In this guide
The IIMs attract most of the attention, but together they admit only a small share of the candidates who do well in CAT. Many other institutes use CAT scores, and several of them have long track records, strong faculty and placements that compare well with many IIMs.
A candidate who applies only to IIMs is making a bet on a narrow set of cut-offs and interviews. A candidate with a thoughtful list beyond the IIMs has options if one interview goes badly, and may even find a programme that fits them better. Building that list is part of CAT preparation, not an afterthought, because many application deadlines fall around the exam itself.
Who accepts CAT
The institutes fall into a few broad groups.
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Management schools of IITs | Schools at several IITs, such as Bombay, Delhi, Kharagpur and Madras | Usually CAT-based; small batches; some favour certain academic backgrounds |
| University departments | Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi | Low fees at some public universities; strong reputations |
| Government institutes | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi and Kolkata | IIFT moved to CAT scores in recent years |
| State admission processes | JBIMS Mumbai, through Maharashtra's centralised admission process | Accepts CAT among other scores; state process and quotas apply |
| Private and autonomous B-schools | MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad and many others | Often accept CAT along with XAT, GMAT or others |
Separate applications and deadlines
This is where candidates lose options. Unlike the IIMs, which use the CAT form as a starting point, most other institutes need a separate application, often with its own fee. Many open around September and close between November and January.
- Make a list of target institutes by early autumn.
- Note each one's application window, fee and documents.
- Apply before the CAT result for institutes whose deadlines fall earlier. Waiting to "see your score" can mean missing them.
MBA or PGDM?
You will see both names.
- MBA is a degree awarded by a university or by an institute empowered to grant degrees. The IIMs award MBAs under the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017.
- PGDM is a postgraduate diploma awarded by autonomous institutes, typically approved by AICTE.
For employers, the reputation of the institute usually matters far more than the label. For higher studies or some government jobs, check how the qualification is recognised, especially for newer institutes.
What to check before applying
| Factor | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Placements | What was the median salary, how many students were placed, and in which roles and sectors? |
| Faculty | How many full-time faculty are there, and what are their teaching and industry backgrounds? |
| Fees | What is the total cost, including hostel and other charges? Are there need-based scholarships? |
| Recognition | Is the programme approved by the relevant bodies? Does it hold any accreditations? |
| Batch and peers | How large is the batch? What is its mix of freshers, experienced candidates and academic backgrounds? |
| Location and alumni | How strong are its industry links and alumni network in the sectors you care about? |
| Course structure | What specialisations, electives, internships and exchange options are offered? |
A quick cost comparison
Suppose a candidate is comparing two institutes, using made-up figures.
- Institute X: total cost ₹20 lakh; median salary ₹16 lakh a year.
- Institute Y: total cost ₹10 lakh; median salary ₹13 lakh a year.
A simple check is cost as a multiple of first-year median salary. X: 20 ÷ 16 = 1.25. Y: 10 ÷ 13 ≈ 0.77. Y recovers its cost faster on paper. The comparison ignores roles, growth and fit, so use it as one input, not the decision.
Reading placement reports carefully
Placement numbers are marketing as well as information. Read them the way a sceptical analyst would.
- Prefer the median salary to the average. A few very high offers can pull the average up sharply.
- Look for the number of students placed against the batch size. "100% placement" is less meaningful if many students opted out.
- Check whether international and domestic offers are separated.
- Prefer reports that are audited or that state their method clearly.
- Talk to current students and recent alumni. They will tell you what a report does not.
Building a balanced list
Group your choices by how your expected CAT percentile compares with each institute's likely cut-off.
| Category | What it means | How many |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirational | You need an excellent score and a strong interview | Three or four |
| Target | Your expected score matches past cut-offs | Four or five |
| Safe | Your expected score comfortably clears them | Two or three |
Revise the list when your mock percentiles settle in the final two months, and again after the result.
Other exams to consider
Some candidates also take XAT (used by XLRI and other schools), SNAP (Symbiosis institutes), NMAT (NMIMS and others) or CMAT, to widen their options. Each has its own pattern and dates. Taking one or two extra exams is sensible if their institutes interest you. Taking five usually drains preparation time from CAT.
Check yourself
- An institute's report shows an average salary of ₹22 lakh and a median of ₹15 lakh. Which figure better describes a typical student?
- You expect a 93 percentile. Past cut-offs at an institute were around 97. Which category does it belong in?
- Is it safe to wait for the CAT result before applying to non-IIM institutes?
Answers:
- The median, ₹15 lakh. The average is being pulled up by a few high offers.
- Aspirational.
- Not always. Many deadlines fall before or soon after the exam, so check each one and apply early where needed.
What to do next
- List eight to twelve non-IIM institutes that interest you and note their accepted scores and deadlines.
- Download the latest placement report of each and note the median salary and number placed.
- Sort them into aspirational, target and safe.
- Read our guides to how IIMs shortlist and application forms.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Indian Institutes of Management website .
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