Hello. I wish to appear for the CAT exam this year but I have a below average past academic record. I scored 86 percent in 10th, 62 percent in 12th and 70 percent in graduation. Would I be eligible for the top IIMs if I score a high percentile in CAT?

Hello Anshuman!!!
You have gotten 86% in 10th, which is a good score. 70% in graduation is not the best but decent. But the main problem is your 12th score which is 62%.

You would be already aware that the Top IIMs (BLACKI) give a big emphasis on your academic score. Let me tell you one example of IIM Ahmedabad,
According to a research i read a few days ago, in IIM Ahmedabad, 70.8% of students has 90+ percent in 12th, 25.8% has 80-90 percent and around 3.8% has less than 80% with the bracket of 60-69 having only 0.26% students of the total batch. Nearly same is the case of the other top IIMs like IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore.

Statistically, getting into these TOP IIMs is possible with 62% in 12th is possible (0.26% has done it) but practically you cannot get into these TOP IIMs unless you top the CAT exam.

See, I don't wish to dishearten or demotivate you but I wish to tell you the truth. Although the probability of you getting into these TOP IIMs is very less, but trying is better than doing nothing. You have a good score in 10th which will certainly help you. The least you could do is try your best.

My advice would be that you should not focus on these things like "Will I get top IIM" or negative talk like " I got low marks I won't qualify" etc. The main focus should be on your preparation. Give 100% in your preparation because that's the only thing in your hand. You can't change your 10th/12th/Graduation scores but you can put some more effort in your preparation which would certainly help to get better percentile.

Keep working hard and give your best. You might surprise yourself!!! And if not BLACKI, there are many other good colleges like FMS, MDI, newer IIMs etc.

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can sit for CAT exam and apply to the leading IIMs if you achieve a good percentile. Past academic history does have some bearing on their application process, especially for the older IIMs (IIM A, B and C) as they will take a holistic evaluation process for the shortlist, this includes the 10th grade, 12th grade, graduation marks, work experience and diversity. That said that IIMs (especially the newer IIMs such as IIM Trichy, Udaipur, Kashipur etc.) place more emphasis on CAT percentile & performance in PI than previous academic history. So that even with below average academic history, a 98 - 99 + percentile, and good performance throughout the WAT-PI round means you still with some chances.

Focus on achieving a good score at CAT and prepare for interviews - there are plenty of candidates with similar academic backgrounds as you who got into an IIM.