Cracking the CAT is a milestone – one that represents months of discipline, strategy, self-correction, and relentless effort. But once the exam is over, another equally crucial phase begins: the IIM shortlisting and selection process. For many aspirants, this post-CAT phase feels confusing because every IIM follows its own admission criteria, weightages, and cut-offs. Understanding how shortlisting works, what parameters matter, and how to prepare for the second stage determines whether your CAT score finally transforms into an IIM admit.
This blog/guide explains everything that happens after the CAT exam, how IIMs shortlist candidates, what the selection rounds include, and how you can maximize your chances – even if your CAT percentile isn’t sky-high.
1. What happens immediately after CAT?
Once the CAT exam concludes, the first big event is the CAT answer key and response sheet release, followed by a short window to challenge discrepancies. After this, the final answer key is published and the CAT result/scorecard because available – usually in the first week of January.
Your CAT percentile becomes the benchmark for Phase 1 shortlisting at most IIMs. However, a widespread misconception is that the CAT percentile is everything. In reality:
· IIMs follow a multi-parameter selection process.
· Some IIMs give considerable weightage to academics, work experience, diversity, and sometimes even the 10th-12th subject combinations.
So, once results are out, you must understand where you stand, which IIMs you may be shortlisted for, and how to prepare for the second stage.
2. Understanding the IIM Shortlisting Criteria
Each IIM independently releases its shortlisting criteria for the Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT).
Let’s break down the common variables that influence the shortlist.
A. CAT Percentile
This is the primary filter across all IIMs. Broadly:
· Top IIMs (A, B, C): Shortlisting often starts at 98-99+ percentile for general category aspirants.
· New & baby IIMs: Shortlists often begin from 92-96 percentile range.
However, these numbers can shift depending on:
· Competition level
· Difficulty of CAT
· Category
· Gender/academic diversity factors
B. Academic Performance (10th, 12th & Graduation Marks)
Many IIMs, especially IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Indore, place significant weightage on past academics. Consistently strong academic performance improves your shortlisting prospects even at slightly lower percentiles.
Examples:
- IIM Bangalore considers 10th, 12th, graduation marks + work experience heavily.
- IIM Ahmedabad uses the Academic Rating (AR) to evaluate academics.
A candidate with:
- 95/95/85 may have a smoother path than someone with
- 80/80/70, even with the same CAT percentile.
C. Academic Diversity
To balance class composition, IIMs give additional marks to non-engineering students. This diversity factor mostly helps:
- Commerce graduates
- Arts & Humanities students
- Law students
- Pure science candidates
Engineers, being the majority in CAT, usually do not get diversity points.
D. Gender Diversity
To make classrooms more diverse, many IIMs award extra points to female and non-binary candidates during shortlisting. This policy helps improve representation, especially in the flagship PGP/MBA programs.
E. Work Experience
Many IIMs reward relevant, full-time, quality work experience. On average:
- 1–3 years is considered ideal for the maximum score.
- Freshers are not at a disadvantage—they simply miss work-ex points, but often gain from academic or gender diversity weights.
Good work experience not only improves your shortlist chances but also strengthens PI performance.
3. IIM Shortlisting Process: Step-by-Step
Let’s simplify the entire journey.
Step 1: CAT Score Normalization
Your performance across slots is normalized. Then:
- Scaled scores
- Percentile calculation
This is all internal but affects shortlisting.
Step 2: IIMs Release Shortlisting Criteria
Between December and January, each IIM publishes its formula for computing composite scores.
Step 3: Composite Score Calculation
Typical components include:
- CAT percentile (40–60% weightage in many IIMs)
- Academics (20–30%)
- Work experience (5–10%)
- Gender/academic diversity (2–5%)
Your composite score determines whether you make the shortlist.
Step 4: Shortlist for WAT/PI
By mid-January to early February, IIMs announce interview shortlists on their websites. You check using:
- CAT registration number
- Email ID
Step 5: WAT/PI/Extempore/Case Analysis
Shortlisted candidates attend the second stage selection process.
