IIM Lucknow Course Admission 2026: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, Application Process, Selection Criteria

Q: What academic profile helps in getting an interview call from IIM Lucknow?

A strong academic recordtypically 80%+ in 10th and 12th, and a competitive graduation scorecan improve shortlist chances at IIM Lucknow. Students from non-engineering backgrounds also benefit from diversity points, improving their odds with similar CAT scores (90 percentile).

Lucknow, Uttar PradeshAutonomous UniversityEstd 1984

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(93 Reviews)

Vaibhav Kumar Singh

Content Strategist | Updated on - Jan 20, 2026

IIM Lucknow offers admission to its various courses based on scores in entrance exams (most preferred: CAT), followed by WAT and PI. The admission process for an MBA usually starts with the registration for CAT in August every year and concludes with the WAT & PI in February or March.

Candidates need to have passed graduation with at least 50% marks to be eligible for the admission process. They also need to secure a minimum 90 percentile(Overall) in CAT to be considered for the subsequent admission process at IIM Lucknow. The important details for admission to various popular courses are as follows-

Course	Eligibility	Fees (INR)	CAT Cutoff (General)	Key Timelines
PGP (MBA / ABM )	Bachelor’s with 50% marks; valid CAT score	20.75 Lakhs	Qualifying: 90 (MBA) / 85 (ABM & SM); Final call: 97+ (MBA) / 93+ (ABM & SM)	Shortlist: Jan 2026; WAT-PI: Feb–Mar 2026; Final offers: May 2026; Batch starts: Jun/Jul 2026

Table of Contents

IIM Lucknow MBA Admission 2026
IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Admissions 2026
IIM Lucknow Admission FAQs

IIM Lucknow MBA Admission 2026

IIM Lucknow offers MBA, MBA (ABM) at its Lucknow campus, and MBA (SM) at Noida Campus. Candidates need to select IIM Lucknow in CAT registration form to be considered for admission to MBA and MBA (ABM) program. For MBA (SM), candidates need to fill out an additional form available at the official website. The detailed admission information are given below-

IIM Lucknow MBA Admission Dates 2026

CAT Entrance Exam 2026

Events	Date
CAT 2025 Registration Date	~~Aug 01 - Sep 20, 2025~~
CAT 2025 Admit Card Date	~~Nov 12, 2025~~
CAT 2025 Exam Date	~~Nov 30, 2025~~
CAT 2025 Result Date	~~Dec 24, 2025~~

The following video covers IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria, CAT Score is required to get into IIM and Does past academics matter during the admission process.

IIM Lucknow MBA Eligibility Criteria

Program	Academic Requirements	Work Experience	Entrance Exam
PGP (MBA)	Bachelor's degree with ≥50% marks (General/EWS/NC-OBC); ≥45% (SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students are eligible.	Not mandatory	Valid CAT score (>=85 percentile:sectional & >=90 percentile: overall cutoffs)
PGP-ABM	Bachelor's in Agriculture Science, Agricultural Engineering, Engineering/Technology, or similar subjects.	Not mandatory	Valid CAT score (>=80 percentile:sectional & >=85 percentile: overall cutoffs)
PGP-SM	Graduate degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks.	Minimum 2 years relevant work experience (mandatory)	Valid CAT score (>=80 percentile:sectional & >=85 percentile: overall cutoffs)

Note: MBA (SM) is offered at Noida Campus of IIM Lucknow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: Can final year students apply for IIM Lucknow admission?

Ans: Yes, final year undergraduate students are eligible to apply. However, they must complete their degree requirements before joining the program.

Ques: Is work experience mandatory for PGP admission at IIM Lucknow?

Ans: No, work experience is not mandatory for the PGP program at IIM Lucknow. However, it adds value during the selection process and freshers are equally welcome.

IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2025

IIM Lucknow uses CAT score as the primary selection criterion for MBA admission. Candidates need to have secured a minimum overall and sectional CAT cutoff percentile to get shortlisted for the subsequent admission process (WAT & PI). The minimum cutoff percentile for various category students of CAT 2025 is given below-

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General	85	85	85	90
EWS	77	77	77	81
NC-OBC	77	77	77	81
SC	55	55	55	65
ST	50	50	50	60
PwD	50	50	50	60

*Note: The above percentile is just a minimum cutoff percentile, the final cutoffs for interview calls are typically higher than these qualifying percentiles.

See what Ritvik kaushal, PGPM (Agri-Business) student at IIM Lucknow has to say about admission process

In his words: “The foremost part is clearing the CAT. On average, a percentile of 98+ is required to get shortlisted for the interview process. A round of WAT ( Writing ability test) and personal interview follows the shortlisting. With reservation the CAT percentile required lowers down to 85+ for ABM and 92+ for MBA but after that the process is same for everyone. Application is released every year around October with an average application fee of 3000 bucks. The difficulty level is quite high thus rigorous preparation is required”. To read more about his review, Click Here

Frequently Asked Question

Ques. What is the expected CAT percentile for getting a call from IIM Lucknow?

Ans. While the qualifying cutoff is 90 percentile, candidates typically need 95+ percentile to secure an interview call in the General category due to high competition.

IIM Lucknow MBA Batch Profile

Candidates with profile diversity (female or non-engineering) can get shortlisted at slightly lower CAT cutoffs (e.g., 90th overall qualifying, but effective 92-95 vs. 97+ for others).
Conversely, engineering males or freshers need higher CAT percentiles (97-99+) to compete, as they lack diversity boosts and must excel in academics (20% weight) and work exp (10%) for final admission, where PI (40%) amplifies profile gaps.

The following infographic shows the batch profile of PGP (2024-26).

IIM Lucknow MBA Selection Process

The admission process at IIM Lucknow comprises three distinct stages, which are as follows-

Stage 1: Initial Shortlisting Based on CAT Score

Candidates are shortlisted based on CAT performance, meeting both sectional and overall percentile requirements. The three sections evaluated are:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Stage 2: Shortlisting for WAT-PI Round

IIM Lucknow uses various parameters for shortlisting candidates for WAT & PI process. The weightage criteria of various parameters are given below-

CAT Score: 60 points
Class 12 Marks: 10 points
Graduation Marks: 10 points
Work Experience: 10 points
Diversity Factors: 10 points (5 for gender diversity + 5 for academic diversity).

Stage 3: Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI)

Written Ability Test (WAT):

Duration: 30 minutes.
Essay writing on current affairs or business topics.

Personal Interview (PI):

Minimum passing requirement: 12 out of 40 marks.
Candidates not clearing this threshold are eliminated regardless of other scores.

Final Selection Weightage:

CAT Score: 30%
Personal Interview: 40%
Written Ability Test: 10%
Class 12 Marks: 5%
Graduation Marks: 5%
Work Experience: 5%
Diversity Factors: 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: How important is the Personal Interview in the final selection for MBA courses at IIM Lucknow?

Ans: Personal Interview carries the highest weightage (40%) in the final selection for MBA courses at IIM Lucknow, making it the most critical component. Strong performance can compensate for lower CAT scores.

Ques: What topics are usually asked in WAT at IIM Lucknow?

Ans: WAT topics typically cover current affairs, business scenarios, social issues, and contemporary challenges. Recent topics have included digital transformation, sustainability, and policy decisions.

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Admissions 2026

IIM Lucknow offers Executive MBA for candidates having a certain year of work experience. The important details regarding the courses are as follows-

Program	Key Dates	Eligibility Criteria	Weightage Criteria
bMBA (2-Year Blended)	Application deadline: Aug 31, 2025; Interviews: Aug-Sep 2025; Offers: Sep 2025.	Bachelor's/equiv ≥50% (45% SC/ST/PwD); 3 yrs full-time exp by Aug 31, 2025; Valid CAT/GMAT/GRE (last 5 years, centre-based).	Final: PI 40%, Test 20%, HSC 5%, Grad 15%, Exp 15%, Gender 5%.

