to the IIM Bangalore selection criteria in 2024. These include the reinstatement of graduation marks with a 10% weightage, reduction of 10th and 12th grades weightage from 15% to 10%, and increased weightage for the PI component from 35% to 40%.

 

How is the selection process conducted at IIM Bangalore?

The selection process conducted at IIM Bangalore involves two phases: shortlisting based on CAT scores and academic qualifications, followed by WAT-PI rounds. Past academic performance is given a 50% weightage, while CAT scores have a 40% weightage in the first phase.

 

How can candidates apply for PI shortlisting at IIM Bangalore in 2024?

Candidates can apply for PI shortlisting at IIM Bangalore by visiting its official website, navigating to the 'Admissions' tab, clicking on 'PGP 2024 Call for Interview Shortlist,' and entering the necessary details from the CAT 2023 application

 

What is the sectional weightage of CAT 2023 for IIM Bangalore?

The sectional weightage of CAT 2023 for IIM Bangalore is distributed as follows: 19% for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), 21% for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and 15% for Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The total sectional weightage is 55%, with work experience or professional courses having a common weightage of 10.

 

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