4. The Second Stage: WAT, PI & AWT Explained
Once shortlisted, the real competition begins. This phase is where you differentiate yourself—because many candidates have similar CAT percentiles, but not everyone performs well here.
A. WAT – Written Ability Test
Most IIMs conduct a Written Ability Test on:
- Current affairs
- Social issues
- Abstract topics
- Business/economic scenarios
You get 15–20 minutes to write a structured, coherent essay. What IIMs evaluate:
- Clarity of thought
- Argument quality
- Writing flow
- Grammar & structure
B. AWT – Analytical Writing Test (IIM Ahmedabad)
Instead of WAT, IIM Ahmedabad gives a short caselet where you must:
- Analyse the situation
- Identify gaps
- Provide logical reasoning
It checks your decision-making and analytical thinking.
C. PI – Personal Interview
The PI is the most decisive round.
Common areas assessed:
- Academics (especially graduation subjects)
- Work experience knowledge
- Career clarity & goals (Why MBA? Why IIM? Why this specialization?)
- Personality & confidence
- Communication ability
- Awareness of world affairs
Interviewers often go deep into:
- Your background
- Your hobbies
- Projects, internships
- Achievements and failures
A strong PI can convert mid-tier scores into top IIM admits.
D. Extempore / Group Discussion (GD)
Some new IIMs conduct:
- Extempore speech (speak instantly on a given topic)
- Group Discussion
- Case analysis
These evaluate leadership, thinking speed, and communication.
5. Final Selection: How IIMs Make the Merit List
After WAT/PI, IIMs prepare the final merit list. The weightage changes again in this stage.
Typical weight distribution:
- PI (30–50%)
- WAT/AWT (10–20%)
- CAT percentile (20–35%)
- Academics (5–10%)
- Work experience (5–10%)
Some important insights:
- A stellar PI can compensate for a lower CAT score.
- Weak PI performance can drop even a 99.5 percentile candidate.
- Clarity, honesty, and depth matter more than fancy vocabulary.
You receive the final offer letter between March and May.
6. What If You Don’t Get an IIM Shortlist? Alternatives to Consider
An IIM call is prestigious, but not the only path to a top-quality MBA. Several institutes offer excellent placements, industry partnerships, and global exposure.
Consider:
- FMS Delhi
- XLRI
- SPJIMR
- MDI Gurgaon
- IIFT
- IMT Ghaziabad
- IIT Schools of Management
- TAPMI
- Great Lakes
- NMIMS
- Symbiosis institutes
If you believe you can perform better, you may also:
- Reattempt CAT
- Explore GMAT/GRE-based programs
- Consider executive programs after gaining work experience
7. How to Prepare for WAT/PI After CAT
Your preparation must begin right after the CAT, not after shortlists are announced.
Here’s a practical plan:
A. Build Strong Current Affairs Awareness
Read:
- Business newspapers
- Editorials
- Economy summaries
- Global political developments
Be prepared to discuss both sides of any topic confidently.
B. Prepare Your Personal Story
You must articulate:
- About yourself
- Reason for MBA
- Career goals
- Strengths & weaknesses
- Past achievements
Authenticity matters.
C. Review Your Graduation Subjects
Whether in engineering, commerce, science, or humanities, questions often come from your academic background.
D. Brush Up Company & Job Profile Knowledge
If you have work experience:
- Know your company
- Your role
- Tools/technologies used
- Key challenges
- Industry landscape
E. Write Practice Essays (WAT)
Practice clarity, structure, and writing speed.
F. Mock PIs
Take mock interviews to:
- Improve confidence
- Address blind spots
- Learn structured answering
Final Advice: What Students Must Remember?
- CAT is just Stage 1, not the final goal.
- A strong profile + good preparation for WAT/PI is essential.
- Even without a top percentile, you can convert new IIMs with strong interviews.
- Focus on building clarity, depth, and confidence.
- Keep multiple colleges in your consideration list.
Your journey doesn’t end with CAT—it evolves. Every step you take after the exam plays a decisive role in shaping your MBA future.
