"I Scored 99.97 Percentile In CAT, Yet I Can't Get A Seat In IIM ABC"; Why Does This Happen? Is It Unjust?

Some said, “Percentile is necessary, not sufficient.” while others tried to uphold the morale by saying, “Relax, you will definitely get your foot in the door of the top IIMs.” The recent release of the CAT 2021 scorecard has sparked a flurry of coaching centers to sell hopes of converting top-tier MBA colleges to students with impressive percentiles. But the picture is not as rosy as it appears. Let’s take a look at what CAT takers have to say:

According to Ravi Kumar, a 99.97 percentiler (CAT 2020), the entire admission system makes no sense. He says, 

“You are expected to be a Steve Job right from your schooling or someone who is picture-perfect in both academics, and extracurricular activities at all times. The MBA admissions system is the most bizarre thing I have ever seen.”

And, as we all know, there are a lot of Ravis out there! He is not by himself. Here is one such example of an anonymous CAT aspirant who shared his experience with us -

The voices of powerful GenZ

GenZ is here and is increasingly raising unsettling questions. Despite these questions lingering for centuries, the authorities (no one knows who!) are finding it difficult to answer.

“Why should my 10th grade stop me from getting into IIM A?”

“Why is everyone okay with different cut-offs for different castes? And above that, why are we still living in the decaying pieces of reservation?”

“In a bid to get a diverse batch, why can’t we devise better shortlisting criteria?”

“Why should I suffer if I don’t belong to a reserved category?”

The list of questions does not end here.

“Despite 99+ percentile, I could not make any room at IIM ABC because I could not meet one of the sectional cut-offs. If I belonged to any other category, things could have been much easier!”, said Ravi.

Not so gem rules for the ‘GEMs’

A 99 percentile might not stay the reason for your smile if you are a GEM. 

Even if you make it to the interviews, the IIMs in an attempt to ensure a level-playing field will keep you there! Because if you are competing with a non-engineer student, the latter will be provided 5 marks out of 100 for FREE.

Hold on; there’s more…

If you compete against a female candidate, she will be granted 5-10 additional points. (After all, gender diversity has to be there to be ranked as a premium college!)

Let this example clear the air:

By all conventional means, I had the lowest possible chance of making it to the IIMs," said Vikas, a 23-year-old general candidate, engineer, male, and a fresher. He continued, “The worst part is that I had no idea about it while preparing for the examination.”

“Is it possible to get into IIMs with poor academics?” 

Google this question, and you will be flooded with hundreds of related questions like:

"Has anyone got admission into IIM with low academics in 10th and 12th?"

"What are my chances of getting into IIM if I have scored 65% in 10th, 61.2% in 12th, and 60% in graduation?"

"My friend's 12th percentage is 60%. Is there any chance of an IIM call if he gets even 99 percentile in CAT?"

"My 10th, 12th, and graduation marks are below 60%. Can I do MBA from IIM?"

These questions reveal a deep-seated worry among students of failing to meet their academic cut-offs. But isn't it possible that the lack of up-to-the-mark performance can be due to many factors? It can be unfavorable family conditions, mental health concerns, lack of facilities, and other 34787 reasons.

The solution

Well, well, well…here is what we want from the authorities -

We understand all these set criteria are an attempt to promote academic and gender diversity and offer a fair playing ground for all. But somewhere the objective vanishes into thin air now and then. What about gradually coming up with a more even selection criteria for all?

And this is what the aspiring bright minds should focus at -

Reservation, past academic grades, or gender are out of our hands. After the CAT 2021 results, we urge students to give it their all and focus on improving their interviewing skills. We are sure it will open some doors, someday if not today!

Here is a list of suggested reads:

• The subtle art of not giving up in order to convert MBA interviews -By Nitesh Singh from IIFT Kolkata
• CAT 2020 topper interview: This is how Shivam Chandak scored 100 percentile in DILR, 99.98 overall!
• How you can tackle the classic question “Why should we hire you?” during an interview
• IIM Ahmedabad interview questions, preparation tips and other details -By Hemanth Reddy Varakantham, 99.13 percentile, IIM Ahmedabad
• How to say 'I don't know' in an MBA Interview