Conclusion

Admissions at IIM Lucknow are highly competitive. For General-category candidates, the institute typically sets a 90 percentile overall CAT cutoff for shortlisting, while final admits often fall in the 97–99+ percentile range. Selection considers CAT performance, academic consistency, work experience, diversity factors, and WAT–PI scores. Applicants with strong academics (80%+), 1–3 years of relevant work experience, and demonstrated leadership or project involvement hold a clear edge.
To maximize your chances, focus on rigorous CAT preparation, maintain strong academic performance, gain meaningful work exposure, and build a well-rounded profile through internships, extracurriculars, and communication skills.

IIM Lucknow Admission FAQs

Ques. Does having work experience improve my chances of getting selected at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. Yes, while fresh graduates are admitted every year, applicants with 1–3 years of relevant work experience often receive additional points during the admission process at IIM Lucknow. Quality matters more than duration—strong projects, responsibility, and relevant exposure can significantly enhance your PI performance.

Ques. What academic profile helps in getting an interview call from IIM Lucknow?

Ans. A strong academic record—typically 80%+ in 10th and 12th, and a competitive graduation score—can improve shortlist chances at IIM Lucknow. Students from non-engineering backgrounds also benefit from diversity points, improving their odds with similar CAT scores (90 percentile).

Ques. What is the admission process for the Executive MBA programs at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. The candidates will have to appear for any of the exams like the CAT/ GMAT/ GRE/ PGPWE Entrance Exam. If they have cleared the cut-off then they will be shortlisted for Written Ability Test and the personal interview. The candidates will be evaluated based on their test scores, WAT, PI, and academic and professional profiles for the final selection.

Ques. Is it possible to complete the EFPM program on a part-time basis at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. Yes, EFPM is a part-time, non-residential program offered by IIM Lucknow. Classes during the first year are held with PGPWE students on alternate weekends. During the second year, three campus visits of 21 days’ duration each are needed to finish the coursework.

PGPM

AI-Generated Summary based on 66 Reviews

To gain admission to the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) at IIM Lucknow, candidates must first clear the CAT exam, which is essential for entrance. A general category candidate typically requires a percentile of 98+, though for reserved category candidates the cutoff can be lower, ranging from 85+ for Agribusiness Management (ABM) to 92+ for the MBA program. The application forms are generally released on the CAT official website in July, with an average application fee of approximately INR 3000.

Eligible candidates include those who have completed graduation or are in their final year. After taking CAT, candidates are shortlisted based on their composite scores which are derived from various parameters like CAT scores, academic records, and work experience. Shortlisted candidates must complete a candidate information form and proceed through stages including a Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI), which may include questions on current affairs, personal background, and professional experiences.

The final selection is based on the overall performance, with results announced on the institute's website. The process is well-structured and competitive, and timely preparation is essential. The CAT exam is considered challenging, demanding rigorous preparation. There is no direct or management quota mentioned, emphasizing a merit-based admission process.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

Important Updates

Popular Colleges Compared With IIM Lucknow

College
FMS Delhi Faculty of Management Studies, New Delhi
IIMI - Indian Institute of Management, Indore
XLRI, Jamshedpur
ISB Hyderabad Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
IIMA - Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
MDI Gurgaon, Gurgaon
SPJIMR, Mumbai
IIMK - Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
JBIMS Mumbai, Mumbai

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IIM Lucknow Upcoming Important Dates 2026

Important Events

Events	Dates
Commencement of Program for Admission 2026 [IPMX]	Upcoming Apr 01, 2026

