IIM Ahmedabad HEC Paris Double Degree program requires students to spend two terms abroad. Students enrolled in this double degree program have access to hundreds of electives. These electives can be broadly categorized into 13 subject areas. These electives include in-class courses, field courses, independent study, etc. Students need to complete around 15.50-18.50 credits.
The CAT score required to gain admission to the top IIMs is determined by one's profile. The admission process at IIM Ahmedabad is a little complicated, and it is determined by a number of factors other than the candidate's CAT score. The following are the broad criteria for receiving a call from the IIMs:
The following are the weights assigned to each component in order to calculate the Final Composite Score:
COMPONENTS | WEIGHTS |
CAT Score | 25 Points |
Personal Interview | 50 Points |
Analytical Writing Test | 10 Points |
Application Rating | 15 Points |
Total | 100 |
Here is a quick summary of the admissions process for IIM Ahmedabad.
The 99.5+ percentile requirement is for candidates from an engineering background.
This is because 90 percent of CAT aspirants are engineers.
A few years back, one of my friends with less than 90 percentile in CAT got a call from IIM Ahmedabad, and converted successfully. He was from the general category, and had a non engineering background.
The aim of IIM Ahmedabad is to maintain batch diversity. 99.5 percentile means roughly 1000 candidates, far more than the quota for engineering background.
The final cutoff is much lower for candidates from other academic backgrounds. Moreover, the final selections are not solely based on CAT percentile.
The top 5% of people from any academic category will be preferred when giving a call provided that they have cleared the various criteria. They include:
Primary sectionals
Overall CAT cutoff
scored above the specified percentage in 10th and 12th
scored above the 80th percentile graduation score
If you have cleared all these criteria then you will be among the eligible candidates. But IIM Ahmedabad calls only 5% of the top composite score holders. For example, if there are 100 general candidates then it will call only the top 5 composite score holders. If there are 2000 general candidates it will call only 100 top composite score holders. But the maximum number of calls made will never exceed 100.
IIM Ahmedabad is a top management institution getting into which is a dream of many aspirants.
My sister went to IIM Ahmedabad for her dual degree. According to her, the institution is incredible for various reasons. Her class was filled with students who were geniuses, having been selected from among 1000 aspirants. Most of the time she had difficulty in following the entire lesson or conversation. At the same time, one is exposed to incredible speed, quality, depth of analysis, and precision of synthesis.
This is why an IIM A graduate gets a huge advantage in anything that they try to pursue.
The architecture is amazing and highly inspiring. My sister loved the activities at IIM A and its vibe. The people are incredible and still most of them are down-to-earth in nature.
The Environment at IIM Ahmedabad is good and there are no restrictions as such. People are broad-minded and one can freely express oneself. The faculty members are friendly with the students. There are different clubs that conduct various activities which enable students to pursue their interests in fields outside of academics.
IIM Ahmedabad also runs the Facebook and Twitter pages of the student community where the latest student activities, achievements, and events, among other aspects of students’ life at IIMA are posted.
Overall, the experience of students at IIM Ahmedabad is very good and the institution truly ensures an all-round development of its students.
The academics and the opportunities offered at the top IIMs are similar. IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta offer similar academics, facilities, and peer groups. Irrespective of which IIM you are choosing, you will get similar placement and internship opportunities. The rankings keep changing and people have this perceived notion that IIM Ahmedabad is the no 1 b-school in the country, due to its long-standing legacy.
To get admission in IIM Ahmedabad, you need to appear for CAT, first. International students need to appear for the GMAT. Students who score above the required cutoff and composite score, are shortlisted for the WAT-PI round. The final selection will be based on various factors such as your past academics, work experience, CAT score, performance in WAT-PI, etc. IIM Ahmedabad also looks for leadership qualities in students.
Clear your basics in English and Quants. Study newspapers and stay updated with the happenings around you. Solve puzzles. These are some of the things that you can do while preparing for IIM Ahmedabad.
Honestly, there is almost no chance of getting into any IIMs with your profile with any percentile. Even getting a 99 score in CAT will not guarantee your admission into IIM Ahmedabad given your past academic score is so low.
Still, you can try your best and score the maximum CAT percentile and instead go for institutes like FMS, MDI and NITIE, IIT B/D/M. Another tip is to take XAT as it may increase your chances of admission.
A 90-95 CAT score will open other options for you such as
IIFT (own entrance)
SIBM, SCMHRD (both through SNAP)
NMIMS (through NMAT)
IMT, XIMB, IMI, Delhi University courses (DSE, MIB, MBE)
So it’s best if you try all options and sit for various exams. Then choose the best institute for you.
One cannot really compare the enriched experience and worth of old IIMs to the newer ones. No matter how high grades you score in the older IIMs, they can never be at par even with the average marks of an old IIM student. Their skills, knowledge, and confidence are at another level. Older IIMs help you achieve bigger goals and earn much more. So it’s better if you are an average student at an old IIM than a topper at a new IIM.
The good thing about IIM Ahmedabad is that it does not take much consideration of past academics in comparison to other IIMs. So don’t let your class 12 marks demotivate you and cause a distraction while you are preparing for your CAT.
So, instill in yourself the confidence that your hard worlds and efforts while preparing for the CAT matter more than your class 12 marks. In fact, your low marks should motivate you more to score marks higher than others with better past scores.
And as for facts, people with such low percentages have got into IIMA though the numbers are less. Don’t let what has not happened affect what you could have achieved.