CAT 2024 Results Out: Cutoffs, IIM Admission Processes, and Top College Insights
Common Admission Test, or CAT, is an extremely competitive examination and the primary entryway for students aspiring to study for an MBA in India, particularly at the top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Results for CAT 2024 were announced on December 19, 2024. The announcement contained a myriad of statistics and insights about how candidates had performed. This article details the CAT 2024 results, cutoffs, admission processes to IIMs, and an overview of the top MBA colleges in India.
CAT 2024 Results
The CAT 2024 examination was held on November 24, 2024. About 3.29 lakh candidates were registered, out of which 2.93 lakh appeared for the examination. The results indicated a great achievement by candidates, especially those from engineering backgrounds.
Key Statistics
- Top Scorers: Out of the total candidates who scored 100 percentile, 14 were reported to have scored, of which 13 are male candidates and only 1 is female. This trend depicts that the dominance of engineering graduates is continued in the CAT competitive scenario.
- Percentile Breakdown: While there are perfect scores, 29 candidates have managed a score in the 99.99 percentile while 30 candidates have obtained a score in the 99.98 percentile. This is further backed by the fact that candidates have performed well and were strong in different parts of India.
- Gender: Distribution of Candidates
- Female Test Takers: The figure stands at 1.07 lakh
- Male test takers: The number stands at 1.86 lakh
- Transgenders: 9 transgenders were among CAT aspirants.
- Category-Wise Registered Candidates Break-down:
- General: 67.53%
- EWS: 4.80%
- NC-OBC: 16.91%
- SC: 8.51%
- ST: 2.25%
- PwD: 0.44%
The statistics above not only prove the competitiveness of the examination but also show representation of all sections of society.
CAT Cut-Off 2024
The cutoffs for CAT are very important for candidates who want to gain admission into the top business schools. For CAT 2024, the cutoffs are expected to differ significantly between IIMs and other institutions.
IIM Cutoff Percentiles
For admission into top IIMs, the expected cutoff percentiles are as follows:
- General/NC-OBC Candidates: The cutoff is expected to range between 98-100 percentile.
- SC/ST/PwD Candidates: The cutoffs are generally lower and are expected to be in the range of 95-98 percentile.
Expected Cutoffs for Non-IIM Colleges
- For non-IIM colleges, the expected cutoff range is between 94-100 percentile, which depends on the selectivity and reputation of the college.
Summary of Expected Cutoffs for Major Institutions
| Institution |
Expected Cutoff (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad |
99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore |
99-100 |
| IIM Calcutta |
99 |
| IIM Lucknow |
97-98 |
| IIM Kozhikode |
97-98 |
| FMS Delhi |
90-95 |
IIM Admission Process 2024
IIMs follow a step-wise process for admission after the declaration of CAT results. This includes the following stages, which candidates must go through:
Stage-wise Process
- Soon after the declaration of the result, each IIM will shortlist candidates as per their CAT scores and the cutoffs declared by them.
- Those candidates will be shortlisted who have passed these cutoffs, they will be called for further assessment rounds.
- Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI):
- The shortlisted candidates have to undergo the WAT and PI rounds.
- These tests judge not only the academic abilities but also the communication skills and the overall personality.
- Final selection is based on a composite score that comprises of the following:
- CAT score
- Academic performance (undergraduate degree)
- Work experience
- Performance in WAT and PI
Additional points may be awarded for diversity in academics (candidates from non-engineering backgrounds) and gender diversity (female/transgender candidates).
Top MBA Colleges in India
Apart from IIMs, many other institutions are also popular for MBA courses:
Some Non-IIM Institutions
- FMS Delhi
- SPJIMR Mumbai
- MDI Gurgaon
- IMT Ghaziabad
- MICA Ahmedabad
These colleges have their own admission criteria and cutoff requirements that are different from those of IIMs but still remain at a very high standard for selection.
CAT Scorecard Analysis
The CAT scorecard offers very deep insights into the candidate's performance across various sections of the exam:
Components of the Scorecard
- Overall Score: Total marks secured out of the maximum.
