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

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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.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

To get admitted to the Institute of Management Studies (IMS), BHU, for an MBA in 2026, you must clear the CAT entrance exam. For that you need to fill out the application form of the CAT in August 2026, which you can get on the Official CAT website

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello

You can get all the papers on the Careers360 website. To access the paper and download it for practice, just visit here:

https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-cat-2024-question-paper-with-solutions

Hope it will help you!!

Hello dear candidate,

Yes, you have a very good chance of getting a BPT seat with 488 out of 600 and TS EAMCET rank of 14,000 under the ST category.

As the cut off of BPT for ST category students are generally between 25,000 to 45,000 ranks, depending upon the college and you have TS EAMCET rank of 14,000.

Thank you.

If you got 802 marks in Telangana Intermediate and belong to the ST category, you have a fair chance to get admission in a BPT course in 2025, but it depends on the college and cut-off. Most BPT colleges in Telangana ask for 12th marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and some also use the TS EAMCET rank for admission. The cut-off for ST students is usually lower than for general students, but it changes every year. It is better to check the previous year’s cut-offs of the colleges you want to apply to.

Hello, Getting shortlisted for IIM Lucknow or IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) with your profile is challenging, primarily due to your 58% in Class 10th, which significantly impacts the composite score calculation for both institutes. While your 98 percentile CAT score is excellent, and your 24 months of work experience, B.Com (Hons) background (providing academic diversity, especially for IIM-L), and KVS National player status are valuable additions, top IIMs and IITs heavily weigh consistent academic performance. Your 74% in 12th is also on the lower side. IIM Lucknow places substantial weight on 10th and 12th marks, making a call quite difficult despite your strengths. You likely have a relatively better, though still uncertain, chance at IIT Bombay, as their weighting might be slightly less penalizing for past academics compared to IIM-L, and your high CAT score is a major factor. However, the low 10th score remains a significant hurdle for both prestigious institutions.

I hope you found this information helpful and for study related queries you can ask in careers360 app, Have a great day and!