CAT Admission Process 2023: IIM Selection Process, Criteria (Revised)

Selva Kumar

Updated on - Dec 21, 2023

CAT selection process 2023 consists of three stages - Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI). CAT counselling process also known as IIM CAP counselling 2023 is conducted for all 9 IIMs i.e IIM Jammu, Raipur, Bodh Gaya, Kashipur, Sirmaur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Trichy, and Udaipur. In addition, CAT 2023 exam gets 30% weightage, as per the MBA admission policy announced by IIM Calcutta.

As part of the admission process, the candidates who clear the CAT cut off 2023 will be selected for the counselling round.  Candidates will be able to check their CAT CAP Counselling process status by entering the CAT Registration number on the official portal. CAT selection process for IIMs and other management institutes starts in Jan 2024, soon after the CAT exam is conducted and the results are announced.

Candidates must post their CAT scores on the official website of the IIM they want to attend. The institutes then compile a list of eligible students to participate in WAT-PI by comparing each applicant's CAT score to the final cut off and their academic background. The IIM CAT admission process takes three to four months for all 20 institutes, and sessions will start in Jun or Jul 2024.

Don't Miss: 

• CAT Exam Analysis 2023 (Slot 1, 2 and 3)
• CAT Answer Key 2023
• CAT 2023 Question Paper

Table of Contents

• CAT 2023 IIM Common Admission Process for 2024-26 Batch
• CAT IIM Counselling Dates 2023
• Common Admission Process (CAP): CAT Admission Process for New IIMs
• CAT Counselling Process 2023
• CAT Written Ability Test 2023
• CAT Personal Interview 2023
• What Documents Will Be Taken at WAT/ GD and PI Time?
• Admission to Non-IIMs Through CAT 2023
• CAT Reservation Criteria 2023
• CAT Seat Intake 2023
• CAT Admission Eligibility Verification Procedure
• IIM Admission Process 2024-26 through CAT
• CAT Admission Process 2023 (Tentative) Parameters for Final Selection Process

CAT 2023 IIM Common Admission Process for 2024-26 Batch

The IIMs will shortlist applicants based on CAT 2023 and the selection procedure such as the Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Tests (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI). In the covid-19 situation as it stands. Some institutions exclusively interview shortlisted candidates online.

Three rounds make up the CAT 2023 selection process for IIMs, including:

• Round 1: IIM Shortlist and CAT 2023 Results
• Round 2: Personal interview
• Round 3: Final selection and eligibility verification

IIM CAP Counselling through CAT 2023 Dates

Did You Know?

Indian Institutes of Management are the primary association of CAT (IIMs). That's not true, though. In addition to the IIMs, more than 1200 B-Schools in India accept CAT scores. These include highly regarded institutions like MDI-Gurgaon, FMS-Delhi, SPJIMR-Mumbai, and IMT-Ghaziabad.

Also Read: CAT Percentile Wise Colleges

CAT 2023 Selection Process - Stage-Wise

CAT 2023 admission policy for the MBA program remains the same as last year. Candidates can check the following stage-wise academic requirements for IIM Calcutta's MBA program.

Stage 1

In stage 1, cut-offs for the minimum CAT 2023 percentile must be considered. As IIM Calcutta stated "candidates who meet the minimum requirements for both section-wise and overall percentiles in CAT 2023 as outlined in the table will be shortlisted for consideration in stage 2, subject to obtaining non-negative raw scores in all areas of CAT 2023"

Stage 2

Candidates will be chosen for the Personal Interview (PI) rounds and Written Ability Test (WAT) based on their CAT result 2023 and other factors, which are mentioned in the tabular below. 

Stage 3

Candidate's performance in CAT 2023, PI, and WAT rounds will taken into consideration along with other factors while creating the final category-by-category merit list. Candidates can check the tabular below for the factors and their weightage. 

Note: The parameters and weightage for IIM Bangalore for the CAT exam are listed in the above table. Each IIM's weighting of each characteristic will change from year to year.

CAT IIM Counselling Dates 2023

A shortlist of applicants who will move on to the next step of the CAT admission process will be published by various IIMs. This shortlist is made public on the relevant IIM's official website. The table below will be updated with information about the shortlist according to the IIMs. The dates listed below are tentative based on last year's procedure. View the New IIMs CAP Shortlist & Admission Requirements.

Common Admission Process (CAP) for New IIMs

Common Admission Process (CAP) will be conducted at the newer IIMs, including those in Ranchi, Raipur, Trichy, Udaipur, and Kashipur, among others (CAP). There will be a shortlist of candidates; they will all need to show up for the rounds of the standard written ability exam and personal interviews. Each of these IIMs will disclose a candidate's performance based on a unique merit list.

