If you are looking to get admission at IIM Ahmedabad, you should know that competition is high, as around 2.5 lakh candidates appeared for CAT 2025, and only 400 to 450 seats are available for the PGP Program at IIM Ahmedabad.
In 2025, IIM Ahmedabad increased the qualifying cutoff by 15 percentiles. In which general category candidates require 95 overall percentile, EWS/OBC Candidates require 80 percentile, SC 75, and ST/PwD 60 percentile to qualify for shortlisting.
- The Shortlisting for IIM Ahmedabad will be based on a composite score, where 65% weightage is from the CAT Exam and 35% from the Application profile, including academics, work experience, and diversity.
- If you clear the qualifying cutoff, your composite score will decide if you will get a call for the AWT-PI round.
Once the shortlisting process is completed, you have to appear for AWT+PI, and final admission will depend upon the combined performance of the composite score.
Check:
Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed about IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff for CAT 2025, along with the admission process.
- The IIM Ahmedabad Shortlisting will depend upon the Composite score of around 65% and Application rating score with 35% including academics, work experience and diversity.
- The Final admission in IIM Ahmedabad will depend upon AWT + PI performance, where the final composite score will set the rank priority for admission offers.
- The Shortlisting cutoff is higher than the qualifying cutoff. General candidate requires a 99 to 99.5 percentile, OBC Candidates require a 97 to 98 percentile, and SC Candidate requires a 96 to 97 percentile.
- The CAT 2025 Conversion score for IIM Ahmedabad is 180 to 195 raw marks, depending upon the slot difficulty and normalisation.
- The IIM Ahmedabad fees for MBA PGP are approximately Rs. 26.5 lakhs for 2 years, and the 2025 placement has crossed ₹35 lakh per annum.
- IIM Ahemdabad CAT 2025: Qualifying Cut-offs (for 2026-28 PGP batch)
- IIM Ahmedabad Shortlisting Cutoffs for CAT 2025: Section-Wise
- From CAT Score to Final PI: How IIM Ahmedabad Selects Candidates
- CAT 2024 IIM Ahmedabad Cutoffs
- How the IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff Has Shifted Over the Last 4 Years
- IIM Ahmedabad’s MBA-PGP Placement 2025
- FAQs for IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff for CAT
IIM Ahmedabad CAT 2025: Qualifying Cut-offs (for 2026-28 PGP batch)
The Qualifying Cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad is a minimum percentile, which is required for the shortlisting criteria.
- The Qualifying cutoff for the general category candidates is 95th percentile, still the interview calls come after 99+th percentile.
- The Balance of sections matters as well; if you have a high overall percentile and fewer sectionals so you will not be shortlisted.
Below is the officially declared minimum percentile requirement to be eligible for shortlisting:
| Category | Overall CAT Percentile | Sectional CAT Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 95 | 85 |
| NC-OBC / Transgender | 90 | 80 |
| SC | 85 | 75 |
| ST | 75 | 65 |
| General / EWS (PwD) | 85 | 75 |
| NC-OBC / Transgender (PwD) | 80 | 70 |
| SC (PwD) | 75 | 65 |
| ST (PwD) | 65 | 55 |
Source: https://www.iima.ac.in/academics/mba/admissions/indians
You can check this video by @IMSCATPREP to know about the increase in IIM Ahmedabad cutoff, along with the change in IIM Ahmedabad Selection Process.
Check: CAT Marks vs Percentile Trends for Last 4 Years
Ques. Is clearing the qualifying cutoff enough to get shortlisted for the AWT-PI process?
Ans. A lot of candidates assume that clearing the minimum qualifying CAT Percentile will get an interview call, whereas the qualifying cutoff will only determine the eligibility, not the selection.
Key Factors in Shortlisting for IIM Ahmedabad
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Score | 65% |
| Application Rating (AR)** | 35% |
| Diversity Factors (Gender + Academic) | Added as per rules |
Ques. Are sectional cutoffs mandatory for qualifying at IIM Ahmedabad?
Ans. At IIM Ahmedabad, section-wise performance matters because they want a balanced skillset, not a candidate who is strong in only one section.
Yes, Section-wise cutoffs are compulsory because even if you score above the overall cutoff, but fail in any one section will not be considered for further shortlisting.
CAT Sectional Requirements Structure
| Parameter | CAT 2025 Qualifying |
|---|---|
| Overall Percentile | 95 |
| VARC + DILR + QA Sectional | 85 each |
IIM Ahmedabad Shortlisting Cutoffs for CAT 2025: Section-Wise
For Admission to IIM Ahmedabad, clearing the overall percentile is not enough; you have to perform well in each section of CAT. A drop in percentile in one section can reduce your chances of getting shortlisted, no matter what your overall score is.
IIM Ahmedabad CAT 2025 Expected Shortlisting Cutoff (Section-Wise)
- The Balanced sectional score is important, as more than 35% of candidates miss their shortlisting because of lower sectional marks.
