IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: Beyond the CAT Percentile

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: Beyond the CAT Percentile

Ongoing Event

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

Suvam MaitiUpdated on 28 Jan 2025, 05:27 PM IST

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: Beyond the CAT Percentile - The CAT 2024 result came out as expected on December 19, 2024, and as expected, students are getting curious about the minimum percentile to get IIM BLACKI interview calls. IIM BLACKI consists of the top IIMS such as IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, and IIM Indore. This year, out of the 2.93 lakh students who appeared for the CAT 2024 examination, 14 applicants secured 100 percentile, while 29 students scored 99.99 percentile. Being the top IIM, IIM BLACKI has a low acceptance rate, while the minimum percentile to get an IIM BLACKI interview call is also very high. IIM BLACKI considers several other factors apart beyond the CAT percentile. Read this article to learn about IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria beyond the CAT percentile.

This Story also Contains

  1. IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Bangalore
  2. Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Bangalore
  3. IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Calcutta
  4. Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Calcutta
  5. IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Ahmedabad
  6. Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Ahmedabad
  7. IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025 IIM Kozhikode
  8. Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Kozhikode
  9. IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Lucknow
  10. IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Indore
  11. Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Indore
IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: Beyond the CAT Percentile
IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025 Beyond the CAT Percentile

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Bangalore

According to NIRF 2024, IIM Bangalore was ranked as no. 2 in the management category. While the final cut off list includes the higher cut off percentile, the candidates also need to understand what the admission criteria are under the selection process of the IIM Bangalore. IIM Bangalore is one of the top IIMs, and they consider factors that are beyond the CAT percentile. Here are the IIM BLACKI selection criteria for 2025 beyond the CAT percentile for IIM Bangalore.

  • First, a short list is prepared based on a predetermined minimum score in all sections of CAT 2024. Those candidates who have secured those minimum marks will be considered for the first shortlist. All the subsequent processing, standardization, and selection are limited to candidates in the first shortlist alone.

  • Then for the candidates selected in the first list, a 'Pre-PI score’ is created. This ‘PRE-PI’ score takes into account several factors, including CAT score (55), marks of Class 10 (10), marks of Class 12 (10), marks obtained in the bachelor’s degree courses (10), work experience/professional courses (10), and gender diversity (5).

  • Out of the 55 marks allotted to CAT, VARC, DILR, QA has 19, 21, and 15 marks, respectively.

  • The scores for class 10, class 12, and the bachelor's degree courses are normalized.

  • Candidates with Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost Accounting (ICWA), or Company Secretary (CS) certifications are eligible for weightage under the category of professional course. The scores obtained in these professional courses (final year completed only) are normalized and weightage is calculated.

  • The pre-PI score for work experience is (10x/36) if 0<x<36.
    10 if x>= 36.
    (x is the duration of the work experience in months.)

  • For candidates in the first shortlist, the top 10 candidates in each of the following categories automatically qualify for the PI stage: total score in CAT, adjusted bachelor’s degree score (commerce, arts, and science disciplines), and professional (CA/ ICWA/ CS) score. Post-PI, all such candidates are evaluated in the same way as any other candidate.

  • Based on the pre-PI score, a certain number of candidates from each category are selected for the next stage in the admission process.

  • The second stage of the admissions process at IIMB consists of a personal interview (PI) and a Written Ability Test (WAT) where candidates will be required to write a note.

  • The PI and the WAT will happen on the same day and in the same location. The duration of the WAT is approximately 30 minutes. The WAT will be evaluated based on the content and style of the note.

  • For all candidates called for interviews, the weights for the parameters at the post-PI stage are as follows: Personal interview = 40, WAT = 10, CAT = 25, 10th board score = 5, 12th board score = 5, Bachelor’s score = 5, Work Experience / Professional Course = 10. The 25 points for CAT are derived from the performance in each of the three sections as follows: Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 8.75 points, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 10 points, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) – 6.25 points.

  • Final offers of admission to candidates from each category will be made strictly based on the post-PI scores

Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Bangalore

Here is the table of minimum marks needed to be considered for the first shortlist of PI calls. However, it is recommended that the applicants visit the official website of IIM Bangalore to check if they have been shortlisted for the interview or not.

