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CAT Score Weightage in IIMs 2026, IIM-wise Selection Criteria

Nehal Sharma

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Aug 17, 2026

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CAT Score Weightage in IIMs 2026, IIM-wise Selection Criteria

CAT Score Weightage in IIMs 2026

CAT score weightage plays a major role in the IIM Admission Criteria but it is not the same across all institutes. Each IIM follows its own admission criteria, with CAT carrying different weightages during pre-PI shortlisting and final selection. While some IIMs assign around 25–30% weightage to CAT in the final selection, others give it 50% or more. Understanding the CAT weightage in IIMs 2026 can help aspirants evaluate their admission chances and target institutes more strategically.

CAT Weightage in IIM Selection Criteria

The CAT score can have a very different impact depending on the IIM you are targeting. According to the attached data, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore give 25% weightage to CAT, while IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow give 30%.

At the other end of the spectrum, IIM Ranchi gives CAT a 65% weightage, while IIM Rohtak and IIM Mumbai give it 60%. This shows why candidates should check the individual admission policy of every IIM instead of assuming that CAT carries the same importance everywhere.

IIM-Wise CAT Weightage 2026:

IIM

CAT Weightage in Pre-PI / Shortlisting

CAT Weightage in Post-PI / Final Selection

IIM Ahmedabad

65%

25%

IIM Bangalore

55%

25%

IIM Calcutta

56/85 points ≈ 65.9%

30%

IIM Lucknow

60%

30%

IIM Kozhikode

50%

35%

IIM Indore

55%

40%

IIM Mumbai

No separate fixed %; CAT-led shortlisting

60%

IIM Shillong

65%

40%

IIM Udaipur

CAT cutoff/shortlisting; no fixed pre-PI %

55%

IIM Raipur

JAP CAT-based shortlisting; no fixed %

50/150 = 33.3%

IIM Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)

JAP CAT-based shortlisting; no fixed %

52%

IIM Ranchi

JAP CAT-based shortlisting; no fixed %

65%

IIM Rohtak

CAT-based PI shortlist; no fixed composite %

60%

IIM Kashipur

JAP CAT-based shortlisting; no fixed %

41%

IIM Nagpur

CAT eligibility → Shortlisting Score; no simple fixed CAT %

45%

IIM Visakhapatnam

50%

25%

IIM Amritsar

50%

35% effective CAT contribution

IIM Bodh Gaya

CAT-based PI shortlisting

50%

IIM Jammu

CAT/CAP-based PI shortlisting

42%

IIM Sambalpur

40/75 points ≈ 53.3%

40%

IIM Sirmaur

CAT/CAP-based PI shortlisting; no fixed %

35%

IIM Guwahati

CAT eligibility

65%

Note: The percentages above are taken from the attached reference image. IIMs can revise their admission policies every year, so candidates should verify the applicable admission policy on the respective IIM's official website. For example, IIM Ahmedabad's current 2026–28 policy uses CAT differently at different stages of selection, while IIM Calcutta's 2026–28 policy also distinguishes between shortlisting and final selection.

Which IIMs Give the Highest Weightage to CAT Score?

Based on the attached data, IIM Ranchi has the highest CAT weightage at 65%. IIM Rohtak and IIM Mumbai follow with 60% each, while IIM Udaipur gives CAT a 55% weightage.

These IIMs therefore place comparatively greater emphasis on the CAT score in their selection formula. A strong CAT performance can have a substantial impact on the overall score at institutes where the CAT component carries such a high percentage.

Rank

IIM

CAT Weightage

1

IIM Ranchi

65%

2

IIM Rohtak

60%

2

IIM Mumbai

60%

4

IIM Udaipur

55%

5

IIM Tiruchirappalli

52%

6

IIM Bodh Gaya

50%

7

IIM Nagpur

45%

8

IIM Jammu

42%

9

IIM Kashipur

41%

10

IIM Indore

40%

10

IIM Shillong

40%

10

IIM Sambalpur

40%

Which IIMs Give the Lowest Weightage to CAT Score?

Among the IIMs listed in the attached data, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Visakhapatnam give the lowest CAT weightage at 25%. IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow follow with 30%.