Expired Events

Events	Dates
Acceptance and Submission of Fee for Phase II Admission 2026-27 [IPMX]	Mar 10, 2026
Last Date of Acceptance and Submission of Fee for Phase-III Admission 2026 [IPMX]	Mar 10, 2026
Acceptance and Acceptance Fee Payment for Admission [PGPWE]	Feb 20, 2026

Important Events

Events	Dates
Commencement of Program for Admission 2026 [IPMX]	Upcoming Apr 01, 2026

Expired Events

Events	Dates
Acceptance and Acceptance Fee Payment for Admission [EFPM]	Mar 23, 2026
Acceptance and Submission of Fee for Phase II Admission 2026-27 [IPMX]	Mar 10, 2026
Last Date of Acceptance and Submission of Fee for Phase-III Admission 2026 [IPMX]	Mar 10, 2026

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Why To Join IIM Lucknow - Reviews & Rating

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ARMAAN CHAWLA

4.5Helpful

PGP, General Management

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2025(Enrolled 2021)

IIM L- Hel(L) from outside, Heaven Inside

Admission:

I got into IIM B BA program as well but chose IIM L PGP over it. Reason is the distinct alumni We see IIM L folks doing well everywhere be it Consulting or entrepreneurship Legacy was something that attracted and I picked it over K and I

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College Ninja

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PGPM, General

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

My life @HelL

Admission:

I got this college. Got rejected by IIM A and IIM C as I was gem fresher. But I feel this college is a good fit for me. I don't regret my decision. The process is smooth just need to submit a bunch of docs.

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abhinav

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PGPM, General

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

IIM L student review

Student Snaps:

Admission:

I applied to all the top B-schools but secured interview opportunities only from IIMA and IIMC. My top choices were IIMB and IIML (and all other top B-schools). I missed my opportunity at IIMB; I believe this was due to my interview. However, I managed to convert my next best option, IIML. I joined after taking the CAT, which is a relatively easy exam compared to JEE, NEET, and state entrance exams. Securing a percentile above 95 puts you in a good position to receive at least one interview call from top colleges.

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Karan Khemani

4.1Helpful

PGPM, General

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025(Enrolled 2023)

Great place to spend 2 years

Admission:

Chose over the other old IIMs because while giving me reasonable placements also helped me stand out in the crowd, did not have to do a lot of bickering and met people who seemed more crowd than anything else

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College Ninja

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MBA, Innovation And Entrepreneurship

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2024(Enrolled 2024)

LEARNING MANY THINGS AND IMPROVING SELF FROM COLLEGE

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I CHOOSE THIS COLLEGE BECAUSE THIS COLLEGE IS GOOD OVER OTHER COLLEGES. I HAVE ALSO APPLIED FOR IIM ROHTAK. NIRF RANKING AND CARRIER OPPORTUNITIES BROUGHT ME HERE. NO I DID NOT GET REJECTED BY ANY COLLEGE. FOR TAKING ADMISSION YOU HAVE TO QUALIFY CAT EXAM AND ALSO SECURE A GOOD RANK.

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P K Anirudh

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MBA, Innovation And Entrepreneurship

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

P K Anirudh's Review On IIML - Indian Institute Of Management, Lucknow

Admission:

I have gotten calls from IIM Indore and IIM Kozhikode apart from IIM Lucknow. I chose IIM Lucknow for it's academic rigor and also being ranked higher than the other IIMs. The eligibility is decided through the CAT exam and one-on-one interviews. Cutoffs can be as high as 99th percentile. Admission experience is very smooth. There are some documents to get before admission. But this is usually streamlined and very easy to accomplish.

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SHUBHAM ORAON

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MBA, Innovation And Entrepreneurship

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

GTM Strategy for Health Insurance Companies in India

Admission:

I have applied to all IIMs. I got calls from majority of them and My best convert was IIM Lucknow. My second best call was IIM Kozhikode. I got rejected from IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta. The admission process include clearing CAT exam, Giving Interview and then verifying the documents.