Minimum Percentile Requirements for the first shortlist for the batch of 2025-27

Category

VARC

DILR

QA

Aggregate

General

80

80

80

85

NC-OBC

70

70

70

75

EWS

70

70

70

75

SC

60

60

60

70

ST

55

55

55

65

PWD

50

50

50

60

latest: How Many Marks Required for IIM Bangalore Admission Through CAT 2024?

Read More: CAT 2024: How Many Marks are Required for IIM Calcutta?

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Calcutta

According to NIRF 2024, IIM Calcutta was ranked as no. 5 in the management category. While the final cutoff list includes the higher cut off percentile, the candidates also need to understand the admission criteria under the selection process of the IIM Calcutta. IIM Calcutta is one of the top IIMs, and they consider factors that are beyond the CAT percentile. In IIM Calcutta, candidates will be shortlisted based on CAT 2024 score and other parameters like academic performance and gender diversity. Here are the IIM BLACKI selection criteria for 2025 beyond the CAT percentile for IIM Calcutta.

  • In the first stage, the candidates need to match the minimum requirements on both section-wise and overall percentiles in CAT 2024, which are mentioned in the above table. However, it would be worth noting that these are the minimum qualifying marks to apply for the IIM Calcutta, while the cutoffs for the final selection might go higher than this.

  • The candidates fulfilling the criteria of the first stage, shortlisted candidates, will be called for Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT). This shortlisting will be based on the composite score derived using the parameters and the corresponding weights as specified:

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Parameters

Weight

Method of Calculation

CAT 2024 Score

56

(A/B)* 56

Class 10 marks

10

As per the below table

Class 12 marks

15

As per the below table

Gender Diversity Factor

4

4 points will be awarded for female and transgender candidates only.

Total

85


A = CAT 2024 Total Overall Scaled score of the Candidate

B = Maximum possible CAT 2024 Total Overall Scaled Score

Points for the marks secured in Class 10 and Class 12, respectively, will be allotted as per the below table:

Class 10 marks (percent)

Points

Class 12 marks
(percent)

Points

≥80

10

≥80

15

≥75 and <80

8

≥75 and <80

12

≥70 and <75

6

≥70 and <75

9

≥65 and <70

4

≥65 and <70

6

≥60 and <65

2

≥60 and <65

3

<60

0

<60

0

  • From the candidates who might be wondering about how many marks are required in CAT for IIM Calcutta and also have been selected for the PI and WAT, some of the candidates will be selected based on the composite score, using parameters and corresponding weights listed in the table below, for the final selection:

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Parameters

Weights

CAT 2024 Score

30

Personal Interview (PI)

48

Writing Ability Test (WAT)

08

Points awarded for Academic Diversity at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels for non-engineering degrees and professional qualifications as per the below table

06

Work Experience (as per the formula provided in the section on Work Experience)

08

Total

100

Here is the table about points awarded for academic diversity

No

Academic Diversity for CAT 2024

Points

1

Bachelor's degree in engineering stream

OR

Master’s degree in engineering stream

OR

Integrated Master’s degree in engineering stream

0

2

Bachelor's degree in non-engineering stream

4

3

Dual bachelor’s degree in Law (e.g. BA LLB, BSc. LLB, B.Com LLB, BBA LLB).

5

4

Bachelor's degree in engineering stream and Masters in non-engineering stream

2

5

Bachelor's degree in non-engineering stream and Masters in non-engineering stream

5

6

Dual/Integrated degree where bachelor is non-engineering and master is in non-engineering stream

5

7

Dual/Integrated degree where Bachelor in engineering stream and Master is the non-engineering stream

1

8

CA/ICWA/CS or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) without having a bachelor’s degree.

5

9

CA/ICWA/CS or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with a bachelor’s degree.

6

10

CA/ICWA/CS or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with or without a bachelor’s degree and with Masters in non-engineering stream.

6

11

Integrated bachelor’s degree in Law and Master's in non-engineering stream.

