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Cracking the CAT Exam as a General, Engineer, Male (GEM) candidate is very challenging. According to the previous years, only 1-2% of the GEM Candidates have scored more than 99.5 percentile to get admissions in top IIMs. It is because IIMs give extra points for gender and academic diversity, which is not given to the GEM Candidates.
- Every year, around 3 lakh candidates appear in the CAT Exam, of which a large portion belongs to the GEM Category, from which only 1-2% of GEM Candidates manage to get a seat in top IIMs.
- For cracking the CAT Exam as a GEM, candidates should go beyond the concepts' clarity and focus on the improvement of mock-based performance, time management and accuracy in high-weightage topics.
The CAT 2025 Exam is expected to be conducted on 30th November 2025, by IIM Kozhikode, in 3 shifts and registrations are expected to start by the first week of August.
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Key Summary: Cracking the CAT Exam is extremely difficult for the GEM Category Candidates. In this News article, we have included information about why it is difficult for GEM to crack CAT, the Preparation Strategy for GEM, Important topics, GEM Registration and shortlisting IIMs.
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Why is Cracking the CAT Tougher for General Engineering Male Aspirants
A large number of General Engineering Male candidates appear every year in the CAT Exam. So, they face a high competition level as well because of a lack of diversity and a large number of candidates who appear for the exam.
As there is high competition, even the 98th-99th percentile candidates may not get admission in the top IIMs.
- The Candidates of other categories can get admission in top IIMs with 95-98 percentiles, whereas the GEM candidates require more than 99.5 percentiles for top IIMs.
- No Diversity or academic weightage is given to the GEM Candidates, as compared to non-engineers and female candidates who get around a 10% boost.
- The Conversion rate is low for GEM Candidates, as only 1-2% of candidates can get a call from top IIMs.
CAT Selection Trends for GEM Candidates (Based on Past 3 Years)
| Criteria |
GEM Candidates (General Engineer Male) |
Other Categories (Non-Engineers, Female, Reserved) |
|---|---|---|
| Average CAT Percentile Needed for IIM A/B/C | 99.5 – 99.9 | 95 – 98 (with diversity/academic points) |
| Diversity Factor Weightage | 0% (No points for gender or stream) | Up to 10% in IIMs (gender + academic stream) |
| Final Selection Conversion Rate | 1–2% (from total GEM applicants) | 5–7% or higher |
| Competition Level | Highest(most saturated profile) | Moderate to High |
| Top IIMs Favouring High CAT Score Over Profile | IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow | IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore (more profile-balanced) |
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Weightage of Academics and Work Experience in CATPreparation Strategy to Crack the CAT Exam as a GEM
As there is less advantage for the GEM Candidates to perform well in the CAT Exam by scoring around 99.5 percentile with a balance of different sections. Candidates should give importance to each section along with the analysis of mock tests, which is crucial to crack the CAT 2025 Exam.
Month 1(August): Basics Foundation Start
- More focus should be on the VARC Section, as it's a weak area for some engineers.
- Candidates should set a benchmark for the mock scores as with even a 60-70 percentile in the first attempt.
- Solve the practice papers to start the preparation.
| Focus Area | Daily Time (hrs) | Important Topics | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 1.5 |
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Improve the reading speed & accuracy of the candidate |
| DILR | 1.5 |
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Build logical frameworks |
| QA | 2.0 |
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Cover 50% of arithmetic |
| Mock Tests | 1 per week |
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Identify weak sections |
| Total Study Time/day | 6-7 hrs |
Month 2 (September): Focus on Concepts and Speed
- Should increase the accuracy of solving mock tests by 80% in the strong sections like QA.
- Solve 30+ RCs, 20+ DILR sets, and 300 QA questions this month.
- Also, focus on the time required to solve as per the mock-test analysis.
| Focus Area | Daily Time (hrs) | Important Topics | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 1.5 |
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Achieve 70–80% accuracy |
| DILR | 2.0 |
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Practice 4 different puzzle types |
| QA | 2.0 |
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Complete the entire QA syllabus |
| Mock Tests | 2-3 per week |
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Reduce question-level time |
| Total Study Time/day | 7-8 hrs |
Month 3 (October): Intensive Mock Tests and Error Analysis
- Use analysis of Mock Test tracker as per the accuracy, time per section and errors in questions.
