IIM Bangalore CAT 2026 Cutoff: Percentile by Category and WAT-PI

IIM Bangalore is expected to set its CAT 2026 minimum cutoff at 85 percentile overall for General category students, with the competitive WAT-PI shortlisting threshold at 99 percentile or above, based on previous year trends.

IIM Bangalore (IIMB) is among India’s most competitive management schools. IIMB uses a holistic selection process for its Post Graduate Programme (PGP). Your CAT 2026 percentile is one input in a composite score that also includes Class X, XII and graduation marks, work experience and gender diversity. Only students above a composite score threshold receive WAT and PI calls.

• Expected minimum overall percentile for General category: 85, with competitive shortlisting at 99 percentile.
• Section-wise minimum for General category: 80 percentile each in VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude.
• SC, ST, EWS, NC-OBC and PwD students have relaxed category cutoffs.
• IIM Bangalore composite score gives 30% weightage to CAT score and the rest to academics and work experience.
• WAT-PI shortlist is expected in January or February 2027 after CAT 2026 results.

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IIM Bangalore CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Overview

IIM Bangalore accepts CAT scores for admission to its two-year PGP. Selection has two stages: composite score shortlisting to identify WAT-PI candidates, then a final merit list after the WAT-PI round.

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IIM Bangalore CAT 2026 Category-Wise Expected Percentile Cutoff

IIM Bangalore sets minimum overall and section-wise percentile cutoffs for each category. Students must clear all four criteria (overall plus VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude individually) to be considered for composite score evaluation. Expected cutoffs for CAT 2026, based on CAT 2024 trends, are below.

These are minimum eligibility thresholds, not shortlisting guarantees. The competitive WAT-PI shortlisting cutoff for General category students is expected around 99 percentile overall. For NC-OBC students it is expected around 97 percentile. These figures are based on CAT 2024 data and may vary for CAT 2026.

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IIM Bangalore Composite Score for WAT-PI Shortlisting

Clearing the minimum percentile is not enough for a WAT-PI call. IIM Bangalore assigns a composite score to every eligible student and only those above a threshold receive interview calls. Expected component weightages, based on previous year criteria, are:

Students with strong academic records at all three levels are better positioned even without the highest CAT percentile. IIMB converts academic scores using a standard formula and gives bonus points for relevant work experience. Female students receive additional points under the gender diversity component.

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IIM Bangalore WAT-PI Shortlist Process

Students who clear the composite score threshold receive WAT-PI calls. The process has three steps:

1. Shortlist Release: IIM Bangalore publishes the WAT-PI shortlist on its admissions page, expected in January or February 2027.
2. Written Ability Test (WAT): A 30-minute essay on a current affairs, business or abstract topic. It tests written communication, logical structure and depth of thought.
3. Personal Interview (PI): A 20–30 minute interview on academic background, work experience, career goals and general awareness. Interviewers may also probe discipline-specific knowledge based on your graduation stream.

After WAT-PI, IIM Bangalore prepares the final merit list. Expected weightages for the final selection stage are:

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Factors That Can Affect IIM Bangalore CAT 2026 Cutoff

The IIM Bangalore CAT 2026 cutoff is not fixed. Several factors can push it higher or lower than previous year levels:

• Number of test-takers: Higher CAT 2026 registration increases competition and can raise composite score thresholds.
• CAT difficulty level: A tougher exam may compress percentile distribution and slightly affect section-wise cutoffs.
• PGP batch size: IIM Bangalore’s total PGP seats determine how many students are shortlisted per category.
• Category reservations: SC, ST, EWS and NC-OBC seats are filled separately with lower cutoffs in each reserved category.
• Academic diversity: IIMB actively recruits from non-engineering backgrounds, which can shift composite score thresholds for different academic profiles.