Yes, it is possible to get into IIM with 97 percentile - but it is based on your profile, category, sectional score, and your performance in the IIM selection process. While 97 percentile is competitive it may not ensure calls from the top tier IIMs such as Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore or the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta for general category candidates. However, it gives good chances in many other IIMs and new campuses. Let's unpack a full CAT percentile analysis to see what prospects you have realistically.
Understanding What 97 Percentile Means in CAT
The Common Admission Test is held every year for admission into IIMs and other top B-schools.
What Does 97 Percentile Actually Mean?
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You scored better than 97% of test takers.
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Only 3% candidates are better than you.
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If 3 lakh candidates appeared, then about 9,000 scored more.
However, percentile is only the first filtering stage of IIM shortlist criteria.
How the IIM Selection Process Works
The process of selection in IIM has various phases:
Stage 1: CAT Score-Based Shortlisting
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Each IIM publishes sectional & overall cut-offs.
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Meeting cut-off = (not guaranteed call.)
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Profile weightage is applied.
Stage 2: WAT & PI
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Written Ability Test (WAT)
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Personal Interview (PI)
Stage 3: Final Composite Score
Final selection includes:
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CAT score weightage
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10th & 12th marks
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Graduation score
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Work experience
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Diversity factors
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PI performance
So, IIM Admission with 97 percentile is highly dependent on your overall profile strength.
Read More - Which Book Is Best for CAT 2026 Exam?
Is 97 Percentile Enough for Top IIMs?
Let’s analyze realistically.
Top 3 IIMs (ABC)
|
IIM |
Typical General Cut-Off |
Realistic at 97? |
|---|---|---|
|
IIM Ahmedabad |
99+ |
Rare |
|
IIM Bangalore |
99+ |
Rare |
|
IIM Calcutta |
99+ |
Rare |
For general category engineers, 97 percentile is usually not good enough unless:
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Exceptional Academics (95%+ throughout)
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Strong work experience
-
Category relaxation
Other Top IIMs
|
IIM |
Typical Cut-Off Range |
Chance at 97 |
|---|---|---|
|
IIM Lucknow |
97–99 |
Possible |
|
IIM Kozhikode |
97–99 |
Possible |
|
IIM Indore |
96–98 |
Good |
|
New IIMs |
94–97 |
Strong |
|
Baby IIMs |
92–96 |
Very Strong |
This CAT percentile analysis shows 97 percentile to keep a competitive range in many campuses.
Sectional Cut-Offs: A Critical Factor
Most IIM shortlist criteria take sectional cut-offs.
Example:
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VARC: 75–85 percentile minimum
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DILR: 75–85 percentile minimum
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QA: 75–85 percentile minimum
If your overall is 97 but one section is below cut off you may not get shortlisted.
Profile-Based Scenarios at 97 Percentile
Scenario 1: Engineer with Average Academics
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10th/12th below 80%
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Fresher
-
97 percentile
Chances Moderate for newer IIMs, low for top 5
Scenario 2: Non-Engineer with Strong Academics
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90%+ throughout
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Benefits of academic diversity: - Academic diversity advantage
-
97 percentile
High chance for Mid-tier and some of the older IIMs.
Scenario 3: Candidate with 2–3 Years Work Experience
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Good quality experience
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Strong PI performance
-
97 percentile
Chances that have improved significantly.
Work experience weightage has a strong role in the selection process of IIM.
Category-Based Relaxations
Reserved categories (OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD) lower cut offs.
For example:
|
Category |
Approx. Competitive Percentile |
|---|---|
|
General |
98–99+ (Top IIMs) |
|
OBC |
94–97 |
|
SC |
80–90 |
|
ST |
70–85 |
Thus, admissions for IIM with 97 percentile can be very competitive based on category.
What If You Don’t Get Top IIM at 97?
Remember, IIMs are not the only top B-schools.
Institutes like:
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Faculty of Management Studies Delhi
-
Management Development Institute Gurgaon
-
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
also accept candidates of 95-98 percentile range.
How to Convert Calls at 97 Percentile
The half of the journey is getting a call. Conversion depends on:
1. WAT Preparation
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Practice in structured essay writing.
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Stay updated with current affairs.
2. Personal Interview Strategy
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Graduation subjects - "know your graduation subjects".
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Be clear about career goals.
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HR answers should be thoroughly prepared.
3. Academic Consistency
Strong past academics enhance final composite score.
Should You Repeat CAT After 97 Percentile?
It depends on your goals.
|
Goal |
Recommendation |
|---|---|
|
Only Top 3 IIMs |
Consider retake |
|
Any Top 10 IIM |
Proceed with interviews |
|
MBA This Year |
Focus on conversion |
If repeating, strengthen preparation by using:
-
cat exam previous year question paper pattern clarity.
-
best books for cat preparation 2026.
-
Separate cat quantitative aptitude book for improvement in QA
Preparation Strategy to Move from 97 to 99+
If you plan a retake:
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Analyze weak sections.
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Solve cat exam previous year question paper multiple times.
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Improve accuracy in QA by a good cat quantitative aptitude book.
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Take sectional mocks.
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Refine time management.
Final Verdict: Can You Get IIM with 97 Percentile?
Yes, you absolutely can.
But:
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Top 3 IIMs, Difficult for general category.
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Top 10 IIMs -> Possible with good profile.
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New IIMs → High probability.
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Conversion is highly dependent on PI performance.
IIM admission with 97 percentile is competitive-but profile, preparation and interview skills makes a final success.
FAQs - IIM
Very unlikely for general category unless you have outstanding academics or category advantage.
IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, most of new IIMs are realistic targets.
Yes. Not clearing sectional cut-offs can prevent you from clearing your call even if you have high percentile.
Retake only if you are looking specifically for top 3 IIMs and you think that you can get more than 99 percentile.
Focus on cat exam previous year question paper analysis, best books for cat preparation 2026, and make QA stronger with good cat quantitative aptitude book.