- The VARC and DILR Sections, has high difficulty level, in which the cutoff has increased faster than in the last 2 years, as compared to QA.
- Your profile score and academic background will impact your shortlisting, once the candidates clear the sectional and overall cutoffs.
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Expected Overall Percentile for Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 90–93 | 90–93 | 85–90 | 99–99.5 |
| NC-OBC / Transgender | 82–85 | 80–83 | 78–82 | 96–97.5 |
| SC | 70–73 | 70–72 | 65–70 | 93–94.5 |
| ST | 55–60 | 55–60 | 55–58 | 88–90 |
| PwD | 60–65 | 60–65 | 55–60 | 90–92 |
Check:
Ques. How much lower are the shortlisting cutoffs for OBC-NCL, EWS, SC & ST compared to General?
Ans. The IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting cutoff will differ for categories. As per the previous year's analysis, the OBC-NCL and EWS cutoffs are 3 to 6 percentiles lower than the general category, and the SC/ST Cutoff will remain 10 to 15 percentiles lower.
Category-wise Comparison of Shortlisting Cutoffs
| Category | Expected Shortlisting Percentile (CAT 2025) | Difference from General |
|---|---|---|
| General | 99–99.2 | — |
| EWS | 96–97 | ↓ 2–3 percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 94–95 | ↓ 4–5 percentile |
| SC | 75–80 | ↓ 18–20 percentile |
| ST | 70–75 | ↓ 22–25 percentile |
| PwD | 70–75 | ↓ 22–25 percentile |
Ques. Does the overall profile (academics + work experience) affect shortlisting even after scoring high in CAT?
Ans. Yes, strong CAT Performance is necessary but not sufficient. The IIM Ahmedabad gives high importance to academic consistency and quality work experience.
Profile Effects on Shortlisting
| Profile Parameter | Impact on Shortlisting |
|---|---|
| Academic Consistency (Class 10/12/Grad) | Major positive impact; below 80% may reduce score |
| Work Experience | Ideal: 18–36 months; freshers also considered strongly |
| Profile Diversity | Helps non-engineers and female candidates |
From CAT Score to Final PI: How IIM Ahmedabad Selects Candidates
The Admission to IIM Ahmedabad will not just include the CAT Percentile. The Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of CAT Performance, academics, work experience, profile diversity and their performance in AWT & PI.
IIM Ahmedabad: Shortlisting for AWT & PI
The Candidates who will clear the minimum CAT Percentile will be evaluated for the AWT-PI Call, which is based on the overall composite score.
- The CAT Score carries more weightage than shortlisting, but the AR can make a huge difference.
- The Academic consistency of (10th, 12th, graduation) can be a compensation for a lower CAT Percentile.
| Component | Description | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| CAT Composite Score | Score obtained in the CAT exam | 65% |
| Application Rating | Based on academics, work experience, and diversity | 35% |
| AR Components |
| Included in AR 35% |
| Diversity Bonus |
| Adds to AR score |
Final Selection at IIM Ahmedabad
The IIM Ahmedabad final admission will depend upon the final composite score after the AWT & PI Round. The Weightage for which is as follows:
- The PI carries high weightage and can make a difference in the admission chances.
- With Good AWT Performance, the overall composite score can improve.
- Candidates having a balanced profile, with a high CAT Percentile, good PI/AWT, will have the best chances for final selection.
| Component | What is Evaluated | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Interview | Academics, career goals, achievements, personal profile, values, communication, current affairs | 50% |
| Analytical Writing Test | Logical reasoning, structured analysis, clarity of writing, interpretation | 10% |
| CAT Score | Overall CAT performance | 25% |
| Application Rating | Academics, work experience, and diversity | 15% |
Final Admission Offer
| Stage | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Based on FCS | Merit-wise ranking generates the final list |
| Wait-list movement | Depends on the withdrawal rate each year |
| Category-wise quota | Applied as per the Government norms |
Check: IIM Final Selection Process
Ques. How much weight is given to academics, work experience & diversity factors?
Ans. For Shortlisting and final selection of candidates, IIM Ahmedabad does not depend upon the CAT Score. Whereas a composite score is used that values academics and profile factors such as work experience and diversity.
IIM Ahmedabad Weightage Distribution
| Parameter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| CAT Score | 65% |
| Class 10th Marks | 10% |
| Class 12th Marks | 10% |
| Graduation Score | 10% |
| Academic & Gender Diversity | 5% |
Work Experience Weightage (Shortlisting for AWT-PI)
| Work Experience Duration | Weightage Benefit |
|---|---|
| 0–12 months | Low |
| 18–36 months | Highest weightage |
| Above 36 months | Moderate impact |
Ques. How is the final composite score computed for final admission offers?
Ans. The IIM Ahmedabad final selection will be based on the holistic evaluation combining CAT Performance, AWT-PI Performance, academics and work experience.
