IIM Ahmedabad is the final destination for all CAT applicants in India. Because passing IIM-A opens doors to the best jobs, networks, and opportunities, it’s the place everyone aspires to.
The only problem is that enrollment to IIM Ahmedabad has never been easy. It just got harder now. Only the best will pass because the IIM Ahmedabad cutoff has increased this year.
What Changed in the Cutoff?
Earlier, the qualifying cutoffs were challenging but still achievable. Now, they’ve been raised to a much higher level.
- For General and EWS candidates, the overall cutoff is now 95 percentile (earlier it was 85).
- Sectional cutoffs—VARC, DILR, and QA—are now 85 percentile each.
- Even reserved categories have seen a rise: OBC at 90, SC at 85, and ST at 75.
Cutoff Snapshot: Category-wise
| Category | Overall Percentile | Sectional Percentile |
| General / EWS | 95 | 85 |
| OBC | 90 | 80 |
| SC | 85 | 70 |
| ST | 75 | 60 |
This table makes it clear—no matter what category you belong to, the competition has gone up.
Why Has the Cutoff Increased?
IIM Ahmedabad hasn’t officially said why, but there are some obvious reasons:
- Too many good candidates – Every year, lakhs write CAT, and a big number score really high. So IIM-A wants to filter only the absolute top.
- Maintaining its elite status – It’s India’s No.1 B-school. A higher cutoff keeps that standard.
- Looking for all-rounders – By increasing sectional cutoffs, they’re making sure you can’t just be good in one section. Balance is key.
What This Means for Aspirants
So how does this impact you as a student?
- You can’t ignore any section – Even if your overall score is great, one weak section can end your chance.
- Profiles matter later – Strong academics or work experience will help only if you first clear the cutoff.
- Interviews will have fewer candidates – Shortlisting will be stricter, so the interview stage will be more competitive.
- Reserved categories also need higher scores – While their bar is lower than General’s, it is still significantly higher than it was previously.
Simple Tricks to Beat the Higher Cutoff
The game has changed, so you need to change your strategy too. Here’s what to focus on:
- Don’t Just Aim for 95: If the cutoff is 95, play safe and aim for 98–99. That’s what will actually get you noticed.
- Balance All Sections: You can’t afford to have a weak area. Practice VARC, DILR, and QA equally, even if you’re naturally stronger in one.
- Speed + Accuracy: Answering the correct questions fast and correctly is more important for a high CAT score than simply answering questions.
- Work on Your Profile: Once you cross the cutoff, your academics, work experience, and interview matter a lot. Keep building those too.
- Stay Positive: Stay calm by the fact that the cutoff has increased. Take it as motivation to work even harder.
What This Really Means for You
The increase in the IIM Ahmedabad cutoff seems difficult at first. However, consider this: if you pass, you will rank among the nation’s best talent. This filter guarantees that only the most worthy students pass, as the institute seeks students who are reliable and competent in all subject areas.
The goal is to maintain the unrivaled value of an IIM-A seat, not to make things more difficult for you.
Final Thoughts
It was never easy to get into IIM Ahmedabad, and it’s harder now. However, if you’ve set your sights on it, aim higher rather than just the bare minimum. Be well-prepared, maintain the balance of your sections, and hone your interviewing techniques.
