The CAT or Common Admission Test score is a gateway to getting admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Management. Around 20 IIM institutions are there in India that offer postgraduate, MBA, and PhD programs. They also have specialized programs like IPM or Integrated Programs in Management and Certificate Programs, especially for working professionals. 

The CAT is one of the competitive examinations in India. The CAT exam scores play a vital role in getting admission to IIMs, but they are not the sole criterion. Thousands of aspirants write this exam every year to find a place in any of the elite institutes. Therefore, a candidate's CAT exam score is a breaking factor in the IIM selection procedure.

The weightage of the CAT score in the IIM selection process ranges from 20% to 65%. Each IIM has a different range of weightage. CAT score alone does not guarantee admission; the final steps are rather complex. Let’s learn about how the CAT score weightage helps in the IIM selection process and how candidates must look into it in detail.

CAT Score 2024

Candidates who aspire to get admission to India’s top IIM must get a score ranging between 98 to 100 percent. IIM Ahmedabad gives the highest weightage to a score of 65% along with IIM Udaipur, and IIM Lucknow of 60%. IIM Calcutta gives 56% of weightage while IIM Trichy 50%. IIM Bangalore and IIM Indore have the lowest weightage of CAT scores 40% and 35% respectively. 

Out of 20 IIMs, some consider the CAT score crucial for admission while others give less significance. The cut-off scores of various IIMs are also different. The most competitive colleges accept candidates who score 99% or more. While some consider applicants who score even 70% or less and if they are good in academics or other important criteria. Many of the IIM have released their eligibility criteria for 2025 admission. Read this article to know about the exact CAT score weightage given by each IIM.

Understand the Criteria of IIM Selection

The Admission criteria of IIM change every year. Here are the general criteria:-

• Initially, the candidates are shortlisted based on their CAT scores. Some IIM gives weightage to the highest score while others consider the score as only one input. 
• Shortlist the candidates from WAT or Written Ability Test, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview. 
• Academic performances and work experiences are also considered to shortlist the candidates.
• Final Selection is a combination of all the parameters - Academic score, work experience, CAT Score, category, and WAT and PI score. 

Weightage of CAT Score in IIMs

Here is a table summarizing with approximate CAT score weightage given by the top IIMs and final selection stages. Each year, the score weightage differs from IIM to IIM.

CAT Score Weightage in IIM Selection - Detailed Insight

CAT score is the primary shortlisting criteria in the following stages of the admission process at IIMs. Here is a detailed insight into it:-

Weightage in Shortlisting

• CAT Score is the first criterion to shortlist candidates for the WAT or PI exam. This weightage is different for older IIMs like Calcutta, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow giving more importance.
• Others give additional points to academics.

Weightage in Final Selection

• IIMs always follow a balanced approach in the final selection process. CAT score holds a special place while WAT performance, academic score, and previous experience also impact the final decision.
• In the past few years, IIMs have reduced the weightage given to CAT scores in the final selection. More emphasis is given to leadership and communication skills. 

Other Parameters

• Consistent academic records are assessed to learn the potential of candidates and given high weightage by IIMs.
• WAT/PI performance at this stage is critical as it shows candidates' managerial aptitude and communicative ability. 
• IIMs also consider the relevant work experience of the candidates, considering their practical knowledge. 

Key Takeaways

• Focus on CAT scores:- As CAT holds a substantial weightage, good academic scores and relevant skills are also needed at WAT/PI stages.

• Target IIM:- Check the specific IIM weightage criteria and target it.

• Make it Holistic:- Prepare for all the stages well and make a good profile of the right CAT score, academics, experience, and leadership quality. 

Conclusion

The weightage given to the CAT Score in IIM admission is undeniable. A score between 104 to 108 is considered to be the best score to get admission to any IIM. If you can score above 120 score means 90 percentile, then top IIMs should be your target. Understanding the weightage distribution of various IIMs helps you make strategies better and increase the chance of getting a seat.