CAT 2025 Counselling

The IIM admission and selection process for the MBA/PGP program begins with the publication of the WAT-PI shortlist status. After the CAT 2025 results are released, the IIMs will start shortlisting students for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM will issue its own set of admission criteria, including CAT qualifying cut-offs for each category, academic parameters, personality traits, and the formula for calculating the final admission score.

The newer IIMs will conduct the CAT 2025 Centralized Admission Process (CAP) for student admissions, although the qualifying CAT cut-offs and other selection criteria remain consistent with those of the established IIMs.

The CAT 2025 Selection Process occurs in three stages:

1. Shortlisting students based on CAT Exam scores.
2. Screening candidates through WAT/GD/PI.
3. Calculating the composite score for final selection.

Non-IIMs that accept CAT scores begin publishing their admission schedules and selection procedures in September, while the IIM shortlisting process starts in January. Over 1300 MBA institutes in India use CAT scores for admission, and their processes typically include a Group Discussion (GD) and PI conducted by each institute separately.

IIM sends call letters for CAT 2025 counseling to shortlisted students. The call letter includes the following details:

1. Registration link for IIM CAT 2025 counseling.
2. Deadline for registering for CAT counseling.
3. Locations for the Group Discussion (GD), Written Aptitude Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
4. Student's specific slot for GD, WAT, and PI rounds.
5. Dates for the GD, WAT, and PI rounds in the selection process.

CAT 2025 Counselling Process: Requiring Documents for Verification

Students must report to the specified location on the designated date to submit all the documents listed in the CAT Counselling call letter. The call letter includes a comprehensive list of required documents for the interview. For convenience, here is a list of all necessary documents:

1. Mark Sheets and Other Documents: To participate in IIMs CAT Counselling 2025, students must bring original and self-attested copies of their 10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheets. Additionally, students should carry two sets of photocopies of these documents.
2. Scorecard: The original CAT 2025 scorecard and other relevant documents are required for document verification.
3. Admit Card: Both the original and a photocopy of the CAT 2025 admit card are necessary for the college admissions process.
4. Caste Certificate: Candidates in the reserved category must provide both the original and a photocopy of their caste certificate, signed by an authorized authority. SC, ST, and EWS category students must present this certificate during CAT counselling 2025 and when enrolling in an IIM.
5. Photographs: Four passport-size photographs are required for the CAT counseling process.

After completing document verification for CAT Counselling 2025, candidates should visit the official CAT IIM website. They need to fill out the registration form, choose their preferred IIM, and lock their options for CAT 2025 counselling. Notifications will be sent via SMS or email. Candidates must then visit the designated institution to submit their seat allocation order.

Admission Process at IIMs via CAT 2025

Admission to IIMs and other management institutes is based on CAT scores, with the counseling process starting in January. Once the CAT results are announced, IIMs begin shortlisting candidates for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). During this process, students must upload their CAT scores to the official site of their preferred IIM. The institutes compare each student's CAT score and prepare a merit list. Candidates whose names appear on the list are eligible to participate in the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The entire admission process for all 20 IIMs takes about three to four months, with classes commencing in June or July. Non-IIM admissions also follow a similar timeline.

Steps in the CAT Counseling Process for IIMs 2025

The CAT counseling process for IIMs involves three significant steps:

1. Shortlisting of Students: The selection criteria for IIM admission primarily depend on CAT scores. Each IIM sets its own CAT cut-offs, which are generally higher than the 90th percentile for general category students and lower for reserved categories. Candidates scoring above these cut-offs qualify for the WAT/GD/PI rounds. For new IIMs, the cut-offs range between the 60th to 80th percentile.
2. WAT or GD-PI Round: Shortlisted candidates based on their CAT scores must participate in the WAT/GD/PI rounds. The WAT assesses critical thinking and communication skills, with its weightage varying between 10% to 30% depending on the IIM.
3. Calculation of Composite Score: The final composite score is calculated by considering several parameters, which vary each year and for each IIM. This composite score, out of a total of 100 points, determines the final selection of candidates.

Candidates should visit the official website of the IIM from which they have received a call letter to understand the full CAT admission process.

CAT WAT - Written Ability Test

1. The Written Ability Test (WAT) is an essay-writing assessment where students are given a topic and asked to write about it within 15 to 30 minutes.
2. WAT topics can range from current events to ideological discussions.
3. The primary goal of WAT is to evaluate the student's understanding and conceptual grasp of their environment.
4. Out of the 20 IIMs, more than 11, including IIM Kozhikode and IIM Lucknow, incorporate WAT as part of their selection criteria. Some IIMs also conduct both WAT and Group Discussion (GD) rounds as part of the admission process.

CAT GD - Groups Discussion

1. In a Group Discussion (GD), students are divided into groups, typically consisting of eight to ten participants. The interviewer assigns a topic for discussion, where each student has the opportunity to express their thoughts. 
2. A moderator evaluates each participant's communication skills and their ability to persuade others, assessing their performance throughout the discussion.

CAT PI - Personal Interview

The Personal Interview (PI) is the most crucial round in IIM admissions, accounting for approximately 30-40% of the selection process weightage. During the PI, a panel of 2 to 4 interviewers assesses candidates on various parameters including confidence, communication skills, organizational abilities, and leadership potential. Success in this round hinges on staying calm and being honest in your responses.

CAT 2025 Counselling - Reservation Criteria