CAT Selection Process 2025: IIM and Non-IIM Admission Criteria
CAT selection process 2025 varies across different MBA colleges. Check CAT selection process 2025 and weightage assigned to each evaluation round at IIMs and non-IIMs.
Shivani Kumari12 Dec, 2024
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CAT Selection Process 2025: The selection process for CAT 2025 will commence after the announcement of results. The CAT 2025 exam is expected to take place on 30 November. All the B-schools that accept CAT scores have a separate selection process. However, the 10 new IIMs conduct the Common Admission Process (CAP) for MBA admissions.
In most IIM, candidates are initially shortlisted based on their CAT scores. Further, they need to appear for additional selection rounds such as a WAT, Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). The official selection process for IIMs is released by the CAT conducting authority. As the selection criteria and admission procedures can vary across different IIMs and non-IIMs, candidates must carefully review the specific requirements by visiting the official websites of the institutions. Apart from the IIMs, several other MBA colleges that accept CAT scores have their own distinct selection processes.CAT Selection Process 2025 Important Dates
Here are the key dates for the CAT 2025 selection process:| CAT Selection Process 2025 Important Dates | |
| Event | Date (Expected) |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Result Announcement | Third Week of December 2025 |
| Commencement of CAT 2025 Selection Process | First week of January 2026 |
| IIM Shortlisting | To Be Updated (TBU) |
| IIM WAT-PI Process | To Be Updated (TBU) |
| Offer Letters from IIMs | To Be Updated (TBU) |
CAT Selection Process 2025
The CAT 2025 selection process for IIMs is conducted in three stages. Each stage is designed to assess candidates’ skills and capabilities required for the MBA program. Here are the key stages of the CAT selection process 2025 for IIMs:Stage 1: Shortlisting Based on CAT 2025 Percentile
The first step in the IIM selection process involves shortlisting candidates based on their CAT 2025 percentile. In top-tier IIMs, the general category CAT cut-off typically falls above the 90th percentile, while reserved categories have a lower cut-off. Additionally, for newer IIMs, the CAT cut-offs range between the 80th and 60th percentiles. Candidates who meet the required percentile receive a call letter for participating in subsequent selection rounds, which include GD, PI, or WAT. The invitation letter will include essential details like the registration link, the last date to complete CAP registration (for new IIMs), and the date, time, and venue of the GD/WAT and PI sessions.Stage 2: Qualification for GD & WAT
Once candidates clear the CAT percentile cut-offs, they are required to participate in the GD/PI or WAT rounds. In the WAT round, candidates are required to write an essay on a given topic within a specified time frame. This round aims to assess candidates’ writing and communication skills. The GD involved 8-10 candidates discussing a specific topic. This evaluation round focuses on assessing group dynamics and how well candidates articulate their thoughts and ideas. While WAT topics often pertain to current events and social issues, GD topics can range across subjects like politics, economics, sports, and more. Both rounds evaluate candidates' grammar, vocabulary, language proficiency, writing clarity, and the logic of their arguments.Stage 3: Personal Interview (PI) Round
Candidates who clear both WAT and GD rounds are allowed to proceed to the PI stage. The Personal Interview (PI) is the final step in the IIM selection process. In this stage, candidates are evaluated for their personality, interests, and potential for a career in management. During the PI stage, candidates have to face a panel of 4-8 interviewers, who assess candidates on various qualities such as communication skills, general knowledge, academic achievements, and the ability to think on their feet. The panel also considers various approaches to test candidates’ problem-solving skills, leadership potential, and how well they fit into the IIM culture.Stage 4: Release of Final Merit List
Each IIM has its own set of admission criteria, and after completing all rounds of the selection process, the institutions publish their final merit list. To create the final merit list of selected candidates, IIMs consider factors like CAT score, performance in the WAT, GD, and PI rounds, academic qualification, work experience, etc.Stage 5: Final Selection and Document Verification
Candidates who are shortlisted for the final selection process are required to undergo eligibility verification. At this stage, their academic credentials are thoroughly checked, and marks from previous qualifications are also taken into account. The final admission offer is provided after completing a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s entire profile.IIM Final Selection Process 2025 Key Criteria
The final selection process for MBA admissions at top IIMs and other prestigious institutions is based on a comprehensive evaluation of several key factors. These are:- CAT Exam Scores : The CAT exam score is one of the most significant criteria in the final selection process at IIMs and non-IIMs. MBA schools in India rely heavily on these scores to determine a candidate's eligibility for the next selection stages.