6

Here is the formula to calculate the marks awarded for the work experience of the candidates, which forms an integral part of knowing how many marks are required in CAT for IIM Calcutta-

Work Experience

Points Awarded

X = work experience in months

If X <= 6

0

If 6 < X <= 24

X/3

If 24 < X <= 36

8

If 36 < X <= 48

26 - (X/2)

If X > 48

2

Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Calcutta

Here is the table of minimum marks needed to be considered for the first shortlist of PI calls of IIM Calcutta. However, it is recommended that the applicants should visit the official website of IIM Bangalore to check if they have been shortlisted for the interview or not.

Minimum Percentile Requirements for the first shortlist for batch 0f 2024-26 based on CAT 20223

Category

VARC

DILR

QA

Aggregate

General OPEN

≥80

≥80

≥75

≥85

EWS

≥70

≥65

≥65

≥75

NC-OBC

≥70

≥65

≥65

≥75

SC

≥65

≥60

≥60

≥70

ST

≥55

≥55

≥55

≥65

PwD

≥45

≥45

≥45

≥55

Latest: 97 Percentile In CAT 2024 Means How Many Marks

Read More: How Many Marks Required in CAT for IIM Ahmedabad

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Ahmedabad

The admissions process at IIM Ahmedabad, the top IIM according to the NIRF Ranking of 2024 consists of multiple rigorous stages. Students, who have received their CAT results, and are willing to apply for the IIM Ahmedabad, also need to understand how the selection is done, as a part of the admission criteria. It is going to be crucial to get a much clearer picture of the admission scenario. Here are the IIM BLACKI selection criteria for 2025 beyond the CAT percentile for IIM Ahmedabad.

  • Preliminary Screening: Only the candidates who have the minimum cut off in the sectional percentile, and overall percentile and have the positive RAW score will be considered for the next stages.

  • In the screening at the same time Along with CAT scores, 10th, 12th, Graduation, and Work experience will also be considered to make the Application Rating Score (AR). This Rating score would be considered for shortlisting and WAT and PI.

  • Written Ability Test (WAT): Shortlisted candidates are required to write an essay on a given topic to assess their writing skills and ability to articulate thoughts coherently.

  • Personal Interview (PI): Candidates who perform well in WAT are invited for personal interviews during which their interpersonal skills, leadership potential, and overall fit for the program are evaluated.

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Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Ahmedabad

Here is the table of minimum marks needed to be considered for the first shortlist of PI calls of IIM Ahmedabad. However, it is recommended that the applicants visit the official website of IIM Ahmedabad to check if they have been shortlisted for the interview or not.

Category

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehensive Percentile Rank
(PVARC)

Data Interpretation
and Logical Reasoning Percentile Rank
(PDILR)

Quantitative Ability Percentile Rank (PQA)

Overall Percentile Rank
(PT)

General/EWS

70

70

70

80

NC-OBC
/Transgender

65

65

65

65

SC

60

60

60

70

ST

50

50

50

60

PwD

60

60

60

70

PwD (ST)

50

50

50

60

Latest: How Many Marks Are Required in CAT 2024 for IIM Kozhikode Admission?

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025 IIM Kozhikode

IIM Kozhikode has an extensive selection process conducted in several phases. The candidates needed to go through several other selection criteria beyond the CAT percentile for IM Kozhikode. Here are the IIM BLACKI selection criteria for 2025 beyond the CAT percentile for IIM Kozhikode.

  • First of all, a shortlist is prepared based on a predetermined minimum score in sectors like CAT, Graduation, Class XII, and Class X. Those candidates who have secured those minimum marks can register for the interview. However, the candidates needed to keep in mind that these are pre-interview registration processes rather than the call for an interview.

  • The Stage 2 process applies to the eligible candidates who completed the registration process in Stage 1 for admission to IIM Kozhikode, and it is for the determination of the candidates to be called for personal interview (PI). A shortlist of candidates in each category will be prepared based on an aggregate Index Score (AIS). The AIS is computed based on the performance in CAT 2024, Class X, Class XII, Gender/Academic diversity criterion, and work experience. Each component of the AIS is given a different weightage.

