IIM CAT Cut-Offs: What Percentile Do You Need for Admission?
- Fido Sir
- Jan 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 1
If you’re dreaming of studying at a top IIM (Indian Institute of Management), your CAT percentile will decide your fate. But how much do you really need to score?
Every year, lakhs of students appear for the CAT exam to secure a seat at the best MBA colleges in India. However, only a few make it to the top-tier IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.
In this blog, we’ll break down:✔ The minimum CAT percentile needed for different IIMs✔ How cut-offs vary by category (General, OBC, SC/ST, EWS)✔ The admission process beyond CAT scores
CAT 2024 Cut-Offs for IIM Admissions (2025-27)
Every IIM sets its own cut-off based on the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, and reservation policies.
IIM Ahmedabad
Category | VA/RC | DI/LR | QA | Overall |
General/EWS | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
NC-OBC or Transgender | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
DA (Gen /OBC /SC) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
DA (ST) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
IIM Bangalore
Category | VA/RC | DI/LR | QA | Overall |
General | 80 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
NC-OBC/EWS | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
SC | 65 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
ST | 55 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
DA | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
IIM Calcutta
Category | QA | DI/LR | VA/RC | Overall |
General | 75 | 80 | 80 | 85 |
NC-OBC/EWS | 65 | 65 | 70 | 75 |
SC | 60 | 60 | 65 | 70 |
ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
DA | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
IIM Lucknow
Category | QA | DI/LR | VA/RC | Overall |
General | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 |
OBC NC/EWS | 77 | 77 | 77 | 82 |
SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 70 |
ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 65 |
DA | 50 | 50 | 50 | 65 |
IIM Indore
Category | QA | DI/LR | VARC | Overall |
General/EWS | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
NC-OBC | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
ST | 45 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
DA | 45 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
IIM Kozhikode
Category | VA/RC | DI/LR | QA | Overall |
General | 75 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
NC-OBC/EWS | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
ST | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
DA | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
IIM Rohtak
Category | Overall Percentile |
General | 95 |
EWS | 90 |
OBC-NC | 78 |
SC | 55 |
ST | 30 |
DA | 30 |
IIM Shillong
Category | VA/RC | DI/LR | QA |
General | 75 | 75 | 75 |
EWS | 75 | 75 | 75 |
SC | 60 | 60 | 60 |
ST | 50 | 50 | 50 |
DA | 50 | 50 | 50 |
CAP (9 New IIMs)
Category | QA | DI/LR | VA/RC | Overall |
General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 92 |
NC-OBC | 45 | 45 | 45 | 74 |
SC | 35 | 35 | 35 | 54 |
ST | 32.5 | 25 | 25 | 40 |
DA | 32.5 | 25 | 25 | 40 |
How Much Should You Score?
To get into IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, you usually need 90+ percentile (General category).
Newer IIMs like IIM Trichy, Udaipur, or Rohtak may accept scores around 85 percentile.
Reserved category candidates may get calls at 60-75 percentile depending on the IIM.
💡 Higher the percentile, better the chances. But CAT score alone won’t guarantee admission!
How Do IIMs Select Students? (Beyond CAT Score)
Most people think CAT percentile is the only thing that matters. But that’s just Step 1. After clearing the cut-off, IIMs also look at:
✔ Past Academics – Your 10th, 12th, and graduation marks matter!✔ Work Experience – If you have 2-3 years of work ex, it’s an advantage.✔ Diversity Factor – Non-engineers & female candidates often get a slight boost.✔ Personal Interview & Writing Test – After shortlisting, IIMs check your communication, clarity of thought, and confidence.
So, even if your CAT score isn’t perfect, a strong profile and interview can still help you crack the top IIMs!
How to Prepare for CAT 2024 Effectively
Scoring 99+ percentile in CAT requires smart preparation, regular mock tests, and proper time management. Here’s a simple strategy:
🚀 Step 1: Start with basic concepts (Quant, Verbal, Logical Reasoning)
🚀 Step 2: Take mock tests regularly and analyze mistakes
🚀 Step 3: Focus on time management & accuracy
🚀 Step 4: Prepare for the interview process along with CAT prep
💡 Pro Tip: CAT is all about strategy, not just hard work! Practice smartly, and you’ll see results. Getting into an IIM is tough, but not impossible. If you have a clear goal and the right preparation plan, you can crack CAT 2024 and join the best MBA colleges in India.
🔥 Looking for free CAT preparation resources? Check out Fido Sir's videos.
💬 Have a doubt? Post your questions on our MBA preparation forum and get them solved by experts & fellow aspirants. 🚀
Check out the detailed IIM admission criteria on FidoMatics to understand eligibility, selection process, and more for your MBA journey: https://www.fidomatics.com/iim-admission-criteria