IIM Ahmedabad Sets Higher Bar for 2026-28 Admissions, CAT Cut-Offs

• IIM-A raises CAT 2025 cut-offs to 95 overall, 85 sectional for General/EWS.
• Selection uses Composite Score: 65% CAT, 35% academics, work experience, diversity.
• Final selection weights PI (50%), WAT (10%), CAT (25%), AR (15%).

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), India’s top management institute, has heightened its entry requirements in the run-up to the 2026-28 Post Graduate Programme (PGP-MBA) while staying in the top position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). For CAT in 2025, IIM-A will have increased cut-offs, making it harder to get in.

General and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) will need a minimum cut-off of 95th percentile overall and 85th percentile in all three sections (VARC, DILR, QA), NC-OBC will require 90 minimum overall and 80 minimum in each section, SC will require a minimum of 85 overall and 75 in each section, ST will require a minimum of 75 overall and 65 in each section, and the same will apply to PwD (Persons with Disabilities) in their categories.

Also Read: IIM Lucknow Opens bMBA Applications, Deadline August 18, 2025

The evaluation process has several levels. In the beginning, candidates must achieve both overall and sectional CAT cut-offs points in order to be eligible for shortlisting. The shortlisted candidates are evaluated using Composite Score (CS). The CS will include 65% (normalized score) weightage based on CAT score and 35% (will include: marks in 10th standard, 12th standard, graduation, years of work experience b, diversity factor [gender include]) weight based on Application Rating (AR).

To ensure diversity, candidates must achieve at least an 80th percentile in the academic category. The Final Composite Score (FCS) that is used for selection includes 50% weight from the Personal Interview (PI), 10% from written ability Test (WAT), 25% weight from CAT score, and 15% weight from AR.

IIM-A's outstanding placement record adds a lot to its attractiveness, with their 2023 average package greater than Rs 35 lakh, and the top offers exceeding Rs 1 crore, from companies including Google, Microsoft, and leading consulting firms.

IIM Ahmedabad Application and Admission Process:

• Clear CAT 2025 with 95th percentile overall, 85th in each section (General/EWS).
• Meet NC-OBC, SC, ST, or PwD category-specific cut-offs for shortlisting.
• Achieve 80th percentile in academic category for diversity.
• Submit Class 10, 12, graduation marks, and work experience for Application Rating.
• Undergo Personal Interview (50%) and Written Ability Test (10%) for final selection.