No, you cannot directly take admission in IIM Lucknow without appearing for competitive exams like the CAT (Common Admission Test). Admission to IIM Lucknow is contingent upon candidates qualifying for the CAT, which is a national-level entrance exam.

The admission process involves several steps:

• CAT Requirement : All candidates must take and qualify the CAT exam to be considered for admission. The CAT score is a fundamental criterion for shortlisting candidates.

• Shortlisting for Interviews : After the CAT results are announced, candidates are shortlisted based on their scores, along with other factors such as academic performance and work experience. Shortlisted candidates then proceed to the next stages of the selection process.

  MBA/PGDM Admissions OPEN

  Apply to Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

  Apply Now

  Recommended

• Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) : Candidates who are shortlisted must also participate in a Written Ability Test followed by a Personal Interview as part of the final selection process.

In summary, there are no direct admission pathways into IIM Lucknow without taking the CAT or fulfilling its admission criteria

hi shagufta.

hope you are doing great

If you are thinking that you are going to get admission in any of the IIM without going for the entrance exam then I must say that you are totally mistaken dear because there is no such rule by which you can admission directly into an IIM.

The Best and only way to get into an IIM is to go by clearing the exam of CAT like the rest of the students are doing in their career.

Eligibility criteria for CAT is as follows :-1. Graduation from a recognized university 2. Percentage :- 50% or more 3. No Subject Bar 4. No Age Bar

hope it helps

Hello Shafgufta,

According to my research, there is no direct admission option available in Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. The candidates are shortlisted based on the entrance exam called CAT. So, it is mandatory to answer CAT, if you want to get admission in IIM, Lucknow. Also, there will be a personal interview for the shortlisted candidates.

Good luck!

Hello there!

Greetings!

I am extremely sorry to tell you dear but you cannot get into any IIM , be it IIM Lunknow or someother IIM , without qualifying the entrance exam i.e CAT , so if you want to pursue mba in any IIM you need to clear CAT , there's no gateway into IIM without qualifying CAT.

Also , only clearing or qualifying CAT examination will not help you in getting into IIM as after CAT results, you will be shortlisted for final admission round on the basis of CAT exam scores, academics, diversity, work etc and then you will be competing with all the shortlisted candidates in the Written Ability Test (WAT) followed by Personal Interview (PI). And finally after clearing these you can get into IIM .


Thankyou

Hello Shagufta,

No, you cannot directly apply to IIM Lucknow if you haven't attempted CAT which is an exam of national importance.

Every IIM accepts CAT score and then proceed it's application process. So, there's no chance of getting directly admitted in any of the IIMs without appearing in CAT for MBA.

All the best !

Thank-you

IIM Lucknow

Admissions Courses & Fees Placements Reviews

Shortlist

Brochure

Common Admission Test

Answer Key | Application | Exam Pattern | Admit Card | Preparation Tips | Result | Eligibility | Accepting Colleges

Get Updates Brochure

Management Aptitude Test

Application | Admit Card | Exam Pattern | Eligibility | Result | Cutoff | Selection Process | Accepting Colleges

Get Updates Brochure