Admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for the MBA/PgP 2026–28 batch will follow a multi-stage process that begins with the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 and culminates in final selection based on a composite assessment of factors including test scores, interviews and academic record. Qualified candidates are shortlisted for the next stages Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) before the final merit list is prepared.
Stage 1: CAT 2025 and Shortlisting
The first step toward IIM admission is performance in the CAT 2025 examination. Candidates must achieve a minimum qualifying percentile (cut-off) prescribed by each IIM to be considered for shortlisting. After CAT results are declared, each institute applies its own shortlisting criteria, which typically include multiple components:
- CAT score and percentile
- Academic performance (Class 10, Class 12 and graduation marks)
- Work experience
- Diversity factors such as gender and academic background
Each IIM sets its own COMPOSITE SCORE for shortlisting, and candidates are selected for the WAT and PI stages based on this score. For example, some institutes assign significant weightage to CAT performance (such as 55–65%), with additional points for academics and work experience.
Stage 2: WAT and Personal Interview (PI)
Shortlisted candidates are called for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The WAT assesses a candidate’s ability to think critically and express ideas in writing, while the PI evaluates overall suitability for management education through discussions on background, goals and general awareness. These forums give institutes an opportunity to assess communication skills, leadership potential and intellectual depth. Institutes use different weightages for shortlisting and final stages. For instance, while CAT score can be the primary driver for initial shortlisting, many IIMs give higher relative weightage to the PI stage in the final merit list. At one top institute, the PI contributed around 50% of the final selection score, with CAT and other profile elements making up the balance.
Stage 3: Final Selection Criteria
After the WAT and PI rounds, a Final Composite Score is calculated for each candidate. This score typically includes:
- CAT percentile score, converted into a weighted component
- Performance in WAT and PI
- Academic profile (10th, 12th and graduation marks)
- Work experience and diversity factors
For example, in some IIMs, CAT performance might carry around 25–30% of the final weight, while PI performance can go up to 40–50%, with remaining points allocated to academic and profile components.
Additional Considerations
The shortlisting and final selection policies can vary significantly across different IIMs. Some institutions give additional points for gender diversity or professional certification, while others attach different weights to academic and work experience segments. Composite cut-offs and reservation norms are also applied according to the Government of India or institute guidelines. Once the final merit list is prepared based on the composite scores, successful candidates receive offer letters to join their respective IIM MBA/PgP programmes.