CAT Final Composite Score Components
| Parameter | Weightage in Final Selection |
|---|---|
| CAT Score | 25% |
| AWT (Analytical Writing Test) | 10% |
| Personal Interview | 50% |
| Academic Scores (10th + 12th + Grad) | 15% |
| Work Experience | Up to 5% |
| Diversity | Included within academic considerations |
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria to get admission in IIM Ahmedabad?
Ans. If you want to apply for the IIM Ahmedabad MBA (PGP), you should meet the basic academic eligibility, CAT Percentile and profile requirements.
CAT Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum Criteria |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Entrance Exam | Valid CAT Score |
| Minimum Percentile Requirement | Overall + Sectional cutoffs as per category |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory, but beneficial |
| Final Selection Criteria | Based on Composite Score (CAT + AWT + PI + Profile) |
CAT 2024 IIM Ahmedabad Cutoffs
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has established specific minimum percentile cut-offs for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 as part of its admission process for the Post-graduate Programme (PGP).
These cut-offs are categorised based on different sections of the CAT and vary across various candidate categories.
Minimum CAT 2024 Percentile Cut-offs:
| Category | VARC Percentile | DILR Percentile | QA Percentile | Overall Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| NC-OBC/Transgender | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
| PwD(General/EWS/NC-OBC/SC) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| PwD (ST) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Check:
How the IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff Has Shifted Over the Last 4 Years
Before you set a target for the CAT Score, you should know how the IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff has changed in the last few years. The IIM Ahmedabad officially announces the qualifying cutoff every year, and the actual percentile required.
IIM Ahmedabad Shortlisting Percentile Analysis (2024-2021)
- There is a major increase in the cutoff from 2024 to 2025 as the overall cutoff has increased from 80 to 95, and the sectional from 70 to 85.
- The OBC, EWS Categories are the most competitive ones with stable relaxation as well.
| Admission Year | General | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD | Trend Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2024 | 98.5-99 | 97 | 95 | 92 | 80-85 | 90 | Stable, strong spike in top-tier score cluster |
| CAT 2023 | 98.7-99+ | 96-97 | 94-95 | 90-92 | 80-85 | 88-90 | Balanced rise; high density in 98+ range |
| CAT 2022 | 98-99 | 95-96 | 93-94 | 89-90 | 80 | 88 | Competition increases post-COVID cycle peak |
| CAT 2021 | 98 | 95 | 93 | 88 | 79 | 87 | Comparative stability across categories |
IIM Ahmedabad’s MBA-PGP Placement 2025
If you are looking to get admission at IIM Ahmedabad, you should also know about what you are investing in and what return you will receive in the form of placement.
Check below the official placement for IIM Ahmedabad in 2025 and 2024:
| Particulars | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Highest package (Domestic) | INR 1.10 crore per annum | INR 56 LPA |
| Highest package (International) | INR 90 LPA | INR 1.13 crore per annum |
| Average package (Domestic) | INR 35.22 LPA | INR 33.23 LPA |
| Median package (Domestic) | INR 34.53 LPA | INR 32.00 LPA |
| Minimum package (Domestic) | INR 16.99 LPA | INR 18.37 LPA |
Check: IIM Fees for MBA
FAQs for IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff for CAT
Ques. How much CAT score is required for the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad?
Ans. By knowing the exact score target, you can prepare accordingly. The Minimum percentile required for IIM Ahmedabad:
| Category | Approximate Percentile Target | Estimated Raw Score Range** |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 99–99.5 %ile | 180-195 |
| OBC-NCL | 97–98.5 %ile | 170-185 |
| SC/ST | 93-96 %ile | 155-175 |
Ques. How to get a 100% scholarship in IIM?
Ans. It is exceptional to secure a full scholarship at IIMs. With a 100% scholarship, you will get full tuition fees, along with hostel and other expenses as well.
Scholarship Availability Table
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Need-based schemes | For students whose gross family income is below a threshold (e.g., <₹15 lakh) |
| Merit-based awards | Recognise high academic/documented achievement during the programme |
| Full tuition/fee waiver | Exceptionally rare; e.g., a long-term scholarship covering fee + hostel for select candidates |
Ques. Can I get a free seat in IIM?
Ans. If you get a free seat in IIM, you can get admission without any burden of fees. Strong academic and profile performance enhances eligibility for fee reduction schemes.
| Possibility | Practicality at IIM-A |
|---|---|
| Full fee waiver | Very rare; reserved for very exceptional cases or long-term scholarships |
| Reduced fee/instalment + loan | Common for scholarship + education‐loan combination |
| Free seat via government quota | Reserved quotas exist, but fee presence remains |
Ques. What is the total fee for an MBA at IIM?
Ans. By knowing the admission fees of IIMs, you can choose according to your affordability. The Fees of IIM Ahmedabad are high, but if we compare them to the placement median and ROI, it remains strong.
| Item | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Programme Fee | ₹26.5 lakh for 2 years (PGP) |
| Tuition component (approx) | ₹19.35 lakh (for 2025-27 batch) |
| Additional expenses | Boarding, personal items, travel, etc. – extra |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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