What are the sectional cutoffs at IIM Ahmedabad for CAT 2025?
IIM Ahmedabad raised its published CAT 2025 cutoffs for PGP Batch 2026-28 to 95 percentile overall and 85 percentile sectional (each of VARC, DILR, QA) for General and EWS candidates, up from 80/70 in the previous cycle. However, realistic shortlist probability begins at 98-100 percentile for General category aspirants.
Published Sectional Cutoffs
The official admission policy for 2026-28 sets minimum eligibility thresholds across categories:
| Category | Overall | Sectional (each) | Realistic Shortlist |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 95% | 85% | 98-100% |
| NC-OBC | 90% | 80% | 95-98% |
| SC | 85% | 70% | 85-92% |
| ST | 75% | 60% | 75-85% |
| PwD | 45% | 40% | varies |
These numbers represent the minimum to enter the selection funnel, not the actual shortlist threshold. IIM Ahmedabad receives 10,000-15,000 applications and shortlists only 1,000-1,200 candidates for Personal Interview, an 8-10 percent invite rate for a 414-student cohort.
Why the Gap Between Published and Realistic Cutoffs
Clearing 95+85 makes you eligible, but the composite formula then ranks all eligible candidates on CAT score, academic record (Class 10, Class 12, UG), work experience, and diversity factors. The institute shortlists from the top of this composite ranking, which typically requires 98+ percentile for General category males with engineering backgrounds.
Raising the General cutoff from 80 to 95 reduced the eligible pool from roughly 30-40K candidates to 12-15K, aligning the published threshold with actual selection reality. Below 95, candidates were almost never shortlisted anyway.
The Composite Formula Weights
At the PI stage, IIM A evaluates shortlisted candidates on multiple dimensions. CAT score carries significant weight, but academic record across Class 10, Class 12, and undergraduate performance matters equally.
Gender diversity now awards 3 points (up from 2) for non-male candidates. Work experience peaks at 24-36 months, capped at 5 points above 36 months.
Academic diversity rewards non-engineering streams with marginal advantage.
Realistic Shortlist Probability by Profile
GEM (General Engineering Male) candidates typically need 99.5+ percentile with strong sectional balance, meaning 98+ in each of VARC, DILR, and QA, plus 80+ percent throughout Class 10, Class 12, and UG. GEF (General Engineering Female) candidates see realistic shortlists at 99+ percentile with similar sectional balance, benefiting from the gender diversity bonus. Non-engineer candidates gain marginal academic diversity advantage at the composite stage but still need 98.5+ percentile for General category.
Sectional Balance Matters More Than Overall Score
A 99.5 overall with 95+ in each section converts more reliably than 99.7 overall with one section at 88.
The composite formula rewards balanced performance. Lopsided strong-weak section patterns create friction even at high overall percentiles because the sectional floor of 85 percentile is strictly enforced.
Placement Context
Class 2025 placements at IIM Ahmedabad averaged ₹35.22 LPA. The roughly 3:1 shortlist-to-seat ratio (1,000-1,200 PI calls for 414 seats) makes the final conversion rate around 33-40 percent post-interview.
For profile-specific shortlist estimates beyond these published cutoffs, run an eligibility match.
Pro Tip: On Reddit, IIM A converters consistently emphasized that sectional balance trumps a slightly higher overall score. Aim for 98+ in each section rather than banking on one strong section to pull up your composite, because the 85 sectional floor is non-negotiable and composite math penalizes imbalance.