CAT Selection Procedure 2025 - Admission Process, Minimum Qualifying Cutoff, Selection Criteria

Nearly 2 lakh candidates appear for CAT Exam every year out of which only a few thousand candidates are selected for admission in IIMs. However, CAT Score is accepted by numerous Management Institutes across the country. The Selection Criteria of all the 20 IIMs may Vary from each other.

Common Selection Criteria of IIMs is mentioned below:

• All the IIMs release their selection criteria every year. According to the notifications released, the selection procedure for the current year is similar to that of previous years.
• Most of the Indian Institutes of Management follow two-step selection process i.e. the CAT Score and the Witten Ability Test (WAT) & Personal Interview (PI) Round.
• The candidates who qualify the CAT examination and falls within the Cut Off of the respective Institute will be called for the second step i.e. WAT and PI Round.
• Most of the Indian Institutes of Management weightage to CAT score and Personal Interview. Though, other factors such as academic performance, work experience etc. are also considered by the institutes.
• The institutes do not conduct any common counseling for admission in various management courses. 

Eligibility Verification:

If a candidate is short-listed for interviews by any IIM, he/she has to comply with the following eligibility verification:

• Mark sheets and Degree Certificate

A  candidate must show all the original mark sheets and submit attested copies to prove his/her eligibility at the time of interview.  Further,  if a  candidate is selected for a  program,  original degree certificate and mark sheets of all semesters/years along with their attested copies must be submitted for verification at the time of joining the program.

• Reservation Category Requirements

If short-listed for interview SC, ST, NC-OBC and DA candidates must show the original caste/class and/or disability certificate and submit a photocopy at the time of interview. Further, if a candidate is selected for a program, the original certificate of qualifying degree and attested copy of the same must be
submitted for verification at the time of joining a programme.

• Candidates in the Final Year of Graduation

If   short-listed   for   interview,   candidates   appearing   for   the   final bachelor's   degree   or   equivalent qualification examination must show an original certificate from the Principal/Registrar/Director of the university/institution certifying that the candidate has obtained 50% marks or equivalent (45% in case of
the  candidates  belonging  to  SC,  ST,  and  DA  category)  based  on  latest  available  grades/marks.  He/she must submit an attested copy of the original certificate at the time of interview.