A lower CAT weightage does not mean that CAT is unimportant. CAT remains essential for getting shortlisted, and the percentile required to receive a call can still be extremely high. The key difference is that the CAT score contributes a smaller proportion to the final composite score.

IIM

CAT Weightage

IIM Ahmedabad

25%

IIM Bangalore

25%

IIM Visakhapatnam

25%

IIM Calcutta

30%

IIM Lucknow

30%

IIM Raipur

33.33%

IIM Kozhikode

35%

IIM Sirmaur

35%

Pre-PI Shortlisting Criteria Weightage in IIMs

Pre-PI shortlisting criteria determine which candidates are called for the Personal Interview stage at IIMs. Each institute assigns different weightages to factors such as CAT score, Class 10 and 12 marks, graduation score, work experience, and diversity factors. While CAT usually carries a major share, several IIMs also place significant importance on academic profile and candidate background. Understanding the pre-PI shortlisting weightage in IIMs helps aspirants evaluate their chances of receiving an interview call.

IIM

CAT Score

Academics Score (10th + 12th + Graduation)

Diversity Points (Gender + Academic)

Work Experience

IIM Ahmedabad

65%

Part of same 35% AR*

Part of same 35% AR*

Part of same 35% AR*

IIM Bangalore

55%

30%: 10th 10% + 12th 10% + Graduation 10%

5% Gender Diversity

10%

IIM Calcutta

65.9% (56/85)

29.4% (25/85): 10th + 12th

4.7% (4/85 Gender)

0%

IIM Lucknow

60%

20%: 12th 10% + Graduation 10%

10%: Academic 5% + Gender 5%

10%

IIM Kozhikode

50%

35%: 10th 15% + 12th 20%

10% Gender OR 5% Academic Diversity

5%

IIM Indore

55%

35%: 10th 10% + 12th 25%

7%

Up to 3%

IIM Mumbai

CAT-led shortlisting; no fixed public %

No separate fixed % published

No separate fixed % published

No separate fixed % published

IIM Shillong

65%

Part of 35% Normalised Application Rating Score (NARS)*

Gender/academic discipline considered in shortlist construction; no separate fixed %

Part of same 35% NARS*

IIM Udaipur

CAT considered; no fixed pre-PI % disclosed

Considered in profile; no fixed %

Considered; no fixed %

Considered; no fixed %

IIM Raipur

CAT/JAP-based PI shortlist; no separate composite %

No separately weighted pre-PI score

No separately weighted pre-PI score

No separately weighted pre-PI score

IIM Tiruchirappalli

CAT/JAP-based PI shortlist

No fixed weight

No fixed weight

No fixed weight

IIM Ranchi

CAT/JAP-based PI shortlist

No fixed weight

No fixed weight

No fixed weight

IIM Rohtak

CAT-based PI shortlisting; no fixed composite %

No separate pre-PI weight

No separate pre-PI weight

No separate pre-PI weight

IIM Kashipur

CAT/JAP-based PI shortlist

No separate pre-PI weight

No separate pre-PI weight

No separate pre-PI weight

IIM Nagpur

CAT eligibility followed by Shortlisting Score; no simple fixed CAT %

Included in Shortlisting Score

Included in Shortlisting Score

Included in Shortlisting Score

IIM Visakhapatnam

50%

30%: 10th 10% + 12th 10% + Graduation 10%

10% Gender Diversity

10%

IIM Amritsar

50%

25%: 10th 10% + 12th 10% + Graduation 5%

10% Gender Diversity

15%

IIM Bodh Gaya

CAT-based PI shortlisting; no independent fixed composite %

No separate fixed pre-PI %

No separate fixed pre-PI %

No separate fixed pre-PI %

IIM Jammu

CAT-based PI shortlisting

No fixed pre-PI %

No fixed pre-PI %

No fixed pre-PI %

IIM Sambalpur

53.3% (40/75)

13.3% (10/75): 10th + 12th + Graduation

6.7% (5/75 Gender)

26.7% (20/75)

