1. IIM Ahmedabad at a glance
| Flagship programme | MBA (PGP), 2 years, residential |
| Entrance exam | CAT |
| Qualifying cutoff (Gen) | 95 overall / 85 each section |
| Realistic call (Gen) | 99+ percentile |
| Fee (2 years) | ~₹27.5 lakh |
| Average package | ~₹35 LPA (100% placement) |
| Highest package | ~₹1.1 crore (domestic) |
| Top sectors | Consulting, BFSI, FMCG, IT |
2. CAT cutoff & eligibility
The biggest change this cycle: IIMA raised its minimum qualifying cutoff from 80 to 95 overall, with 85 in each section, for General and EWS candidates (90/80 for NC-OBC). But clearing the minimum only makes you eligible — it isn't the call cutoff.
| Category | Overall | Each section |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 95 | 85 |
| NC-OBC | 90 | 80 |
| SC | 70 | 60 |
| ST | 60 | 50 |
Beyond CAT, IIMA also applies academic thresholds: a minimum on your average of Class 10 and 12 (stream- and category-wise), and a graduation cut-off set at the 80th percentile within your academic category. Strong, consistent academics genuinely matter here.
Category cutoffs are indicative of the current cycle; confirm against the official IIMA shortlisting document each year.
3. The selection process, step by step
- CAT + minima. Clear 95/85 (Gen) with a positive raw score in each section.
- Academic screening. Meet the Class 10/12 and graduation thresholds.
- Shortlist for interview. A composite of 65% CAT + 35% Application Rating decides who's called for the next round.
- AWT + PI. Shortlisted candidates take an Analytical Writing Test and a Personal Interview.
- Final offer. A weighted score across all components (below) decides admission.
The Application Rating (the 35% profile score) is built from Class 10, Class 12 (stream-wise), graduation (by academic category), work experience, and a gender-diversity score. Work experience is rewarded for 12–36 months (female candidates now get 3 diversity points, up from 2).
4. The weightage shift — the insight that changes how you prepare
Here's what most guides never show clearly: CAT's weight collapses from 65% to 25% between getting the call and winning the seat.
The lesson: a monster CAT score gets you into the room, but it doesn't get you the seat. Once you're shortlisted, the interview carries half the final decision — so serious WAT/PI preparation is not optional if IIMA is your goal.
5. Fees & ROI
The IIMA PGP costs about ₹27.5 lakh in tuition for the two years. That sounds steep until you set it against the outcome:
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total fee (2 years) | ~₹27.5 lakh |
| Average package | ~₹35 LPA |
| Fee recovered in | Under 1 year of post-MBA CTC |
An average graduate earns back the entire programme cost inside their first year of work — one of the strongest returns of any degree in India. Education loans and merit/need scholarships are available and widely used.
6. Placements
IIMA's recent PGP placement cycle: 100% placement, a ~₹35 LPA average, a highest domestic offer around ₹1.1 crore, and a minimum around ₹17 LPA. Where those offers come from:
Consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain and the rest), investment banking and FMCG leadership programmes make up the bulk of the highest offers — which is why IIMA is the launchpad of choice for those careers.
Every IIM-A story starts the same way: a strong CAT score.
That 99+ percentile is built in mocks. Full-length CAT tests, sectional practice and actual CAT 2020–2025 past papers — the first step toward the room. Free to start.
Start your CAT prep on ExamDuo →7. How to actually get in
- Target 99+ in CAT. The 95 minimum is a floor; General calls cluster at 99+.
- Balance your sections. An 85 sectional minimum means one weak section ends your chance — a balanced 99 beats a lopsided one.
- Protect your academics. The Class 10/12 and graduation thresholds are real filters; they can't be fixed later, so they raise the stakes on your CAT and interview.
- Prepare the interview seriously. With PI at 50% of the final call, WAT/PI practice is where shortlisted candidates win or lose the seat.
It's a demanding process — but a transparent one. Every stage has a published weight, so you know exactly where to put the work.
8. FAQs
What is the CAT cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad 2026?
95 overall / 85 per section for General (90/80 NC-OBC), raised from 80. Real calls need 99+ once academics and profile are counted.
What is the fee for IIM Ahmedabad MBA?
About ₹27.5 lakh for the two-year PGP — recovered inside the first year on a ~₹35 LPA average package.
How does IIM Ahmedabad shortlist candidates?
A composite of 65% CAT + 35% Application Rating (academics, work-ex, gender diversity), after the CAT minima and academic screening.
What is the final selection weightage?
Interview 50%, CAT 25%, Profile 15%, Essay (AWT) 10% — CAT drops from 65% at shortlist to 25% at the final stage.
What is the average package at IIM Ahmedabad?
~₹35 LPA with 100% placement, highest ~₹1.1 crore, minimum ~₹17 LPA; consulting, BFSI and FMCG lead.
How can I get into IIM Ahmedabad?
Score 99+ in CAT with balanced sections, keep strong academics, clear the 65/35 shortlist, then perform in the AWT and interview — which carry 60% of the final decision.
