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IIM Lucknow has decided to scrap Written ability test of 10 marks from its selection process and will be conducting online Personal interview. The measures have been taken considering COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown.  IIM Lucknow reduced weightage of CAT Score and final merit list will be released out of total composite score of 90 rather than 100. Shortlist of 8031 candidates was released on January 4, 2020 the same day CAT Results were announced.

  • The institute offers admission to three different management courses i.e. Post Graduate Program (PGP), Post Graduate Program in Agricultural Business Management (PGP-ABM) and Post Graduate Program in Sustainable Management (PGP-SM) through CAT. 
  • IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria involves 2 steps- Clearing CAT, Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
  • Minimum marks required to pass PI round is 12 out of 40. Final merit list will have the names of those who pass online interview.
  • CAT Cut Off for IIM Lucknow is expected to be between 85-90 percentile for all management courses. IIM Lucknow calculates a ‘Composite Score’ on the basis of which candidates are shortlisted for WAT and PI.
  • There is also insertion of Diversity Factor, which is based on gender and stream of graduation.

As per officials of IIM-L “Due to gathering restrictions imposed by GoI to contain the spread of COVID-19,  the institute has decided to exclude WAT-10 marks) for evaulation for admission to PGP/PGP-ABM/ PGP-SM programme.The change is applicable for this year only”.

IIM-Lucknow: Number of Candidates Shortlisted

IIM Lucknow: Number of Candidates Shortlisted on the Basis of CAT Score

27597 candidates were considered for preliminary screening on the basis of CAT result. Program wise division is as follows:

Program Candidates considered for stage 1
PGP 2020-22 13039
PGP-ABM 2020-22 117792
PGP-SM 2020-22 2766

Final shortlist for WAT-PI round was made and 8031 candidates were considered for the same:

Program Candidates considered for WAT-PI
PGP 2020-22 3766
PGP-ABM 2020-22 2666
PGP-SM 2020-22 1599
Total 8031

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IIM-Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2019

IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2019

Candidates need to clear the minimum sectional and overall CAT Cut off to be eligible for IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria. The following table represents the same:

Category of Candidate For PGP For PGP ABM For PGP SM
Sectional Overall Sectional Overall Sectional Overall
General 85 90 80 85 80 85
NC-OBC 77 82 72 77 72 77
SC 55 70 55 65 55 65
ST 50 65 50 60 50 60
PWD 50 65 50 60 50 60

Check CAT Previous year cut off analysis

IIM-Lucknow Eligibility Criteria

IIM Lucknow Eligibility Criteria

Applicants who wish to apply for admission to management courses at IIM Lucknow have to fulfill the complete eligibility criteria prescribed by the institute. 

  • Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized university or Institute.
  • For reserved category candidates, the minimum marks required are 45%. 
  • In case the candidates are awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the conversion of grades/CGPA to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the university/ institution from where they have obtained the bachelor’s degree.
  • Candidates still studying in their final year/ awaiting result, can apply

List of Equivalent Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2/Post B.Sc./Post Diploma ) or B.E/B.Tech.
  • Any Qualification recognized by Association of Indian Universities New Delhi, which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree awarded by UGC recognized University/Institutions. 
  • Cases not covered above equivalency certificate to be produced from Association of Indian Universities New Delhi.

Also Check CAT Eligibility Criteria


IIM Lucknow Reservation

Indian Institute of Mangement Lucknow offers reservation for SC/ ST/ OBC and PwD candidates. 

Category Reservation (%)
SC 15
ST 7.5
OBC 27
PwD 5

IIM-Lucknow Score Calculation

IIM Lucknow Score Calculation

After CAT Exam is conducted, IIM Lucknow calculates a ‘Composite Score’ on the basis of which candidates are shortlisted for WAT and PI.  A lot of factors are involved in the ‘Composite Score’ so calculated. Let us take a look at how different factors are considered for calculation of composite score:

Scaled CAT Score

CAT Score of a candidate carries the maximum weightage of 60% in the composite score for all 3 types of courses. Scaled CAT Score is calculated by dividing CAT Score (not percentile) with the highest possible score in CAT and then multiplying it by 60.

Method of Scoring: Scaled CAT Score = (Candidate’s CAT Score / Maximum Marks) X 60

For example, if a candidate has scored 180 marks in CAT out of 300, the scaled CAT Score would be (180/300) * 60 = 36.

