IIM Ahmedabad Admission Criteria 2025-27: Detailed Guide to CAT 2024 Cut-Off, PI Shortlist Process,
One of India's top business schools, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, has a very tough admissions process for its 2025–2027 batch. This article thoroughly describes the admission requirements, including the CAT 2024 cut-off, the personal interview (PI) shortlist process, weightage distribution, and other important information.
Admission Requirements
The 2025–2027 batch admissions procedure at IIM Ahmedabad is structured and competitive. The following are the essential requirements:
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification with a minimum aggregate of 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Educational Background: A minimum of 12 years of school education followed by at least three years of undergraduate education is required.
- Final Year Students: Students in their last year may apply as long as they graduate by June 30, 2025.
Admission Process
- CAT Examination: Candidates must take the CAT 2024, with expected cut-offs of 80 percentile for General, 75 for NC-OBC, 60 for SC, and 45 for ST/PwD.
- Application Rating (AR): This includes scores from Class 10, Class 12, graduation, and work experience.
- Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted for the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) based on their CAT scores and AR.
CAT 2024 Cut-Off for IIM Ahmedabad
One of the most important factors in the admissions process is the CAT score. The following are the expected cut-offs for the 2025–2027 batch:
| Category |
Minimum Percentile |
| General |
80 |
| NC-OBC/EWS |
75 |
| SC |
60 |
| ST/PwD |
45 |
Depending on the competition and overall performance of applicants, the final cut-offs may differ from these preliminary ones.
IIM Ahmedabad Selection Process
1. Preliminary selection
Candidates must first meet the minimum CAT 2024 cut-off scores, which are set at 80 percentile for the General category, 75 for NC-OBC, 60 for SC, and 45 for ST/PwD. In addition, the screening takes into account an Application Rating (AR), which consists of work experience, graduation, and Class 10 and Class 12 scores.
2. Shortlisting for AWT and PI
The shortlisting occurs in two stages:
- Stage 1: The top 5% of candidates from each academic category are shortlisted based on their composite score (CS), calculated as 0.65* CAT score +0.35* Application rating.
- Stage 2: Additional candidates are selected based on their CS after excluding those from Stage 1.
Weightage Distribution
IIM Ahmedabad's final selection takes into account several factors with distinct weights:
| Metric |
Weightage |
| Personal Interview (PI) |
50% |
| Analytical Writing Test (AWT) |
10% |
| CAT Score |
25% |
| Application Rating |
15% |
A weighted formula is used to calculate the composite score when shortlisting candidates:
- Composite Score=0.65×CAT Score+0.35×Application Rating
- Composite Score=0.65×CAT Score+0.35×Application Rating.
Personal Interview Shortlist Process
Candidates who meet the initial cut-offs will be invited for the AWT and PI rounds. The procedure consists of:
- Confirmation of Participation: On the IIM Ahmedabad website, shortlisted candidates must provide their email addresses and CAT registration numbers to confirm their involvement.
- Interview Format: The PI will evaluate applicants' communication and analytical skills as well as their general program fit.
Final Selection Criteria
- Composite Score Calculation: The final selection is based on a composite score that combines various components:
- Personal Interview (PI): 50%
- Analytical Writing Test (AWT): 10%
- CAT Score: 25%
- Application Rating (AR): 15%
- The composite score is calculated using the formula
- Composite Score=0.50×PI Score+0.10×AWT Score+0.25×CAT Score+0.15×AR
- Composite Score=0.50×PI Score+0.10×AWT Score+0.25×CAT Score+0.15×AR
- Normalization: The scores from the PI and AWT are normalized to ensure fairness across different candidate pools, using the top scores as benchmarks.
- Category-wise Selection: Candidates are evaluated separately within each reservation category (General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD). The number of candidates selected in each category adheres to legal mandates regarding reservation.
- Announcement of Final Shortlist: The final shortlist will be released in April 2025, following the completion of the AWT and PI rounds.
Through interviews and written tests, this systematic process guarantees that IIM Ahmedabad selects applicants who not only perform academically but also have excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
Also check : IIM Amritsar Admission Criteria 2025-27
IIM Bangalore Admission Criteria 2025-27
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the minimum CAT score required for an MBA at IIM Ahmedabad?
Although an overall percentile of 80 is the minimum CAT score needed, competitive groups of candidates usually require higher scores to gain admission.
How does work experience factor into admissions?
- How does the selection process work?
The selection process includes two main phases which are shortlisting candidates based on CAT scores and Application Rating (AR), followed by the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) The final selection considers a composite score that includes PI (50%),
- When will the final shortlist be announced?
The final shortlist of selected candidates is expected to be released in April 2025.
- Is work experience considered in the selection process?
Yes, work experience contributes to the CandidatesRating, enhancing a candidate's profile. Points are awarded based on the duration of work experience.
- Are international students required to take the CAT?
International students must take the GMAT instead of the CAT for admission to IIM Ahmedabad.
- What if I am in my final year of graduation?
Final year students can apply, but they must submit their final mark sheet and degree certificate by December 31, 2025.
- How do I confirm my admission if selected?
The chosen candidates must confirm their admission within the allotted time by submitting an offer acceptance form and paying the required admission acceptance fee.
- When will the CAT exam take place?
The CAT exam is scheduled for November 24, 2024, with results expected in December 2024.
Conclusion
The tough admissions procedure at IIM Ahmedabad is intended to choose candidates who exhibit outstanding academic achievement, critical thinking skills, and leadership potential. The Common Admission Test (CAT), the main entrance exam for this prestigious institution, marks the start of the journey. To increase their chances of getting accepted into this renowned school, candidates must thoroughly prepare for the CAT exam as well as the next interview rounds.
A systematic strategy is required for CAT preparation, which involves creating a study schedule, concentrating on key ideas in each part, and taking several mock tests to evaluate performance. Analyzing mock test results is also essential since it enables candidates to successfully improve their strategies by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The CAT score is not the end of the selection procedure. Shortlisted candidates for the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) are those who make the initial cutoff. These factors are heavily considered in the final selection criterion, with the PI having a major 50% weight.
Candidates can more effectively navigate the admissions process and raise their chances of being accepted into IIM Ahmedabad's renowned PGP program for 2025–2027 by being familiar with these requirements and preparing appropriately. An applicant's preparation for this competitive process can be further strengthened by utilizing resources like peer study groups, alumni advice, and preparatory courses. In the end, the key to getting accepted into IIM Ahmedabad is patience and an elaborate preparation strategy.
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