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Anonymous

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PGP, Agri-Business Management

Reviewed on Sep 25, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

Just another review

Student Snaps:

Admission:

I applied to all IIMs ( BLACKI) and was shortlisted only for Lucknow and converted it. Apart from it I got calls from SPJIMR, MDI, IITB and IIM MUmbai . I converted all of them. I did not clear XAT or IIFT.

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RAJAT GOEL

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PGP, Agri-Business Management

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024(Enrolled 2024)

IIML the HELL

Admission:

I chose this college because I wanted to pursue agribusiness management and IIM Lucknow supports one of the best agribusiness programs which is on-par with other PGP programs. The course is rigorous and gives you a holistic view

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Ritvik kaushal

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PGP, Agri-Business Management

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2024(Enrolled 2024)

IIML Hel(L) that shoots you to heaven

Admission:

The foremost part is clearing the CAT . On an average a percentile of 98+ is required to get shortlisted for the interview process. A round of WAT ( Writing ability test) and personal interview follows the shortlisting. With reservation the CAT percentile required lowers down to 85+ for ABM and 92+ for MBA but after that the process is same for everyone. Application is released every year around October with a average application fee of 3000 bucks. The difficulty level is quite high thus rigorous prepration is required. Admission process is a good benchmark and as of now no improvements are required.

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IIM Lucknow: 10 Answered Questions

Should I join IIM Kashipur??

JadeJackal

Deciding on whether to join IIM Kashipur can be quite a puzzle for MBA hopefuls. It's normal to feel uncertain because doing an MBA is a big deal that requires a lot of time, effort, and money. So, when you're choosing a B-school, you're really thinking about what you'll get back from all these investments.

Whether a business school is a good choice can vary a lot from person to person. Someone with very high goals might only be interested in the top schools like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta. Other places, like IIM Raipur, might have a few downsides. But if you're practical and have worked hard for a decent score in CAT, you might think about other top schools and make a smart choice based on your options.

IIM Raipur, now in its tenth year, has been growing fast, and here's why it's a good choice:

1. Placements:
At IIM Raipur, there's a strong focus on creating a corporate vibe on campus with real-world learning experiences. They have guest talks from industry leaders and events like leadership and HR summits. These efforts have caught the attention of companies, leading to more of them showing up for placements. The average salary has been on the rise, and there are diverse job roles in areas like analytics and wealth management. You can check the official placement reports for more details.

2. IIM Brand:
The IIM name is like a powerful badge that shows you meet high standards. It's a mark of honor that you carry with pride throughout your life, boosting your confidence to tackle big challenges in your career.

3. Infrastructure:
Since 2018, IIM Raipur has been on a new campus with modern facilities. The academic spaces are cutting-edge, and the hostels offer single rooms with attached bathrooms. There's also a sports center with a pool, squash, and badminton courts. The infrastructure keeps getting better, and the management has big plans for the future.

4. Fees:
Despite its impressive facilities, IIM Raipur is a non-profit government institution with fees that are more affordable compared to many private schools.

5. Course Pedagogy:
Thanks to the IIM Bill, IIMs can create their own curriculums. IIM Raipur offers flexibility, allowing students to craft industry-relevant courses and even specialize in more than one area, opening up more career paths.

6. Life at IIM Raipur:
Beyond academics, there are plenty of ways to get involved, like case study competitions and student clubs. These activities help build leadership and interpersonal skills while creating lasting memories.

Of course, like any college, there are a few downsides. The food might not match up to home-cooked meals, but it's better than typical engineering hostel food. Raipur might not be a top-tier city for luxury, but it has decent hangout spots and is well-connected by air, which helps with corporate networking. The school is making significant progress, as seen in its rising B-school rankings. Looking back, I'm glad I chose IIM Raipur over others. If you have questions about joining, feel free to reach out. Best of luck!

What is RTI Data for IIM Lucknow?

