CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25
IIM Work Experience Criteria 2025: The IIMs for their evaluation process for shortlisting candidates do give weightage to the work experience. The candidates with significant work experience are provided with the points/marks as per their weightage for the IIM work experience criteria. The IIMs also have designated Executive MBA programs that are specially designed for catering the needs of working professionals across different industries. Read this article on how to get IIM admission based on the IIM work experience criteria
MBA has always been considered a great stepping stone for getting the right elevation across the corporate hierarchy. Working professionals often go the MBA route knowing that it would help them climb the ladder faster and more effectively. Their work experience is also a key factor that works in their favour. IIM work experience criteria can vary from one IIM to another based on the selection criteria of various IIMs. They can either choose to go for the conventional MBA through CAT exam or go for the alternate executive MBA programs designed for working professionals. The list of various executive IIM MBA programs is provided in the table below.
IIM | Course | Duration | IIM Work Experience Required |
IIM Ahmedabad | Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives (PGPX) | 1 year | 4 years |
IIM Bangalore | Post Graduate Program Enterprise Management (PGPEM) | 2 years | 4 years |
IIM Bangalore | Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP) | 1 year | 5 years |
IIM Calcutta | MBA Program for Executives (MBA Ex) | 1 year | 5 years |
IIM Lucknow | Post Graduate Program in Management for Working Executives (PGPWE) | 2 years | 3 years |
IIM Lucknow | International Program in Management for Executives or IPMX | 1 year | 5 years |
IIM Indore | General Management Program for Executives (GMPE) | 1 year | 3 years |
IIM Indore | Post Graduate Program in Management for Working Executives (PGPMX) | 2 years | 5 years |
IIM Kozhikode | Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP) | 1 year | 3 years |
IIM Trichy | Post Graduate Program in Business Management ( PGPBM) | 2 years | 3 years |
IIM Raipur | Executive Post Graduate Program in Management ( EPGP) | 2 years | 2 years |
IIM Rohtak | Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives (ePGPX) | 1 year | 5 years |
IIM Udaipur | MBA in Global Supply Chain Management | 1 year | 3 years |
IIM Ranchi | Post Graduate Executive Program in Management (PGEXP) | 2 years | 5 years |
IIM Visakhapatnam | Post Graduate Program for Experienced Professionals (PGPEx) | 1 year | 3 years |
IIM Shillong | Post Graduate Program for Working Executives (MBAWx) | 2 years | 3 to 5 years |
IIM Kashipur | Post Graduate Program for Working Executives (MBAWx) | 2 years | 3 years |
Check out: MBA Admissions in India: Why Work Experience Matters
Different IIMs have different weightages for the Work Experience component of their selection process. The weightage for work experience at different IIMs is given in the table below.
IIM | Weightage given to Work Experience (Points/Marks) |
5 | |
5 | |
8 | |
5 | |
5 | |
15 | |
10 | |
15 | |
10 | |
12 | |
7 | |
10 | |
10 | |
16 | |
14 | |
20 | |
20 | |
12 | |
10 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To verify the work experience of a candidate IIM can use several documents like experience letter, offer letter, salary slips, etc. The candidate can also be made to go through a background check if needed by the IIM.
IIMs do not have any mandatory work experience requirement for MBA admission. Candidates are selected for IIMs based on CAT scores and overall performance in the various selection rounds.
Work experience is counted in different ways depending on the IIM. At some places it is counted in terms of total time and then scaled down as required. It is also counted as a grade point and then calculated by multiplying with a pre-specified work factor.
There is no minimum or maximum work experience required for IIM. Work experience is an added advantage but does not come in the requirement list for admission to an IIM.
On Question asked by student community
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,
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!!!
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