IIM CAT 2025 Cut off for SC/ST Category
The IIM CAT 2025 cut-off for the SC/ST category is an important landmark for candidates anxious about receiving a call for WAT-GD-PI rounds. Given admission dynamics and reservations, knowing sectional and overall percentile expectations can inform focused preparation and realistic goal-setting.
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have varied CAT cutoffs for SC/ST categories that are lower than the general, but competitive. To exemplify, IIM Bangalore's qualifying CAT cutoffs were 70 percentiles for SC and 65 percentiles for ST, while the general category required an overall percentile of 85 percent. Similarly, IIM Calcutta displays cutoffs for applying for SC and ST of 65 and 55, respectively, for the QA section.
Read on to learn more about the IIM CAT cutoff for SC and ST categories.
IIM CAT 2025 Cut Off for SC/ST Category Section-wise (Expected)
You can refer to the table below to get the expected cut-off for IIM CAT 2025 for the SC and ST categories.
| IIM | Category | VARC (%) | DILR (%) | QA (%) | Overall (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | |
| IIM Bangalore | SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 | |
| IIM Calcutta | SC | 65 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 | |
| IIM Lucknow | SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | |
| IIM Kozhikode | SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| ST | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 | |
| IIM Indore | SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
| ST | 35 | 35 | 35 | 45 |
Also Read: What is a Good Percentile for IIMs in 2025?
What is a safe percentile for admission to top IIMs in 2025?
Take a look at the table below to know the safe percentile for admission to the top IIMS.
| IIM | General (%) | NC-OBC / EWS (%) | SC (%) | ST (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.5+ | 96–98 | 70–75 | 60–65 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99.5+ | 96–98 | 70–75 | 65 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99.5+ | 96–98 | 70–75 | 65 |
| IIM Lucknow | 98.5–99 | 94–96 | 65–70 | 60–65 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 98.5–99 | 94–96 | 65–70 | 55–60 |
| IIM Indore | 98–99 | 94–96 | 60–65 | 45–50 |
Also Read:
- Common Admission Process for IIMs 2025: Registration Details, Participating Colleges & Expected CAT Cutoff
- Admission in IIMs Without CAT
Factors affecting IIM CAT 2025 Cut Off
Multiple variables play a role in influencing yearly CAT cut offs. Here are some of the most relevant variables:
1. Number of Candidates: Yearly cut-off scores usually are increased when the number of candidates taking the CAT increases. This is mainly due to the enhanced competition because of the greater number of candidates; in turn, MBA colleges will work hard to select the best potential candidates from the greater number of candidates.
2. Level of Difficulty: Cut-off scores will typically be lower when the CAT exam is more difficult. This is a result of fewer candidates obtaining more significant scores.
Lower Difficulty Level: Cut-off scores will generally be higher with a lower CAT exam level of difficulty since the number of candidates will be higher, and more candidates will be scoring better.
3. Number of Seats: An increase in available seats will typically lead to lower cut-offs because a college can admit more students; as more students are admitted, competitive standards also decline. Conversely, with reduced seat availability, the competitiveness increases, which will result in higher cut-off scores.
4. Reservation Policies: Several institutes that employ a more lenient reservation policy may ultimately result in a lower cut-off score for specific reservations and ultimately affect the overall cut-offs.
5. Reputation and Rank of College: The more reputable colleges tend to attract superior candidates by their higher percentiles, that also also leads to higher cut-off scores. If a college's reputation and ranking arises, the college's cut-off marks likely will follow the college of choice.
Also Read:
CAT Cutoff 2025 Score vs Percentile (Expected)
Take a look at the table below to check the expected score and percentile for CAT 2025.
| CAT Score | Percentile (Expected) |
|---|---|
| 95-98 | 99.5 |
| 87-94 | 99 |
| 78-86 | 98 |
| 71-77 | 97 |
| 65-70 | 95 |
| 60-65 | 94 |
| 54-60 | 90 |
| 45-50 | 80 |
| 33-39 | 70 |
Also Read: How tough are WAT/GD/PI rounds of IIMs?
What is a Good CAT Score?
In CAT 2025, a raw score between 102-120+ is considered an excellent score, which can place the candidate in the percentile range 99+, which will provide an opportunity to get admission into top IIMS like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.
A score range of 80-100 in the CAT is considered a very good score, with the percentile range 95–98. You can get into Mid Tier IIMs like Shillong and IIM CAP. And a score in the range of 72-84 can place you in the 90th-95th percentile and is considered a good score. With this score range, you can get admission into Newer IIMS like Nagpur, Amritsar, Vishakhapatnam, and Sambalpur.
Conclusion
To secure admission into an IIM in 2025, a general and a sectional CAT percentile would be required, varying with category and gender. The cut-offs strategy preparation balances across all sections of the paper, making the chances of selection very bright. Stay clued in, level-headed, and on track to get your IIM dream.
Quick Facts
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SC/ST CAT 2025 cutoffs are vital for WAT-GD-PI calls. -
IIM SC/ST cutoffs are lower than General, yet competitive. -
IIM Bangalore: SC 70%, ST 65% (General 85%). -
IIM Calcutta QA: SC 65%, ST 55%.