CAT Selection Process 2024 - Check IIM and Non-IIM Admission Criteria

About CAT 2024 Selection Process

The CAT 2024 selection process will begin as soon as the results are released after the conclusion of the exam on November 24, 2024. The selection process for CAT 2024 will typically include a Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. Candidates will be shortlisted based on their CAT exam 2024 score and performance in selection rounds, such as GD and PI. Here's the direct link to access the official PDF of the selection process of IIMs 2024 released by IIM Calcutta recently.

Since each IIM has different selection criteria and admission processes, students are advised to be aware of all the requirements available on their websites when applying for a specific IIM college. A Common Admission Process (CAP) is conducted for admission into 10 new IIMs (IIM Mumbai, IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Trichy, and IIM Udaipur). Apart from IIMs, other MBA colleges accepting CAT scores also have their selection process.

The selection process based on the CAT exam score is spread out over 3 to 4 months for IIMs and other participating MBA colleges in the country. For those who will appear for the CAT 2024 exam, it's crucial to acquaint yourself with the specifics of the selection process. Know all about the CAT 2024 selection process, IIM selection criteria 2024, IIM CAP, and other more important details on this page.

CAT 2024 Selection Process: Important Dates

The table given below provides the CAT important dates related to the selection process:

Stage-wise Detailed CAT 2024 Selection Process

There are three stages through which each IIM Admission Process or CAT 2024 selection process for IIMs is completed, which consists of:

Step 1: Shortlisting Based on CAT 2024 Percentile

The minimum cut-off for the older IIMs is above the 90 percentile for General candidates. The minimum cut-off for Reserved categories will be lower. The minimum cut-offs for the newer IIMs will range between 80-60 percentiles. Candidates fulfilling this criterion will be called for the GD, PI/ WAT. Invitation letters will be sent to candidates chosen for the first round of the CAT screening process in 2024 via their registered email addresses. The following details will be included in the invitation letter:

• Registration link

• Last date to complete the CAP registration (for 9 IIMs)

• Date, time, and venue of WAT/GD and PI

Step 2: Getting Qualified for GD & WAT

If you meet the individual CAT-IIM cutoff for CAT 2024, you will be invited to participate in either a Group Discussion (GD) or a Written Ability Test (WAT). The WAT involves writing an essay on a given topic within a time frame of 15-45 minutes to evaluate your writing and communication skills. The GD consists of 8-10 candidates discussing a specific topic to assess group dynamics. WAT topics are usually related to recent events in the community, while GD topics cover a wide range of subjects such as politics, sports, current events, economics, and social issues. This section evaluates candidates' grammar, language skills, vocabulary, writing ability, expression, and clarity of thought.

Step 3: Proceeding to the Personal Interview (PI)

This is the final round before a student gets selected for any of the IIMs. In this round, a candidate has to present himself/herself before a panel of 4-8 interviewers. Understanding the candidate's personality, attitude, and interests in managing as a career are the main goals of this round of the selection process. Candidates are adjudged on various parameters such as overall academic performance, GK, communication skills, performance in previous rounds presence of mind, etc. 

Step 4: Release of Individual Final Merit List

The admission criteria for each IIM will vary. Based on the factors mentioned below, the IIMs release their final merit list:

• CAT exam score

• Overall performance in WAT, GD, and PI rounds

• Class 10th and 12th Marks

• Gender Diversity Factor

• Work Experience

• Reservations

Step 5: Final Selection and Eligibility Verification

Any candidate listed for a personal interview at IIMs is required to comply with the eligibility and verification for the CAT final selection process. At this point, candidates will be awarded marks based on their academic performance. Check the breakdown of the tentative parameters on which candidates are selected.

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IIM Shortlisting Eligibility Criteria Based on CAT 2024

The two-year Post-graduate Programme in Management (PGP) at IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) is a full-time residential course for graduates from all disciplines wishing to choose a career in management. 