- Use CAT Previous year papers from 2023-2017 as per the actual exam patterns.
- Give priority to solving the errors in questions and to not repeating them.
| Focus Area | Daily Time (hrs) | Important Topics | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 1.5 |
|
Accuracy 80–85% in practice sets |
| DILR | 2.0 |
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Improve section timing to 35 minutes in each section |
| QA | 1.5 |
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TITA speed boost and reduce errors |
| Mock Tests | 4-5 per week |
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Maintain 95–97 percentile |
| Total Study Time/day | 7-8 hrs |
Month 4 (November): Final Revision
- Practice the mock tests in an actual exam way in different shifts.
- Revise the shortcuts, formulas and time-saving techniques.
- More focus should be on mental clarity and confidence-building.
| Focus Area | Daily Time (hrs) | Key Topics / Activities | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 1.0 |
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Build 90% accuracy |
| DILR | 1.5 | Mixed DI-LR Sets under 35 mins | 2 sets in 35 mins consistently |
| QA | 1.5 | Focused revision (Arithmetic + Geometry + Algebra) | Consistency in score (95–99%) |
| Mock Tests | 3–4 per week |
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Reach 98–99.5 percentile range |
| Total Study Time/day | 5–6 hrs |
Section-Wise Preparation for CAT:
| CAT Preparation of Quantitative Aptitude |
| CAT Preparation of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
| CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
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CAT Mock TestHigh-Weightage Topics required to score high in CAT 2025
For the GEM Candidates, practising the high-weightage topics is necessary to score more than 99 percentile.
As per the previous year's analysis, the GEM Candidates can get an advantage by scoring high in Arithmetic, Reading comprehension and Logical puzzle-based DILR sets.
High-Scoring Topics in CAT for GEM Candidates
- The Reading comprehension contributes to more than 70% weightage in VARC, so practising these questions is important.
- The Arithmetic and algebra-based questions are weighted at more than 50% of the total QA sections.
- The DILR Section is also important as it can make a difference in the rank, as scoring 2-4 sets can score 99+ percentile in this section.
| Section | Topic | Weightage (Approx.) | Why is it important | Target Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Reading Comprehension (RC) | 16–18 Questions | 70% of VARC; Toppers focus on Inference & Tone Qs | 80–85% |
| Parajumbles & Odd One Out | 3–4 Questions | Commonly attempted and improves the score without negative marking | 75%+ | |
| Summary Questions | 2–3 Questions | Easier accuracy boost for engineers with practice | 85% | |
| DILR | Games & Tournaments | 2–3 Sets | Common in CAT 2020–2023; logical but solvable | 80% |
| Venn Diagrams + Set Theory | 1–2 Sets | Frequently repeated pattern; logical approach works | 75–80% | |
| Graph/Table Interpretation | 2 Sets | Data-heavy sets; engineers can leverage analytical skills | 85% | |
| QA | Arithmetic (TSD, Percentages) | 8–10 Questions | High weight, easier accuracy; must-solve area | 90%+ |
| Algebra (Equations, Inequalities) | 4–5 Questions | Appears every year; moderate difficulty | 80–85% | |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3–4 Questions | Often ignored, but a repeated topic in QA | 70–75% | |
| Numbers & Modern Math | 3–4 Questions | Medium to high difficulty; optional for some | 60–70% |
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How GEM Candidates Have Performed in CAT
The GEM candidates have a huge number of groups appearing for the CAT Exam every year, due to the high number of engineering graduates in India.
But, their conversion rate is the lowest due to high competition and zero diversity and a high number of applicants appearing.
CAT GEM Candidate Trends: Registration to Selection (CAT 2022–2024)
- More than 40% of candidates who appear for the CAT Exam every year are the GEMs, which makes it the most competitive category.
- Even if more than 8,000-9,000 candidates score more than 99+ percentile, only 500-800 candidates get a final offer from top IIMs due to high cutoffs, weightage and diversity.
- The IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow give 70-75% weightage to the CAT Score and give better chances for admission to the high-scoring GEMs.
| Year | Total CAT Registrations | Estimated GEM Registrants | 99+ %ile GEM Candidates | Final IIM A/B/C Selections (GEMs) | Conversion Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3.3 lakh+ | 1.4 lakh (42%) | 9,000+ | 600–800 | 0.5%–0.7% |
| 2023 | 2.88 lakh | 1.25 lakh (43%) | 7,500 | 500–700 | 0.5%–0.6% |
| 2022 | 2.56 lakh | 1.1 lakh (43%) | 6,800 | 500 | 0.45% |
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CAT Registration TrendsGEM v/s Non-GEM in CAT
In the CAT Exam, the GEM Candidates are among the competitive and with a high representation rate as well.
