CAT Cut Off for IIM – Category-Wise & Sectional Cutoffs for IIMs
The official CAT cut off for IIM will release in January 2026. All IIMs announce category-wise cutoffs to shortlist the candidates every year.
The CAT cutoffs for 2025 may vary due to several factors, including the exam difficult level or changes in the selection criteria of a college. Let’s look at the expected cutoffs;
- The overall cutoff for the General category in IIMs in Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, and Bangalore is speculated to be in the range of 98-99%ile+.
- The sectional cutoffs for IIMs in VARC, DILR, and QA will be in the range of 75–85%iles. The IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Indore, and Lucknow may have higher sectional cutoffs of 80–85.
The mentors at IMS India decode the nuances of IIM CAT cutoffs, sectional thresholds, category-wise requirements, and strategies to maximize your admission prospects across all 21 IIM campuses.
What is CAT Cut off for IIMs and Why Does It Matter?
The CAT cut off determines your eligibility for the next selection stages. The CAT cut off for IIM refers to the minimum percentile score that candidates must achieve to qualify for further selection rounds at Indian Institutes of Management, such as:
- Shortlisting for WAT–PI
- Composite score calculation
- Final merit list preparation
Each IIM decides its own CAT cut off, which may vary based on:
- Program (PGP / MBA)
- Category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD)
- Number of applicants
- Difficulty level of the CAT paper
- Academic and diversity requirements
Understanding IIM CAT cutoffs, sectional cutoffs, and how they differ across institutes is crucial, not just for shortlisting but also for realistic target setting. Unlike a fixed mark-based cutoff, IIM cutoffs are expressed in percentile form. It allows for fair comparison across different exam slots and difficulty levels.
- The percentile calculation follows a standardized formula: [1 – (Respective Rank / Total Candidates)] × 100
It means, if you got a 99 percentile, that indicates your performance exceeds 99% of test-takers.
Types of CAT Cut Offs for IIMs
IIM cutoffs operate on two distinct levels: the qualifying cutoff (minimum eligibility threshold announced before CAT results), and the final cutoff (actual percentile at which selection occurs, announced after results).
The distinction is critical because meeting the qualifying cutoff only makes you eligible for interview rounds but doesn’t guarantee selection. The final admission depends on performance across all evaluation parameters.
1. Qualifying CAT Cut Off
- Minimum percentile required to apply or be considered before CAT results.
- Declared officially by IIMs.
- Usually lower than actual selection cutoffs.
2. Final CAT Cut Off
- Actual percentile at which candidates are shortlisted for WAT–PI.
- Announced after results.
- Generally much higher than qualifying cutoffs.
Category-Wise CAT Cut off of IIM: Scores Breakdown for General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD
Here are the category-wise cut offs for IIMs analyzed by IMS India:
IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Ahmedabad – MBA
|
General (87.1), EWS (99.39), NC-OBC (86.5), SC (82.86), ST (72.4), PWD (70.67)
|
2023-25
|
Final Convert Cutoff
|
|
General (93.76), EWS (98.2), NC-OBC (79.02), SC (73.68), ST (74.52), PWD (79.32)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoff
|
|
|
General (93.9), EWS (98.94), NC-OBC (87.87), SC (76.9), ST (60.01), PWD (81.81)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoff
|
|
|
IIM Ahmedabad – MBA-FABM
|
General (73.25), EWS (90.52), NC-OBC (74.81), SC (66.25), ST (65.41)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
General (89), EWS (91.61), NC-OBC (82.9), SC (65.54), ST (74.99), PWD (85.85)
|
2023-25
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
|