Any candidate who is shortlisted for interviews by IIMs will have to comply with the eligibility criteria that involve the following:

• The candidate must hold a bachelor's degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (in case of the candidate belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category, this is relaxed to 45%), of any of the universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a university under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.  
• The bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate must entail a minimum of three years of education after completing higher secondary schooling (10+2) or equivalent. 
• A candidate appearing for the final year bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed the degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. Such a candidate must produce a certificate from the principal/head of the department/registrar/director of the institution/university certifying that the candidate is currently in the final year/is awaiting final results and has obtained at least 50% marks or equivalent (45% in case of the candidate belonging to SC/ST/PwD category) based on latest available grades/marks. Such a candidate, if selected, will be allowed to join the program provisionally only if they submit a certificate latest by June 30, 2024, from the principal/head of the department/registrar/director of the institution/university.

Their admission will be confirmed only when the candidate submits the mark-sheet and a certificate of having passed the bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification referred to in the certificate issued by the principal/head of the department/registrar/director of the institution/university with at least 50% marks (45% in case of the candidate belonging to SC/ST/PwD category).

It is mandatory for a final year student, who is provisionally admitted, to submit the mark-sheet and degree certificate of the final year bachelor's degree examination held on or before June 30, 2024 (including supplementary, if any), to be eligible for admission to the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) batch 2024-26. 

IIM Detailed Selection Criteria 2024

The candidate must hold a bachelor's degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (in case of the candidate belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category, this is relaxed to 45%), of any of the universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a university under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. Click on the links available in the table below to check the detailed selection criteria for each individual IIMs.

Note* - The newer IIMs viz - Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Kashipur, Raipur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Sirmaur, Tiruchirappalli, and Udaipur participate in a common counselling process known as Common Admission Process (CAP). This is in addition to WAT & PI. Each of these IIMs will also release a separate merit list basis a candidate's performance.

IIM Final Selection Process 2024

Check the final selection criteria at the top IIMs below.

• CAT Exam Scores: The Indian Institutes of Management and other elite MBA schools that accept students based on the CAT 2023 exam use the CAT exam results as a determining factor in their final selection. Additionally, a candidate's selection for subsequent rounds of admission is based on their CAT results.

• Class 10 Exam Scores: Scores from the Class 10 final exam or the Board exam are also taken into account throughout the CAT MBA selection process, although they are given comparatively less weightage in the final selection. Different colleges may have a different weightage for Class 10 results.

• Class 12 Exam Scores: The results of the Class 12 final exam or the board exam are considered for selecting MBA candidates through the CAT selection process, although they are given relatively less importance than the overall score. The weightage assigned to Class 12 results varies throughout colleges.

• Graduation Performance: The performance of an applicant throughout their bachelor's degree is also taken into consideration when choosing them for MBA courses. Scores from bachelor's degrees are given almost the same weightage as Class 10 or 12 scores when making the final decision for MBA selection.

• Written Ability Test (WAT): The final MBA selection process for the IIMs also gives weightage to the Written Ability Test or the Essay Writing Round. In certain institutions, the Group Discussion round is conducted instead of the Written Ability Test.

• Group Discussion (GD): Another important phase of the MBA selection process at the IIMs through CAT. The Group Discussion round is important for candidates as it showcases their interpersonal and communication skills. Candidates who perform well in this round have a higher chance of securing MBA admission at IIMs.

• Personal Interview (PI): The personal interview is the most crucial phase of the CAT selection process, and it is given significant weightage when choosing an MBA candidate. Top MBA schools admitting students through CAT 2023 will definitely admit candidates who perform well in the personal interview round.

• Weighted Work Experience: Finally, individuals with genuine work experience are given extra consideration during the IIM selection process; this aspect of a candidate’s profile has a relatively smaller weightage in the final MBA candidate selection process via CAT.