Mansi Jain

IIM Lucknow RTI Data for batch 2023-25 has been released. At IIM Lucknow, a total of 127812 general category candidates selected IIM Lucknow as their CAT preference, of which 1275 were shortlisted for PI WAT round and 585 received the final offer.

Admission Stats

Category	No. of Candidates Selected IIM Lucknow PGP	Candidates Selected for WAT/PI	No. of Students With Final Offer
General	127812	1275	585
EWS	8953	317	103
NC-OBC	32151	917	393
SC	15300	801	223
ST	4092	401	127
PWD	825	168	48

Cutoff Stats

Category	Composite Score for WAT/PI Shortlist	Composite Score for Admission Offer	Highest Composite Score
General	48.96	58.85	79.08
EWS	33.34	48.08	61.43
NC-OBC	32.94	44.26	63.25
SC	26.22	40.21	62.63
ST	17.73	31.58	60.84
PWD	14.03	24.76	59.95

Class Composition

Category	Number of Students
General	225
EWS	52
NC-OBC	158
SC	86
ST	45
PwD	NA

How much minimum CAT percentile do I need to get IIM Calcutta or IIM Lucknow if I have Xth 93, XIIth 73, and BTech 70, without any work experience?

Sagar Dikshitlives in Lucknow

Your graduation score is a bit low but it depends on your institute too. If you are from a top college, then this score will be considered pretty good. Moreover, past academics are not the only deciding factor when it comes to admission to IIMs. You do have decent changes if selection viewing your overall profile.

As for the CAT Score, don’t set a fixed target and just aim for as high as you can. The cutoffs keep changing depending on various factors so what should remain constant are your efforts. Additionally, preparing for the interview is very crucial because it determines your chances of admission.

Which B-school is harder to get into when you have a 'mediocre' academic profile and 1 yr of work experience, FMS Delhi or IIM K, L, and I?

Akriti Guptalives in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Among the above B-schools, FMS will be easier to enter because other IIMs like IIM K, IIM L, and IIM I give more weightage to past academic performance. FMS selection will be based on Personal Interviews, Group Discussions, and CAT scores.

IIM K gives 40% weightage while the initial shortlisting of candidates for Personal Interviews is contrary to IIM L and IIM Indore which gives only 20% weightage. IIM Indore gives no weightage to work experience where IIM K gives only 5% and IIM L gives 10% weightage.

All in all, if you are a mediocre student then you have to outperform others in terms of CAT score and PI/GD performance. Indore is home for freshers and competing here will be difficult but you should focus more on FMS then IIM L and then IIM K for your shortlisting and put your best foot forward and convert your calls.

All the best and Best of luck for your D-day.

Why do people flock to IIM Lucknow and leave SPJIMR and FMS, when IIML teaches management like engineering whereas SPJIMR and FMS have a more conducive environment to actually learn? They also get the

Swati BiswasGMP International Management, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (2018)

By ‘teaches Management like Engineering’ I assume what you mean is Management studies at IIM Lucknow are more strict, mundane, and repetitive. In this regard, I refuse to accept your claim as the reality is far from this.

People graduating from these institutes are youngsters with an age group of 20-25 so there is very little impact of the institutes' pedagogy on the learner’s ability to learn. These candidates are likely to be more serious regarding their growth and even sacrifice the fun of a typical B School life just to reach new heights. Anyone with such a mindset is likely to fare well anywhere irrespective of the choice of Institute.

I am going to specifically pinpoint the scenario at FMS because there is a general conception that FMS has a relatively chilled ambiance. The truth is I have seen many students working tremendously hard in their 2 years. They explore much more than academics and take part in many extracurricular activities because they know it’s their last opportunity before they enter the corporate world. The attendance rules although stricter than that at IIM Lucknow are no direct indication of the general discipline and the rigor of the curriculum. Every institute has its own tailored learning environment and it’s up to the students to make the most out of it.