General (80.52), EWS (88.77), NC-OBC (82.11), SC (69.97), ST (72.01)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Kozhikode CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Kozhikode – PGP
|
General (90.85), EWS (76.51), NC-OBC (75.41), SC (66.81), ST (56.54), PWD (56.13)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Kozhikode – PGP
|
General (91.94), EWS (80.45), NC-OBC (79.01), SC (65.11), ST (55.16), PWD (62.96)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Kozhikode – PGP
|
General (88.14), EWS (85.67), NC-OBC (75.42), SC (67.06), ST (57.02), PWD (75.15)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Kozhikode – PGP LSM
|
General (84.62), EWS (85.53), NC-OBC (76.11), SC (73.93), ST (68.2), PWD (70.3)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Kozhikode – PGP Finance
|
General (86.74), EWS (90.85), NC-OBC (80.31), SC (65.23), ST (66.65), PWD (70.3)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Kozhikode – PGP Finance
|
General (89.06), EWS (86.4), NC-OBC (83.06), SC (72.11), ST (72.65), PWD (80.26)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Bangalore – MBA + MBA BA
|
General (93.26), EWS (79.5), NC-OBC (83.53), SC (71.83), ST (67.04), PWD (93.14)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Bangalore – MBA + MBA BA
|
General (86.18), EWS (89.88), NC-OBC (81.01), SC (76.21), ST (73.91)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Bangalore – MBA + MBA BA
|
General (91.97), EWS (90.16), NC-OBC (82.65), SC (75.12), ST (74.52), PWD (83.53)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Bangalore – MBA + MBA BA
|
General (99.62), EWS (89.89), NC-OBC (97.23), SC (92.22), ST (79.66), PWD (95.41)
|
2024-26
|
MBA BA, Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Bangalore – MBA + MBA BA
|
General (86.19), EWS (89.88), NC-OBC (81.01), SC (76.21), ST (73.91)
|
2024-26
|
MBA BA, Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Bangalore – MBA + MBA BA
|
General (93.03), EWS (90.31), NC-OBC (82.65), SC (80.37), ST (75.82), PWD (80.46)
|
2024-26
|
MBA BA, Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch |
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA + MBA-ABM
|
General (52.92), EWS (35.69), NC-OBC (35.86), SC (26.11), ST (10.93), PWD (13.18)
|
2022-24
|
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA + MBA-ABM
|
General (48.96), EWS (33.34), NC-OBC (32.94), SC (26.22), ST (17.73), PWD (14.03)
|
2023-25
|
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA + MBA-ABM
|
General (48.8), EWS (35.43), NC-OBC (38.28), SC (27.14), ST (19.4), PWD (8.73)
|
2024-26
|
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA + MBA-ABM
|
General (47.64), EWS (32.22), NC-OBC (32.78), SC (20.61), ST (10.29), PWD (13.18)
|
2022-24
|
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA + MBA-ABM
|
General (44.54), EWS (29.93), NC-OBC (29.44), SC (20.51), ST (9.45), PWD (11.11)
|
2023-25
|
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA-SM
|
General (39.78), EWS (21.99), NC-OBC (18.29), SC (14.96), ST (15.85), PWD (19.77)
|
2022-24
|
|
IIM Lucknow – MBA-SM
|
General (35.11), EWS (21.58), NC-OBC (19), SC (12.38), ST (12.55), PWD (18.11)
|
2023-25
|
IIM Calcutta CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Calcutta – MBA
|
General (56.49), EWS (51.03), NC-OBC (48.63), SC (41.2), ST (34.35)
|
2022-24
|
Shortlisting Stage Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Calcutta – MBA
|
General (51.3), EWS (46.95), NC-OBC (44.78), SC (38.71), ST (33.91)
|
2024-26
|
Shortlisting Stage Cutoffs
|
Watch IMS Expert’s Video of CAT 2025 SLOT 1 Cutoffs:
CAT 2025 SLOT 2 Cutoffs
IIM Mumbai CAT Cutoff
|
IIM Mumbai – MBA
|
General (97)
|
2025-27
|
|
|
IIM Mumbai – OSCM
|
General (97)
|
2025-27
|
|
|
IIM Mumbai – SM
|
General (97)
|
2025-27
|
IIM Trichy CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM-Trichy – PGPM + PGPM-HR
|
General (77.77), EWS (72.9), NC-OBC (72.74), SC (66.68), ST (59.13), PWD (52.04)