On the other side, the Non-GEM Candidates, which include females, non-engineers and reserved categories get benefit from academic and gender diversity, which is important to shortlist criteria for older IIMs.
GEM vs Non-GEM in CAT
- The GEM Candidates face high competition in the CAT Exam, with only 0.5-0.7% candidates getting a seat in the top IIMs.
- The Non-GEM Candidates have the advantage of diversity, with a 95-97 percentile.
- The GEMs have an advantage in the QA/DILR Section, but often lack in the VARC Section.
| Criteria |
GEM (General Engineer Male) |
Non-GEM (Female / Non-Engineer / Reserved) |
| % of CAT Registrants | 42% (1.4 lakh of 3.3 lakh in 2024) | 58% (1.9 lakh in 2024) |
| Seat Accessibility | Open Category only (25% of total seats) | Reserved + diversity weightage (49.5% quota) |
| Cut-off for IIM A/B Calls | 99.5 – 100 percentile | 95 – 97 percentile (with profile boost) |
| Profile Weightage in IIMs | No diversity points | Academic, gender, category weightage |
| Sectional Strength | QA & DILR (Avg. QA: 38–42 marks) | VARC (Avg. 28–32 marks) |
| VARC Avg. Percentile | 65–75 percentile | 75–85 percentile |
| Top IIM Conversion Rate | 0.5% – 0.7% | 2–3× higher |
| Advantage Areas | Strong logic & numerics | Higher weightage in shortlisting |
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Total MBA Seats in IIMIIMs Shortlisting GEMs with 99 Percentile
Scoring more than 98 percentile is important for the GEM Candidates, but sometimes it also does not guarantee admission in the top IIMs, because of the large number of engineering and male candidates who appear.
Many IIMs also apply for the Class 10th and Class 12th marks, graduation scores, academic and gender diversity.
IIMs Accepting GEMs at 98–99 Percentile
- The IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow are the best among the older IIMs if a candidate’s score is between the 98.8th and 99.3rd percentiles.
- These 9 IIMs will shortlist the candidate from 98-99 percentile, mostly when the sectional scores are balanced, 85+ in VARC and DILR, and 95+ in QA.
- Some courses like HRM Ranchi, ABM Lucknow and PGP-SM also allow entry with 98.5 percentile due to low cutoffs.
| IIM Name | Program Offered |
CAT Score Range for GEM (General Category) |
Selection Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Calcutta | MBA (2-Year PGDM) | 98.8 – 99.3 %ile | CAT has 56% weight; shortlists strong QA+VARC scorers |
| IIM Lucknow | PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM | 98.5 – 99.2 %ile | 60% CAT weight and profile is less dominant than IIM A/B |
| IIM Shillong | PGPM (Flagship MBA Program) | 98.5 – 99 %ile | Shortlists many GEMs with 98.5th percentile |
| IIM Trichy | PGPM (MBA Equivalent) | 98 – 99 %ile | Strong CAT weightage and academic profile, less strict |
| IIM Udaipur | MBA (PGPM) | 98 – 99 %ile | Shortlists the most GEMs with than 98th percentile |
| IIM Raipur | PGPM | 98 – 98.7 %ile | 30% profile + 60% CAT score, and is good for GEMs |
| IIM Ranchi | PGDM (General), HRM | 98 – 99 %ile | Accepts GEMs with strong CAT and balanced sectionals |
| IIM Nagpur | PGP (MBA) | 98 – 98.5 %ile | Profile considered, but high CAT score still wins |
| IIM Amritsar | MBA (General) | 98 – 98.8 %ile | 60–70% CAT weightage and shortlist GEMs more |
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MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT ScoresFAQs for How GEM Can Crack CAT 2025
Ques. What is the CAT cut-off for a general engineer male?
Ans. The Cutoff for the GEM Candidates is generally higher than the other candidates because of high competition and because lack of academic advantage. As most of the top IIMs shortlist the GEMs for the 99th percentile, new and old IIMs accept scores in the 95th-98th percentile range.
