Decoding IIM Bangalore's PGP Admission Criteria: A Two-Stage Selection Process

Aspiring to join the prestigious halls of IIM Bangalore for your PGP (Post Graduate Programme) in Management? Understanding their rigorous and multi-faceted selection process is your first step towards success. IIM Bangalore employs a comprehensive two-stage selection process to identify the best candidates for their flagship MBA program. Let's break down each stage to give you a clear picture.

Stage I: Application and Pre-Personal Interview (Pre-PI) Shortlisting

The journey begins with the online application, marking the start of Stage I. This stage primarily focuses on shortlisting candidates based on their CAT (Common Admission Test) 2024 scores and other academic and professional achievements.

First Shortlist: CAT 2024 Cut-offs

To even be considered for the next steps, you need to clear the initial hurdle – the CAT 2024 sectional and overall cut-offs. It's crucial to note that you must secure a positive raw score in every section of CAT 2024. While the cut-offs for CAT 2024 will be announced later, we can look at the CAT 2023 cut-offs for the batch of 2024-26 to get an idea.

Please remember that these are cut-offs from CAT 2023 and are indicative. Actual cut-offs for CAT 2024 may vary. Scoring above these percentiles only gets you into the first shortlist and does not guarantee an interview call.

Pre-PI Score Calculation: Weightage and Parameters

For candidates who clear the initial CAT cut-offs, IIM Bangalore calculates a Pre-PI score. This score is based on a weighted average of various parameters:

Key Points to Understand about Pre-PI Score Calculation:

• CAT Score (55 Weightage): A significant portion of your pre-PI score comes from your CAT performance. The 55 points are further broken down section-wise:

  • Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 19 points
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 21 points
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA): 15 points

• Normalization of Academic Scores (10th, 12th, Graduation): Your scores in 10th, 12th, and Bachelor's degrees are normalized to ensure fairness across different boards and universities. If you don't have scores for 10th, 12th, or graduation due to COVID-related reasons, the weightage for those components will be redistributed among the remaining parameters.

• Work Experience Score (10 Weightage): Work experience is valued, with a score calculated based on the duration of your work experience up to July 2024.

  • For experience between 0 and 36 months (0 < x < 36): Score = 10x/36
  • For experience of 36 months or more (x >= 36): Score = 10
  • Internships, articleships, or unpaid work are not considered as work experience.

• Professional Course Score (10 Weightage - OR Work Experience): Candidates with certifications like Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost Accounting (ICWA), or Company Secretary (CS) can get weightage under this category. The higher of the work experience score or the professional course score will be considered, not both.

• Standardized Score Calculation: For each component (10th, 12th, Graduation, Professional Course), a standardized score is calculated using the formula:

  Max [0, min {wt, wt/2 + ((val-mean) / sd) * wt / 6}]

  Where:

  • wt is the weightage for that parameter
  • val is your raw score in that parameter
  • mean and sd are the mean and standard deviation of the scores of all applicants for that parameter (This is a normalization process).
  • The standardized score is then truncated between 0 and the maximum weight for that parameter.

• Gender Diversity (5 Weightage): A gender diversity component of 5 points is added to the pre-PI score. This is only used for shortlisting for PI and is not carried forward to the post-PI stage.

• Top Performers Direct PI Call: The top ten candidates in each of these categories automatically qualify for the PI stage:

  • Total score in CAT
  • Adjusted Bachelor’s degree score (commerce, arts, and science disciplines)
  • Professional (CA / ICWA / CS) score

  However, even these direct PI candidates are evaluated like any other candidate in the post-PI stage.

Based on the calculated pre-PI scores, a limited number of candidates from each category are shortlisted for Stage II – the Personal Interview and Written Ability Test.

Stage II: Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT)

Stage II is where IIM Bangalore assesses your communication skills, personality, and overall fit for the PGP program through a Personal Interview (PI) and a Written Ability Test (WAT). Both are conducted on the same day and at the same location. The WAT is approximately 30 minutes long and evaluates your content and writing style.

Post-PI Score Calculation: Weightage Adjustment

For candidates who reach Stage II, the scoring parameters and weightages are adjusted for the final composite score calculation.

Key Changes and Points in Post-PI Score Calculation:

• Reduced Weightage for CAT (25): The weightage for CAT score is significantly reduced in Stage II, emphasizing the importance of PI and WAT performance. The 25 CAT points are distributed section-wise as:

  • VARC: 8.75 points
  • DILR: 10 points
  • QA: 6.25 points

• Work Experience Weightage Adjustment: While the pre-PI work experience score is calculated with a weightage of 10, in the post-PI stage, this weightage is scaled down to 5.

• Quality of Work Experience Score: A crucial addition in Stage II is the "quality of work experience" score. The interview panel evaluates the quality of your work experience on a 5-point scale (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2). The average quality score from all panel members is then multiplied by the pre-PI work experience score (calculated out of 10) to arrive at the revised weighted work experience score for the final composite score. This emphasizes not just the duration but also the depth and relevance of your professional experience.

• Introduction of WAT and PI: WAT (10 weightage) and PI (40 weightage) become significant components, carrying a substantial 50% weightage in the post-PI score. This highlights IIM Bangalore's focus on evaluating your written and verbal communication, critical thinking, personality, and leadership potential.

Final Selection

The final admission offers are made strictly based on the post-PI scores. IIM Bangalore emphasizes transparency and meritocracy in its selection process.

Important Note on False Information

IIM Bangalore takes a very strict stance against any false information, especially regarding work experience. Providing incorrect information about your employment will lead to immediate disqualification and a ban from applying to any IIMB program for the next 3 years. Ensure all information you provide is accurate and verifiable.

Conclusion

IIM Bangalore's two-stage PGP admission process is designed to evaluate candidates holistically. Excelling in CAT is crucial for the initial shortlist, but your academic background, work experience, and performance in WAT and PI play equally vital roles in securing a final admission offer. Understanding this detailed selection process is key to strategizing your preparation and maximizing your chances of joining IIM Bangalore's esteemed PGP program. Good luck!

(Source: IIM Bangalore PGP Admission Process 2025-27 Official PDF)