There are several aspects of a candidate's profile that is taken into account when calculating their CAT composite score for the final selection for MBA courses. The key parameters and weightage awarded to each of the components in the final IIM selection process for all 21 IIMs have been tabulated below:

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Documents Required for GD/PI/WAT'

Interview letters will be directly dispatched to all candidates who have been shortlisted. The CAT exam selection process will encompass a Group Discussion (GD), a Written Ability Test (WAT), and a Personal Interview (PI). Candidates must ensure they carry the following documents during the subsequent rounds of the selection process.

Required Documents During WAT/GD and PI:

• IIM Interview call letter
• CAT 2024 scorecard
• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
• Graduation mark sheet and certificate
• Proof of reservation category (if applicable)
• Work experience certificate (if applicable)

Verification of Degree Certificates and Mark Sheets

During the IIM selection process, specifically the personal interview, candidates must furnish both original and attested copies of their certificates and mark sheets. Upon selection, the submission of original degree mark sheets for all semesters, along with attested copies, is mandatory at the time of enrollment.

Reserved Category Applicants

Candidates belonging to ST/SC/NC-OBC/DA categories must present both an attested copy and the original certificates during the personal interview. If selected, submission of original certificates and attested copies related to the reservation category is required upon joining.

Final Year Undergraduate Students

Selected candidates must provide an original and attested copy of a certificate confirming they have secured 50% marks (45% for reserved category) from the Registrar/Principal/Director of the institute or university. Their admission will be provisional until the original mark sheet and qualifying degree at the undergraduate level are submitted before December 31, 2024. Failure to submit the necessary documents within the specified timeframe will result in automatic cancellation of admission.

IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) 2025

Common Admission Process or CAP is an integrated selection process for the admission to nine new IIMs is a common selection process in which several IIMs come together and conduct admission interviews jointly. All the aspirants who are interested and eligible for MBA/PGDM/PGP admission 2025 in nine baby IIMs need to appear only for the one-time PI-WAT round. For this process, all new IIMs share the list of aspirants shortlisted for the WAT-PI process with the IIM conducting CAP 2025. The IIM who conducts the CAP arranges for the WAT-PI round.

The important determinants for the CAP are the minimum CAT 2024 cut-off, admission factors, and weightage. The aspirants' marks obtained by them in CAP 2025 are then sent to all participating IIMs. Based on the final marks of the aspirant, individually, all nine IIMs announce their merit list of selected aspirants for their MBA program. The list of selected students is displayed on the respective IIM's website. Aspirants can see this list after logging in to the website of that IIM.

Candidates are shortlisted for CAP 2025 through their CAT exam 2024 scores and then they will be required to appear for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds for admission. The final scores from CAP 2025 are then sent to respective CAP participating IIMs and the institutes can then make their selections based on the scores.

The candidates are then not required to take part in individual selection rounds of IIMs but can be selected through the integrated process. However, the choice of participating in IIMs lies with individual institutes, and only selected IIMs select candidates from CAP. 

CAP 2025 Important Dates

Aspirants after qualifying for the CAT exam 2024 should know the schedule for IIM CAP 2025 as mentioned below:

How will IIM Conduct the CAP Based on CAT 2024?

The two major components of CAP 2025 are as below:

• WAT or Written Ability Test 
• PI or Personal Interview

Steps Followed in IIM CAP 2025

Aspirants getting valid scores in the CAT exam 2024 are eligible to take part in CAP 2025. The steps that are followed by the IIMs are mentioned below:

• Step 1 - Shortlisting of candidates by individual IIMs: The aspirants qualifying for the particular cut-off for the IIMs for which they have applied are shortlisted for the next round of the selection process. Aspirants get calls from several IIMs for the next stage of selection if they meet the mandatory cut-off of the IIM to which they had applied for.
• Step 2 - A list of shortlisted candidates is sent to CAP 2025 Coordinator IIM.
• Step 3 - CAP conducting IIM to prepare a list of shortlisted candidates.
• Step 4 - Candidates to take part in WAT and PI: Aspirants who get a call for CAP 2025 are required to take part in the WAT, written ability test and PI, and personal interview round be it in online mode or in-person as decided.
• Step 5 - CAP conducting IIM sends the WAT-PI score report to all participating IIMs under CAP.
• Step 6 - Preparation of Final List of Candidates

All IIMs under CAP have their own admission plan and they provide weightage to the CAT exam score, applicant’s profile as well as CAP score before making a final offer to the aspirants. Finally, the offer letters are sent to selected candidates through email.