Ques. CAT Cutoff for GEM Candidates
Ans.
- The GEM Candidates need a 99.5th percentile for old and top IIMs because of high competition.
- In other IIMs, candidates can get admission in the 98.5th to 99.3rd percentile with good chances.
- In New IIMs, candidates can get admission with a 95-98.5 percentile with practising mock tests and work experience.
| IIM Name | CAT Percentile (GEM) | Shortlisting Criteria Summary |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.7 – 100 | Needs a 90/90/90 academic profile |
| IIM Bangalore | 99.6 – 99.9 | High weightage to academics + work experience |
| IIM Calcutta | 98.8 – 99.4 | CAT score-centric, better chances for GEMs |
| IIM Lucknow | 98.5 – 99.3 | Moderate profile weight; CAT holds 60% weight |
| IIM Kozhikode | 99.2 – 99.6 | Strong focus on diversity and academics |
| IIM Indore | 99.4 – 99.7 | Rigid X/XII/Grad weight; tough for avg GEMs |
| IIM Shillong | 98.5 – 99.1 | High CAT weight; friendly for high scorers |
| New IIMs (Trichy, Udaipur, Ranchi, etc.) | 97.5 – 98.5 | CAT-focused shortlisting; good for GEMs |
| Baby IIMs (Jammu, Sirmaur, etc.) | 95 – 97.5 | Profile-light; 95+%ile GEMs often shortlisted |
Ques. Is CAT easy for engineers?
Ans. The CAT Exam is favourable for engineers as the Quantitative Aptitude(QA) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning(DILR) sections are designed to their analytical background. But the VARC Section can be a challenge for the candidates.
- QA & DILR: It is easier for engineers as they score more than 90 percentile.
- VARC: Needs more efforts, and on average, 70-80 percentile for engineers
Ques. How many engineering students give the CAT?
Ans. The Engineers have shared a large CAT Aspirants every year. On average, around 65-70% of the CAT aspirants come from engineering backgrounds. The participation was high because of high competition with the GEM Category, increasing the cutoffs and reducing the shortlisting rate of top IIMs. Engineering Students in CAT: Last 3 Years
| Year | Total Candidates Appeared | Engineering Background (%) | Approx. No. of Engineers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2.88 lakh | 67% | 1.93 lakh |
| 2022 | 2.22 lakh | 66% | 1.46 lakh |
| 2021 | 1.92 lakh | 70% | 1.34 lakh |
Ques. Do engineers have an advantage in CAT?
Ans. Yes, the engineers have an advantage in the QA or DILR Section, because of their strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- They face high competition as the majority of the CAT Aspirants are engineers, especially the GEM Candidates, which makes it difficult to shortlist the top IIMs.
- Despite having an advantage, engineers face higher cutoffs because of high competition.
| Section | Engineer Performance (Avg) | Non-Engineer Performance (Avg) | Reasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| QA | 90–95%ile (Avg 35–40 marks) | 70–75%ile (Avg 25–30 marks) | Engineers excel in math-heavy questions |
| DILR | 85–90%ile (Avg 28–32 marks) | 75–80%ile (Avg 24–28 marks) | Logical reasoning aligns with technical thinking |
| VARC | 65–75%ile (Avg 20–26 marks) | 75–85%ile (Avg 26–30 marks) | Non-engineers perform better due to strong reading base |
| Overall | 95+ %ile possible | 90+ %ile possible | Engineers need balance across sections to excel |
Ques. Is CAT tougher than IIT?
Ans. Both CAT and IIT-JEE are highly competitive exams, but they have different purposes, patterns and difficulties. The JEE Main tests the conceptual clarity in Science and Maths, whereas the CAT focuses on the aptitude, logic and reading comprehension. CAT vs IIT-JEE: Comparison
| Criteria | CAT (MBA) | IIT-JEE Advanced (B.Tech) |
| Applicants (2024) | 3.3 lakh | 1.95 lakh |
| Success Rate | 2% (Top IIMs), ~0.5% (GEMs) | 1% |
| Prep Duration | 6–8 months | 2–3 years |
| Exam Focus | Aptitude (VARC, DILR, QA) | PCM (Concept + Calculation) |
| Difficulty Type | Time pressure & accuracy | Conceptual depth & application |
| Profile Filtering | Yes (IIM shortlisting) | No (pure rank-based) |
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