IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cutoff 2026: Expected & Sectional Percentile
Admission & Info Tools
Need Expert Assistance?
Our counselors can help you with fee structures, eligibility guidelines, and upcoming admission cutoffs instantly.
Direct Application Tools

IIM Ahmedabad CAT 2026 cutoff: category-wise
| Category | Overall percentile | Each section (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| General / EWS | 95 | 85 |
| NC-OBC | 90 | 80 |
| SC | 85 | 75 |
| ST | 75 | 65 |
| PwD | 10-point relaxation within the applicable category (General PwD: 85 / 75) |
How the cutoff has moved (last three cycles)
| Batch | CAT used | General/EWS overall / sectional |
| PGP 2025–27 | CAT 2024 | 80 / 70 |
| PGP 2026–28 | CAT 2025 | 95 / 85 |
| PGP 2027–29 | CAT 2026 | 95 / 85 (reported unchanged) |
The 2026–28 increase was the largest single-year hike among the IIMs. Qualifying cutoffs are not the same as the percentile at which calls are actually made, which depends on the applicant pool each year.
What changed in the PGP 2027–29 process
| PGP 2026–28 | PGP 2027–29 | |
| Undergraduate classification | 6 academic categories | 20 undergraduate disciplines |
| Rating score tables | Different for stream and academic category | One common table for Class 10, 12 and graduation |
| Shortlisting | Two-stage process by academic and reservation category | Score normalised within your undergraduate discipline |
| Final Composite Score | 4 components | 3 components |
If you hold more than one undergraduate degree, a separate score is calculated for each discipline and the highest normalised score is used.
How IIM Ahmedabad shortlists you
Raw Composite Score = 0.35 × Normalised Application Rating + 0.65 × (CAT total percentile ÷ 100)
The Application Rating draws on Class 10, Class 12, graduation, work experience and gender diversity (non-male candidates get 3 points). Under the 2027–29 policy, one rating table applies to Class 10, Class 12 and graduation:
| Percentage scored | Rating score |
| ≤ 55% | 1 |
| > 55% to 60% | 2 |
| > 60% to 70% | 3 |
| > 70% to 80% | 5 |
| > 80% to 90% | 8 |
| > 90% | 10 |
Final selection weightage
| Component | PGP 2026–28 | PGP 2027–29 |
| Personal Interview | 50% | 50% |
| Analytical Writing Test | 10% | 10% |
| CAT | 25% | Combined with Application Rating as a Normalised Composite Score: 40% |
| Application Rating | 15% | (included above) |
Because PI and AWT together carry 60%, a strong CAT score gets you to the interview but cannot make up for a weak one.
What percentile should you actually target?
IIM Ahmedabad does not publish the percentile at which calls are made. Coaching portals commonly suggest 99+ for General-category candidates with no section below roughly 85–90, but these are estimates, not official figures. Your academic profile and discipline now matter more under the new normalisation, so compare yourself with others in your own discipline, not just the overall pool.
Check your chances with the CAT College Predictor
Not sure where your expected score puts you? Enter your CAT percentile or scaled score, category and work experience in our free CAT College Predictor to see which IIMs and top B-schools are in range. It gives an indicative shortlist; always check each institute's official policy for the final criteria.
Want a second opinion on your profile? Talk to a MatchToCollege counsellor for a free profile evaluation.
Below 95? Compare other options: Top MBA Colleges as per CAT Percentile
Share this Article
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff for General category in 2026?
95 percentile overall and 85 in each of VARC, DILR and QA for the PGP 2027–29 batch, as reported from the revised policy.
Q: Has IIM Ahmedabad changed its cutoff for CAT 2026?
Reports say the percentile cutoffs are unchanged. The selection process changed instead, with discipline-wise normalisation and a common rating table.
Q: Is 95 percentile enough for an IIM Ahmedabad call?
It makes you eligible, nothing more. Calls depend on your composite score relative to other candidates in your discipline and category.
Q: What is the sectional cutoff for OBC at IIM Ahmedabad?
90 overall and 80 in each section for NC-OBC.
Top Colleges Covered in this Blog


Located in the educational landscape of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad was established in 1961 to deliver transformative education. Conforming to regulatory norms of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) / UGC through its affiliation with Gujarat State University, the institution offers students an integrated foundation across business strategy, financial analytics, corporate governance, and entrepreneurial leadership. The campus is equipped with management simulation suites, modern boardroom presentation centers, and incubation hubs, creating an immersive environment for scholarly development and collaborative innovation. Dedicated to holistic student empowerment, the institution prepares ethical and career-ready professionals who contribute meaningfully to societal and industrial growth.
Total Fees
₹20L - ₹34.1L
Total Courses
6