People just ‘flock’ to a particular B School because of the sheep mentality. Rather their decisions are based on continuous analysis of various factors like tags, peer group, intended specialization, placement opportunities, personal goals.

What is the selection procedure of IIM Lucknow?

Ayush RajStudied at Indian Institute of Management Lucknow

The procedure is divided into three stages:

WAT: If you are selected for WAT based on your profile and CAT score, you will likely be contacted to proceed with the process in the city of your choice. The process begins on the scheduled day with a WAT in which you are given 10 minutes to write on a given topic. The subject matter could be abstract, current affairs-related, or, in rare cases, technical.

GD: After submitting your WAT sheets, you will be asked to participate in a GD on the same topic.

PI: Following the GD, the same panel will conduct one-on-one interviews with the candidates. The majority of the questions are based on the information you would have provided in your profile on the application, including your educational background, ECA, and work history (if any).

You should also be ready to respond to inquiries about current events and perhaps your group discussion (GD) if there was a particularly important point to be made.

Does IIM Lucknow only give admission to students with work experience?

Animesh ShahMBA from Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (2022)

The simple answer is no, IIM Lucknow and in fact, even other IIMs don’t give calls to just experienced people. Every MBA aspirant who has a Bachelor's degree in any field (minimum 3 years of course) or is in their final year is eligible to appear for CAT. You start getting calls from IIMs based on your percentile. IIM Lucknow Sectional Cutoff is 85 Percentile while the Overall CAT Percentile is 90 for General Category.

However, there are several other parameters that determine your chances of admission. The parameters along with their respective weightage are given below

Parameters	PGP Weightage	PGP-ABM Weightage	PGP-SM Weightage
CAT	60	60	60
Class 12 Marks	10	10	10
Graduation Marks	10	10	10
Work Experience	10	0	10
Academic Diversity	5	20	5
Gender Diversity	5	5	5

From the table you can determine that the maximum weightage is given to CAT. Although work experience does carry a certain weight, a fresher can maximize their CAT score to compensate for it.

IIM Lucknow gives more weightage to work experience than other IIMs but that does not mean it does not give admission to freshers. It’s just that experienced candidates have a higher chance of admission.

How can I gain admission to IIM Lucknow?

Akash Kumar SahStudied at Indian Institute of Management Lucknow

The first step to getting admission to IIM Lucknow is to apply for entrance exams. Several national-level entrance exams are accepted by the IIM Lucknow for admission to its Management programs. Some of them include

PGP: CAT

MBAEx: GMAT

DPM: CAT/ GMAT/ GRE/ GATE/ UGC-JRF

IIM Lucknow Sectional Cutoff is 85 Percentile while the Overall CAT Percentile is 90 for General Category.

The next step is PI. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of CAT score will be called for Personal Interview. This year, the WAT round is excluded from the selection process. The various parameters that are considered while shortlisting candidates for this round are

Parameters	PGP Weightage	PGP-ABM Weightage	PGP-SM Weightage
CAT	60	60	60
Class 12 Marks	10	10	10
Graduation Marks	10	10	10
Work Experience	10	0	10
Academic Diversity	5	20	5
Gender Diversity	5	5	5

The 3rd step includes shortlisting of candidates based on the following parameters

Parameters	PGP & PGP-SM	PGP-ABM
CAT	30	35
Academic Performance (12M + GM)	5+5	5+5
Diversity Factor	5	5
Work Experience	5	NA
Written Ability Test	10	10
Personal Interview (PI)	40	40

So finally based on your CAT score, GDPI score and your academic record along with work experience your total will be calculated out of 100. The students will then be listed in descending order of their total score and top students will be made an admission offer.

Can I get a call from IIM Lucknow as well as FMS Delhi after getting a 99+ percentile in CAT? My academics marks are 74%, 73% and 65% in X, XII and graduate degree in engineering respectively.

