IIM Bangalore is one of the top institutes ranked by NIRF and IIRF, based on its overall performance, making it a top choice for MBA aspirants. Admission to IIM Bangalore’s MBA programme is not based only on CAT scores but comprises a standardised process. For the MBA (PGP) 2026-28 batch admission, IIM Bangalore has outlined a proper selection process. The institute looks at the student’s overall profile including academic record, work experience and performance in the interview. For the MBA 2026-28 batch, IIM Bangalore uses a two-stage selection process to shortlist the candidates. The first stage begins with the CAT 2025 exam score and leads to calls for the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds.
Stage 1: CAT 2025-First Screening
The first step in the selection process is the CAT 2025 exam. Candidates must meet minimum sectional and overall cut-offs in VARC, DILR and Quant to become eligible for shortlisting. The General Category candidates are required to have an overall percentile of around 85 or higher with sectional percentiles typically above 75. The table below is the Cut-offs based on CAT 2025 score:
Minimum CAT percentile requirement for the selection
Category
VARC
DILR
QA
Total
General
80
75
75
85
NC-OBC
70
65
65
75
EWS
70
65
65
75
SC
65
60
60
70
ST
55
55
55
65
PWD
50
50
50
60
Pre-Personal Interview (Pre-PI) Score
For candidates in the first shortlist, a pre-PI score is calculated to decide who moves to the WAT/PI stage. The weightage of components is as follows:
CAT Score: 55 points (VARC 19, DILR 21, QA 15)
Class 10 Marks: 10 points
Class 12 Marks: 10 points
Bachelor’s Degree Marks: 10 points
Work Experience / Professional Course (CA, ICWA, CS): 10 points
Gender Diversity: 5 points (used only at the pre-PI stage)
Additional Details:
Scores for boards and bachelor’s degrees are normalised. Missing scores (e.g., due to COVID) are re-adjusted to other components.
Work experience is counted in months up to July 2025. Maximum score = 10 points. Internships, apprenticeships, or unpaid work are not considered.
The higher of the two scores will be considered for final selection for the candidates with both professional qualifications and prior work experience
Stage II: Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT)
The second stage of the IIM Bangalore MBA admission process 2026 consists of the PI and the WAT. Both are conducted on the same day at the same location. The WAT lasts about 30 minutes and candidates are evaluated on content and writing style. At this stage, the pre-PI work experience score is scaled down from 10 to 5 and adjusted based on the quality of experience. The quality of experience is scored by each panel member on a 5-point scale (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2). The average quality score is multiplied by the pre-PI work experience score to calculate a revised weighted work experience score.
The weightage of each component in the post-PI (final) evaluation is as follows:
Component
Weightage
CAT Breakdown
Personal Interview (PI)
40
–
Written Ability Test (WAT)
10
–
CAT Score
25
VARC 8.75, DILR 10, QA 6.25
Class 10 Marks
5
–
Class 12 Marks
5
–
Bachelor’s Degree Marks
5
–
Work Experience / Professional Course
10
–
Final admission offers are made strictly based on the post-PI composite scores. This ensures that candidates are evaluated based on various criteria, considering their interview performance, writing ability, academic record, CAT score and work experience.
IIM Bangalore MBA Selection for International Students
The IIM Bangalore MBA selection process slightly differs for international applicants compared to domestic applicants. The first screening round is conducted based on the GMAT/ GRE scores, followed by the performance in the WAT and PI rounds. The process for overseas and international candidates is listed below.
Stage I: Online Application
The International and overseas applicants begin the admission process by filling out the online application form. Applicants need to pay an application fee of INR 6,500, while international applicants do not need to pay any fee. Only the applications meeting all the eligibility criteria are considered for further admission process. Shortlisted candidates are invited for the Personal Interview and Written Ability Test which is conducted in person if the candidate is in India, or online if abroad.
Stage II: Evaluation and Admission Offers
After the PI and WAT, the candidates are assigned a composite score based on academic record, GMAT/GRE scores, work experience and performance in the WAT and PI. The admission offers will be made based on this score. Candidates must meet the minimum required score and any other criteria set by the admissions committee to receive an offer.
The table below highlights the application window and the schedule dates of events (tentative) are as follows:
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