Top MBA Colleges Through CAT

Every MBA applicant dreams of securing a seat at one of the Top MBA Colleges in India and aims to study in the best business schools. The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is the entrance exam or acts as a gateway to the Top MBA Colleges in India, like the country’s elite Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top-ranking business schools. With thousands applying and very few seats available, however, only the top ones land a seat in one of India’s best B-schools.

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In this blog, we will provide you with a detailed list of CAT scores accepting Top MBA Colleges, along with their eligibility for admission, and important selection criteria to ensure your MBA journey is smooth and effective.

Eligibility criteria for Top MBA Colleges:

The following eligibility requirements need to be fulfilled before applying for Top MBA Colleges through the CAT examination:

1. Educational Qualification: Graduation from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% marks for reserved candidates).
2. Class 10 & 12 Marks: All major B-schools look for students with good academic marks in their school education.
3. Entrance Exam Scores: CAT is the primary requirement, although some institutes also consider XAT, MAT, NMAT, SNAP, and GMAT scores.
4. Work Experience: While not a requirement, work experience before admission boosts a candidate’s profile.
5. No Age Limit: There is no age bar for appearing for the CAT exam.

Selection Parameters for Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores:

MBA candidates are shortlisted on various parameters during the selection process:

• Leadership Potential: Colleges judge the leadership potential of candidates based on their initiatives in academics and professional life.
• Profile Assessment: A candidate’s profile, such as work experience, extracurricular activities, social work, and internships, is important.
• Academic Record: Cut-offs for CAT, GMAT, and XAT differ from college to college, and good academic records enhance the chances of admission.

Selection Process of IIMs and Other B-Schools

The top MBA colleges selection process through CAT typically includes:

• CAT Exam: Appearance in CAT and a high percentile score.
• Shortlisting based on CAT Score: Every college declares cutoffs, and shortlisting is done for candidates having the cutoff score.
• Written Ability Test (WAT): Some conduct a WAT to test analytical and writing ability.
• Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI): The shortlisted students go through the GD/PI rounds.
• Final Admission: Final admission offers are released by colleges based on CAT score, WAT, GD, PI performance, work experience, and academic background.

Why Opt for an MBA Through CAT?

An MBA through CAT provides access to Top MBA Colleges as well as other top business schools of international repute with excellent faculty, best placements, and powerful alumni networks. Some of the main benefits are:

• Improved Career Prospects – An IIM or other top B-school degree improves career prospects in well-known MNCs and startups.
• Improved Salary Packages – Most IIM graduates get packages of over ₹20-30 LPA.
• Powerful Alumni Network – IIMs and other top B-schools provide a powerful professional network that aids career development.
• Industry Exposure – Top business schools have corporate collaborations, providing live projects, internships, and case studies.

Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3)

Tier 1 MBA Colleges (Best in India)

Tier 1 colleges are the most prestigious MBA institutes, offering excellent placements, world-class faculty, and global exposure.

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

IITs Offering MBA Through CAT

Top Private B-Schools (Non-IIM)

Tier 2 Top MBA Colleges (Reputed, Good ROI)

Tier 2 colleges are highly ranked but slightly below Tier 1 in terms of placements, infrastructure, and corporate connections.

Tier 3 Top MBA Colleges (Moderate Placements, Affordable)

Tier 3 MBA colleges provide decent placements and are affordable, making them suitable for students who don’t get into Tier 1 or Tier 2 colleges.

Also, learn – IIM Shortlist Criteria for CAT 2024

List of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) Accepting CAT Scores

The IIMs are autonomous, publicly-funded premier management institutions in India. They offer postgraduate, doctoral, and executive programs in management. Below is the list of IIMs along with their location, number of seats, and fees:

 IITs Offering MBA Through CAT 

Aside from IIMs, top MBA programs are offered by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The IITs that accept CAT scores are: 

• IIT Bombay
• IIT Delhi
• IIT Madras
• IIT Kanpur
• IIT Kharagpur

Other Top Non-IIM MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

Colleges Accepting CAT Scores for 90-100 Percentile

Aspirants scoring 90+ percentile in CAT are eligible for top non-IIM B-schools like:

• XLRI Jamshedpur
• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi
• Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
• SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
• Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi
• International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi
• National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai

80-85 Percentile Accepting Colleges

This group of candidates can apply at:

• WeSchool, Mumbai
• IFIM Bangalore
• FORE School of Management, Delhi
• Birla Institute of Management, Pune
• Alliance School of Business, Bangalore
• SCMS, Cochin
• Woxsen School of Business, Hyderabad
• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

Colleges that Accept CAT Scores for 70-75 Percentile

Candidates with a percentile of 70-75 can consider private colleges like:

• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon
• SDA Bocconi Asia Center
• MDI Murshidabad
• National Insurance Academy (NIA), Pune
• IFMR KREA University
• ISBM Pune
• BIMTECH, Greater Noida
• IMT Nagpur
• IBS Hyderabad
• SDMIMD, Mysore
• KIIT School of Management
• LIBA, Chennai
• SIES, Navi Mumbai
• VIT Business School, Vellore
• XIME, Bangalore
• IMI Bhubaneswar

Conclusion

Getting admission into a Top MBA Colleges through CAT requires strategic planning, hard work, and sound knowledge of the selection process. Whether you’re targeting an IIM, an IIT, or other elite business schools, performing well in CAT and showcasing a good profile will go a long way.

Candidates should study extensively, select colleges based on their profession, and work hard to maximize their MBA experience. By putting in the right effort and commitment, cracking CAT and getting admission to a high-profile MBA college is an achievable dream!