Chandan PandeyPGDM from Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (Graduated 2018)

Honestly speaking, your chances of getting into IIM Lucknow Calcutta and Kozhikode are scarce unless you score 100 percentile considering your profile. IIM Ahmedabad, Indore and Shillong won’t give you a call even after 100 as their eligibility criteria focuses majorly on past academics which are below average in your case.

IIM Bangalore is unpredictable in its eligibility criteria. It might take students with poor academic backgrounds but good work experience. So if you have none you can forget this chance also.

FMS does not almost consider past academics at all but for that, you need a CAT percentile of more than 99.5. For the safer side a 99.75 might grant you a conversion.

Don’t get demotivated just because of your past academic performance and ruin your future. Rather make the most out of your present life and opportunities.

I am fresher student studying at IIM Lucknow, I want to drop out. What are my chances of converting IIM-A,B, C after gaining 2-3 years of experience?

Saloni GuptaIIM Kozhikode PGP 2018-20

I don’t think it's wise to decide to drop out from IIM Lucknow when you already worked hard and cracked the entrance. You even succeeded in the interview and yet here you want to give it all up. Every year the level of difficulty of entrance exams like the CAT and XAT keeps changing. Students who might have scored 90+ percentile one year might score 40-60 percentile next year. It all depends on preparation and mindset. Meanwhile, you have already succeeded and gotten into an IIM so why take it for granted?

Yet if you are adamant about not continuing, I would suggest you just focus on your job and gain a lot of experience. Chances are that you might climb the ladder without an MBA or IIM. Many CEOs and CFOs don’t need an MBA to make them what they are.

Despite it all, if you are appearing again for CAT, then make sure you have a valid explanation of dropping out during your interview.

View All Questions and Answers

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Comments

Found 5 Comments

aafiya yadgir

Mar 26, 2024 09:59

What are the factors that I need to work on, other than CAT scores for MBA admission at IIM Lucknow?

Shikhar Srivas

Mar 29, 2024 21:59

IIM Lucknow goes beyond your CAT score. They consider your academics, work experience (if any), and communication skills tested through WAT & PI. Acing these can strengthen your application. They also value diversity, so highlight unique experiences. Focus on these areas to craft a strong profile that complements your CAT score.

epil gagrai

Mar 22, 2024 18:43

What are the exams that IIM Lucknow considers for PhD admission?

Ashish Ramtari

Mar 23, 2024 08:13

The candidate need to appear for CAT/ GMAT/ GRE/ GATE/ JRF/ SRF (UGC/ CSIR/ ICAR) for taking admission to IIM Lucknow PhD admission. If candidate has not appeared for any of the said examinations. Then he can appear for PGPWE examination which is conducted for admission to PhD.

shivangi

Mar 22, 2024 17:10

What are the factors that I need to work on, other than CAT scores for MBA admission at IIM Lucknow?

Ashish Ramtari

Mar 23, 2024 08:19

Except CAT scores, you should also have Decent Academic Performance and Work Experience. You should also prepare for efficient performance in WAT, Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

vikram dewan

Jun 27, 2022 15:26

What is the average CAT cut off for IIM Lucknow?

Chitransha

Jun 29, 2022 13:25

The average cutoff for IIM Lucknow is 85. This year the sectional cut-off for PGP is reduced to 85 percentile, and 80 percentile for PGP-ABM & PGP-SM courses. The final selection depends on the Academic Profile, Work Experience, and Diversity Factors.

For more information, refer to this link: IIM Lucknow GMAT Score & CAT Cutoff

karan rathod

Jun 27, 2022 15:24

What is the minimum mark required to pursue Ph.D at IIM Lucknow?

Chitransha

Jun 29, 2022 13:30

To be eligible for the Ph.D. course at IIM Lucknow you must have passed your Master’s degree or equivalent in any stream with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate. Or else, you must hold a degree in CA/ICWA/CS with a minimum of 55% marks.

For more information, refer to this link: IIM Lucknow Ph.D. Eligibility Criteria

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