|
2022-24
|
PGPM, Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM-Trichy – PGPM + PGPM-HR
|
General (77.64), EWS (72.59), NC-OBC (72.38), SC (64.54), ST (56.06), PWD (50.4)
|
2023-25
|
PGPM, Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM-Trichy – PGPM + PGPM-HR
|
General (82.54), EWS (75.81), NC-OBC (76.06), SC (70.43), ST (63.01), PWD (68.96)
|
2024-26
|
PGPM, Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Vishakhapatnam CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Visakhapatnam – PGP
|
General (82.03), EWS (72.05), NC-OBC (72.11), SC (51.33), ST (41.54), PWD (40.01)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Indore CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Indore – PGP
|
General (67.25), EWS (59), NC-OBC (58), SC (50.68), ST (31.55), PWD (21.04)
|
2022-24
|
|
|
IIM Indore – PGP
|
General (90.75), EWS (91.73), NC-OBC (80.21), SC (65.38), ST (51.9)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Indore – PGP
|
General (63.9), EWS (56.77), NC-OBC (55.21), SC (50.91), ST (44.83), PWD (20.53)
|
2023-25
|
|
|
IIM Indore – PGP
|
General (90.72), EWS (92.99), NC-OBC (80.17), SC (63.31), ST (48.34), PWD (45.12)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Indore – PGP
|
General (60.01), EWS (53.66), NC-OBC (51.5), SC (46.98), ST (40.95), PWD (11.75)
|
2025-27
|
|
|
IIM Indore – PGP-HRM
|
General (70.5), EWS (61.6), NC-OBC (58.52), SC (50.91), ST (39), PWD (14.05)
|
2025-27
|
|
|
IIM Indore – PGP-HRM
|
General (93.73), EWS (96.82), NC-OBC (84.6), SC (65.03), ST (48.34), PWD (67.18)
|
2025-27
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Jammu CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Jammu – MBA
|
General (93.14), EWS (91.48), NC-OBC (78.87), SC (78.98), ST (37.88), PWD (38.46)
|
2022-24
|
|
|
IIM Jammu – MBA
|
General (87.03), EWS (67.06), NC-OBC (71.13), SC (51.07), ST (36.46), PWD (40.32)
|
2023-25
|
|
|
IIM Jammu – MBA (HA & HM)
|
General (93.05), EWS (66.75), NC-OBC (71.59), SC (50.47), ST (39.63)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Jammu – MBA (HA & HM)
|
General (85.64), EWS (68.3), NC-OBC (71.24), SC (49.02), ST (44.85), PWD (36.03)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Rohtak CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch |
|
IIM Rohtak – PGP
|
General (95), EWS (90), NC-OBC (78), SC (55), ST (30), PWD (30)
|
2022-24
|
|
IIM Rohtak – PGP
|
General (95), EWS (90), NC-OBC (78), SC (55), ST (30), PWD (30)
|
2023-25
|
|
IIM Rohtak – PGP
|
General (96), EWS (92), NC-OBC (82), SC (60), ST (50), PWD (40)
|
2024-26
|
IIM Kashipur CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Kashipur – MBA + MBA Analytics
|
General (92), EWS (70.16), NC-OBC (74.07), SC (54.03), ST (40.09), PWD (40.08)
|
2022-24
|
MBA
|
|
IIM Kashipur – MBA + MBA Analytics
|
General (94), EWS (77.37), NC-OBC (77.33), SC (60.76), ST (40.18), PWD (40.01)
|
2023-25
|
MBA
|
|
IIM Kashipur – MBA + MBA Analytics
|
General (92), EWS (71.54), NC-OBC (74.01), SC (54.29), ST (54.29), PWD (48.34)
|
2024-26
|
MBA
|
|
IIM Kashipur – MBA + MBA Analytics
|
General (50.59), EWS (68.23), NC-OBC (25.48), SC (40.21), ST (21.64), PWD (12.39)
|
2022-24
|
MBA Analytics
|
IIM Sirmaur CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Sirmaur – MBA
|
General (80.23), EWS (61.42), NC-OBC (60.15), SC (47.16), ST (35.64)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Sirmaur – MBA
|
General (92), EWS (71.01), NC-OBC (74.01), SC (54), ST (40.43), PWD (40.58)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Sirmaur – MBA Tourism
|
General (85.05), EWS (59.22), NC-OBC (56.2), SC (40.59), ST (37.61)
|
2023-25
|
|
|
IIM Sirmaur – MBA Tourism
|
General (80.62), EWS (56.95), NC-OBC (57.59), SC (43.22), ST (39.07)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
CAT Cut Off for IIM Raipur
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Raipur – PGP