Aggregate Index Score Computation for Stage 2 Shortlist

Component

Weightage

CAT 2024 Index Score

50%

Class X Percentage Score

15%

Class XII Percentage Score

20%

Gender/Academic Diversity Score

10/5 %

Work Experience Score

5%

  • The short-listed candidates must appear for a Written Ability Test (WAT) followed by a Personal Interview (PI).

  • The entire process will last for a half-day (morning or afternoon). In this process, the candidates will write an essay, followed by a PI. The essay topic will be announced at the venue just before the start of the WAT session.

  • During the PI process, the panel will evaluate each candidate's academic efforts and disposition, general awareness and social disposition, attitude, personality and communication, and quality of work experience. The resume score will be calculated based on academic and professional qualifications and certifications.

  • After the WAT and PI process concludes, the final scores will be computed based on the performances in CAT 2024, PI, WAT, and resume scores.

  • A category-wise merit list will be prepared based on the final scores.

  • Admission offers will be made to candidates following the merit list as per the Government of India reservation norms.

Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Kozhikode

Here is the table of minimum marks needed to be considered for the first shortlist of PI calls of IIM Kozhikode. However, it is recommended that the applicants visit the official website of IIM Kozhikode to check if they have been shortlisted for the interview or not.

Minimum Percentile Requirements for the first shortlist for a batch of 2025-27

Category

VARC

DILR

QA

Aggregate

General

75

75

75

85

NC-OBC

65

65

65

75

EWS

65

65

65

75

SC

55

55

55

65

ST

45

45

45

55

PWD

45

45

45

60

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow, which has set the minimum cut off to 90 to be applicable to be included in the list to get the interview calls, has a complex selection process under the admission criteria. The students who have applied for the IIM Lucknow also need to learn about the admission criteria for IIM Lucknow as a part of the selection process.

  • IIM Lucknow will create the list based on the composite score for the candidates who qualify in Stage 1a, and the shortlist for the WAT-PI process shall be available on our official website, www.iiml.ac.in.

  • Such candidates shall be required to fill in and submit the WAT-PI form online by the stipulated deadline.

  • The candidates who fail to submit their WAT-PI form online by the prescribed time limit shall not be allowed for the WAT-PI process.

  • Candidates are advised to check the official website of IIM Lucknow (www.iiml.ac.in) regularly after the declaration of CAT-2024 results for updates and notifications related to the admission process.

1738064921365

1738064921257

Weights for Final Score calculation after the WAT-PI stage from IIM Lucknow - MBA

Component for the Final Score

Weightage

CAT Score

30

Academic Performance

5+5

Diversity Factor

5

Work Experience

5

Written Ability Test

10

Personal Interview

40

Final Score

100

It would be important to note that the minimum requirement for getting a pass in PI is 12 out of 40. The applicants who have appeared for the PI round but don't clear the PI cutoff won’t be included in the final merit list.

Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Lucknow

Category for IIM Lucknow

Maximum Composite Score to Get Interview Call

Minimum/ Cut off Composite Score to get IIM Lucknow Interview Call

Shortlisted Candidate

General

75.9865796

53.2367142

1268

EWS

68.3960618

40.3656987

312

NC-OBC

65.1367935

38.7191020

910

SC

64.3497262

31.1258124

793

ST

62.9267202

21.9151259

396

General PWD

57.1941793

12.0215651

186

EWS PWD

58.4859482

15.2371709

10

NC -OBC-PWD

48.9679352

13.8157749

28

SC-PWD

45.8944411

21.3143887

6

ST-PWD

33.3166654

26.7645449

2

Total



3911

IIM BLACKI Selection Criteria 2025: IIM Indore

IIM Indore has extensive selection criteria conducted in several phases. IIM Indore will adopt a three-stage selection process (I) Eligibility criteria (II) Shortlist for Personal Interview (PI) (III) Final Selection. However, it would be worth noting that IIM Indore considers some other factors like diversity factors beyond the CTA percentile. Here are the IIM BLACKI selection criteria for 2025 beyond the CAT percentile for IIM Indore

The candidates who want to know about the selection process need to follow the admission criteria of IIM Indore-

Stage-I: Eligibility Criteria

  • All applicants who apply for the two-year PGP of IIM Indore must satisfy the eligibility criteria mentioned in the CAT 2024 advertisement and also the minimum sectional percentile and overall percentile scores in CAT 2024.

