How To Get In to IIM With Poor Academics: Dreaming of an IIM seat but thinking that lacking in academic score will hamper you? You are in good company. Thousands of competent aspirants every year ask whether it is possible to get into IIM with ill grades. The answer being an encouraging one! Thus, though a great academic record helps, it is not the only path to the top business schools in India. With a good strategy, a strong CAT score, and effective profile-building, candidates with mediocre marks can still secure admission to their dream IIM or B-school.
In this article, we shall cover the required CAT score for IIM with low academics, how to get admission in IIM with a bad academic background, and profiting tips for profile building for IIM hopefuls with low academics. If you follow this pathway, you can transform your dream into a reality irrespective of what your marksheet says!
How To Get Into IIM With Poor Academics?
Of course. In contrast to the top IIM colleges like Ahmedabad and Bangalore that give weight-age to your 10th-grade, 12th-grade, and graduation marks, many other IIMs and top MBA colleges in India lay greater stress on your CAT score, work experience, and overall profile. Even candidates with 50–60% in graduation have made it to IIMs by compensating with an exceptional CAT percentile and strong profile elements.
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CAT Score Required for IIM With Poor Academics
The CAT score required for IIM with low academics is typically higher than the ones for students with high academics. For most IIMs, the minimum cut-off stands at around 85–90 percentile, but you may actually have to move past 96–99 percentile in reality to offset the slow academic background. Let us see a table with typical CAT cut-offs for some IIMs:
Weightage given to past acads by top B schools in India
| College | CAT Score | 10th | 12th | Grad. | Work Ex. | Academic Diversity | Gender Diversity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 65 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 0.00 | 0 |
| IIM Bangalore | 55 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0.00 | 5 |
| IIM Calcutta | 56 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 |
| IIM Lucknow | 60 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5.00 | 5 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 45 | 25 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 0.00 | 10 |
| IIM Indore | 35 | 39 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 |
| IIM Shillong | 60 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 0.00 | 0 |
| FMS Delhi | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
Note: Actual shortlisting percentiles are often higher than the official minimums, especially for candidates with poor academics.
*FMS also gives 5 marks for gender diversity to females.
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How to Crack IIM With Poor Academics Background
1. Ace the CAT Exam
- Focus on achieving a CAT percentile above 96–99 to compensate for low academic scores.
- Extensively prepare for all the three sections: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
2. Target the Right IIMs
- Some IIMs (such as Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Shillong, and the newer ones) give less weightage to past academics and more weightage to CAT scores, work experience, and diversity factors.
3. Build a Strong Profile
- Work Experience: 2+ years of relevant work experience will substantially increase your chances.
- Extracurricular Activities: Engagement in leadership roles, sports, arts, and volunteering activities show well-roundedness.
- Certifications & Courses: Get yourself certified in management, analytics, or in your area of interest.
- Live Projects & Internships: Imbibe some practical exposure through internships or management projects.
- Blogging/Public Speaking: Start a blog or join organizations like Toastmasters to improve communication skills.
4. Prepare for the Interview
- Be readily available to narrate your academic journey to an IIM admissions committee honestly and portray your strong points, achievements, and failures from which you learned.
- Keep track of current affairs; the more you keep up with news, especially in business and economic arenas, the more you will prove your worth in GD/PI rounds.
Also Read, How To Prepare Verbal Ability for CAT 2025? Check Now
Best Profile Building Tips for IIM Aspirants With Weak Academics
| Profile Element | Why It Matters | How to Build It |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience | Shows maturity, practical knowledge | Full-time jobs, internships, leadership roles |
| Certifications | Demonstrates upskilling and initiative | Online courses (e.g., Analytics, Marketing) |
| Extracurriculars | Proves leadership, teamwork, diversity | Sports, arts, clubs, volunteering |
| Public Speaking/Blogging | Enhances communication, confidence | Toastmasters, personal blog, webinars |
| Live Projects | Adds practical management exposure | Internships, consulting projects |
| Hobbies | Shows passion, personality | Pursue and highlight genuine interests |
Also Read, Which Study Material Is Best For CAT Exam Preparation?
Top Non-IIM B-Schools to Consider With Low Academics
Now, if you are ever afraid of the IIMs, here is a list of renowned B-schools in India that consider applicants with low academic percentage and high percentile marks in entrance examinations.
| B-School | Exam Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT | Top HR program, less focus on academics |
| FMS Delhi | CAT | High ROI, focus on CAT score |
| MDI Gurgaon | CAT | Strong placements, holistic selection |
| IIFT Delhi | IIFT | International Business focus |
| IIT Bombay | CAT | IIT brand, strong industry links |
| IIT Delhi | CAT | Good placements, less academic weight |
| SIBM Pune | SNAP | Popular for HRM, less academic focus |
Also Read, IIM Shortlisting Criteria 2025: Composite Score, CAT Percentile
How To Get Into IIM With Poor Academics?: Conclusion
What to get into an institute at IIM with poor grades? If so, you will have to make-up by having good CAT marks, work experience relevant to the field, and an all-around profile. Concentrate and work on things within your control—CAT preparation, building your profile, and targeting the right IIMs and B-schools suitable for your background.
Best profile building tips for IIM aspirants with weak academics: Upskill, gain experience, take part in extracurricular activities, and be genuine during your interview. Remember, your academic history does not define your future-determination and preparation do!
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