CAT Selection Process: IIM, Non-IIM Selection Process and Dates

The CAT is a highly competitive exam, and so is the selection process. With thousands of candidates vying for limited seats in prestigious management institutes or B-schools, significant pressure is created throughout the journey. To keep you sorted, the article uncovers some vital information regarding the CAT selection process. Read on to learn more.  

The CAT selection process for MBA admissions has two main stages:

1. CAT Score Cut-off: Each B-school sets a minimum CAT score you need to pass to be considered (usually 90%ile for top programs).

2. Shortlisted Candidates: If you meet the cut-off, you may be called for WAT (writing test), GD (group discussion), and PI (interview) to assess your well-roundedness for the program.

Your final selection depends on a combination of your CAT score and performance in these additional rounds.

Down below are the important dates for CAT 2024. However, the group discussion and writing tests are conducted by the institute separately. So a confirmed date is available for that. 

IIM admission criteria involve a blend of academic performance, entrance exam scores, and other factors to evaluate a candidate's suitability for their MBA programs. Here's a breakdown:

Basic Eligibility:

• Graduation with a minimum percentage (usually 50% for general category, 45% for reserved categories) from a recognized university.

• Minimum age requirement (often 21 years).

Entrance Exam:

• Scoring well on the CAT (Common Admission Test) is crucial. Cut-offs are high, especially for top IIMs (often exceeding 90 percentiles for the general category).

Shortlisting and Selection:

• After clearing the CAT cut-off, IIMs shortlist candidates based on their CAT score and other factors like academic record (might include scores from 10th and 12th standard for some IIMs).

• Shortlisted candidates are invited for a Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).

Final Selection:

• IIMs consider a composite score combining your CAT score, WAT/GD/PI performance, and sometimes your academic record and work experience.

• Based on this score and available seats, the final selection is made.

There are 21 Indian Institute of Management colleges and considered most prestigious set of institutions across India. The various IIMs are -Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bodh Gaya, Kolkata, Indore, Kashipur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Nagpur, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Sambalpur, Shillong, Sirmaur, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, Mumbai, Jammu and Visakhapatnam.

The overall selection procedure for CAT 2024 is more or less same across all IIM’s, however the weightage of each component varies. The admission criteria for IIMs is an elaborate process

The IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) 2024 serves as the conclusive stage for MBA admission across participating IIMs. Employing a unified framework, CAP traditionally entails a Writing Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). In 2024, the CAP transitioned to an online format to mitigate travel expenses for applicants.

The CAP selection procedure typically comprises the subsequent stages:

1. Candidates designate their preferred IIM campuses within the CAT application form.

2. CAP institutes undertake shortlisting based on CAT scores and additional criteria for the WAT-PI.

3. Shortlisted candidates receive notification via email from the CAP conducting IIM regarding selection for the WAT-PI rounds at specific IIMs.

4. Selected candidates complete an online form to confirm their participation in the WAT-PI.

5. Confirmed participants receive an email from the CAP conducting IIM detailing the date and online platform for the WAT-PI session.

Each year, approximately 200,000 candidates take the CAT exam. The top business schools offer around 5,000 to 6,000 seats in total. This translates to an acceptance rate of approximately 2.5% to 3%. 

Some top non-IIM colleges that accept CAT 2024 score are – MDI, IMT's, XIMB, GIM, DIME- IIT Kanpur, Great Lakes, TAPMI, SPJIMR, IFMR, IMS, Loyola, and IRMA.

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of CAT 2024 cutoff and called for WAT, GD and PI rounds. Each component has a weightage which is unique to the college and the colleges announce all details regarding the selection criteria on their official websites.

Get Latest Update on CAT Exam 2024 Registration Date Syllabus and Pattern

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