IIM (Indian Institutes of Management) Entrance Exams are a series of highly competitive exams conducted for admissions to various postgraduate management programs offered by the IIMs, which are among the most prestigious business schools in India. The most well-known IIM entrance exam is the Common Admission Test (CAT), but some IIMs also conduct their own entrance exams.
Overview of IIM

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are a network of autonomous public business schools in India renowned for their high academic standards, rigorous curriculum, and significant contributions to management education and research. Established with the aim of fostering excellence in management education, these institutions have become synonymous with leadership development and innovation in the field of business administration.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria | Description |
---|---|
Academic Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. |
For general category: Typically requires a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA. | |
For reserved categories (SC/ST/PWD): Relaxation in the minimum marks as per government guidelines. | |
Final Year Candidates | Students appearing for the final year of their bachelor’s degree can also apply, subject to results. |
Work Experience | Work experience may be considered as part of the selection process, but it’s usually not mandatory. |
Age Limit | There is generally no specific age limit for CAT, but individual IIMs may have their own policies. |
Citizenship | Indian nationals and, in some cases, NRIs can apply, subject to specific eligibility conditions. |
Others | Certain IIMs may have specific eligibility criteria for their unique programs. |
Exam Pattern
Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted | Question Types |
---|---|---|---|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 34 | 60 minutes | Reading Comprehension, English Usage |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 32 | 60 minutes | Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 34 | 60 minutes | Quantitative Problem Solving |
Syllabus
Section | Topics |
---|---|
Quantitative Ability (QA) | Number Systems Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, etc.) Algebra (Equations, Inequalities, Quadratic Equations) Geometry (Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals) Mensuration Modern Mathematics (Permutation and Combination, Probability) Data Interpretation and Analysis |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension Sentence Correction Para Jumbles Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms) Grammar (Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement) Critical Reasoning |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts) Logical Reasoning (Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding) Direction Sense Seating Arrangements Puzzles Venn Diagrams Data Sufficiency |
IIM MBA Admission – Stages
The Indian Institutes of Management have similar admission criteria which involve three stages:
- CAT (Common Admission Test)
- WAT (Written Ability Test)
- PI (Personal Interview)
IIM MBA Entrance Exam – Stage 1
The IIMs conduct the CAT exam each year on a rotational premise as a prerequisite to confirmations in different post-management programs. After the affirmation of CAT comes about, IIMs waitlist the candidates for WAT and PI agreeing to their person choice criteria. The IIM confirmation prepare for the different IIMs can be checked from their individual pages from the List of IIM Colleges list as given over. So, the candidates have to be clear the CAT cut off to be able to get selected for the another stages.
IIM Requirements for Admission – Stage 2
Following the IIM shortlisting, candidates take the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. The following factors are used to compute the candidates’ aggregate:
- Scores for the tenth grade
- 12th Grade
- Graduation Results
- CAT Percentile/Score
- Professional Courses and Work Experience
- Gender Diversity
To be considered for the WAT and PI, candidates must obtain the appropriate minimum score from the aforementioned factors. The importance of these elements varies slightly amongst IIMs.
IIM Admission Criteria – Stage 3
The aggregate scores of the candidates are determined by the respective IIMs, and the candidates are chosen based on their scores. In general, individuals with an overall aggregate of 80 percentile can gain admission to the respective IIMs.
FAQs
The IIM Entrance Exam is a competitive examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admissions to their postgraduate management programs, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent courses.
A graduate degree and passing scores on the CAT exam in the general category are prerequisites for IIM qualification for the different MBA specializations.
Yes, CAT exam scores are mandatory for IIM Qualification.
While CAT is the primary entrance exam for most IIMs, some IIMs conduct their own entrance exams for specific programs. These exams might have different formats and syllabus.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey towards an MBA at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) is not just about education; it’s about transformation. As we conclude this exploration of the IIM Entrance Exams, we’ve uncovered the multifaceted landscape that candidates traverse on their quest to secure a seat in these hallowed institutions.