Cutoff
IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff CAT 2025 & Admission Criteria: Check Eligibility & Score Vs Percentile

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 |
