CAT Percentile Required for IIM Ahmedabad (2026): Cutoffs for Engineers

Getting into the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) is the ultimate dream for thousands of engineering aspirants and students across India. But the question that haunts everyone is: What is the exact CAT percentile required for IIM Ahmedabad?

Is it 99 percentile? Is it 80? The answer is not simple. There is a huge difference between the "eligibility cutoff" and the "actual call cutoff."

In this blog, we will break down the CAT percentile required for IIM Ahmedabad for the 2026-28 batch, explain why engineers need a higher score, and analyze the admission criteria in simple terms.

Highlights: IIM Ahmedabad Admission 2026

Feature	Details
Institute Name	IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA)
Exam Accepted	CAT 2025
Course	PGP (MBA)
Program Fees	₹26.5 Lakhs (Approx)
Highest Package (2025)	₹1.10 Cr+
Average Package	₹34 LPA+
Expected CAT Cutoff	80%ile (Qualifying)

What is the CAT Percentile Required for IIM Ahmedabad?

To understand the cutoff, you must first understand that IIM Ahmedabad has two types of cutoffs:

1. Qualifying Cutoff (The Minimum Limit): This is the minimum score you need just to be considered for the shortlist. It is usually low (around 80 percentile for General).

   
   

2. Final Call Cutoff (The Real Safe Score): This is the score required to actually receive an interview letter. For General Category Engineers (GEM), this is usually above 99.6 percentile.

Difference Between Engineers and Non-Engineers

IIM Ahmedabad groups students into Academic Categories (AC).

• Engineers fall into AC-4.

• Since the number of engineering applicants is very high, the competition in AC-4 is intense.

• Non-engineers (Commerce/Arts) often get interview calls at lower percentiles (96-98%ile) due to "Academic Diversity" points, while engineers rely heavily on a high CAT score.

IIM Ahmedabad Qualifying Cutoff (2026 Expected)

This table shows the minimum marks you must score in each section of the CAT exam to stay eligible. If you miss even one sectional cutoff, you will not get a call, even if your overall score is 100 percentile.

Category	VARC Percentile	DILR Percentile	QA Percentile	Overall Percentile
General	70	70	70	80
NC-OBC	65	65	65	75
EWS	70	70	70	80
SC	60	60	60	70
ST	50	50	50	60
PwD	60	60	60	70

Note: Clearing these numbers does NOT guarantee a call. These are just the "pass marks."

Real CAT Cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad (Safe Score)

For the 2026 batch (CAT 2025 exam), here are the estimated "Safe Percentiles" based on past trends for final interview calls.

For Engineers (AC-4 Category)

• General Engineer Male (GEM): 99.60 – 99.90+ percentile

• General Engineer Female: 98.50 – 99.00+ percentile

• OBC Engineer: 95.00 – 97.00+ percentile

• SC Engineer: 85.00 – 90.00+ percentile

• ST Engineer: 75.00 – 80.00+ percentile

For Non-Engineers (Commerce/Arts/Science)

• General Category: 96.00 – 98.00+ percentile

• OBC Category: 90.00 – 95.00+ percentile

• SC/ST Category: 75.00 – 85.00+ percentile

Admission Process: How IIMA Selects Students

IIM Ahmedabad does not select students based on CAT scores alone. They use a Composite Score (CS) formula. For the 2026 batch, the selection will likely follow this weightage:

Stage 1: Preliminary Shortlisting

Your Composite Score is calculated as:

• 65% Weightage: Your CAT Score (Normalized)

• 35% Weightage: Application Rating (AR) Score

What is the Application Rating (AR)? The AR score is based on your past academic performance:

1. 10th Standard Marks

2. 12th Standard Marks

3. Graduation Marks

4. Work Experience (Note: Freshers get 0 here, but they can still make it with a high CAT score).

Stage 2: AWT & PI

If you clear the Stage 1 Composite Score cutoff, you are called for:

• Analytical Writing Test (AWT)

• Personal Interview (PI)

Stage 3: Final Selection

The final offer is made based on a combination of your CAT score, AWT, PI performance, and profile.

