More than 3,00,000 students are expected to appear in the CAT 2026 to secure a seat in the 21 IIMs and other 1300 B-schools across India. However, the CAT 2026 selection criteria for IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India will differ a lot. IIMs follow a strict and standardised pattern to evaluate the best candidates from the huge pool of aspirants. In 2026, the exam is expected to be conducted in the month of November 2026. If you’ve been preparing for the CAT exam, you know that the competition will be high.
Due to these reasons, IIMs have raised the bar of sectional cut-offs and overall CAT percentile, which requires intense preparation at a top-notch level. If you’re someone who’s specifically targeting to get into IIMs, then prior information about the CAT 2026 selection criteria for IIMs will be highly advantageous for you to achieve that dream goal. In this article, we are now going to discuss the major factors that IIMs consider to extract the top cream layer candidates for admission into the 2-year postgraduate MBA programme.
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What is the CAT 2026 Selection Criteria For IIMs?
The CAT 2026 selection criteria for IIMs have been divided across three stages,i.e, CAT score, GD-WAT-PI rounds performance and total composite score for final selection. IIM ABC (IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta) come under the list of Tier-1 MBA colleges in India. Many more IIMs and non-IIMs have made it to this list. Apart from this, several IIMs have been categorised under Tier 2 and Tier 3 MBA colleges in India. Below, we are sharing the most authentic information about the qualifying criteria that you must meet to get admission into your dream IIM (Indian Institute of Management) in 2026 to pursue a 24-month MBA programme, which is a mix of a structured academic curriculum, summer internships, extra-curricular activities and 100% guaranteed job placement at global firms.
3 Stage IIMs Selection Criteria For CAT 2026
Every year, IIMs release their selection criteria to let the students know the actual graph of the shortlisting process. It’s a three-stage procedure where a wide range of factors are taken into consideration to assess the candidates. At first, IIMs evaluate the candidate based on the overall CAT Percentile. In the next stage of CAT 2026 selection criteria for IIMs, every candidate will be judged across numerous components like group discussion, written ability test, personal interview performance and a lot more.
During the last stage, all factors like the CAT score, 10th and 12th academic qualifications, graduation scores, work experience, gender diversity, academic diversity and GD-WAT-PI are taken into the final consideration to generate a composite score of every candidate. Here’s the complete breakdown of the CAT 2026 selection criteria for IIMs, which is divided across three stages.
Stage 1
- Check your CAT score via the official website.
- If you have achieved the mandatory sectional cut-off and overall percentile, then visit the official website of the IIM and log in to submit your CAT score.
- Next, you have to apply for the GD-WAT-PI round from the IIMs’ official portal.
Stage 2
- IIMs will evaluate the profiles of the candidates who applied for the GDWAT-PI rounds. The top evaluating factors will be the CAT 2026 score and educational qualifications.
- In the next stage, shortlisted candidates will receive the interview letter to appear for the GD-WAT-PI round, which will happen in various designated cities from February to April.
- GD or Group Discussion will be the first round to assess the effective communication, cross-collaboration, leadership, critical thinking and leadership qualities.
- The WAT or Written Ability Test will take place in an offline mode to analyse the thought structure of the candidates on a particular topic.
- At the end, IIMs conduct the PI round to screen the entire background, career vision, general knowledge and additional interests of the students.
- It’s mandatory to clear every stage of the GD-WAT-PI round as it holds a considerable weightage in the shortlisting process.
- You need to score at least 30-40% in the GD-PI-WAT round to clear Stage 2 of the CAT 2026 selection criteria, followed by IIMs.
Stage 3
This is the final stage where IIMs will evaluate 8 prominent factors to generate the total composite score (CS) of every candidate. A complete list of all the major factors has been addressed below for your reference. Note that your final composite score will decide if you will receive the final admission letter from the IIMs or not. If you achieve the CS criteria for the specific IIM, then you will most likely receive the enrollment letter.
CAT 2026: Composite Score Major Components
| Main Particulars | Key Notes |
| CAT (Common Admission Test) Score | The actual percentile in CAT 2026. |
| Class 10th Percentage | Gross marks in the SSC examination. |
| Class 12th Percentage | Total score in the HSC examination. |
| Graduation Score | Total percentage in the 3-year UG course duration. |
| Professional Experience | It differs for every IIM. You will get extra points between 1-5 for your professional experience. |
| GD-WAT-PI Performance | Your overall performance in the second stage of the selection process. |
| Gender Diversity | Again, female and transgender candidates get extra marks in a range between 1-5 to maintain the balance between equal opportunities. |
| Academic Diversity | Non-engineering students get extra marks. Here also, it varies for every IIM. |
CAT 2026: Basic Eligibility Criteria For IIMs
Earlier, we spoke about the shortlisting factors and the final process. Here, we will address the standard academic guidelines that you must meet to appear for the CAT 2026 exam. Above all, you will make it to the IIMs selection process only if you decide to appear for the CAT exam and qualify with a spectacular score, either 95%ile+ or 99.99%ile. Once you qualify, apply for the next round and wait for the confirmation from the IIMs. Given below is the list of key eligibility requirements for the CAT 2026 exam, which will take place all across India.
- You must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in the 10+2 examination.
- 45% marks or a relevant CGPA is the minimum passing criteria for the SC/ST/PwD candidates.
- Your degree must have received recognition from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, or equivalent bodies like UGC/AICTE.
