Eyeing IIM Ahmedabad? Know more

The selection of candidates for admission to PGP-Management course is a two-step process.In the first step, candidates with valid CAT scores are short-listed for AWA and PI.

There was a time when engineers dominated classrooms of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA). In the past few years, that trend has witnessed changes, with more students from non engineering background making it to the final list. Now, to further provide a level playing field to students from diverse background seeking admission to its two-year post graduate programme in management, the institute has reduced the weightage on score of Common Admission Test (CAT), both at the time of initial shortlisting and preparation of final admission list. CAT 2019 will be held on November 24.

This year onwards, the minimum CAT score to be shortlisted for Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI) has been reduced from 70% to 65%. At the same time, those with experience of at least three years will get extra 5%. This will give students from non-engineering background a chance to proceed further in the race for admission at IIMA. Not just this, in the final selection, the CAT score will account for only 25% of the total marks.

As per the notification by the institute, a candidate has to secure at least 70 percentile each in Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Verbal and Reading comprehension in order to be considered for the next round of admission process. Overall, the score has to be 80 percentile for general category students.

Calculating the scores

The selection of candidates for admission to PGP-Management course is a two-step process. In the first step, candidates with valid CAT scores are short-listed for AWA and PI. Following this, calculation of application rating (AR) is done on the basis of scores from class 10, 12, graduation and work experience. The AR scores are segregated as A, B, C and D on the basis of marks in class 10, 12, graduation and work experience respectively.

The highest score in the first three categories is 10. To get it in category A, students should have secured 90% marks in class 10. Under category B, students of Arts/Humanities should have secured 85 %, while those from science and commerce streams need 90%. In C category, candidates from non-vocational courses should have scored between 70% and 85%, depending on the sub-category, to get the perfect 10. For professional courses, the required score is between 63% and 75%, depending on which sub-category they are under. Candidates who have work experience of three or more years will get 5% additional marks in category D.

To make its classrooms more diverse, IIMA will invite applications for 5% of the seats from candidates from various academic backgrounds directly for AWT and PI. These include those who have studied MBBS, MD (USA), Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost and Works Accountancy (ICWA), Company Secretaryship (CS) and other courses listed in the notification.

Last year, 2.1 Lakh students across the country appeared in CAT.

The final score

CAT scores will be given only 25% weightage in the final admission for 2020 batch. Personal interview will account for 50% marks, AWT for 10%, CAT for 25% and AR scores for 15%.

Confirming the development, Vishal Gupta, chairperson admission at IIMA, said, "The weightage for CAT score has been reduced from earlier 70% to 65% and application rating is 35%. This time, the AR includes work experience too." He added, "Work experience helps in enhancing richness of classroom experience and learning."

An IIM Calcutta alumnus and director of a coaching institute, said, "IIMA admission notification has been released within a week of release of CAT 2019 notification. The reduced weightage on CAT score will bring diversity to IIMA." He added that the system of giving additional 5% for work experience was in place earlier too; however, IIMs did not explicitly write it in their admission notification.

The weightage for CAT score has been reduced from earlier 70% to 65% and application rating is 35%. This time, the AR includes work experience too.

Vishal Gupta, chairperson admission, IIMA