How To Get into IIM Without CAT: MBA from IIMs without CAT Exam

How To Get into IIM Without CAT: MBA from IIMs without CAT Exam

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Team Careers360Updated on 28 Feb 2025, 10:22 AM IST

How To Get into IIM Without CAT: IIMs are by far the most sought institutes for pursuing a management degree by almost every aspirant in the country. The CAT exam might seem to be the only alternative to get admission into an IIM. Though most candidates take the CAT exam route for IIM, certain alternatives can be considered by candidates in their academic and professional journeys. These options are designed for both students as well as working professionals with a significant amount of work experience.

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This Story also Contains

  1. IIM Programs that Don’t Need CAT
  2. Integrated Program in Management
  3. Executive MBA for Working Professionals
How To Get into IIM Without CAT: MBA from IIMs without CAT Exam
How To Get into IIM Without CAT

IIM Programs that Don’t Need CAT

In recent years, IIMs have come up with certain courses and programs that do not require a candidate to undergo the CAT exam. These programs include executive programs for working professionals and integrated management programs for students. Besides these IIMs have also introduced various diploma and certificate programs for candidates to upskill themselves across various disciplines.

The different programs listed by IIM that do not require CAT are mentioned below.

Integrated Program in Management

IIMs have introduced a 5-year joint integrated program in management (IPM) for candidates wanting to go for management roles right after school. It has its entrance exam known as the JIPMAT exam. This course can be pursued from 5 IIMs, IIM Jammu, IIM Rohtak, IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi, and IIM Bodh Gaya. The overview of the IPMAT program is given in the table below.

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Name of the Program

Integrated Program in Management

Duration

5 Years

Entrance Exam

IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test)

Conducting IIMs

IIMs, IIM Jammu, IIM Rohtak, IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi, and IIM Bodh Gaya

Fees

Rs. 28-30 Lakhs (approx.)

Executive MBA for Working Professionals

The IIMs have introduced various executive MBA programs for working professionals across industries that enable them to seek leadership positions at various levels. It is designed to advance the professional careers of candidates with efficient growth. The important details for executive MBA programs of different IIMs are given in the table below.

IIM

Course

Fees (INR approx)

Duration

Work Experience Required

IIM Ahmedabad

Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives (PGPX)

32 lakhs

1 year

4 years

IIM Bangalore

Post Graduate Program Enterprise Management (PGPEM)

20 lakhs

2 years

4 years

IIM Bangalore

Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP)

23 lakhs

1 year

5 years

IIM Calcutta

MBA Program for Executives (MBA Ex)

31 lakhs

1 year

5 years

IIM Lucknow

Post Graduate Program in Management for Working Executives (PGPWE)

14 lakhs

2 years

3 years

IIM Lucknow

International Program in Management for Executives or IPMX

24 lakhs

1 year

5 years

IIM Indore

General Management Program for Executives (GMPE)

6 lakhs

1 year

3 years

IIM Indore

Post Graduate Program in Management for Working Executives (PGPMX)

18 lakhs

2 years

5 years

IIM Kozhikode

Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP)

14 lakhs

1 year

3 years

IIM Trichy

Post Graduate Program in Business Management ( PGPBM)

12 lakhs

2 years

3 years

IIM Raipur

Executive Post Graduate Program in Management ( EPGP)

12.5 lakhs

2 years

2 years

IIM Rohtak

Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives (ePGPX)

8 lakhs

1 year

5 years

IIM Udaipur

MBA in Global Supply Chain Management

23 lakhs

1 year

3 years

IIM Ranchi

Post Graduate Executive Program in Management (PGEXP)

12.5 lakhs

2 years

5 years

IIM Visakhapatnam

Post Graduate Program for Experienced Professionals (PGPEx)

11 lakhs

1 year

3 years

IIM Shillong

Post Graduate Program for Working Executives (MBAWx)

12 lakhs

2 years

3 to 5 years

IIM Kashipur

Post Graduate Program for Working Executives (MBAWx)

12 lakhs

2 years

3 years

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which IIM is easiest to get into?
A:

Getting into baby IIMs like IIM Sirmaur, IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Amritsar, IIM Nagpur, and IIM Shillong are easy as compared to major IIMs.

Q: Is CAT necessary for IIM?
A:

Yes, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is most important national-level MBA entrance exam to take to get admission in management courses  at IIM. 

Q: Can I take direct admission in IIM?
A:

IIMs do not have any criteria for direct admission. Candidates have to go through accepted exams like CAT, IPMAT, and perform well in the evaluation rounds to secure a seat in the prestigious IIMs.

Q: Can I join IIM without CAT?
A:

CAT is mandatory for admission to the MBA/PGDM programs at IIMs. Without CAT, IIM can be joined for an integrated management program and executive MBA programs. These programs can be pursued without CAT.

Q: Can I directly join IIM after 12th?
A:

To join IIM directly after 12th candidates can give the IPMAT exam and join the 5 year integrated program in management. The IPM program is offered by IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Jammu, and IIM Bodh Gaya.

Q: How can I join IIM MBA without CAT?
A:

Candidates can go for the GMAT exam instead of CAT exam. Some IIMs accept GMAT scores for admission to their executive MBA programs. GMAT scores might only be considered for a few specific courses.

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Questions related to CAT

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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!

Hey,

You already have a strong profile with the score of 58% in Class 10, 74% in Class 12, and 80% in graduation, but admission in IIT Bombay, Shailesh J Mehta School of Management is quite competitive, especially if you are in general category because the cutoff for general goes to 98.5-99%. Your CAT percentage is impressive but your 10th marks might reduce your score during the shortlisting process. If you perform well in Written Ability Test and Personal Interview, and present your commerce background you still stand a fair chance. But it would also be wise if you have some backups like MDI Gurugram, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi, where your marks and profile will fit well in their selection range.