Clearing the CAT exam for many is a defining moment in their professional as well as personal lives. However, in the last few years, there has been a worrying trend wherein several B-Schools are closing their application windows before the CAT results are even announced.
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This step has left students confused and anxious, as they are uncertain about their performances and leading to great ambiguity in shortlisting the B-Schools. Several students feel that the system is stacked against them.
So why are B-Schools doing this, and what does it mean for the students?
Earlier, the standard practice was that students used to write the CAT exam, wait for their results, evaluate their percentile, and then select the institutes where they wanted to apply. From the student’s perspective, this method was financially sound and less stressful.
But now things have changed; students are required to apply weeks before the results are announced. The issue is that a B-School application costs anywhere between Rs.1,500 and Rs.3,500 per application. With students applying for multiple colleges on average and adding the 18 per cent GST on every application, this amount adds up to a large sum. A wrong judgment can easily cost the student a small financial loss.
This problem is not only financial but also psychological. In the current scenario, candidates are required to guess their percentile, apply to more colleges due to uncertainty. A candidate might apply for colleges that he or she might not even qualify for. This can lead to constant anxiety and uncertainty.
Nothing in this method helps the student to make a calculated decision; the burden of the risk has been put onto the student entirely.
Institute | Exams Accepted | Application Closing Date | Application Fees |
MDI Gurgaon | CAT | Nov 28, 2025 | Rs. 3590 + 18% GST |
SPJIMR Mumbai | CAT/GMAT | Nov 28, 2025 | Rs. 2000 |
IMT Ghaziabad | CAT/XAT/GMAT | Nov 28, 2025 | Rs. 3500/ + Add. fees |
Great Lakes Chennai | CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT | Dec 04, 2025 | Rs. 2200 |
IMI Delhi | CAT/XAT/GMAT | Dec 12, 2025 | Rs. 2000 + 18% GST |
IMI Kolkata | CAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT | Dec 12, 2025 | Rs. 2250 |
GIM Goa | CAT/XAT/GMAT | Dec 4, 2025 (Tentative) | Rs. 2750 Per Program |
XIM University | XAT/CAT/GMAT/XGMT | Dec 10, 2025 | Rs. 1800 |
NIRMA | CAT | 3rd Week of Dec 2025 | Rs. 1500 |
IRM, Anand | CAT/XAT/CMAT | Dec 26, 2025 | Rs. 2000 |
Outsourcing the applications to a third party might be favourable and convenient for the B-Schools, but this system is deeply flawed when it comes to students. The following points help us to understand the issue better.
Students are asked to pay for the applications before even knowing whether they are qualified. This can be a significant financial burden for students from middle-class and rural families as multiple application fees for multiple B-Schools represent a serious financial decision.
Candidates who perform well in the CAT examination but apply late miss the chance. On the other hand, candidates with a weak profile who apply early enter the selection pool. In such cases, merit-based admission hardly matters. The possibility of a mediocre cohort also increases.
Preparation for CAT is mentally exhausting, and adding the pressure of B-School application, it becomes quite an intense experience emotionally and mentally for the student. Fear of failure amplified by the deadlines can lead to anxiety attacks, sleep disruption, and other issues. This is a perfect example of Pay First, Hope Later.
The entire admission process is more like a gamble rather than an academic journey. Students are forced to bet on themselves, without any certainty or data to help them make a decision.
The current system leads to application inflation and the student applies everywhere, not because he or she wants to but because they have to.
It is a flawed system, till the time there are changes, students have to be smart about how and where they apply.
Strategic Application: Students should apply for B-Schools strategically and not emotionally. They should apply, keeping in mind past cut-offs and their own mock-test scores.
Categorise the B-Schools: Before applying, students should divide their preferences into three categories: Reach B-Schools, where chances are low but not impossible, Safe B-Schools and Balanced B-Schools.
Application Budget: To ensure that you do not go overboard with your B-School applications, make sure you have an application budget that is based on how much you can afford.
Education should be about gaining knowledge and nothing else, but if fairness and clarity are replaced by uncertainty and fear, it starts to resemble something that it should not be: a business.
The system of closing applications before the CAT results do more harm than good to the student community in large. It leads to increased anxiety, possible financial burden, merit takes a backseat, and students bear the load and no one else.
Until this system changes, candidates must move carefully, plan wisely, and take care of their finances and mental health.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :
Top colleges accepting CAT:
IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)
FMS Delhi
SPJIMR Mumbai
MDI Gurgaon
IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)
IIT Delhi (DMS)
IIFT
IMT Ghaziabad
JBIMS Mumbai
Top colleges accepting XAT:
XLRI Jamshedpur
XIMB Bhubaneswar
IMT Ghaziabad
Great
Hi there,
A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.
Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of
Hi there,
Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.
According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the
Hi there,
Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and
Hi there,
The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong
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