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IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cutoff 2025: Expected CAT Cutoff, Sectional Requirements & Selection Process

IIM Ahmedabad is one of the most competitive MBA institutes in India, with cutoffs far higher than the minimum qualifying percentiles. This blog explains the expected CAT 2025 cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad, including sectional requirements, category-wise cutoffs, composite score calculation, and the complete selection process for the 2026-28 batch.

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IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cutoff 2025: IIM Ahmedabad is still India’s first choice for MBA students. It is known as the “WIMWI” (Well-Known Institute Management in Western India) or the “Mecca of Management.” To get into the 2026-28 PGP batch, you need to know the CAT 2025 results. Knowing the IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff 2025 is the first thing you need to do to make sure you get a spot.

Just like other B-schools, IIM Ahmedabad utilises a multi-faceted selection procedure wherein the CAT percentile is one of the most important aspects of the comprehensive assessment. This blog provides a detailed analysis of the anticipated cutoffs, sectional requirements, and the intricate shortlisting criteria for the forthcoming academic year. 

Also read: Top MBA colleges in India 

IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff 2025

Before getting into the numbers, it’s important to know the difference between two types of cutoffs:

  • Qualifying Cutoff (Minimum Eligibility): This is the lowest score you must get on each part of CAT to even be considered for the next round. Meeting this doesn’t promise a call; it just puts you in the running.
  • Final Shortlisting Cutoff (Actual Call): This is the actual percentile at which IIM A sends out interview calls. Historically, for the General category, this is significantly higher than the qualifying cutoff.

Also Read: IIM Shillong CAT Cutoff | IIM Amritsar CAT Cutoff 

Expected IIM Ahmedabad Qualifying CAT Cutoff 2025 

According to the official admission rules for the 2026-28 cohort, the requisite minimum sectional and overall percentiles for eligibility to participate in the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds are outlined below. 

IIMA Qualifying Cutoff for PGP 2026-28

Category VARC Percentile DILR Percentile QA Percentile Overall Percentile
General/unreserved 70 70 70 80
EWS 70 70 70 80
NC-OBC 65 65 65 75
SC 60 60 60 70
ST 50 50 50 60
PwD 60 60 60 70

Note: The overall qualifying CAT cutoff for General candidates is 80 percentile, but the actual calling CAT cutoff typically ranges around 99.5+ percentile due to the substantial number of elite applicants. 

Also Check: IIM JAP Stage-1 Calls Out

Expected Category-Wise IIM Ahmedabad Overall CAT 2025 Cutoff 

Considering historical trends and the complexity of the CAT examination, the anticipated final cutoffs for the 2026-28 cohort are forecasted as follows: 

Category Expected IIMA CAT 2025 Cutoff
General 99
EWS 96
NC-OBC 96
SC 90
ST 90
PwD 90

Also Read: How To Get into IIM: Admission and Selection Process

IIM Ahmedabad Selection Criteria 2026-28

IIM Ahmedabad employs a “Composite Score” (CS) for candidate shortlisting. This guarantees that the cohort is varied, comprising not only “CAT toppers” but also persons with exceptional academic credentials and professional expertise. 

The Two Stages of Shortlisting

Stage 1: Preliminary Screening (Exception for Toppers)

IIM A has a unique “Academic Record” based shortlisting. Top performers from various academic disciplines (Arts, Commerce, Science, etc.) are invited for interviews even if their CAT percentile is slightly lower than the general cutoff, provided they are in the top 100 or 1% of their respective academic categories.

Stage 2: Composite Score Calculation

For the majority of candidates, the shortlisting is based on the Application Rating (AR) score and the CAT score.

The Application Rating (AR) is calculated based on:

  • Class 10th Marks (Rating A)
  • Class 12th Marks (Rating B)
  • Graduation Marks (Rating C)
  • Work Experience (Rating D)

The formula for the Composite Score (CS) used for shortlisting is:

CS = 0.35 X (AR Score / Max. AR Score) + 0.65 X (CAT Score / Max. CAT Score)

IIM Ahmedabad Program-Wise Cutoff 2025

If you are an Indian applicant, you have to get a good score on CAT 2025. However, IIM Ahmedabad uses different weights and standards for each school. Here is an in-depth look at the requirements to get into the most-wanted schools and when the final cuts are likely to happen.

Program Name Minimum Qualifying Cutoff (General) Expected Final Shortlist Percentile (General) Target Audience & Eligibility
PGP (Post Graduate Programme) 80 Percentile 99.5+ Percentile Graduates from any discipline; heavy focus on academic diversity.
PGP-FABM (Food & Agri-Business) 80 Percentile 92 – 96 Percentile Candidates with a background in Agriculture, Biology, or Allied sciences.

Conclusion

Securing a seat at IIM Ahmedabad is a marathon, not a sprint. While the IIM Ahmedabad Cutoff 2025 is the first hurdle, your overall profile—including academic consistency and work experience- plays a decisive role. If you are targeting the 2025-27 cohort, ensure you concentrate on sustaining a comprehensive preparation that extends beyond the CAT curriculum. 

Read More: GD-PI-WAT Preparation | IIM Admission Process after CAT Result

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Is 99 percentile enough for IIM Ahmedabad?

A: If the grades (10th, 12th, or graduation) are average for a General Engineer Male (GEM), a 99 percentile might not be enough. A call at 98.5-99 percentile is possible for people who aren’t engineers or who have great academic records. It must be noted that 99%ile does not guarantee a call from IIM Ahmedabad since other factors are also considered. 

Q: Does IIM Ahmedabad have sectional cutoffs?

A: Yes, to make it to the shortlist for the General area, you need to get at least a 70% score on each of the three parts (VARC, DILR, and QA).

Q: What is the weightage of the interview in final selection?

A: The Personal Interview (PI) is the most important part of the admissions process because it counts for 50% of the final decision.

Q: Can a student who took a year off get into IIMA?

A: Yes. IIM Ahmedabad doesn’t directly punish gap years. Your chances are still good as long as you can explain the gap in your interview and have a good CAT score and resume.

Author

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    Yuvakshi is a skilled content writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts for CAT and MBA aspirants. She blends practical exam insights with a clear, engaging writing style that makes challenging topics easier to understand. With her strong interest in management education and student success, she creates content that helps aspirants prepare smarter, not harder. Through her writing, she aims to make the CAT journey less intimidating by bridging the gap between concepts and clarity.

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