|
General (71.57), EWS (68.14), NC-OBC (67.7), SC (60.53), ST (50.63), PWD (31.25)
|
2022-24
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Raipur – PGP
|
General (74.97), EWS (70.42), NC-OBC (69.19), SC (62.19), ST (48.19), PWD (33.8)
|
2023-25
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Raipur – PGP
|
General (72.88), EWS (69.26), NC-OBC (69.68), SC (60.64), ST (52.13), PWD (34.27)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Udaipur CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch |
|
IIM Udaipur – MBA
|
General (92), EWS (70.02), NC-OBC (74.01), SC (54.03), ST (40.51), PWD (40.08)
|
2022-24
|
|
IIM Udaipur – MBA
|
General (92), EWS (70), NC-OBC (74), SC (54), ST (40), PWD (40)
|
2023-25
|
|
IIM Udaipur – MBA
|
General (94), EWS (77), NC-OBC (77), SC (60), ST (40), PWD (40)
|
2024-26
|
|
IIM Udaipur – MBA
|
General (92.77), EWS (81.11), NC-OBC (77.03), SC (56.77), ST (55.55), PWD (62.9)
|
2025-27
|
IIM Nagpur CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Nagpur – MBA
|
General (85.15), EWS (85.19), NC-OBC (76.54), SC (60.1), ST (40.62), PWD (40.25)
|
2022-24
|
|
|
IIM Nagpur – MBA
|
General (94), EWS (77.01), NC-OBC (77), SC (60.02), ST (40.18), PWD (40.01)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Nagpur – MBA
|
General (90.16), EWS (80), NC-OBC (77.66), SC (60.97), ST (48.98), PWD (42.25)
|
2024-26
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Bodh Gaya CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Bodh Gaya – MBA
|
General (55.29), EWS (51.44), NC-OBC (49.47), SC (44.54), ST (30.77), PWD ()
|
2023-25
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
|
IIM Bodh Gaya – MBA
|
General (90), EWS (68), NC-OBC (72), SC (52), ST (37), PWD (37)
|
2022-24
|
CAT Cut Off for IIM Shillong
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Shillong – PGP
|
General (60.99), EWS (55.69), SC (39.85), ST (35.92)
|
2023-25
|
Final Convert Cutoffs
|
IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff
| IIM & MBA Program | Category-Wise Cutoff | Batch | Remarks |
|
IIM Sambalpur – MBA
|
General (92), EWS (70), NC-OBC (74), SC (54), ST (40), PWD (40)
|
2024-26
|
|
|
IIM Sambalpur – MBA
|
General (92), EWS (70), NC-OBC (74), SC (54), ST (40), PWD (40)
|
2023-25
|
CAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected)
While CAT scores will officially be released only in January. The CAT answer key is out now. Based on the key, you can accurately gauge your score and compare it to previous years’ scores to get a fair idea of your percentile. And then, based on those percentiles, you can figure out the cutoffs you will most likely clear and the colleges to expect a call from.
Now that we have an idea of CAT scores, we can speculate about the percentile you’ll need for CAT 2026. Beware, the CAT cutoff is expected to track upwards due to the lower difficulty level of the exam. You can compare CAT scores vs percentiles to check the required scores.
We’ll continue to update this space based on new data as and when it comes in.
| PERCENTILE | VARC SCORE | DILR SCORE | QA SCORE | OVERALL SCORE |
| 80.00 | 18.00 | 17.00 | 11.00 | 43.00 |
| 85.00 | 20.00 | 19.00 | 14.00 | 49.00 |
| 90.00 | 24.00 | 22.00 | 17.00 | 57.00 |
| 95.00 | 30.00 | 27.00 | 22.00 | 70.00 |
| 98.00 | 36.00 | 34.00 | 29.00 | 85.00 |
| 99.00 | 41.00 | 38.00 | 33.00 | 96.00 |
| 100.00 | 59.00 | 63.00 | 57.00 | 151.00 |
CAT 2025 Percentile Predictor
The CAT 2025 response sheet is now released, use the predictor below to instantly estimate your percentile.
Calculate your CAT 2025 Percentile
Why CAT Sectional Cut Off Matters in Final Selection
Even with a 99+ overall percentile, failure to clear a single sectional cut-off can result in direct rejection. The CAT cut off of top IIMs, like Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Bangalore, and Calcutta require higher percentile of 99+ for general category candidates.