- Percentile Rank: How well a candidate performed relative to others—higher percentiles reflect better performance.
- Sectional Scores: Split into three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Candidates must understand these measures as they apply to diverse MBA programs.
MBA Admission Trends for 2024
With the onset of the MBA admissions cycle for 2024, the following trends emerge:
- More Competition: Though the percentiles have risen and are getting higher with every year, the competition in the top-tier institutions remains sharp.
- Diversity Initiatives: Many institutions have begun to focus on diversifying their student bodies through the encouragement of applications from underrepresented groups.
- Focus on Holistic Evaluation: Apart from the test scores, work experience, and personal attributes reflected in interviews are valued by schools more and more.
Also Read : What After CAT 2024 Results ?
Eligibility Criteria for IIMs
1. Academic Qualification
Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum performance at graduation in terms of aggregate marks/CGPA as follows:
- General Category: minimum aggregate marks of 50% or equivalent CGPA
- Reserved Categories (SC/ST/PwD): minimum aggregate marks of 45% or equivalent CGPA.
Students who are in their final year of study can also apply for the program if they can complete their degrees before joining the program. This makes it possible for students close to graduating to join the admission process without hindrance.
2. Requirement for Entrance Exam
- The only accepted entrance exam for IIM admission is the Common Admission Test or CAT.
- The candidates must register for and take this exam, which is conducted annually by the IIMs.
- The CAT score is crucial because it determines eligibility for further rounds of selection.
3. Age Limit
- There is no age limit for the applicants; anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can apply, regardless of age.
- This makes IIMs accessible to all candidates, regardless of background or stage in their career, for management education.
4. Additional Selection Criteria
- Though the basic eligibility criteria must be met, there are additional cutoffs set by individual IIMs that the candidate must meet to be eligible for admission:
- Cutoff Percentiles: Each IIM sets its cutoff percentile based on CAT scores. Typically, the top IIMs require a cutoff between 90-99 percentile, while newer IIMs may have lesser cutoffs ranging from 70-80 percentile.
- Composite Score Calculation: Final selection is based on a composite score consisting of,
- CAT score
- Academic performance or undergraduate degree
- Work experience, if any
- Performance in Written Ability Test and Personal Interview
Non-IIM MBA Colleges
Many prominent non-IIM colleges also take CAT scores as a criterion for admission:
| Non-IIM College |
NIRF Ranking |
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi |
4 |
| Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad |
1 |
| XLRI - Xavier School of Management |
3 |
| S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research |
9 |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) |
6 |
| Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon |
7 |
These colleges usually have lower cut-offs compared to the top IIMs but still deliver good education and promising careers.
MBA College Rankings 2024
Rankings are among the prime determinants in deciding which colleges students would like to apply to. The rankings that have emerged recently showcase top-performing institutions across different parameters that include faculty quality, placement records, and student satisfaction.
Overview of Top MBA Colleges Rankings
| Rank |
College Name |
| 1 |
IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2 |
IIM Bangalore |
| 3 |
IIM Calcutta |
| 4 |
IIT Delhi |
| 5 |
IIM Lucknow |
FAQs
What is the eligibility criteria for an MBA by IIM?
The candidates must have at least a 50% aggregate in graduation or equivalent CGPA.
What are the expected cutoffs for top IIMs?
The expected cutoffs range from 98 to 100 percentile for General category students.
How many candidates scored above the 99 percentile in CAT 2024?
A total of *43 candidates scored above the 99 percentile this year.
What is the significance of WAT and PI in admissions?
WAT and PI are critical criteria that judge the communication capabilities of the candidate and gauge the personality fit of a candidate with the program, respectively.
Can final-year students apply for CAT?
Yes, final-year students can apply if they are eligible after graduation.
What constitutes the basis of cutoff marks determination at non-IIM colleges?
Non-IIM colleges derive their cutoff marks from historical trends, difficulty levels faced in the exams, and the available seats in those programs.
For More Information Visit PlanEdu
