IIM Ahmedabad Online Courses: Fees, Admission, Course Structure, Eligibility

An undergraduate degree from IGNOU is acceptable for taking the CAT and getting into an IIM. 

An IGNOU degree in no way means that you can not try for the IIMs. But whether an IGNOU degree will lower your chances or not, is solely known upon the interviewers. 

Your chances of getting selected largely depend on your overall profile. One of my seniors at IIM Ahmedabad had completed his UG from IGNOU. His overall profile was really impressive, and he also possessed work experience of 2 years as a CA. Thus, he was selected for IIMA.

Make sure to maintain an impressive academic profile, and score well in your CAT exam. If you do so, an IGNOU degree most likely won’t hinder your selection into IIM Ahmedabad. 

IIM Ahmedabad's admission process is carried out into three stages:

1. CAT Score Shortlisting: In the initial stage, candidates are shortlisted based on their CAT (Common Admission Test) scores. To increase your chances, a CAT score of around 99+ is recommended.
2. WAT-PI Shortlisting: In the second stage, students who have applied for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) process are shortlisted. This selection is based on a combination of factors, including past academic performance and CAT scores.
3. Final Selection Parameters: After the WAT-PI round, a composite score is calculated to determine the final selection. For the final selection, 10% weightage will be given to the AWT, 40% weightage to PI, and 50% weightage to the composite score. Where, Composite Score = Application Rating Score + Normalized CAT score.

And, Application Rating score is based on class 10th, 12th and bachelor exams, and work experience scores. Rather than that several parameters are considered, including:

• CAT Score
• Graduation Score
• 10th Grade Score
• 12th Grade Score
• Performance in WAT/GD-PI
• Academic Diversity
• Gender Diversity
• Work Experience (if applicable)

It's important to note that a consistently good academic record, along with a high CAT score, plays a significant role in securing a spot at IIM Ahmedabad. Additionally, the institution values diversity and considers gender diversity and academic diversity as part of the selection process.

If you are already convinced that an average student cannot make it into IIM Ahmedabad, then you won’t be giving your best. Remember it's your mindset that determines your chances of admission. 

I will narrate an anecdote of a friend who took the CAT, a few months ago. He had done a B.E. in electronics and comm. from a top local institute in Bengaluru and worked for 10 months in an IT role. He received a list of colleges he should target from his coaching based on his scores and overall profile. 

Nevertheless, he wanted to get into IIM Ahmedabad. He had no one to guide him and his list did not have a single IIM. It seemed almost impossible but he did not give up. 

Ultimately, he made it into IIM Ahmedabad and all his friends were shocked. They couldn’t believe someone with an average profile like him.

Due to your below-average 10th score and the fact that you do not have any relevant work experience, you might face some difficulty but there is a possibility that these universities will contact you for an interview; nevertheless, this is not a given. Never give up on your hopes and faith. CAT percentile, academic background, work experience, extracurricular activities, and other variables influence whether IIM ABC or FMS Delhi calls you. Despite a 98 percentile CAT score, elite B-schools may not call.

These institutes weigh diversity and academic diversity in their selection process, so your academic background and OBC status may help you. These institutes' cut-offs may change year to year depending on candidates' CAT scores.

However, with a 98 percentile CAT score, you may receive calls from top B-schools. To improve your chances of selection, focus on your entire profile—academics, work, and extracurriculars. All the best buddy!

Top management institutes in India like IIMs, XLRI, and SCMHRD require a combination of academic performance, entrance exam scores, work experience, extracurricular activities, and performance in selection rounds like Personal Interviews and Group discussions.

Top IIMs (A, B, C) have CAT cutoff percentiles of 99 or higher. XLRI's XAT cutoff is over 95 percentile, and SCMHRD's SNAP threshold is approximately 97 percentile. These cutoffs can change from year to year depending on factors including the number of applications and exam difficulty.

Academic performance is crucial but not the primary criterion for admittance. Admissions committees seek well-rounded applicants with leadership potential, great communication skills, and a demonstrated passion for the field. Thus, if an applicant excels in other areas, they can still get into a prestigious B-school despite poorer academics.

Top B-schools are competitive and require outstanding academic performance, high entrance exam scores, and strong applications.