CAT Cutoffs for EWS
Expected CAT percentile cutoffs for EWS candidates at IIM ABC, IIM MILK, New and Baby IIMs, and at top non-IIM colleges like FMS, IITs and TISS.
Cutoffs for EWS Students in IIMs | CAT Colleges
Above 97%ile For IIM ABC
Above 92%ile for IIM MILK
Above 85%ile for New IIMs
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Cutoffs for EWS Students in Non IIMs | CAT Colleges
Around 90%ile for FMS, IIT bombay, IIT Delhi, TISS,
Above 80%ile for Other IITs, DSE, DFS, DBE
Around 70%ile for NIBM, NITs, NIA, Others
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools in India. For students belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the cutoff percentiles for various categories of IIMs vary each year based on several factors, including the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, and the overall performance of candidates.
IIM A, B, and C (Top IIMs):
For the prestigious IIMs—Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta—the cutoff for EWS students is generally high. A percentile above 97%ile is typically required to have a good chance of receiving a call for the next rounds of selection, which include Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). These institutions are known for their rigorous selection processes and attract the best talent across the country.
IIM M, I, L, K (Mid-tier IIMs):
For the mid-tier IIMs such as Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, and Mumbai, the cutoff for EWS students is generally above 92%ile. While slightly lower than the top three IIMs, these institutes still require high academic excellence and a strong CAT score to secure a spot in their programs.
New IIMs:
For the newer IIMs, which include campuses like IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, and others, the cutoff for EWS students tends to be around 85%ile. These institutes are gaining recognition and offer competitive management programs with excellent placement opportunities.
Baby IIMs:
The baby IIMs, which are the most recently established campuses, have a lower cutoff for EWS students, typically around 80%ile. These institutes are ideal for candidates who may not have scored as high but still wish to pursue quality management education at an IIM.
These cutoffs are tentative and can vary each year, so candidates are advised to aim for the highest possible percentile to maximize their chances of selection.
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- CAT Cutoffs for EWS
- CAT Cutoffs, Seats for OBC in IIMs and Non IIMs
- CAT Cutoffs for GEF (General Engineer Female)
- CAT Cutoffs for BA BCom Commerce
- CAT & IIM Cutoffs for BBA BMS Graduates
- CAT Cutoffs, Seats for SC in IIMs and Non IIMs
- CAT Cutoffs, Seats for ST in IIMs and Non IIMs
Frequently asked questions
What is the CAT cutoff for EWS candidates?
For EWS students the page gives above 97 percentile for IIM ABC, above 92 for IIM MILK, around 85 for New IIMs and around 80 for Baby IIMs. These are tentative and vary each year.
What is the EWS cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta?
A percentile above 97 is typically needed for a good chance of a call to the WAT, GD and PI rounds at IIM A, B and C.
What CAT percentile does an EWS student need for FMS or IITs?
Around 90 percentile for FMS, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi and TISS, above 80 percentile for other IITs, DSE, DFS and DBE, and around 70 percentile for NIBM, NITs, NIA and others.
Why do EWS cutoffs change every year?
The page notes cutoffs depend on the difficulty of the exam, the number of applicants and overall candidate performance, so aim for the highest percentile you can.