CAT Cutoff 2024-25 for IIM & Top MBA Colleges

CAT 2024-25 Cut Offs

The CAT 2024-25 cut-off scores required for admission to the MBA 2025 batch of IIMs are expected to range between 95 to 100 percent. For students in the General/NC-OBC category, the cut-offs at top IIMs are likely around the 98 to 100 percentile. In contrast, the cut-offs will be comparatively lower for SC/ST/PWD category candidates. Non-IIMs may set their CAT cut-offs anywhere from 94 to 100 percentile based on candidates' overall performance in CAT 2024-25. Colleges like FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, and MICA, among others, typically announce qualifying CAT cut-offs for WAT-PI shortlisting before the exam. However, final cut-offs are not usually disclosed.
 

For admission to prestigious IIMs and top MBA colleges in India, the minimum CAT cut-off generally starts from the 90 percentile. However, for top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Kozhikode, the cut-offs typically remain highly competitive, often requiring 99+ percentile scores. Tier 2 MBA colleges generally set their CAT cut-offs around 70-80 percentile and above, while Tier 3 colleges set theirs around 60-70 percentile and above. MBA aspirants must know these cut-offs as they vary widely across different institutes. Understanding CAT cut-offs includes knowing the factors influencing them, distinguishing between qualifying and final cut-offs, reviewing past years' trends, and anticipating the expected cut-offs for CAT 2024-25 for MBA admissions.

CAT 2024-25 Expected Cut Off

• An applicant has to meet specific minimum CAT cut-off scores; otherwise, he/she will not be considered for an MBA. 

• A candidate must also clear the sectional cut-off in CAT to be selected for the WAT-PI round of MBA Institutes. 

•  Each IIM has fixed its benchmark, and the standard CAT cut-offs for top IIMs are as follows: General Category – 98-100 percentile. 

•  Thus, IIM cut-offs for reserved category students are comparatively lower, ranging from 95 to 98 percentiles. 

•  Top MBA colleges such as FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and others have their cut-offs for admission ranging between 90 to 99 percentiles. 

•  There are two types of CAT cut-offs for IIM admissions: There are two processes that are commonly embraced: the qualifying cut-off and the final cut-off. 

•  The preliminary qualifying cut-off is published before the CAT result; the final cut-off is released during short-listing for PIs. 

•  The final cut-offs of CAT are not disclosed by IIMs and are restricted to the candidate login interface. 

•  Other institutes admitting the candidates based on CAT scores also have minimum standards below which the candidates are not selected. 

Selection Procedure of IIMs Through CAT 2024-25

• Admission into IIMs and other management institutes through CAT 2024-25 involves participation in the WAT/GD/PI round.

• After CAT results are declared, candidates must fill out the PI shortlist form provided by the institutes.

• Institutes evaluate candidates based on their CAT scores, final cut-offs, and academic profiles to determine eligibility for the WAT-PI round.

• The admission process for IIMs spans three to four months, typically starting from the release of PI shortlist forms and concluding with classes commencing in June-July.

• Non-IIM institutes follow a similar timeline for completing their admission procedures.

The IIM admission process for 2025 includes three main stages: 
 

1. Shortlisting of candidates based on CAT scores and academic records.

2. Conducting the WAT/GD-PI rounds for shortlisted candidates.

3. Making the final selection based on overall CAT, WAT/GD-PI performance, and academic achievements.

Factors Influencing CAT 2024-25 Cut-Off Scores

The CAT 2024-25 cut-offs are set by various IIMs and business schools, considering multiple predetermined factors. Here are the primary factors:

1. Exam Difficulty Level - Whether the exam is easy, moderate, or difficult.
2. Total Number of Test Takers - For CAT 2024-25, there are 1,90,143 registered candidates.
3. Reputation of Institutes and Seat Availability - Demand for admission at prestigious IIMs and the seats available.
4. Previous Year’s Cut-Off Trends - Prior year cut-off scores are considered as a reference for setting the current year’s cut-off.

CAT 2024-25 Cut-Off Score vs Percentile Analysis

IIM admission process for 2025 unfolds in three distinct phases:

First phase: Candidates are initially shortlisted based on their CAT 2024 scores about the individual CAT cut-offs set by each IIM for that year. Typically, the minimum cut-offs for General candidates exceed the 90 percentile (lower for reserved categories). While achieving above the 90 percentile makes candidates eligible for the interview round, actual invitations depend on CAT scores and academic backgrounds. Newer IIMs set their CAT cut-offs between 80-60 percentile.
 

Second phase: IIMs conduct the WAT/GD-PI round during this phase. The selection panel evaluates candidates' performance in these rounds to make final decisions.

Third phase: Candidates' academic records and work experience are evaluated in this phase. These parameters are crucial in the final selection process for admission to IIMs in 2025.
 

Section-Wise CAT Cut-Off for IIMs

Expected CAT Cut-Off for Non-IIM/Top MBA Colleges 2024-25

Expected CAT Cut-Off (2024-25) for New IIMs

CAT 2025 Counselling

The CAT 2024-25 registration for admission and selection of MBA/PGP programs of IIMs and other B-schools for 2025-26 is scheduled for August 2024. The CAT exam 2024 is due on November 24, 2024, after which the WAT-PI process takes place from February to April of the subsequent year. The main admission indexes for IIMs and other establishments using CAT scores comprise category-wise qualifying marks, academic and personality tests, and a procedure for arriving at the CAT final admission score. The primary focus is mainly on these standards and minimum CAT cut-off scores.

CAT cutoff 2023 vs percentile – section-wise (Last Year)

CAT Cut off 2023 for IIMs (Last Year)

IIMs have released the CAT 2023 cutoff qualifying percentile in their admission brochure. The category-wise CAT 2023 Cut off for IIM is provided in the table below. 

*Any change in the cut-offs will be updated here after each IIM releases the admission criteria 2024-26.

CAT Cut off for IIM for General

CAT Cut-off for IIM for the General Category for the last 2 years is given below for reference. 

CAT Cut off for IIM for EWS

CAT cut-off for IIM for EWS for the last 2 years is given below for reference. 

CAT Cut off for IIM for OBC

CAT Cut off for IIM for OBC for the last 2 years is given below for reference. 

CAT Cut off for IIM for SC

CAT cut-off for IIM for SC for the last 2 years is given below for reference. 

CAT Cut off for IIM for ST

CAT cut-off for IIM for SC for the last 2 years is given below for reference.