IIM Ahmedabad Fees (PGP 2026)

While the brand value is immense, the cost is also significant. However, the Return on Investment (ROI) makes it worth it.

• Tuition & Academic Fees: ₹26,50,000 (Approx for 2 years)

• Hostel & Mess: Included in the total fee structure usually.

• Laptop/Personal Expenses: Extra.

Financial Aid: IIMA has a very strong "Need-Based Financial Aid" program. If your family income is low, you can get significant fee waivers.

Placements: Is it Worth the Hype?

For Engineering aspirants, the placement data acts as a major motivation. Here is the latest data from the 2025 placement reports.

Parameter	Statistics (Approx)
Highest Domestic Package	₹1.10 Crore
Average Package	₹32.00 – ₹34.00 LPA
Median Package	₹30.00 LPA
Top Sector	Consulting & Management

Top Recruiters include McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Goldman Sachs, and major tech giants.

Important Dates for IIM Ahmedabad 2026 Admission

If you are targeting the class of 2026-2028, you will be appearing for CAT 2025.

Event	Tentative Date
CAT 2025 Registration	August 2025
CAT 2025 Exam	November 2025 (Last Sunday)
CAT Result Declaration	December 2025
IIM A Shortlist Release	January 2026
AWT & PI Rounds	Feb – March 2026
Final Result	April 2026

Tips for Engineers to Crack IIMA

Since you face the stiffest competition in the AC-4 category, follow these tips:

1. Target 99.7+: Don't settle for less. A high CAT score is the only way to beat a low graduation score or lack of work ex.

   
   

2. Focus on Sectional Accuracy: IIMA is strict about sectional cutoffs. Do not ignore VARC or DILR while practicing Quants.

   
   

3. Build Your Profile: If you are in your pre-final year, try to get internships or certifications to improve your interview chances.

   
   

4. Work Experience Helps: If you have 12-24 months of work experience, you get extra points in the "Application Rating," making it slightly easier to get a call.

FAQs: CAT Percentile for IIM Ahmedabad

1. What is the minimum CAT percentile required for IIM Ahmedabad for General Engineers?

While the qualifying cutoff is 80 percentile, a General Engineer (GEM) realistically needs 99.6+ percentile to receive an interview call due to high competition.

2. Can a fresher get into IIM Ahmedabad?

Yes! A large percentage of the IIMA batch consists of freshers. However, freshers need a higher CAT percentile compared to candidates with work experience.

3. Does 10th and 12th marks matter for IIM Ahmedabad?

Yes, they matter significantly. They carry 35% weightage (along with Grad marks and Work Ex) in the initial shortlisting process. If your past academics are poor, you need a near-100 percentile in CAT to compensate.

4. What is the CAT cutoff for OBC engineers for IIMA?

For NC-OBC engineers, a safe score is typically between 95 to 97 percentile, provided you have decent academic records.

5. Is the IIM Ahmedabad fee high?

The fee is approximately ₹26.5 Lakhs for two years. However, banks offer collateral-free loans easily to IIMA students, and the average placement package is over ₹30 LPA, allowing for quick repayment.

6. Is there a separate cutoff for Engineers and Non-Engineers?

IIMA does not publish separate cutoffs officially, but they calculate scores based on "Academic Categories." Since engineers (AC-4) score high in CAT, their effective cutoff rises much higher than Arts or Commerce students.

7. When will CAT 2025 be conducted for 2026 admission?

CAT 2025 will tentatively be conducted on the last Sunday of November 2025.

8. What is the "Safe Score" for SC/ST candidates?

For SC candidates, 85-90 percentile is considered safe. For ST candidates, calls can come at 75-80 percentile depending on their profile.

Conclusion

Securing a seat at IIM Ahmedabad is tough, especially for engineers, but it is not impossible. The "CAT percentile required for IIM Ahmedabad" is just one part of the puzzle. You need to balance a high CAT score with a strong profile.