Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Every year, lakhs of students take the Common Admission Test (CAT) to pursue an MBA. For many aspirants, getting a call from a top institute like IIM Bangalore is the biggest milestone. IIM Bangalore has released (or is expected to release) its shortlist of candidates for WAT (Written Ability Test) + PI (Personal Interview) for the 2026 MBA programme.
In this article, we explain expected CAT cut-offs, shortlist criteria, selection process, interview schedule and how you can check your IIM Bangalore call online. We keep the language simple and the information up-to-date.
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What Does an IIM Bangalore Call Mean?
An IIM Bangalore call means you have been shortlisted for the next round of selection after the CAT exam — usually for:
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Written Ability Test (WAT)
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Personal Interview (PI)
Shortlists are based on a composite evaluation of profile and performance, not just CAT percentile.
Expected CAT Cut-Offs for IIM Bangalore Calls 2026
IIM Bangalore does not publicly share exact cut-offs. However, based on trends from previous years and current admission standards, these are reasonable expectations:
| Category | Expected CAT 2025 Percentile |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 98+ |
| NC-OBC | 95+ |
| SC | 90+ |
| ST | 85+ |
These are expected ranges and can vary each year based on applicant pool and exam difficulty.
Important Note
Meeting the minimum expected percentile does not guarantee a call. IIM Bangalore uses a holistic shortlist formula, where CAT score, academic background, work experience, gender diversity and other factors matter.
Shortlist Criteria – What IIM Bangalore Looks At
IIM Bangalore evaluates candidates based on:
1. CAT Score & Percentile
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Overall and sectional performance in CAT 2025
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Balance across VARC, DILR and QA
2. Academic Profile
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Class X, Class XII and graduation marks
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Consistency in academics
3. Work Experience
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Relevant experience helps in overall evaluation
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Quality usually matters more than duration
4. Diversity Factors
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Gender diversity (female / non-engineer / other categories)
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This can enhance chances in tie situations
5. Extra-curricular and Other Achievements
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Awards, leadership achievements, etc.
IIM Bangalore’s evaluation is designed to pick well-rounded candidates, not just top CAT scorers.
Shortlist & Interview Timeline (Expected)
Here’s what most aspirants can expect after the CAT 2025 result:
| Event | Expected Time |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Result | December 24 2025 |
| IIM Bangalore Shortlist | January 14 2026 |
| WAT Invitation / PI Registration | Jan – Feb 2026 |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) | February 2026 |
| Personal Interview (PI) | February – March 2026 |
| Final Merit List | March – April 2026 |
Exact dates are announced by IIM Bangalore on the official admission portal, so keep checking regularly.
How to Check IIM Bangalore Call Online
Follow these steps:
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Visit the official IIM Bangalore admission website
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Navigate to the PGP 2026 Admissions section
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Find the shortlist / call list link
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Log in using your CAT 2025 credentials
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Download the WAT/PI call letter
Make sure to register for the interview phase by the deadline, or your shortlisting may be cancelled.
Selection After WAT & PI
Getting a call is only the first step. The final selection is based on a composite score, which generally includes:
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CAT score
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WAT score
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PI performance
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Academic profile
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Work experience
Each component has a defined weightage, but the exact formula is internal to IIM Bangalore and may change yearly.
Tips to Maximise Your Chances at IIM Bangalore
If you receive a call, here are a few tips:
1. Prepare Strong WAT Content
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Practice essays on business topics
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Form clear opinions with logical structure
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Keep writing crisp and to the point
2. Focus on Communication Skills
PI tests your thought process, clarity and confidence.
3. Be Ready With Your Profile
Expect questions on:
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Academic journey
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Work experience (if any)
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Long-term career goals
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Why IIM Bangalore?
4. Stay Updated on Current Affairs
Especially business, economy, global issues and innovation trends.
Common Myths vs Reality
“Only 100 percentile gets a call”
False — Candidates with slightly lower percentiles have received calls if other factors are strong.
“More work experience means automatic selection”
False — Quality and relevance matter more.
“Skipping interview prep is okay if CAT score is high”
False — PI performance matters significantly in final selection.
Conclusion
An IIM Bangalore call for 2026 admissions is a major achievement, but it’s only the beginning of the final selection journey. Focus on strong performance in WAT and PI, prepare your profile story, and revise current affairs to improve your chances of converting the call into an offer.
Stay updated with official announcements and prepare smartly for the next rounds.
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