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.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prestigious and competitive entrance exams for MBA aspirants in India. Every year, over two lakh candidates appear for this exam to get into top B-schools like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMS) and other reputed institutions. But many students often wonder — what happens after clearing the CAT exam? What are the next steps? Here's a step-by-step explanation of the process after successfully clearing the CAT.
Also Read: Profile for IIMs
1. Receiving the CAT Scorecard
The first milestone after the CAT exam is the release of the CAT scorecard, usually in January. The scorecard includes:
- Sectional scores for VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability)
- Overall score
- Percentile – which is what most institutes consider for shortlisting
Each IIM and B-school sets its own cut-off percentile. Top IIMs usually have cut-offs above the 98-99 percentile, while newer IIMs and other reputed institutes may have lower cut-offs.
2. Shortlisting by Institutes
Once the CAT results are out, participating institutes begin the shortlisting process for the next round. Each IIM has its own selection criteria, which may include:
- CAT percentile (overall and sectional)
- Academic performance in Class 10th, 12th, and graduation
- Work experience
- Gender and academic diversity (some IIMs give extra weightage to non-engineering and female candidates)
Shortlisted candidates receive calls for the next stage, which typically includes:
- WAT (Written Ability Test)
- PI (Personal Interview)
- GD (Group Discussion) – though this is becoming less common
3. Preparing for WAT-PI-GD Rounds
This stage is crucial and can make or break your admission. Institutes assess your communication skills, analytical thinking, personality, clarity of thought, and how well you can present yourself. Here's a quick overview of each component:
a. Written Ability Test (WAT)
You’ll be asked to write an essay on a current or abstract topic within a limited time. It tests your written communication, coherence of ideas, and knowledge.
b. Personal Interview (PI)
This is the most important part of the selection process. Panelists ask questions on:
- Your academic background
- Career goals
- Work experience (if any)
- General awareness
- Why MBA?
- Why this particular institute?
Being confident, honest, and well-prepared is key.
c. Group Discussion (GD)
Though fewer institutes use GD now, it’s still relevant in some B-schools. You’re put in a group of 8–10 people and given a topic to discuss. They observe your leadership, listening, and communication skills.
4. Final Selection and Merit List
After WAT-PI-GD rounds, institutes prepare a final merit list. Each component (CAT score, WAT, PI, academics, work experience, etc.) is assigned a weightage. Based on your composite score, you may receive:
- Final admission offer
- Waitlist status
Offers are made via email or through the institute’s admission portal. You must accept the offer and pay the confirmation fee within the given time.
5. Joining the B-School
Once you accept the admission offer, you receive the joining instructions. These include:
- Important dates
- Fee payment details
- Required documents
- Pre-course reading materials (sometimes)
Classes usually begin around June-July. You officially start your MBA journey, which will be a mix of academics, internships, projects, placements, and personal growth.
6. Exploring Other B-Schools
Even if you don’t get into the IIMs, your CAT score is still valid for many top B-schools, including:
- FMS Delhi
- SPJIMR Mumbai
- MDI Gurgaon
- IMT Ghaziabad
- IITs (like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, etc.)
- TAPMI, XIMB, Great Lakes, and others
Each of these institutes has its own admission process, deadlines, and shortlisting criteria. Keep an eye on their official websites and apply separately if required.
7. Backup Plans and Reattempts
If things don’t work out in the first attempt:
- You can consider other entrance exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, etc.
- You can gain some work experience and reattempt CAT next year with better preparation.
Many successful candidates crack CAT in their second or third attempt, often with improved strategy and focus.
Conclusion
Clearing the CAT exam is just the first step in your MBA journey. The real challenge begins after the results — facing interviews, writing essays, and presenting the best version of yourself. With the right preparation and mindset, you can convert your call into a seat at a top B-school. Stay focused, prepare well, and believe in yourself — your dream MBA is within reach!
Also Read: New IIMs, Baby IIMS worth it?
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