The other IIMs like Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode might have the cutoffs in the range of 91–99.5. The CAT cutoff 2026 required to get a shortlisting call from top IIMs will be much higher than the minimum qualifying score. For the IIMs with a legacy, general candidates will require above 99% to land a call. For other top MBA colleges, the percentile can range from 94% to 97%.
CAT Sectional Cut Offs for Top IIMs (Expected – General Category)
| IIM | VARC | DILR | QA |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 70–80 | 70–80 | 70–80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 80–85 | 75–80 | 75–80 |
| IIM Calcutta | 80–85 | 80–85 | 75–80 |
| IIM Lucknow | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Indore | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Shillong | 70 | 70 | 70 |
There are three CAP rounds for IIM admission until the final selection of the candidates. Such calls require the candidates to have a minimum of 95%. Some aspirants even get calls at scores as low as 89%-90%, depending on how many candidates didn’t opt for the seats in the initial rounds.
If you’re aiming to secure a seat in IIMs, it’s important for you to understand the CAT cut offs of IIM of your desire. Your applications will be shortlisted and carried forward only when you clear the CAT cutoff for 2025 along with the CAT sectional cutoffs of IIMs. We have analyzed the previous year’s cut-offs for IIMs and top MBA colleges across categories for you to get insights on CAT marks vs percentile.
What Was the Final Admission CAT Cutoff for Top IIMs in 2024-26? (Minimum CAT Score to Get Admission)
| Name of the IIMs | Final Admission CAT Cutoff 2024 Percentile (Lowest Score to Secure Admission) (General – Overall) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 93.76 |
| IIM Bangalore | 91.97 |
| IIM Calcutta | NA |
| IIM Lucknow | NA |
| IIM Indore | 92.92 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 88.14 |
| IIM Vizag | 82.03 |
| IIM Rohtak | 96 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
Read More – Top MBA Colleges of India – Compare fees, placement, and RoI
What Was the Minimum Qualifying Overall CAT Cutoff for all IIMs in 2024?
The minimum qualifying cutoff is only used to determine eligibility for the GDPI process. But clearing these cutoffs won’t guarantee a place on the shortlist. This is merely the minimum score you need to clear even to be considered for the GDPI process.
| IIMs | Qualifying CAT cutoff 2024 percentile (Minimum criteria) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Raipur | 95 |
| IIM Ranchi | 95 |
| IIM Kashipur | 95 |
| IIM Rohtak | 96 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95 |
| IIM Udaipur | 95 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 82 |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 92 |
| IIM Jammu | 92 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 95 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 95 |
Read More – MBA vs PGDM – Differences, salaries, jobs, higher education
Factors Determining IIM CAT Cutoff Every Year
IIM cutoffs aren’t static; they fluctuate annually based on multiple interconnected factors:
Exam Difficulty Level: When the CAT question paper is easier, more candidates score high marks, pushing percentiles down. Consequently, cutoff percentiles rise to maintain selection stringency. A moderately difficult exam typically produces the most stable, predictable cutoff distributions.
Number of Test-Takers: When CAT attracts 3.5–4 lakh candidates (recent years), percentile inflation is severe—a 99 percentile might require 120+ raw marks instead of 110+ in lower-participation years. More applicants naturally push qualifying cutoffs higher.
Percentage of Qualifiers: If 70% of candidates score above 90 percentile due to an easier paper, IIMs may raise the minimum qualifying cutoff from 85 to 90 percentile to maintain admission standards.
Seat Availability: If an IIM expects to admit 450 candidates and receives 50,000 applications, cutoffs must remain high to filter applicants proportionally. Conversely, increased seat availability softens cutoff requirements slightly.
Institute Reputation: Higher-ranked institutes (as per NIRF, QS, etc.) attract superior applicants, enabling slightly higher cutoffs. Tier 1 IIMs consistently maintain the highest standards, while newer institutes have gradually increased their standards as their reputation grows.
Cutoff Trends: IIMs don’t dramatically change cutoffs year-on-year. They maintain relative consistency, adjusting marginally for the factors above. This provides aspirants with historical cutoff data for reasonable predictions.