The following new IIMs will follow CAP-Based CAT Result 2023 for admission: 

Key Points of IIM CAP

The shortlisted applicants for WAT-PI will be sent by all participating Indian Institutes of Management to the IIM conducting CAP.

• All CAP participating IIMs will have their WAT-PI round conducted by that IIM.
• Following the CAP, the participating IIMs will assess each candidate's performance in the WAT, PI, CAT score, profile, etc., and compile their own merit list for admission.
• The relevant IIM website will make a final list of the chosen candidates availability. Candidates who have a CAT ID or institute login are the only ones who can access this.

 All CAP participating institutions should be aware that the weightage of the eligible CAT cut-off and CAT admission criteria will be the same

CAP Important Instructions for Attending Online Personal Interview

Requirements for Online Personal Interview

• Laptop or desktop with a camera
• Headphone
• Microphone
• Dependable and quick internet connection
• Pens, pencils, blank sheets, and other stationery supplies
• Install the Zoom program.
• For greater visibility, use a background that is clear or white and lighter in color.
• A legitimate ID with a photo

Instructions for Online Personal Interview

• Click the provided link to participate in the online personal interview using the Zoom platform on the specified date and time.
• Candidates must arrive by 9:30 am for the morning session and 1:30 pm for the afternoon slot.
• The candidate should be the only one in the room during the PI process.
• Throughout the PI session, the audio and video should be on. Any use of recording equipment is forbidden.

CAP Counselling Documents Required

Candidates for CAP counselling registration must keep the following documentation on file.

• A digital image of the photo (Less than 100 KB).
• Digital version of the signature (Less than 100 KB).
• Picture ID Card Document
• 10th and 12th-grade mark sheets, together with a pass certificate for CAT 2023
• Certificates relevant to graduation
• Marksheet for graduation for all semesters and years.
• For individuals who graduated before 2021, a degree certificate is necessary.
• A provisional certificate is needed for those who graduated in 2023 but have not yet received their degree certificates.
• Any other degree, master's degree, or professional qualification listed on the CAP Registration form must be supported by a certificate and mark sheets.
• Certifications about the experience:
• Please don't think of apprenticeships and training as experiences.
• Please submit a caste certificate in the appropriate format (NC-OBC/SC/ST).

CAT Cut Off for CAP Counseling 

CAT Counselling Process 2023

CAT Counseling or Selection Process consists of three stages, which are as follows:

• Stage 1: Candidate Shortlisting - Candidates will be selected for stage 2 based on the CAT qualifying cut off published by the institute.
• Stage 2: WAT, GD, or PI - Candidates must show up for WAT, GD, or PI rounds in this stage.
• Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score. The final composite score is generated depending on several factors, and candidates will receive admission offers.

CAT Written Ability Test 2023

Most IIMs favour the Written Ability Test (WAT) over the Group Discussion. Due to COVID-19, the WAT round was not held at most IIMs last year. But this year, some IIMs might hold WAT. The following are the significant highlights of WAT:

• WAT evaluates a candidate's communication and critical thinking abilities.
• The following criteria are used to score the test:
• Writing Ability Test Clarity of Thought
• Clearness of Expression
• Dimensionality of Viewpoint
• Reasoning Robustness
• Depending on the IIM, the WAT often accounts for 10% to 30% of the final score.
• WAT Duration: Depending on the IIM, different amounts of time are allotted for WAT.
• It can take between 15 and 30 minutes.
• Questions:  Essay Format

The following are some of the critical WAT topics:

CAT WAT Duration

Depending on the IIM of choice, WAT takes a different time. They are essay tests and can last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. The time allotted for the Written Ability Test and the word limit are listed below based on previous patterns:

CAT Personal Interview 2023

• It is a significant phase of the selection process and is held in the majority of IIMs.
• The PI selection panel typically consists of 2-4 experts.
• Being confident and presenting yourself clearly are the keys to success in this step of the selection process.
• In an IIM interview, you may be asked questions regarding your personal life, academic history, extracurricular activities, employment history, perspective on current events, etc.

CAT PI Things to Remember

While attending the CAT PI, there are a few key points to keep in mind. The following are some essential reminders:

• Keep in mind to portray yourself effectively by dressing and grooming appropriately.
• Improve your communication and presenting abilities.
• Aim to speak in public more often.
• The interviewers may occasionally make general inquiries about anything in your call letter. Interviewers have questioned candidates about why their email contains the year 1990 rather than their real birth year, for example.
• Don't ramble on and stick to the subject.
• Avoid giving trite or obvious responses.
• Your body language and nonverbal indicators while replying will be observed by interviewers.

