Every MBA aspirant in India knows that getting a good CAT score (in absolute terms) is not enough, it is the percentile that matters, and more importantly how the percentile translates into meaningful progress through the multi-stage IIM admission funnel. With over 3.3 lakh candidates registering for CAT 2024, competition is fiercer than ever, and the difference between a 90 percentile and a 95+ percentile can decide whether you make it to a top B-school shortlist.Talking specifically about IIM Sambalpur, the institute was established in 2015, and it quickly established a reputation for academic excellence. With a current intake of about 320+ students for its flagship MBA program and participation in the Common Admission Process (CAP) along with other new IIMs, the competition for a seat is intense and if you’re eyeing for admissions in IIM Sambalpur, understanding the cut-off for 2025 admissions — and how it compares with previous years’ benchmarks — becomes highly significant.
To help you with the same, this blog provides a complete, data-backed overview of IIM Sambalpur Cut-off 2025, the admission process, and key insights for aspirants.
Table of Contents
Official Shortlisting Cut-Offs for 2025
Following were the minimum CAT percentiles required for stage 1 shortlisting for admissions into IIM Sambalpur for 2025:
*For all female candidates and male candidates with ≥ 1 year relevant work-ex, the overall General cutoff is relaxed to 85 (sectionals remain 65).These thresholds form the Stage-1 eligibility—eligible aspirants move to the next round for profile-based assessment.
Must Read: CAT 2025 Result
Pre-PI Score for Stage-2 Round in IIM Sambalpur Admission Process 2025
Shortlisted candidates are ranked based on a Pre-PI score that is computed based on the candidate’s profile. To calculate the same, the following are the components that are taken into consideration along with weightage:
Candidates with top rankings on the basis of the Pre-PI score move to the third and final round.Note:- Work-ex marks peak around 30 months, and start to drop beyond 36 months.
Stage 3 Round in IIM Sambalpur Admission Process 2025
In this round, shortlisted candidates go through Personal Interview (PI) where they are assessed on the basis of their profile and their performance. Later, interviewers assign them a score out of 25 on the basis of their evaluation and later Final Merit list is prepared by collating the Pre-PI Score (out of 75) and PI score (out of 25) to prepare the list of eligible students for admission into the institute.
Suggested Read: CAT Total Marks 205: Marking Scheme, Pattern Trends, Benefits
IIM Sambalpur Cutoff for 2024
Looking back at IIM Sambalpur’s cutoff for 2024, we can notice a similar trend were General category students had to clear a relatively higher cutoff as compared to females and candidates with ≥ 12 months of relevant work-ex.Here’s a detailed breakup for your understanding:
It is important to note that:- The cut off for General - female candidates stood at 65 percentile for each section with an overall 80 percentile.
- Similar trend followed for General candidates with 12 months of work ex or more.
Do Read: The Most Neglected Topics in CAT that Appear Every Year
What the Trends Tell Us?
On the basis of our understanding, it is safe to say that while qualifying percentiles get you in the admission game, PI calls at newer IIMs like IIM Sambalpur generally hover above the qualifying bar.
- The official cut-off often understates the effective threshold—true shortlisting generally needs 94–95+ percentile, especially for the General category and hence you should aim to score in that range.
- Increasing cut off over the last couple of years clearly indicates the rising competition among students to secure a seat at the institute.
- Sectionals matter. IIM Sambalpur’s sectionals (65 percentile for General category students) are forgiving as compared to IIM Kashipur (75), but a lopsided score still risks you in CAP ranking.
- Profile points can compensate for your overall Pre-PI Score. You can try to fetch those brownie points in key components like work-ex (20 points) and gender diversity (10 points) to boost your Pre-PI score & bolster your rank.
Also Read: Smart Tips to Optimize CAT Exam Preparation, Tips by Toppers
Final Thoughts
IIM Sambalpur’s admission journey is not about clearing a number; it's about excelling across parameters. Also, it is important to note that Official thresholds are stepping stones, and not guarantees. To stand a real chance, aspirants especially from the General category should aim to secure 95 percentile and above, with a decent score in each of the sections. As already stated, a good CAT score accompanied by solid academics, relevant experience, and diversity points can really make your case for admission into IIM Sambalpur.