- Final year students must submit a provisional certificate from their Principal while applying for the CAT 2026. In this case, you will receive admission only if you submit educational proof with a satisfactory percentage.
- Students with professional degree courses like Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), and Cost Accountant (ICWA) can also submit an online application for the CAT 2026. Candidates from the General/EWS/OBC category must score a minimum of 50% after completing their professional degree. SC/ST/PwD candidates will get a relaxation of 5% with 45% being the mandatory percentage.
- IIMs have not set an upper age limit for the CAT 2026. Anyone who meets the basic expectations can appear for this national-level entrance exam.
CAT 2026: Category-Wise Selection Criteria for IIMs
The Indian Constitution has given certain benefits to the candidates who belong to the SC/ST/OBC-NCL, EWS and PwD categories. In every IIM, there will be a certain set of seats for candidates from the reserved categories. To avail the benefits, you will have to enter your reservation category in the CAT 2026 application form and must also attach a caste certificate to facilitate the verification process.
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026
| Reservation Category | Reservation (%) |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| OBC-NCL (Other Backwards Classes- Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) | 10% |
| PwD ( Persons With Disabilities ) | 5% |
CAT 2026: Key Events and Important Dates
| CAT 2026 Main Events | Tentative Dates |
| CAT 2026 Notification Out Date | Last week of July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts From | In the first week of August 2026 |
| Last Date To Apply For CAT 2026 | 4th week of September 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Correction Window Opening Date | October 2026 |
| Download CAT Exam 2026 Admit Card | November 2026 (First Week) |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | 4th week of November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Release Date | First to mid-week of December 2026 |
| Result Date For the CAT Exam 2026 | End of December 2026 |
Complete List of 21 IIMs Participating in the CAT 2026 Selection Criteria
| IIM Name | NIRF Ranking 2025 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1 |
| IIM Bangalore | 2 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 3 |
| IIM Calcutta | 7 |
| IIM Lucknow | 5 |
| IIM Indore | 8 |
| IIM Shillong | 38 |
| IIM Rohtak | 19 |
| IIM Ranchi | 18 |
| IIM Raipur | 15 |
| IIM Trichy | 16 |
| IIM Kashipur | 23 |
| IIM Udaipur | 21 |
| IIM Nagpur | 25 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 29 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 31 |
| IIM Amritsar | 64 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 51 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 34 |
| IIM Jammu | 35 |
| IIM Mumbai | 6 |
How Can You Achieve the CAT 2026 Selection Criteria For IIMs?
An in-depth understanding of the CAT syllabus 2026 will be your first step to achieve the selection criteria for CAT 2026 set by the IIMs. Once you know about the high-weightage and low-weightage topics, then accordingly build a 100% well-balanced preparation plan. Start with the high-scoring topics first and practice basic, medium, to advanced-level questions daily. On the other hand, watch the live lectures, pre-recorded sessions and video solutions carefully to gain a solid understanding of the topic from scratch. Lastly, appear for sectional and full-length mocks and analyse your performance regularly while ensuring that you are not repeating the common mistakes.
Final Words
The CAT 2026 Selection Criteria for IIMs are different every year. Amongst all the 21 IIMs, IIM ABC (IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta) has set the highest benchmark to shortlist the candidates from the crème da crème layer. Your CAT score will play the lead, which will be followed by the academic background, employability proof and experience, your gender, academic diversity and GD-WAT-PI performance. Join iQuanta’s CAT 2026 Full Course, CAT 2026+IIMABC Practice Batch or any other relevant course to prepare for CAT 2026 with the best experts. More than 500 students from our previous batches have obtained a 99%ile in the CAT and have made it to their dream IIM or B-school. Who knows, you can be the next one? Hurry up and enrol now at the best price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAT 2026 selection criteria for IIMs?
IIMs follow a structured shortlisting criteria to select the best bunch of intellectual minds for providing admission into the 2-year full-time residential MBA programme. Your CAT score, 10th and 12th marks, graduation marks, gender, academic diversity, work experience and GD-WAT-PI round performance will play a prominent factor in your final selection.
Do all IIMs follow a similar shortlisting process?
Each IIM has an independent list of parameters and a shortlisting process to evaluate the candidates. Only the CAT score is the universal factor. Besides this, the weightage differs for the educational achievements, work experience, gender diversity, academic diversity and GD-WAT-PI performance.
Which is the best coaching institute for CAT 2026 preparation?
iQuanta has been leading the success graph of providing first-class guidance and assistance to the CAT aspirants. With the help of skilled teaching professionals at iQuanta, we have helped more than 1200+ students to score above 99%iler in the CAT exam.
What weightage will the CAT score hold in the selection criteria?
The CAT exam will hold a substantial weightage in the actual CAT exam. If you’re appearing in the CAT 2026, your ultimate goal should be to attain a good sectional score in the Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, along with an overall high percentile.
Do I need to clear the sectional cut-off in the CAT 2026?
Yes, the CAT exam will be divided into the three major sections,i.e, QA, VARC and DILR. There will be 68 questions in the question paper. Ensure to attempt questions with 85-90% accuracy to obtain a high score in the actual exam. There will be +3 marking for every correct response and -1 for an incorrect answer. Moreover, there will be no negative marking if you provide a wrong answer for the TITA questions. Lastly, you will receive zero marks if you don’t attempt any question in the CAT 2026 entrance exam next year.
