Key Takeaways
- CAT needs only 50% in your bachelor's degree (45% for SC, ST and PwBD), and each IIM then adds its own academic rules
- In the CAT 2025 cycle IIM Kozhikode asked for 60% in class X, 60% in class XII (55% for SC, ST and PwD) and 60% in graduation, while IIM Ahmedabad asked for a minimum average of class X and XII marks that depended on your class XII stream
- Most IIMs turn school and graduation marks into points, so 60-70% in class XII costs marks and is usually not a bar
- Panels ask about academic dips, and they listen to how you explain them
"I have 67% in class XII. Is an IIM possible for me?" This question comes up every CAT season. The answer depends on the IIM, because each one sets its own academic rules. This page lists what IIMs published for the CAT 2025 cycle (batch 2026-28) and what is published so far for the CAT 2026 cycle.
Three Layers of Academic Rules
Each IIM applies academics at up to three points:
- Minimum eligibility. Below this, your application is not considered
- Shortlisting. Marks feed a score used to decide who gets an interview call
- Final selection. Marks add to the score used for offers after the interview
Many candidates mix these up. A minimum is a floor and does not make your profile competitive.
The Minimum Set by CAT
The CAT 2026 information bulletin asks for a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates). It also says each IIM is independent in setting eligibility, academic cut-offs and relative weights. Meeting the minimum does not ensure shortlisting.
Academic Rules at Selected IIMs
These rules are from each IIM's own policy for the CAT 2025 cycle.
| IIM | Academic minimums | How marks count |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Average of class X and XII marks of at least 80% (Science), 77% (Commerce) or 75% (Arts and Humanities) for General and EWS; 75, 72 and 70 for NC-OBC; 70, 67 and 64 for SC; 65, 62 and 59 for ST | Points for class X, class XII and bachelor's marks in the application rating |
| Kozhikode | Class X and XII at 60% (General, OBC-NCL, EWS) or 55% (SC, ST, PwD); 60% aggregate in graduation | Class X carries 15% and class XII 20% of the shortlisting score |
| Raipur (JAP) | 60% in graduation (General, EWS, NC-OBC), 50% (SC), 45% (ST, PwD) for the merit list | Class X and class XII carry 15 marks each in a 150-mark final score |
| Bodh Gaya (CAP) | 50% in graduation (45% for SC, ST, PwD) | Academic profile carries 15% of the merit list: 70% or more in class X and XII and 60% or more in graduation earn points |
| Calcutta | 50% in graduation (45% for SC, ST, PwD) | Class X carries 10 and class XII 15 of 85 shortlisting points |
| Bangalore | 50% in graduation (45% for SC, ST, PwD) | Class X, class XII and bachelor's carry 10 points each before the interview |
| Lucknow | Only the CAT minimum of 50% in graduation (45% for SC, ST, PwBD) | Class XII and graduation marks feed the shortlist, and carry 5 marks each in the final score |
| Indore | 50% in graduation (45% for SC, ST, PwD) | Class X and class XII carry 5 marks each in the final score |
Sources are the admission policies of IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Raipur, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Calcutta, IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow and IIM Indore.
What 60-70% in Class XII Means
The answer depends on your class X and graduation marks, your category and the IIM.
- IIM Ahmedabad (CAT 2025 cycle): The minimum applied to the average of class X and XII. A General candidate in Commerce with 88% in class X and 66% in class XII has an average of 77%, which meets the 77% minimum. A high class X mark can balance a lower class XII mark.
- IIM Kozhikode (CAT 2025 cycle): 60-70% in class XII meets the 60% floor for General, OBC-NCL and EWS candidates and the 55% floor for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Below that floor, you could not register.
- IIM Raipur, Bodh Gaya, Calcutta, Bangalore, Lucknow and Indore: Class XII marks are scored as points and are not used as a separate bar in the policies above. A lower mark costs points in shortlisting and in the final score.
IIM Ahmedabad's policy for the 2027-29 batch scores class X, class XII and bachelor's percentages on a 1 to 10 scale in its application rating and applies the CAT cutoffs in its Table 4. Read it in full for the exact academic conditions. Policies for the CAT 2026 cycle from other IIMs will follow after the CAT result.
The Interview Reality
If you clear shortlisting with low academics, expect questions about it.
Typical questions:
- "Your class X marks were 88%, but class XII dropped to 67%. What happened?"
- "We see a gap between your school and college marks. How do you explain it?"
- "How will you handle the academic load of an MBA?"
These questions test how you respond to a fair concern, and rejecting you is not their purpose.
What works in response:
- An honest reason: Health issues, family circumstances or a wrong stream choice
- Evidence of recovery: Better graduation marks, or strong work performance
- Ownership without excuses: "I did not manage my study time well. I changed how I study, and my graduation marks show it."
- Specific examples of handling rigour: Professional projects or self-study you completed
What does not work:
- Blaming the board or the system
- Vague lines such as "I was not mature then"
- Dismissing marks as unimportant
- Getting defensive
A Practical Path for Low Academic Marks
- Read each policy. Check the academic minimum and the points table of every IIM on your list.
- Compare weights. IIM Bodh Gaya's CAP merit list gave 50% to CAT score in the CAT 2025 cycle, and IIM Ahmedabad's 2027-29 shortlisting uses 65% CAT and 35% application rating.
- Note where your marks count for less. Some IIMs score work experience and diversity factors alongside academics.
- Build your explanation. What happened, what changed, and what evidence shows you can handle the work now.
- Practise the academic question aloud. You will be asked, and a clear two-minute answer helps.
- Prepare the rest of your profile. Work experience, your story and current affairs matter more when academics are the weaker part.
If your marks fall below a floor at your target IIMs, other options exist, such as programmes that accept CAT or XAT with different academic rules, or building work experience before applying again.
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