Applicants to the flagship MBA programmes of premier Indian Institutes of Management are facing tougher thresholds this year. For Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) and Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), the overall cut‑offs for the national MBA entrance test (CAT 2025) are moving into the 99th percentile zone.
IIM Ahmedabad CAT 2025 Cut‑Offs
IIM Ahmedabad has raised its preliminary qualifying CAT cut‑off for General/EWS candidates to 95 percentile overall, with sectional cut‑offs at 85 percentile in each of the three sections (VARC, DILR, QA). The final percentile for admission is projected to climb even higher, often reaching 99‑100 percentile in recent years. Key points:
- General/EWS category: ≥ 95 percentile overall, ≥ 85 in each section.
- NC‑OBC, SC, ST categories also have elevated markers compared to earlier years.
- A strong academic profile and other parameters (10th, 12th, graduation scores, work‑experience) remain critical after clearing CAT thresholds.
IIM Kozhikode CAT 2025 Cut‑Offs
For IIM Kozhikode, the entry threshold remains among the highest for newer IIMs. Final calls for the PGP programme indicate overall percentiles around 99+ for the General category. Qualifying cut‑offs showed:
- General category: ~85 percentile overall minimum.
- Sectional thresholds: ~75 percentile each for VARC, DILR, QA. Admission thus demands not only high overall scores but strong sectional performance.
What These Trends Mean for Applicants?
- Achieving a high percentile (95–99+) in CAT is now essential for short‑listing at top IIMs.
- Section‑wise performance can no longer be ignored — high overall percentile alone may not guarantee progress if sectionals are weak.
- Beyond CAT, institutes assess applications through academics, work‑experience, diversity factors and personal interview rounds.
- Aspirants should plan for CAT 2025 with the expectation of 99+ percentile for flagship IIMs, and work on sectional strengths.
Preparing for MBA Admissions via CAT 2025
Here are actionable steps for candidates:
- Target an overall percentile of 99+, especially for flagship IIMs.
- Aim to score ~85+ percentile in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) for IIM Ahmedabad‑level short‑listing.
- Maintain and highlight consistent academics, extracurriculars, and if applicable, work‑experience.
- Monitor official criteria from each IIM as they publish admission criteria for the PGP 2026‑28 batch.
