Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    Can you get into IIM without Maths: Is Maths a Must? What You Need to Know

    Can you get into IIM without Maths: Is Maths a Must? What You Need to Know

    Team Careers360Updated on 05 Mar 2025, 06:39 PM IST

    Maths is an important part of the syllabus prescribed for the CAT exam. The fact that someone can get into IIM without maths is impossible. The main reason for that is the criteria of the sectional cutoff. The IIMs have sectional cutoffs that are mandatory to clear for satisfying the eligibility criteria. Also, Maths is required to attempt the quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, and logical reasoning sections of the CAT exam. Almost 60–70% of the CAT exam is based on different mathematical concepts. IIM Kozhikode will conduct the CAT 2025 exam on November 30, 2025.

    This Story also Contains

    1. Weightage of Maths for IIM
    2. Maths Important Topics
    3. Importance of Maths for IIM
    Can you get into IIM without Maths: Is Maths a Must? What You Need to Know
    Can you get into IIM without Maths

    Weightage of Maths for IIM

    Maths holds significant weightage in the CAT exam and IIM selection process as well. The 66 marks out of 198 total are from the Maths (QA section). A total of 22 questions out of 66 will be in maths. Neglecting maths is not a wise choice for any candidate wishing to go into IIMs. The weightage of maths is explained in the table below.

    ParticularsDetails

    CAT Exam Section

    Quantitative Aptitude

    Total Math Questions

    22

    Total Marks

    66

    Marking Scheme

    • 3 marks for every correct answer.
    • -1 mark for every incorrect answer.

    Maths Important Topics

    The CAT syllabus for maths is not defined. It has a wide array of topics that a candidate must study to excel in this section of the CAT exam. Concepts from arithmetic, trigonometry, and geometry are a few to state the important ones. The important topics that a candidate should keep on their checklist while preparing for the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section are mentioned in the table below.

    CAT Exam Section

    CAT Math Syllabus Important Topics

    Quantitative Aptitude

    • Logarithms
    • Number System
    • Inequalities
    • Trigonometry
    • Simple interest and compound interest
    • Work and Time
    • Permutation & Combination
    • Surds and Indices
    • Percentages
    • In-equations Quadratic and linear equations
    • Time-Speed-Distance
    • Mensuration
    • Probability
    • Partnership (Accounts)
    • Square Root and Cube Root
    • Profit & Loss
    • Ratios and Proportion
    • Geometry
    • Mean, mode, median
    • Binomial theorem
    • Geometric Progression

    Importance of Maths for IIM

    The importance of maths as a subject and also as a skill is utmost in the IIM. The IIM requires its students to be extraordinary when it comes to number crunching skills and using mathematics for interpreting large data sets to produce useful insights. IIM has maths as a core subject in its curriculum. MBA specializations like finance require extensive mathematical abilities, as these students will in turn be working with asset management organisations and banks. Therefore, Maths is the ultimate subject one needs to be good at to successfully navigate through IIMs.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Can I clear CAT if I am weak in maths?
    A:

    Clearing CAT will be a difficult task if a candidate is weak in maths. Being good in maths is very important for qualifying for the CAT exam as well as clearing the sectional cutoff for the Quant section for different IIMs.

    Q: Does IIM require maths?
    A:

    Qualifying CAT and sectional cutoffs are required for IIM so it makes maths essential for IIM. Having your way with numbers and mathematical ability surely adds up to the overall profile of a candidate applying for IIM.

    Q: What level of math is CAT?
    A:

    The level of math in the CAT exam is somewhere between moderate to difficult. To score well candidate needs to be good with the fundamental concepts of the subjects. It will require rigorous practice along with regular analysis through mock tests.

    Q: Does CAT have 11 and 12 maths?
    A:

    Most of the mathematical concepts used to formulate questions in the quant section of the CAT exam are the ones taught in the 10th, 11th, and 12th standard mathematics. The level of the questions however remains a bit inclined towards the advanced level.

    Articles
    |
    Upcoming Bschool Exams
    Ongoing Dates
    VITBEE Application Date

    31 Oct'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

    Ongoing Dates
    PU MET Application Date

    3 Dec'25 - 5 Apr'26 (Online)

    Certifications By Top Providers
    Certificate Program in Product Management
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
    Accounting and Finance
    Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Strategic Management
    Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Corporate Tax Planning
    Via Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata
    Online MBA
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology
    Executive Programme in Digital Marketing
    Via Indian Institute of Management Jammu
    Udemy
     703 courses
    Edx
     467 courses
    Swayam
     237 courses
    Emeritus
     232 courses
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe
    University of Essex, Colchester
    Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
    Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
    Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
    Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
    Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
    Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
    Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
    University of Reading, Reading
    Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
    Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
    The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

    Questions related to CAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to CAT ?

    Hi, while some of the Agri-business management courses need prior education or experience in the agricultural education background, but for others it is not always mandatory to have an agricultural education background. However with 62 percentile in CAT is it difficult to get into the premium B-Schools in India. For

    FMS Udaipur admission for 2026 is not open. The MBA 2026 admission will likely commence in May 2026. You can keep checking the official website of FMS.

    Hi admission to the courses offered at CUSAT is based on the CUSAT CAT results, relative performnace of the students and the number of applications for each course. Please check CUSAT CAT cutoff 2025 to know in detail about the cutoff score for Electrical and Electronic branch in previous years.

    Yes, it is possible. If you have received a PI call from IIM Sambalpur with a 75 percentile in CAT, you have a chance to convert the call. However, the final selection will depend on multiple factors such as your personal interview performance, academic record, and overall profile.

    All the