Read More: How to Calculate CAT Percentile 2023?

What Documents Will Be Taken at WAT/ GD and PI Time?

While the CAT selection process, candidates will have to submit the required documents to be selected. Here is the list of required documents for general and reserved categories: 

Verification of Degree Certificates and Mark Sheets

During the IIM CAT selection process, which entails a personal interview, candidates must present original and attested copies of credentials and mark sheets. The original degree mark sheets for every semester must be submitted with attested copies if chosen at the time of joining.

Required Documents at the Time of WAT/ GD and PI

• IIM Interview call letter
• CAT 2023 scorecard
• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
• The graduation mark sheet and certificate
• Reservation category proof of certificate (if applicable)
• Work experience certificate (if any)

Reserved Category

During the in-person interview, candidates must present both an authenticated copy and the original ST/ SC/ NC-OBC/ DA certificates. If chosen, the reservation category's original certificates and attested copies must be submitted when joining.

Final Year Undergraduate Students

The chosen candidates will be required to produce both the original and an attested copy of the certificate from the Registrar, Principal, or Director of the institute or university stating that the student received 50% marks (45% for the reserved category).

Their admission will be provisional until the original mark sheet, and the qualifying undergraduate degree are provided before Dec 31, 2024. A candidate's admission will be automatically revoked if the necessary paperwork is not submitted on time or at all.

CAT PI Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the most typical queries in CAT PI:

• Inform us a little bit about yourself.
• How did you decide to get an MBA? Why?
• In five years, where do you see yourself?
• Tell us why we should choose you.
• Do you regret anything? (Related to schoolwork, daily life, etc.)
• Past Questions.
• What made you decide to enroll at IIM (city)?
• Discuss your advantages and disadvantages.
• Inquiries from the GD.
• Have you got any inquiries for us?

Admission to Non-IIMs Through CAT 2023

In India, more than 1000 MBA colleges accept CAT 2023 scores. The best colleges in India outside of IIMs include the procedure for choosing Non-IIMs also entails:

• Liberating CAT Cutoff and Candidate Shortlisting Based on CAT Scores: Following the announcement of CAT results, the institutes publish their own CAT cut offs and shortlist candidates for GD-PI rounds based on CAT scores & percentile.
• GD-WAT-PI rounds: Some institutions hold all three, whilst others might only hold the GD or PI round.
• Final Merit List: The final merit list is created by giving various criteria, such as CAT scores, GD-WAT-PI scores, academic records, prior work experience, varying weights.

Top non-IIM universities in India that accept CAT results include:

CAT Reservation Criteria 2023

IIMs allocate specific seats for SC, ST, OBC, or PWD applicants. An outline of the same is provided in the table below:

CAT Seat Intake 2023

There are 20 IIMs in India that grant admission to MBA programs with various specialties. The total number of seats accepted by various IIMs is listed below:

CAT Admission Eligibility Verification Procedure

If any IIM selects a candidate for interviews, they must undergo eligibility verification: Mark sheets and a degree certificate must be produced at the time of the interview in order to demonstrate the applicant's eligibility. The original degree certificate and all semester/year-level mark sheets, along with their attested copies, must be given for verification at the time of admission if a candidate is chosen for a program.

Reservation Category: At the time of the interview, candidates from the category must present both the original caste, class, or handicap certificate and a photocopy. The original certificate of qualifying degree and an attested copy of it must also be submitted for verification when attending the program if a candidate is chosen for it.

Graduates in their final year: Candidates for bachelor's degrees or comparable degrees must present an authentic certificate from the principal, registrar, or director of the university or institution attesting that they received 50% or equivalent marks (45% in the case of reserved categories). At the time of the interview, they must present an attested copy of the original certificate.

For the Post Graduate Programs: If selected candidates must present a certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their University/institution, they will be permitted to enter the program on a provisional basis. The official mark sheet and qualifying degree certificate of successfully completing the bachelor's degree must be submitted in order to receive the final admission.

IIM Admission Process 2024-26 Through CAT

There are 88 institutions registered with CAT exam procedure 2023 that do not come under the IIM category. In 2023, these institutes will run their own CAT selection process. Although the WAT, GD/PI, and CAT 2023 counselling rounds are the same. However, not all of these steps are necessary for admission in the end. Instead of holding group discussions, other institutions, like IMT Ghaziabad, undertake group activities or group training.

IIM Shortlist Status 2024-2026 based on CAT 2023 Score

CAT Admission Process 2023 (Tentative) Parameters for Final Selection Process

CAT admission process 2023 tentative parameters have been concluded for the final selection process in IIMs.