Students from which background have a better chance at CAT?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) doesn’t release success rate of candidates based on their graduation profile. But to observe by the record, students from an engineering background have a higher success ratio in comparison to the students from a non-engineering background.

Dominance of engineers graduates waning:

In a departure from merely achieving gender balance, prominent Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are actively addressing another imbalance – the overrepresentation of engineering graduates in their flagship MBA programs. An analysis of data gleaned from batch profiles, admission offices, and official statements reveals that nearly 40% of the students admitted to the Post Graduate Program (PGP) across six IIMs this year hailed from non-engineering backgrounds. This marks a significant departure from the records of previous years.

The Common Admission Test, popularly known as CAT, has traditionally favors candidates with engineering backgrounds, especially when it comes to securing admissions in prestigious business schools like the IIMs. However, shifts in the structure of the CAT exam and changes in admission policies have contributed to a decline in this trend. As a result, IIM classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse.

IIM MBA Batch 2023-25: Non-engineering students

In IIM Ahmedabad, the 2022-24 postgraduate program cohort comprised 133 students, which translates to 33.5% of the batch, who hailed from academic backgrounds outside of engineering. Many of these students had completed their undergraduate studies in fields such as arts, commerce, science, and management, among others. Remarkably, a year later, this number increased to 171 students, marking a notable growth of 28.6%. It’s worth noting that IIM Ahmedabad does not provide academic diversity incentives during the admission process.

Moreover, in addition to the diverse academic backgrounds, 74% of the cohort brought with them varied work experiences spanning fields such as medicine, multinational corporations, public sector undertakings (PSUs), teaching, space research, government services, non-profit organizations, defense services, gaming, technology, banking, consultancy, startups, and law.

Likewise, at IIM Kozhikode, the count of non-engineering students surged by 28.4%, rising from 218 in the previous MBA batch to 280 in the current year. The incoming students hailed from diverse academic backgrounds, including sciences, humanities, arts, commerce, medicine, and chartered accountancy. Of the new entrants, 67% possessed prior work experience.

• At IIM Sambalpur, approximately half of the incoming batch did not have engineering backgrounds. In the current academic year, the institute admitted 160 students from non-engineering disciplines, closely matching the count of 163 engineering students.

The following data illustrates the presence of non-engineering students in the 2023-25 MBA cohorts at the six first and second-generation IIMs considered:

• IIM Ahmedabad: 33.5% non-engineering students in the 2022-24 batch, and a 28.6% increase in the subsequent year.
• IIM Kozhikode: A 28.4% increase in non-engineering students from the previous batch.
• IIM Sambalpur: An almost equal number of non-engineering and engineering students in the incoming batch.

Why B.Com and BA Graduates?

1. Diverse Skill Sets: B.Com and BA graduates bring a diverse range of skills to the table, including strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
2. Soft Skills: While engineering graduates may excel in technical skills, B.Com and BA graduates often possess strong soft skills, which are equally important for effective management.
3. Market Orientation: B.Com graduates, in particular, have a solid foundation in business principles, financial management, and accounting.
4. Diversity and Inclusion: The inclusion of B.Com and BA graduates enriches the overall learning experience by fostering a diverse mix of perspectives and ideas.
5. Adaptability: The rapidly changing business landscape demands adaptable and versatile professionals, a quality often found in B.Com and BA graduates.

IIM Entrance Exam: Academic diversity points

Certain IIMs have taken intentional measures to mitigate the engineering-centric bias often associated with the CAT exam. To ensure a more equitable representation of students from diverse academic backgrounds, candidates from non-engineering streams are granted extra points during the admission process. The specific allocation of these points varies from one IIM campus to another.

For instance, IIM Lucknow incorporates academic diversity into its admission policy by assigning a 5% weightage to academic diversity during the writing ability test, personal interview (WAT-PI), and final selection stages. According to the institute’s spokesperson, these points have significantly contributed to the enhancement of academic diversity within the campus, resulting in the admission of nearly 44% of students from non-engineering backgrounds in the 2023–25 batch.

Contrary to the common misconception that IIMs favor engineering students or that the CAT exam inherently leans towards engineering backgrounds, many top IIMs explicitly prioritize non-engineering students. This commitment to diversity is reflected in the practice of awarding bonus points. Upon entering an IIM, it becomes evident that a substantial portion of the student body comprises individuals with non-engineering qualifications. Consequently, students holding degrees in disciplines such as BCom, BA Economics, BBS, BBA, and related fields often possess a slight advantage when commencing the PGP academic curriculum.

However, it’s noteworthy that, akin to IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore does not provide additional points for academic diversity during the CAT admission process.

Challenges Faced

Despite this shift, B.Com and BA graduates entering IIMs face unique challenges. They may need to bridge certain knowledge gaps in areas like quantitative aptitude. However, IIMs have been proactive in offering remedial courses to help these students catch up with their engineering counterparts.

• The increasing presence of B.Com and BA graduates in IIMs marks a progressive shift in the Indian management education landscape. It underscores the recognition that management requires a diverse skill set beyond just technical prowess. As the corporate world evolves, so do the demands placed on future leaders. This trend is a testament to the adaptability of the CAT exam and the evolving nature of education in India. It signifies that success in management is no longer the exclusive domain of engineers but is open to all who possess the drive, dedication, and passion for leadership and innovation. As the CAT exam continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more diverse talent gracing the hallowed halls of India’s top management institutions.