Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) Cut-off SEO-Friendly Overview
Introduction
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore or IIMB) is one of the most prestigious and competitive business schools in India. As part of the elite IIM network, IIMB offers world-class education in business administration and management. Securing admission to IIM Bangalore is a dream for thousands of aspirants every year, and the cut-off percentile in the CAT (Common Admission Test) plays a crucial role in the selection process.
This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth understanding of the IIM Bangalore cut-off criteria, including general and category-wise cut-offs, sectional cut-offs, academic and professional weightage, and past trends. Designed for aspirants aiming to secure a seat at this iconic institution, this article also outlines strategies to improve your chances of selection.
Overview of IIM Bangalore Admission Process
Before diving into cut-offs, it’s essential to understand how IIM Bangalore’s admission process works. The institute follows a multi-stage selection process that includes:
CAT Score Evaluation
Shortlisting for Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI)
Final Selection Based on Composite Score
Each stage includes a variety of criteria that go beyond CAT scores. These include:
Academic background
Work experience
Gender diversity
Academic diversity
Performance in WAT and PI
Cut-off percentiles help filter applicants for the next stage but do not guarantee admission on their own.
Section 1: CAT Cut-off for IIM Bangalore
1.1 General Category Cut-off
For the General category, the overall CAT percentile cut-off for IIM Bangalore is typically above 99 percentile. However, this varies slightly from year to year based on the pool of applicants.
Expected Cut-off (General):
Overall Percentile: 99 to 99.5+
Quantitative Ability (QA): 80+
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 80+
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 80+
Note: These are the minimum sectional cut-offs. In practice, candidates who are shortlisted usually have higher scores, often above 99.7 percentile overall.
1.2 Category-wise Cut-offs
IIM Bangalore, like other IIMs, follows the reservation policy of the Government of India. Therefore, the cut-off scores vary significantly across categories.
1.2.1 OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
Overall Cut-off: ~95 percentile
Sectional Cut-off: 70+
1.2.2 SC (Scheduled Caste)
Overall Cut-off: ~80 percentile
Sectional Cut-off: 65+
1.2.3 ST (Scheduled Tribe)
Overall Cut-off: ~75 percentile
Sectional Cut-off: 60+
1.2.4 EWS (Economically Weaker Section)
Overall Cut-off: ~90 percentile
Sectional Cut-off: 70+
1.2.5 PwD (Persons with Disabilities)
Overall Cut-off: ~75 percentile
Sectional Cut-off: 60+
Note: Achieving the cut-off percentile makes a candidate eligible for the WAT-PI stage but does not guarantee a call. Other profile components carry significant weight.
Section 2: Sectional Cut-offs
IIM Bangalore follows sectional cut-offs in addition to the overall percentile. These ensure that candidates are consistently strong across all three CAT sections:
VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)
QA (Quantitative Ability)
Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General | 80 | 80 | 80 | 99+ |
OBC-NCL | 70 | 70 | 70 | ~95 |
SC | 65 | 65 | 65 | ~80 |
ST | 60 | 60 | 60 | ~75 |
EWS | 70 | 70 | 70 | ~90 |
PwD | 60 | 60 | 60 | ~75 |
Candidates must meet all sectional cut-offs in addition to the overall percentile requirement to be eligible for shortlisting.
Section 3: Shortlisting Criteria Beyond CAT
3.1 Academic Performance (10th and 12th)
IIM Bangalore considers a candidate’s academic consistency through Class 10 and Class 12 scores. High performers are awarded more points.
Academic Score Range | Weightage (10th & 12th) |
|---|---|
≥ 90% | Maximum Points |
80% – 89.99% | Medium Points |
< 80% | Lower Points |
3.2 Graduation Marks
Graduation marks also play a role, though weightage may vary depending on the academic stream.
Graduation Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|
≥ 80% | High |
70% – 79.99% | Medium |
< 70% | Low |
3.3 Academic Diversity
IIM Bangalore aims for diversity in its classroom and assigns additional points to non-engineering students, especially in streams such as:
Arts
Commerce
Law
Humanities
This encourages balanced participation and multidisciplinary learning environments.
3.4 Gender Diversity
To improve gender balance, female and transgender candidates are often given additional weightage at the shortlisting stage. This is especially true for male-dominated categories like engineering.
3.5 Work Experience
Work experience is an important parameter. Candidates with 1.5 to 3 years of quality work experience receive additional points. Both the duration and relevance of the work experience matter.
Experience Range | Weightage |
|---|---|
18–36 months | High |
< 12 months or > 48 months | Lower |
Section 4: Final Selection Criteria
Once shortlisted, candidates are evaluated through Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
4.1 Final Selection Weightage (Typical Distribution)
Parameter | Weight (%) |
|---|---|
CAT Score | 25 |
WAT & PI Score | 35–45 |
Academic Record | 10 |
Work Experience | 10 |
Gender Diversity | 5 |
Academic Diversity | 5 |
Thus, while CAT is critical, the PI performance and overall profile significantly affect final selection.
Section 5: IIM Bangalore Cut-off Trends (Past 5 Years)
The cut-off percentiles have remained relatively stable in recent years. Here's a snapshot:
Year | General Cut-off | OBC Cut-off | SC Cut-off | ST Cut-off | EWS Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 99.5 | 95 | 80 | 75 | 90 |
2023 | 99.4 | 94.5 | 80 | 74 | 89 |
2022 | 99.6 | 95 | 81 | 75 | 91 |
2021 | 99.3 | 94 | 79 | 73 | 88 |
2020 | 99.4 | 94 | 80 | 75 | 90 |
Note: These figures are indicative and actual calls may vary based on the number of applicants and performance in other components.
Section 6: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the minimum CAT percentile to get into IIM Bangalore?
For General category candidates, you typically need 99+ percentile. For reserved categories, lower percentiles are considered, but other profile elements matter a lot.
Q2. Can a 95 percentile in CAT get me into IIM Bangalore?
Yes, if you belong to a reserved category or have excellent academic scores, diversity, and strong WAT-PI performance, you may have a chance.
Q3. Are there fixed cut-offs every year?
No. IIM Bangalore does not publish official cut-offs. The cut-offs vary each year based on the applicant pool and competition.
Q4. How important is the interview?
Extremely. The PI round carries the highest weightage (up to 40%). A strong interview can offset a relatively lower CAT score.
Section 7: Tips to Clear IIM Bangalore Cut-off
Aim for 99.7+ percentile in CAT to be competitive for the General category.
Ensure balanced scores across all three sections.
Maintain high academic performance in 10th, 12th, and graduation.
Build relevant work experience, ideally between 18 to 36 months.
Prepare for the interview with real-life examples, leadership stories, and awareness of current affairs.
Highlight diversity — whether academic, gender-based, or professional.
Mock interviews and WAT practice are essential.
Conclusion
The cut-off for IIM Bangalore is among the highest in India, reflecting its elite status and academic rigor. However, CAT percentile is just the beginning. IIM Bangalore seeks well-rounded individuals who demonstrate leadership potential, analytical thinking, academic consistency, and communication skills.
By understanding and preparing for each aspect of the IIM Bangalore selection process, aspirants can significantly improve their chances of converting this golden opportunity into reality. Whether you're aiming for the General category cut-off or applying under a reserved category, planning, and profiling are key to success.