IIM Sirmaur

CAT-based PI shortlist

No separate weighted score

No separate weighted score

No separate weighted score

IIM Guwahati

No PI stage; CAT eligibility is used before final selection

N/A for PI shortlisting

N/A

N/A

Post-PI / Final Selection Criteria Weightage in IIMs

Post-PI or final selection criteria determine which candidates receive the final admission offer after the interview stage. IIMs assign different weightages to components such as CAT score, Personal Interview (PI), academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors. While some IIMs continue to give significant importance to CAT, others place greater emphasis on PI and overall profile. Understanding the final selection weightage in IIMs helps candidates assess how each component impacts their admission chances

IIM

CAT Score

PI Score

GD/WAT Score

Profile Weightage (Academics + Diversity + Work Experience combined)

IIM Ahmedabad

25%

50%

10% AWT

15% Application Rating

IIM Bangalore

25%

40%

10% WAT

25%: Academics 15% + Work Experience 10%

IIM Calcutta

30%

48%

8% WAT

14%: Academic Diversity 6% + Work Experience 8%

IIM Lucknow

30%

40%

10% WAT

20%: Academics 10% + Diversity 5% + Work Experience 5%

IIM Kozhikode

35%

35%

20% WAT

10% Resume Score*

IIM Indore

40%

45%

0%

15%: Academics 10% + Diversity 5%

IIM Mumbai

60%*

Current domestic breakup not publicly specified

Current domestic breakup not publicly specified

Current domestic breakup not publicly specified

IIM Shillong

40%

40%

0%

20%: Application Rating 10% + Gender Diversity 10%

IIM Udaipur

55%

25%

0%

20% Profile

IIM Raipur

33.3% (50/150)

26.7% (40/150)

0%

40%* (remaining profile-related points in 150-point scheme)

IIM Tiruchirappalli

52%

20%

0%

28%: Academics 10% + Work Experience 10% + Diversity 8%

IIM Ranchi

65%

15%

0%

20%: Academics 10% + Work Experience 10%; +5 gender-diversity bonus*

IIM Rohtak

60%

20%

0%

20% Academic/Gender Diversity

IIM Kashipur

41%

25%

0%

34% total*: 32% academics/diversity/work-ex + 2% professional qualification

IIM Nagpur

45%

25%

0%

30%: Past Academic Performance 6% + Work Experience 9% + Academic Diversity 5% + Gender Diversity 10%

IIM Visakhapatnam

25%

48%

0%

27%: Academics 12% + Diversity 5% + Work Experience 10%

IIM Amritsar

35% effective

21% effective

0%

44% effective*

IIM Bodh Gaya

50%

25%

0%

25% Profile

IIM Jammu

42%

30%

0%

28%: Academics 10% + Work Experience 10% + Gender Diversity 8%

IIM Sambalpur

40%

25%

0%

35%: Academics 10% + Work Experience 20% + Gender Diversity 5%

IIM Sirmaur

35%

20%

0%

45%*: Academics 15% + Work Experience 20% + Gender 5% + Trailblazer Score 5%

IIM Guwahati

65%

0% – No PI

0%

35%: Academics up to 30% + Work Experience up to 5%

CAT Weightage Across IIMs: At a Glance

The attached data shows a significant variation in CAT weightage across IIMs. The CAT component ranges from 25% to 65% among the institutes for which a direct percentage is provided.

This means there is a 40-percentage-point difference between the lowest and highest CAT weightage. Aspirants should therefore look at the individual selection criteria of their target IIMs rather than relying on a single general CAT-to-IIM admission formula.

CAT Weightage Range

IIMs

25%

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Visakhapatnam

30–39%

IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Raipur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Amritsar

40–49%

IIM Indore, IIM Shillong, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Kashipur, IIM Nagpur, IIM Jammu

50–59%

IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Tiruchirappalli, IIM Udaipur

60%+

IIM Rohtak, IIM Mumbai, IIM Ranchi, IIM Guwahati

CAT Score Weightage in IIMs 2026: Conclusion

CAT Weightage in IIMs 2026 differs significantly across institutes and even between the pre-PI and post-PI stages. While some IIMs rely heavily on CAT scores during shortlisting, others reduce the CAT component during final selection and give greater importance to PI, academics, work experience and diversity. Therefore, aspirants should not judge their IIM admission chances based on CAT percentile alone. Check the latest selection criteria of each target IIM and understand how CAT contributes to both shortlisting and final admission. A strong CAT score opens the door, but your complete profile ultimately determines your chances of converting an IIM call.

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