IIM Lucknow Announces MBA Admission Policy for 2026-28 Batch

IIM Lucknow has announced its MBA admission policy for the 2026-28 batch. This guide details the IIM Lucknow admission criteria, including the weightage for the CAT 2025 score, academic performance, and the crucial WAT and PI rounds. Learn how to strategize for a seat in one of the top management colleges.

In a crucial update for every management aspirant targeting one of the country's most prestigious MBA programs, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has officially announced its MBA admission policy for the 2026-28 academic session. The new policy, which focuses on a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's profile, assigns a 30% weightage to the CAT 2025 score for the final selection. This strategic approach highlights that a high percentile in the CAT exam is just one part of the journey. The detailed admission policy for the flagship Post Graduate Programme (PGP) as well as the MBA-ABM and MBA-SM programs provides a clear roadmap for aspirants to plan their preparation strategy and subsequent rounds of the admission process.

Two-Stage Selection Process

The IIM Lucknow admission process is designed in two key stages to ensure a holistic evaluation of each applicant. The first stage involves shortlisting candidates for the Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. This initial shortlist is based on a composite score that gives significant weight to your performance in CAT 2025 and your academic record. The second and final stage is the ultimate test of a candidate’s skills, and it is where the majority of the weightage lies.

Key components of the final score calculation:

• Personal Interview (PI): This round carries a substantial 40% weightage, making it the single most important factor in the final selection. The PI evaluates a candidate's communication skills, confidence, and overall fit for a career in management.
• Common Admission Test (CAT): The CAT 2025 score contributes a 30% weightage to the final composite score. While lower than the PI, it remains a crucial component for shortlisting and final selection.
• Academic Performance: A candidate’s past academic record, including scores from Class 12 and graduation, is given a 10% weightage (5% each), emphasizing the importance of a consistent academic history.
• Writing Ability Test (WAT): The WAT assesses your written communication skills and analytical abilities, with a 10% weightage.
• Work Experience & Diversity: The institute also factors in relevant work experience (5% weightage) and diversity factors (5% weightage), including both academic and gender diversity, to ensure a well-rounded batch.

Shortlisting and Cut-Offs

For the initial shortlisting for the WAT and PI rounds, IIM Lucknow will use a composite score calculated from various factors. A high CAT percentile is a prerequisite, but candidates must also meet minimum sectional cut-offs to be considered. The official policy sets a minimum CAT 2025 score to be considered for a shortlist call. However, it’s a well-known fact that the actual cut-offs for getting a call are much higher. A strong academic profile and diversity factors can help compensate for a slightly lower CAT score.

IIM Lucknow's focus on a comprehensive profile:

• Academic Consistency: The policy gives weight to academic performance, indicating that a strong record throughout your higher education is vital.
• Diversity Factors: The institute explicitly rewards both gender and academic diversity, making it a viable option for non-engineers and female aspirants.
• Work Experience: For the final selection, relevant work experience is given weightage, recognizing the value of real-world exposure for an MBA program.

For a management aspirant, this policy underscores the importance of a holistic preparation strategy that goes beyond just the CAT exam.

The Final Step: WAT and PI Preparation

With the CAT score carrying 30% weightage and the PI having 40%, it is clear that a candidate's performance in the WAT and PI rounds is critical for final selection. Aspirants who receive a shortlist call must dedicate significant time to preparing for these rounds. For more updates on the IIM Lucknow admission process and other MBA programs, follow Only Education News. The journey to a top management college is a marathon, not a sprint. A well-planned study plan will help you succeed. For more information on different management courses and career opportunities in management, visit https://www.onlyeducation.in/exams-list/management.