What Profile is Required to Get into IIMs?

Every year, thousands of CAT aspirants wonder if their profile is good enough to receive a call from the IIMs. Questions like "Can I get a call from IIM Ahmedabad with my academics?" or "Is a high CAT percentile enough if I scored poorly in 10th and 12th?" are common. To address these concerns, we’ve created a comprehensive guide that dives deep into what kind of profile IIMs actually look for.

In this article, we’ll break down the profile criteria used by the top six IIMs — IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, and IIM Kozhikode — and help you evaluate your chances.

🎯 What Does “Profile” Mean for IIMs?

When it comes to IIM admissions, your profile includes:

• Academic Performance: Class 10th, 12th, and Graduation marks

• Gender

• Work Experience

• Academic Background (Diversity)

• Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Achievements

• Positions of Responsibility

• Special Interests or Passions

A good CAT percentile is important — but your profile plays a crucial role in:

1. Getting shortlisted for the WAT-PI/GD stage

2. Cracking Personal Interviews

3. Securing better internships and final placements

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📚 Academic Profile: What Do IIMs Expect?

Most IIMs prefer candidates with consistent academic performance:

However, don’t be disheartened if your scores are below this — several IIMs balance this with CAT score, diversity factors, and interview performance.

💼 Work Experience: How Much is Ideal?

Work experience of 2–3 years is preferred. Here's the general trend:

• 0–6 months: No weightage

• 2–3 years: Highest weightage

• 4+ years: Diminishing returns

Experience in leadership roles, internships, or work with NGOs adds more value to your profile.

🧠 Academic Diversity: Non-Engineers, You Have an Edge!

IIMs are promoting academic diversity, especially for PGP programs.

Categorization:

1. Engineers (GEMs): High competition, fewer diversity points.

2. Non-Engineers: BCom, BBA, BA – get diversity advantage.

3. Rare Profiles: Architecture, Literature, Mass Media, Zoology, Home Science – highly rewarded for uniqueness.

🏆 Extra & Co-Curricular Activities

• Olympiads, NTSE, research papers (co-curricular)

• Sports, arts, cultural achievements (extra-curricular)

• Leadership roles in school/college (positions of responsibility)

• Passionate pursuits (e.g., writing, photography, etc.) — even without awards — help in PI conversations.

🧾 What is the Minimum Percentile to Get into IIMs? (Last Year’s Cut-offs)

(Source: InsideIIM Research)

🔍 IIM-wise Admission Criteria Breakdown (Shortlisting + Final Selection)

1. IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA)

• Shortlist Composite Score:

  • CAT: 65%

  • Academics: 30%

  • Work Experience: 5%

• Final Selection:

  • PI: 50%, AWT: 10%, CAT: 25%, Academics: 15%

2. IIM Bangalore (IIMB)

• Shortlist:

  • CAT: 40%, 10th: 20%, 12th: 10%, Grad: 20%, Gender Diversity: 2%, Work Exp: 8%

• Final Selection:

  • PI: 30%, WAT: 10%, CAT: 25%, 10th: 10%, 12th: 5%, Grad: 10%, Work Exp: 10%

3. IIM Calcutta (IIMC)

• Shortlist:

  • CAT: 56%, X: 10%, XII: 15%, Grad: 15%, Diversity: 4%

• Final Selection:

  • PI: 48%, WAT: 10%, CAT: 30%, Diversity: 4%, Work Exp: 8%

4. IIM Lucknow (IIML)

• Shortlist:

  • CAT: 60%, X: 10%, XII: 10%, Grad: 10%, Diversity: 10%, Work Exp: 10%

• Final:

  • PI: 40%, WAT: 10%, CAT: 30%, XII: 5%, Grad: 5%, Work Exp: 5%, Diversity: 5%

5. IIM Indore (IIMI)

• Shortlist:

  • CAT: 20%, X: 34%, XII: 40%, Gender Diversity: 6%

• Final:

  • PI: 40%, WAT: 20%, CAT: 20%, X: 10%, XII: 10%

6. IIM Kozhikode (IIMK)

• Shortlist:

  • CAT: 75%, XII: 7.5%, Grad: 7.5%, Work Exp: 5%, Diversity: 5%

• Final:

  • PI: 45%, GD/WAT: 15%, CAT: 35%, Work Exp: 5%

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⭐ Top Non-Profile-Based Colleges (High CAT %ile = High Chance)

If your profile isn’t IIM-perfect, consider these elite colleges that focus more on CAT score:

• JBIMS Mumbai

• FMS Delhi

• XLRI Jamshedpur

• MICA Ahmedabad

• NMIMS Mumbai

• SIBM Pune

📌 Key Takeaways

• Strong academics + moderate CAT score > Weak academics + high CAT (in many IIMs)

• Aim for diversity, leadership roles, and unique achievements

• CAT is a gateway, not the whole journey — your profile determines the outcome

• Consider non-IIMs with profile-neutral criteria if your academic past isn't strong

Join our personalized IIM profile-building and CAT prep course