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

Ongoing Event

CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

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.

LiveCAT 2025 Registration LIVE: MBA registration closes on September 13; exam date, IIM admission processSep 9, 2025 | 10:31 PM IST

The eligibility criteria to register for the CAT 2025 is given below

  • Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA; for SC, ST, and PwD categories, 45% marks are required.
  • Candidates who have completed a professional qualification such as CA, CS, CMA, or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with the required percentage are eligible.
  • Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s programme are also eligible to apply.
Read More

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 ?

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects

Hello

As you said you by mistakenly done that,  you don't need to get worry regarding that ,

Just inform the help desk and carry the correct certifications , the state certificate will not disqualify you .

The steps you can follow is -

1. You can check if the correction window is available or not

2. Contact the CAT desk immediately.

Hope this helps

In CAT registration, you cannot create a new user ID with the same mobile number, even if you use a different email ID. Each mobile number and email can be linked to only one account. If you already registered once, the system will not accept a duplicate with that number. To register again, you must use a new mobile number and new email ID. If you lost your old login, you can recover it through the forgot password/user ID option on the CAT portal.



Yes, you can fill the CAT form even if you currently have a backlog. CAT eligibility requires you to be in your final year of graduation or already graduated backlogs don’t stop you from applying.

While filling the form:

  • Enter the aggregate percentage/CGPA of marks you have obtained up to the latest semester for which results are declared (in your case till 4th semester).

  • There will be an option to mention that you have a backlog.

  • If you clear the backlog later, you’ll just need to show the updated marks during admission.