- Class 10 Marks : Class 10 marks are also considered part of the overall academic profile. However, each institution may assign a different weight to Class 10 results when finalising admissions.
- Class 12 Marks : Similar to Class 10 scores, candidates’ performance in Class 12 is also considered for making the final election decision.
- Undergraduate Performance : The grades obtained in their bachelor’s degree are considered alongside Class 10 and 12 marks. A candidate’s performance during their undergraduate studies is crucial in the selection process. Most B-schools in India require their candidates to achieve at least 50% overall marks in the UG exam.
- WAT/PI/GD : In the final stages, candidates may be asked to participate in WAT, GD, and PI rounds. These stages aim to evaluate candidates’ writing skills, communication ability, thoughts clearly, and personality.
- Work Experience : While work experience carries less weight compared to academic performance, some colleges prioritise candidates with professional experience. This way, having full-time work experience enhances candidates’ profiles for admission.
Weightage of CAT 2025 Scores for IIM Selection Process
When determining the final CAT composite score for MBA admissions at IIMs, multiple factors are considered. The table below provides a breakdown of the key components and their respective weightage in the selection process for all IIMs:| CAT 2025 Weightage in IIM Selection Process | ||||
| IIM Name | CAT Score Weightage | GD-PI-WAT Weightage | Academics & Work Experience Weightage | Diversity, Achievements & Others |
| IIM Bangalore | 25% | 40% | 35% | - |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 25% | 60% | 15% | Included in Academics |
| IIM Lucknow | 30% | 50% | 15% | 5% |
| IIM Calcutta | 30%* | 48%* (No WAT) | 8%* | 4%* |
| IIM Kozhikode | 44% | 44% | - | 12% |
| IIM Indore | 20% | 60% | 20% | - |
| IIM Kashipur | 33% | 25% | 30% | 12% |
| IIM Shillong | - | - | - | - |
| IIM Ranchi | 40% | 30% | 20% | 10% |
| IIM Raipur | 35% | 35% | 18% | 12% |
| IIM Udaipur | 60% | 15% | 18% | 7% |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 50% | 28% | 15% | 7% |
| IIM Amritsar | 40% | 25% | 25% | 10% |
| IIM Rohtak | 60% | 20% | - | 20% |
| IIM Jammu | 40% | 30% | 17% | 13% |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 40% | 30% | 24% | 6% |
| IIM Sambalpur | 30% | 20% | 30% | 20% |
| IIM Nagpur | 15% | 50% | 30% | 5% |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 25% | 25% | 30% | 20% |
| IIM Sirmaur | 30% | 30% | 25% | 15% |
| IIM Mumbai | 55% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
CAT 2025 Selection Process for Non-IIM Colleges
Unlike IIMs, which follow a unified admission system, non-IIMs in India have their own distinct selection processes. Although these processes share similarities with IIMs, including stages like WAT, GD, and PI, it is recommended to check the prescribed MBA selection stages by visiting their official website. Top non-IIMs like IMT Ghaziabad and MICA Ahmedabad substitute Group Discussions with Group Activities or Exercises. Similarly, other institutions may include only PI or all three components (GD, WAT, and PI) as part of their evaluation process.Expected CAT 2025 Cut-off at Non-IIMs
The CAT cut-off for general category candidates is influenced by factors like the exam’s difficulty, available seats, the number of candidates, and the normalisation process. The table below presents the expected CAT 2025 cut-off for the top non-IIM MBA colleges:| CAT 2025 Cut-Off at Non-IIMs | |
| Name of the College | CAT Cut-off (Expected) |
| JBIMS | 99 |
| BITS School of Management (BITSOM) | 88-90 |
| FMS (Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi) | 97-99 |
| LIBA, Chennai | 75 |
| DMS, IIT Delhi | 90 |
| Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad | 85-90 |
| SJMSOM, IIT Bombay | 90 |
| National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai | 94 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 94 |
| SPJIMR (SP Jain Institute of Management & Research) | 90-95 |
| XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar) | 91 |
| Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras | 96 |
| T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal | 85 |
CAT Selection Process 2025 FAQs
Which IIM will set CAT 2025?
IIM Kozhikode will set the CAT 2025 selection process.
Does IIM Consider work experience for selecting candidates?
Some IIMs prioritise candidates who have work experience. However, it is not mandatory for all candidates to have work experience for IIM admissions.
What is the CAT score weightage in IIM admissions?
CAT score weightage varies across different IIMs. It generally ranges between 60% to 25%.
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