IIM Ahmedabad Hikes CAT 2025 Cut-off, Toughens 2026 MBA Entry

• IIM Ahmedabad raises CAT 2025 cut-off to 95 overall, 85 sectional for General category.
• Selection uses 65% CAT, 35% application rating in Stage 1 final score weights PI (50%), CAT (25%).
• CAT 2025, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, tests QA, DILR, VARC on November 30, 2025.

IIM Ahmedabad has increased the cut-offs for CAT 2025 for its 2026-28 MBA and PGP admissions, which makes it even more competitive. A candidate in the general category, now has to score 95 overall percentile, which is up from the earlier 80. The sectional cut-off has been raised to 85 from earlier 70. The overall cut-offs for NC-OBC, SC, and ST categories, have also been increased to 90, 85, and 75 respectively, with sectional cut-offs of 80, 75, and 65 respectively.

The process is still the same in two-step process: Stage 1 will shortlist candidates for Written Ability Test (WAT); and personal interview (PI) based on a composite score (65% CAT, 35% application rating). Application rating consists of all Class 10, Class 12, graduation, work experience, gender diversity.

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In Stage 2, the process for final selection is based on Final Composite Score (FCS) that is calculated using 50% for PI, 25% CAT, 15% application rating, and 10% WAT.The CAT 2025 exam, administered by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025, across three sessions, tests quantitative ability (QA), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC).

Academic performance is scaled on a 10-point scale across streams, and work experience is rated based on the number of years of service, with a maximum of 5 points for more than 36 months of experience. The calculation of the FCS will normalize scores to ensure fairness, consideration for reservation categories as per legal provision, and representation of cohorts.