The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are undoubtedly the sought-after dream destination for aspirants who want to make a successful career in management when it comes to MBA admissions in India. IIMs stand among the nation’s premier business schools and represent the pinnacle of business education in the country with their top-notch faculty, world-class infrastructure, alumni networks, and placement opportunities that attract global recruiters. But do you think that by only cracking CAT you can get into IIMs? No, your academic background also matters here.
The weightage given to class 10th and 12th marks is the most debated question of IIM admissions over the years. Some of the experts suggest that it ensures consistency, while others argue that it is unfair for those who might have underperformed due to unavoidable circumstances but may carry an extraordinary aptitude. The central question to this argument is: Should IIMs reduce the weightage of Class 10th & 12th marks in admissions? Let’s dive deep into both sides of the argument.
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IIM Admission Weightage for Class 10th & 12th Marks
Let’s understand the breakdown of class 10th and 12th weightage (along with CAT and other factors) for major IIMs.
| IIMs | CAT Weightage | Academic Weightage | WAT & PI Weightage | Diversity Weightage | Work Experience Weightage |
| IIM A, B, C | 55-65% | 20-30% | 25-45% | 5% | 5-10% |
| Mid-Tier IIMs (L, K, I) | 45-55% | 25-35% | 20-30% | 5-10% | 5-10% |
| New IIMs (Ranchi, Trichy, Udaipur, etc.) | 40-50% | 20-30% | 20-30% | 5-10% | 5-10% |
Why Do IIMs Give Weightage to Class 10th & 12th Marks?
The IIMs have a holistic admission process, which does not rely only on CAT scores. Let’s understand why IIMs give weightage to class 10th & 12th marks.
- Academic Consistency: A candidate who scores good results in boards is considered to have been disciplined and hardworking over the years.
- Predictor of Future Performance: Some argue that a candidate’s outstanding past academic performance indicates how they will perform in a rigorous MBA program.
- Filtering Mechanism: Among the CAT aspirants who are appearing for the entrance exam every year, academic scores help in filtering candidates who are beyond just percentile cut-offs.
- Rewarding All-Rounders: IIMs are seeking candidates who topped not only aptitude tests but also their academic journey.
In Favor of Reducing the Weightage of Class 10th & 12th Marks
Let’s learn and understand the case for reducing the weightage of class 10th & 12th marks during IIM admissions.
- Students mature at different stages of their lives. Not every student performs equally well at 15 or 17 years of age. Making them sacrifice for low scores in teenage years seems unfair for MBA admissions. Some students outshine at an early stage, and some take time to bloom; some will find their strength in college itself.
- Students who score 90% in school exams may indicate diligence, but it does not reflect the leadership qualities, critical thinking, and business acumen. Rather than 10th and 12th marks, CAT, interviews, and work experience arguably provide a better reflection of managerial potential.
- Students from CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards have different marking schemes. A 95% in one board might be equivalent to an 85% in another. Using these marks without normalization disadvantages students from stricter boards.
- Over the years, the evaluation standards have changed. Board exams have seen major changes like reduced syllabus and choice-based questions. For example, a student from 2020, who didn’t appear for board exams (during COVID), would get judged on the same scale as one from 2010 who went through rigorous evaluation, which will clearly be a disadvantage for the former.
- Many students who scored low in Class 12th due to any family urgency or financial struggle should not get punished for such mishappening, as they can still turn life around with hard work, a good graduation, and excellent CAT performance.
In Against of Reducing the Weightage of Class 10th & 12th Marks
Now, let’s understand the case against reducing the weightage of class 10th and 12th marks during IIM admissions.
- A valuable trait in a leading manager is consistent performance. A student who consistently performs well with good and consistent performance will surely demonstrate this trait in him/her. Hence, academic consistency matters.
- The CAT exam is a single-day exam, and a student who is having luck or with the test-taking strategies will perform well in the exam. Therefore, past academic marks ensure that selection isn’t reduced to just one aptitude test.
- Academic scores help in differentiating between thousands of students who score above 99 percentile in CAT. Without academic filters, IIMs would be flooded with identical profiles.
- Some of the IIMs combine the board scores with other factors like gender diversity and academics, which ensures that engineers don’t dominate the batch completely, and students from different streams also get the chance to enter the IIMs.
- At the time of placements, recruiters also value consistency. Some of the top recruiters at IIMs consider the class 10th and 12th marks, and by considering this at the admission stage, IIMs are preparing their students to meet the industry expectations.
A Middle-Way: Possible Alternatives
Rather than sticking firmly to board marks, IIMs could consider:
- Reducing the weightage to 10-15% instead of the 30-40% weightage in some IIMs.
- To level the field for board difficulty, a standard normalization formula can be accepted.
- Since MBA is a postgraduate program, more emphasis can be kept on graduation marks instead of 10th and 12th marks.
- Some compensating factors could be used, like work experience, extracurriculars, or leadership roles, to balance the weaker school performance.
It’s not that school marks should be removed completely. They do reflect various qualities of a student, like discipline, perseverance, and academic abilities. But should they dominate over CAT scores, graduation marks, and personal achievements? Probably not.
Many experts argue that graduation marks should be considered as an additional criterion instead of a decisive factor. A candidate’s excellent CAT performance and strong communication skills should not be sidelined with slightly lower academic marks.
Conclusion
So, should IIMs reduce the weightage of class 10th and 12th marks in admissions? The answer isn’t white or black. On one hand, rewarding the consistent performers is very much logical, but on the other hand, punishing the students for mistakes made in their teenage years seems rigid for institutions that are supposed to identify future leaders. As the education system is transforming with its diverse backgrounds, changing board structures, and global competition, IIMs must ensure that their admissions remain holistic.
Ultimately, the question is: Do we want IIM classrooms to be filled with only consistent toppers, or do we want a mix of dreamers, late bloomers, and comeback stories who can equally shine as leaders? Perhaps the best solution doesn’t lie in removing board marks, but in the right balance where past performance will matter but the future potential matters even more.
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Should IIMs Reduce the Weightage of Class 10th & 12th Marks in Admissions? – FAQs
IIMs believe that consistency indicates discipline and long-term commitment, which are very important traits for a future leader.
Yes, but it is tougher. A good CAT score, strong graduation performance, and interview performance can altogether compensate.
Yes, there are chances, as some IIMs have already adjusted their admission criteria (especially after COVID-19).
No. Institutes like FMS Delhi and XLRI put more focus on entrance exam scores and less on academics.