Important Points to Remember

• All the participating IIM's will send the shortlisted candidates for WAT - PI to the IIM conducting CAP.
• That IIM will conduct the WAT-PI round for all the CAP participating IIM's. Please note - qualifying CAT cutoff and weightage of admission parameters remain common to all CAP participating institutes.
• Post CAP, each participating IIM will assess the candidates’ performance in WAT, PI, CAT score, profile, etc. and make their individual merit list to make an admission offer.
• The final list of selected candidates is displayed on the respective IIM's website. This will be available only to candidates with an institute login.

IIM Shortlist Status 2025-26 On the Basis of CAT 2024 Score

The list of shortlisted applicants for the 2025 batch at IIMs will be made public after the release of the CAT 2024 results. Applicants can view the details of the previous year's shortlist in the table below. 

CAT 2024 Selection Process for Non-IIM Colleges

Due to the lack of a common admission system basis for the CAT exam in India, non-IIMs will have its own selection procedure. Similar to the IIM's, the selection process of other B-Schools in India will follow a similar pattern including - Group Discussion, WAT, and PI, which will be assessed by the respective MBA college. Please note that the selection process may or may not include all of the above processes. For eg., IMT Ghaziabad and MICA Ahmedabad conduct group activity or group exercise instead of group discussion. Some other PGDM colleges may choose to include all three processes. If you wish to understand the detailed selection process of CAT participating colleges, please check out the links below:

CAT Composite Score: Different Weightage

The CAT composite score is calculated based on numerous factors which have been mentioned below. The final selection of candidates for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management is done based on the CAT composite score. The table above contains the parameters and weightage of IIM Bangalore for the CAT exam. The weightage of each parameter will vary from year to year for each IIM.

Also, check the calculation of the CAT composite score in the image provided below.

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How to Calculate CAT 2024 Percentile

Like other management entrance exams, the Common Admission Test (CAT) also involves the percentile calculation of the candidates. Percentile Calculation is extremely important as the IIMs and numerous other management institutes offer admissions in their various management courses basis the aspirants' percentile score. Calculating the CAT percentile is a crucial step as it helps B-Schools shortlist eligible candidates for counseling. Every year, IIMs, as well as other business schools, release their respective cut-offs after the CAT exam is conducted. Those who clear the cut-offs are considered for further selection rounds such as Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI)/Written Ability Test (WAT).

CAT percentile is a relative score that indicates the candidate's rank as opposed to the rest of the CAT test-takers. The CAT percentile is a measure of categorizing a candidate based on other candidates scoring below him/her. For IIMs, a 97-98 percentile is an ideal score but for other top MBA colleges, a 90-95 percentile is good. A majority of CAT test-takers fall in the category of 80-90 percentile and 100s of B-schools accept candidates having CAT scores in this range.

CAT Percentile Calculation

First, test takers are allotted a particular rank as per their respective CAT exam scores. After rank allotment, the candidates' scores are normalized. The scaled CAT scores of these candidates are then converted to percentiles, which are calculated using the following formula:

The formula to calculate sectional as well as the overall CAT percentile of each candidate is the same, which is mentioned below:

P = (R/N) × 100

where,

P= Percentile score

R= Rank of the candidate assigned based on scaled CAT score or total number of candidates who rank below you.

N= Number of candidates who appeared in the CAT exam 2024 (both morning and evening sessions)

You can read about the CAT Score vs Percentile 2024 here to understand the same better.

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