CAT Counseling 2025 dates, IIM selection process, cut off, and PI shortlist

The Counselling for CAT examination is not conducted by CAT. The Indian Institutes of Management don't conduct common counseling, neither they allot colleges. The selection of the candidate is based on their CAT Result, their Academic Qualification, their relevant Work Experience, their performance in Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) etc.

The candidates who qualify the examination will receive a personalized call letter from the examination authority. The selection process of 9 new IIMs is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak. Remaining IIMs conducts admission individually. CAT Score is also accepted by numerous other institutes such as FMS, SPJIM, MDI and many more.

Selection procedure of IIMs through CAT

IIM admission 2026 will be based on three parameters including, CAT score, WAT/GD-PI, academic record. The IIM admission procedure 2025 includes the following stages -

First phase

Each test takers will be shortlisted on the basis of his/her CAT score viz-a-viz CAT cut offs fixed by each IIM individually for that year. Minimum IIM cut-offs are generally over90 percentile for General candidates (much lower for reserved category candidates), which means, those who will score above 90 percentile in CAT will be eligible for the interview round. But whether they are invited for the interview, depends on the actual CAT score and past academic record. CAT cut-offs of newer IIMs will range between 70-80 percentile.

Second phase

In this phase, IIMs will conduct WAT/PI round. This stage is the decider as the selection panel finalises a candidate on the basis of their performance in this round. A few years ago, the IIMs replaced GD with WAT. For the past couple of years, some of the IIMs conduct only the PI.

Also read → CAT result 2025

Third phase

In this phase, the candidates will be scored on the basis of their academic performance and work experience. Here’s a break up of parameters on which candidates will be selected for IIM admission 2026.

CAT Selection Parameters	Weight
CAT score	25
WAT	10
PI	35
Class 10board	10
Class 12 board	10
Graduation/Weighted Work Experience	10
Total	100

*The above table contains parameters and weight of IIM Bangalore for CAT 2024. Weights of each parameter varies for each IIM year on year.

CAT Counselling Process

CAT counselling Process involves following steps -

Step 1 → Call Letter

• The candidate will receive the call letter from the authorities on their registered email ID.
• The call letter will include details such as Registration Link, Last Date of Registration, Date-Venue-Slot of WAT and PI.

Step 2 → Reporting and Document Verification

• The candidate is required to report the allocated venue.
• The candidate must carry original and photocopies of the required documents.

List of Documents required during Reporting

• Class X Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Class XII Mark Sheet and Certificate
• Bachelors' Degree Certificate
• Reservation Certificate, if required
• Interview Letter
• CAT Rank Card

Step 3 → Choice Locking

• Once the document verification is done, visit the official website of the college.
• Fill the registration form
• Select and lock your preferences or choice before submitting the registration form.
• An intimation will be received on the registered email ID or registered mobile number.
• Confirm the seat and visit the allocated institute to submit the allotment order.

IIM Admission 2025 WAT-PI

IIM Written Ability Test or WAT will be an essay writing test in which candidates will be given a topic to write upon in fifteen to thirty minutes. The topics of WAT can be from any field, thus candidates must read on various topics. The purpose of WAT will be to check the candidate’s clarity of ideas and understanding of his/her surroundings.

The IIM Personal Interview round is the most crucial round of IIMs admission. It carries about 30-40 per cent weight in selection process. In PI, the candidates will have to face a panel of two to four interviewers who will assess them on their confidence, communication skills, managerial skills and leadership qualities, etc. The main line of questioning is usually on the field of study or career of the candidate. The secret of succeeding in this round is staying calm and being honest with your answers.

MBA aspirants must start WAT-PI preparation immediately after CAT exam so that they get enough time before colleges start conducting the selection round.

Important Topics

• Media Influence
• Democracy in India
• Abolition of Triple Talaaq
• Should Petroleum be included in GST?
• Demonetization in India

Group Discussion

• Most of the institute conducts WAT instead of GD.
• In Group Discussion, the candidates are divided into groups of 8-10 and they are asked to present their views on a given topic.
• The motive of this round is to check how the candidate communicates his ideas clearly.
• This round determines the candidates' ability in understanding group dynamics and managing a team.

Important Topics

• Donald Trump as the President of America
• Improved performances of Indian players at International Events
• Impact of GST on Indian economy

Personal Interview

It is a mandatory round of selection procedure and is conducted by all the IIMs and other B-schools for admissions. It carries the weightage of 30 to 40 percent and the interview is taken by the panel of 2-4 interviewers.

Common Questions asked in PI

• Tell about yourself?
• Why you opt for MBA?
• Why should we select you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

Disclaimer → The topics mentioned in the above section change as per the current trending headlines for the year. Thus, the above topics are purely for understanding purposes.

IIM Common Admission Process (CAP)

Common Admission Process or CAP is conducted for the new IIMs namely, IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy, IIM Udaipur. Under this process, common rules and guidelines are followed for selection of candidates for admission.

Components of IIM CAP

The admission process of nine new IIMs comprise same selection process like older IIMs, i.e., Written Ability Test or Group Discussion and Personal Interview. Qualifying CAT cut off and weightage of selection parameters are also common to these nine IIMs, but much lower than older IIMs. It is easier to get through Baby IIMs as the selection criteria is also not as stringent as top IIMs.

IIM CAP Process 2025: Key Points

• The participating IIMs will send the list of candidates shortlisted for WAT-PI process to the institute conducting CAP.
• From this combined list, the CAP conducting institute will conduct the WAT-PI Round. Qualifying CAT cut offs and weightage of admission parameters will be common to all CAP participating institutes.
• After the CAP, each participating IIM will assess the candidates’ performance viz. WAT, PI, CAT score, profile, etc. and prepare their individual merit list to make admission offer
• The final list of selected candidates for MBA admission will be displayed on individual institute website; available only to candidates having institute login.
• Candidates will have to accept the offer of admission letter and pay the requisite fee amount to confirm admission within the given deadline.

Documents to be carried at the time of WAT and PI

Candidates must carry the following documents when appearing for WAT and PI -

• Class 10 marksheet and certificate
• Class 12 marksheet and certificate
• Graduation marksheet and certificate
• Reservation category certificates (if applicable)
• IIM interview call letter
• CAT 2025 scorecard

IIM Interview Call Letter

Candidates selected for first round of IIM admission process 2026 will receive call letters on their registered email ID. The IIM call letter will contain the following information -

• Registration link
• Last date to complete the registration
• Date, time and venue of WAT/GD and PI

MBA Admission Through CAT in Non-IIMs

CAT score is valid for admission to over 1,300 MBA colleges in India. The admission process in these colleges too includes WAT/GD/PI conducted individually by each institute. Candidates are required to apply for admission by filling the online form of preferred colleges. The admission cycle of top MBA colleges in India is same as that of IIMs, i.e. August to May. Check below key points -

• Application fees and dates of MBA colleges will be different from each other. Candidates will have to apply separately to preferred B-schools.
• WAT-GD-PI round will be conducted on separate dates. Candidates will have to be present in person for the same.
• Several B-Schools might ask for LoR and SoP. Prepare the the documents under expert guidance to put your best foot forward.
• Check MBA course fee, specialisation and infrastructure before finalising on admission.
• The most important thing to check before finalising admission is the college's placement record. You need to ensure you get the best ROI as MBA is an expensive course.