Read CAT Score Calculation

Class 12 Marks

Most of the IIMs do consider the past academic scores of candidates and so does IIM Lucknow. Class 12 marks can carry a maximum weightage of 10 marks in the composite score. Different percentages in Class 12 carry different scores in the composite score.

Here is table representing the scores given to different percentages in Class 12 in the composite score

Percentage Score in CS Percentage Score in CS
80.01-82.00 1 90.01-92.00 6
82.01-84.00 2 92.01-94.00 7
84.01-86.00 3 94.01-96.00 8
86.01-88.00 4 96.01-98.00 9
88.01-90.00 5 98.01-100 10

Graduation Marks

Candidates can get a maximum of 10 marks in composite score on the basis of their graduation percentage. The Graduation score of the candidate is normalized for each kind of stream.  IIM Lucknow uses a mathematical formula for normalization, but the variable of that formula actually depends upon the graduation scores of other candidates who have been shortlisted.

Therefore, candidates, instead of figuring out their composite score on the basis of graduation, should just keep in mind that maximum of it can be 10 and this score is relative, not fixed.

Work Experience (WE)

Work Experience carries a maximum weightage of 10 marks in PGP and PGP-SM, but it is not taken in consideration for PGP-ABM. Candidate needs to have a work experience of at least 6 months and 24 months for PGP and PGP-SM respectively, to get any points on work experience in Composite Score.

Candidates must not forget that work experience up to July 31, 2017 will be considered in Composite Score.

Work experience points can be calculated by deducting the minimum work experience required from the number of months of experience candidate has, and multiplying it by 0.5.

The maximum points for work experience can be only 10.

Method of Scoring:

For PGP Program, where WE is more than 6 months then WE = Min (X-6) * 0.5

For PGP-ABM Program, Work Experience = 0

For PGP-SM Program, where WE is more than 24 months then WE = Min (X-24) * 0.5

Thus, if a candidate has 36 months of experience, he will get (36-6) * 0.5 = 10 points (answer to the calculation is 15 but maximum limit is 10) for PGP and similarly (36-24) * 0.5=6 points for PGP-SM’s composite score.

Diversity Factor

IIMs have introduced a new diversity factor for admission into their courses, on the basis of Gender and Academic Background. Female candidates will get 5 points for diversity factor for all kinds of courses, irrespective of their graduation stream.

For PGP and PGP-SM, candidates who have done their graduation in any stream except Engineering will get 5 points of diversification.

For PGP-ABM course, candidates will get 5 points of diversity factor if they belong to streams like Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Forestry, Science etc.

The given below table represents the maximum weightage of different factors in the composite score, for all the courses-

Factors For PGP For PGP-SM For PGP-ABM
Scaled CAT Score 60 60 60
Class XII Marks 10 10 10
Graduation Marks 10 10 10
Work Experience 10 10 --
Diversity Factor (Academic) 5 5 20*
Diversity Factor (Gender) 5 5 5*
Total 100 100 100

IIM-Lucknow Admission Criteria 

IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 

Candidates who are able to clear the cutoff of Composite Score are called for WAT and PI round. This round forms the basis of the final selection of the candidate in any given course they have applied for. They must note that appearing in WAT and PI round is necessary, and no students will be given admission in any course if they do not appear in this round, irrespective of their CAT Score.

Candidates are called on the specified venues where CAT Counselling is conducted. The Selection Process involves the 

Written Ability Test (WAT)

  • WAT carries a weightage of 10% in the final selection.
  • Candidates have to write an essay on a topic which will be given to them on the spot by the interview panelists.
  • The topics are generally on national and international issues or the topic can also be an abstract one.
  • This is generally done to check the knowledge of the candidate on a particular issue and also the thinking level of a candidate.

Personal Interview (PI)

  • PI holds the highest weightage of 40% in the final selection of candidate.
  • The minimum requirement for getting a pass in Personal Interviews is 12 out of 40 marks
  • Personal Interview is generally taken by two panelists.
  • Candidates can be asked questions about their academics, work experience, general knowledge, and personality.

Find Here: CAT GD/WAT and PI Experiences

The following table represents the weightage of different factors in the final selection of the candidate is taken into consideration-

Factors For PGP For PGP-SM For PGP-ABM
Personal Interview 40 40 40
CAT Score 30 30 35
Written Ability Test 10 10 10
Work Experience 5 5 --
Class XII Marks 5 5 5
Graduation Marks 5 5 5
Diversity Factor 5 5 5
Total 100 100 100

For any queries, below are the contact details:


Prof. Vikas Srivastava

Chairperson, PGP

Ph- 91-522-2736665




*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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