IIM Admission: Scored 99.6% in CAT 2025, still did not get admission in top IIM, know why?
IIM Admission, CAT 2025: This story is for students preparing for CAT 2025. Paras Rare, a mechanical engineer, has two years of work experience. He scored 99.6% in CAT last year and 99.8% in XAT 2025. Yet he did not even get an interview call from the top IIMs Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Shillong, and Indore. He did not get admission from XLRI Jamshedpur either, although he got selected in the Delhi campus. His story tells that just getting a good percentile is not enough. Let's understand what is required to succeed in CAT and what the 2025 candidates should keep in mind.
Percentile alone will not suffice.
Paras later found out that, along with a high score in CAT, your entire profile also matters. IIMs check the quality of your job, the company you worked for, and your position. He had low marks in his 12th board exams, which brought down his composite score. Composite score is used for shortlisting for interview and final admission, and every college gives it a different weightage, so don't rely only on CAT, keep other things in order as well.
Preparation for the interview is equally important.
Along with CAT studies, preparation for the interview is equally important. Paras saw that many people whose percentile was less than his, but with work experience and a profile, got interview calls. IIM Lucknow gave the details of the composite score, but IIM Shillong just gave the news of selection or rejection. This process seemed confusing at times. Especially when Paras didn't understand what was lacking.
Educational background also matters.
Paras is an engineer, so he did not get the diversity marks given by IIMs to non-engineers. Women also get extra marks, which makes a difference in the score, so understand the reality while preparing for CAT. Even after scoring 99%, getting admission in top IIMs Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, or Indore is not easy. Candidates should avoid overconfidence.
What was achieved and what was not?
Paras got offers from new IIMs like Udaipur, Ranchi, Tiruchirappalli, XLRI Delhi, and MDI Gurugram, but he missed out on his favorite IIMs, so he continued with the job. He was unhappy with the selection process because many colleges did not tell him the marks of the interview and other parts. If he had known his shortcomings, he could have improved on them. Lack of transparency in the process was a big issue for him.
What to do for CAT 2025?
Keep an eye on the composite score: Also, check the marks of 12th, graduation, and work experience. The formula of every IIM is different, so do your research first.
Interview practice: Be prepared for the interview along with the CAT. Know how to explain your job and projects well.
Keep diversity in mind: If you have an engineering background, competing with non-engineers can be tough, so maintain a balance.
Understand the reality: If admission in a top IIM is not guaranteed with a 99% score, then keep a backup plan ready.
Seek feedback: If there is a rejection, ask the college about your weaknesses so that you can improve next time.
Learning from Paras's story
Paras says that a high score in CAT is important, but your profile and interview skills also matter equally. In his view, transparency in the process should increase so that students get a chance to correct their mistakes. He is working this year and will try again next year. Paras's story is a lesson for students preparing for CAT 2025. Just bookish studies will not work. You will also have to strengthen your profile. With hard work, right strategy and interview preparation, you can make your MBA dream a reality. For more information, check the official website of IIMs and start working on your weaknesses.
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