What are the sectional cutoffs at IIM Bangalore for CAT 2025?

IIM Bangalore's CAT 2025 sectional cutoffs are 75 percentile in VARC, DILR, and QA for General/EWS candidates, with an 85 percentile overall requirement. However, realistic shortlist percentiles run much higher at 99+ for GEM candidates due to the composite scoring formula that determines final selection.

IIM Bangalore admits 544 students across PGP and PGPBA programmes. The Class of 2026 recorded an average placement of ₹34.88 LPA with 22 international offers, the highest among all IIMs.

Published Sectional Cutoffs for CAT 2025

The official admission policy for Batch 2026-28 sets the following qualifying thresholds:

These are qualifying minimums only. The actual shortlist depends on the composite score formula, which explains why most shortlisted candidates score well above these published thresholds.

The Composite Scoring Formula

IIM Bangalore uses a distinctive point-based system for final selection. CAT performance contributes 25 points broken down as VARC 8.75 points, DILR 10 points, and QA 6.25 points. The Personal Interview carries the highest weight at 40 points, followed by WAT at 10 points. Academic records contribute 15 points total: 5 points each for 10th, 12th, and bachelor's performance. Work experience quality adds up to 10 points based on a panel rating scale of 0.25/0.5/1/1.5/2.

Final offers are determined strictly by Post-PI composite scores within each category. This makes the interview stage critical, as a strong CAT score alone cannot guarantee admission.

Gender Diversity Policy

Unlike IIM Ahmedabad (3 points for non-male) and IIM Calcutta (4 points for female/transgender), IIM Bangalore does not apply gender diversity bonus at the Post-PI stage. The diversity bonus only affects pre-PI shortlisting.

Female and male candidates compete head-to-head in final selection based purely on composite scores.

Realistic Shortlist Expectations

GEM candidates typically need 99.5+ overall percentile with 99+ in each section to receive interview calls. GEF candidates generally require 99+ percentile, but since gender diversity doesn't help at the final stage, interview performance becomes equally critical. NC-OBC candidates usually need 98+ percentile with balanced sectional scores.

Work Experience Quality Rating

The PI panel evaluates work experience quality separately from duration. Each panel member rates candidates on the 0.25 to 2 scale, scores are averaged, then multiplied by the work experience duration score (maximum 5 points). This means quality matters as much as quantity.

PGPBA Programme

The PGPBA (Business Analytics) cohort of 64 students follows the same CAT cutoff thresholds. Selection uses an identical composite formula, though the programme targets candidates with stronger quantitative backgrounds.

For profile-specific shortlist probability, run an eligibility match on Collvera to see how your CAT score, academics, and work experience combine in IIM Bangalore's formula.