  • Only those applicants meeting the specified criteria will be considered for Stage 2 of the selection process.

  • The minimum cutoff for the general candidates was set at 90 percentile.

Stage II: Shortlist for Personal Interview (PI)

  • Only those candidates satisfying the requirements mentioned in Stage-I will be considered for this stage of shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI).

  • A sufficient number of candidates for PI for each category (General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD) will be shortlisted using the merit list generated based on Composite Score (CS) as mentioned in Table 2.

  • Candidates shortlisted for PI will be intimated in January 2025.

  • IIM Indore will conduct the admission interviews offline (in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, and Mumbai) or online, depending on the situation.

  • Candidates shortlisted for Personal Interview (PI) at Stage II will have to attend PI, failing which they will not be considered for the next stage of the selection process, i.e., Stage III.

  • It is expected that the candidates score minimum marks in the PI round decided by IIM Indore.

  • Candidates not meeting the minimum performance in any of the PI parameters will not be considered for the next stage of the selection process, i.e., Stage III.

1738064921303

Stage III: Final selection

  • The candidates satisfying the requirements mentioned in Stage II will only be considered for the final selection.

  • A category-wise merit list will be generated based on the Final Composite Score (FCS) as mentioned in Table 3, and provisional admission offers will be made accordingly, adhering to the reservation norms.

1738064921337

Minimum Percentile to Get Interview Calls from IIM Indore

Here is the table of minimum marks needed to be considered for the first shortlist of PI calls of IIM Indore. However, it is recommended that the applicants visit the official website of IIM Indore to check if they have been shortlisted for the interview or not.

Minimum Percentile Requirements for the first shortlist for a batch of 2025-27

Category

VARC

DILR

QA

Aggregate

General

80

80

80

90

NC-OBC

70

70

70

80

EWS

80

80

80

90

SC

55

55

55

60

ST

40

40

40

45

PWD

40

40

40

45

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many people gave CAT 2024?
A:

2.93 lakh students gave CAT 2024.

Q: How to get into IIM BLACKI?
A:

IIM BLACKI accepts CAT scores to get into the IIMs for their management courses.

Q: What is the cut off for IIM 2024?
A:

Though the actual cut off for the IIMs never gets published, it would be safe to assume that a percentile of above 97 might get an interview call from the top IIMs.

Q: What is the minimum percentile to get a call from IIM?
A:

Though the actual cut off for the IIMs never gets published, it would be safe to assume that a percentile of above 97 might get an interview call from the top IIMs.

Q: How much percentile is required for IIM Blacki?
A:

Though the actual cutoff for the IIMs never gets published, it would be safe to assume that a percentile of above 97 might get an interview call from the top IIM BLACKI.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

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.

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can apply for the CAT exam as a final-year student. You must declare your backlog on the online application form. You do not write about it on the final-year student certificate; that document is to certify your enrollment status. You must clear all backlogs before the final admission process to any MBA college.

Hello,

Thank you for your question!

KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).

CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.

CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.

Hello it will clear your doubt!

Hello Aspirant,

  1. I saw a cat. The cat found an old map inside a drawer of the king's palace.

Here's why:

  • "a cat": It's the first time we mention the cat, so it's indefinite.

  • "The cat": Now we're talking about that specific cat we just mentioned, so it's definite.

  • "an old map": It's the first time we mention a map, and "old" starts with a vowel sound, so "an."

  • "a drawer": It's one of possibly many drawers, not a specific one known to us yet.

  • "the king's palace": This is a specific, unique place, so "the."

Hello Kapish

You can find the last 5 year questions of DILR for CAT at Careers360 website. Moreover, you can find the previous year papers of all the subjects i.e. DILR, Quants and VARC. I am attaching the link through which you would be able to access the same.

Here's the link: CAT Previous Year Papers by CAREERS360
Sample paper of DILR: CAT Sample Paper (DILR) by CAREERS360

Thank You!!!