So you want to get into IIM Lucknow? This place has been churning out business leaders since 1984, and it’s consistently ranked among India’s top five management institutes. But getting through those doors isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Let me break down exactly what you need to do to become part of the IIML community.
What You Need Before Anything Else
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks if you’re from the General, EWS, or NC-OBC categories. For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the requirement drops to 45%. Your degree can be in any field—engineering, commerce, arts, science—doesn’t matter. Even if you’re still in your final year, you can apply, but you’ll need to submit proof later that you’ve met these criteria.
There’s no age limit, which means you could be a fresh graduate or someone looking to pivot careers after years in the workforce. That’s actually one of the beautiful things about IIM admissions—they value diverse backgrounds.
Step 1: Register for CAT
The Common Admission Test (CAT) happens every year on the last Sunday of November. For 2025, that’s November 30. Registration typically opens in early August and closes in mid-September. Don’t wait until the last minute—server overloads on the final day are real, and you don’t want technical glitches standing between you and your MBA dreams.
The application fee sits at ₹2,600 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. You’ll register at iimcat.ac.in, fill in your personal details, educational background, upload your photograph and signature, and pay the fee online.
When filling out your CAT form, you’ll see an option to select IIM preferences. Make sure you tick IIM Lucknow. This isn’t binding—you’re not committing to anything—but it ensures they have your data once results are out.
Step 2: Crack the CAT Exam
This is where things get intense. CAT tests you across three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). You get 40 minutes for each section, and you can’t switch between sections—once the timer runs out on VARC, you’re moving to DILR, no going back.
For IIM Lucknow’s MBA program, General category students need around 90 percentile overall to have a shot at the interview stage. NC-OBC candidates need about 82 percentile, SC candidates need 65 percentile, and ST candidates need 60 percentile. But here’s the catch—these are just qualifying cutoffs. Meeting them doesn’t guarantee you a call. They mean you’re eligible to be considered.
Each section also has its own cutoff, typically around 85 percentile for General category students. So you can’t bomb one section and ace the others—you need balanced performance across all three.
Plan to start your preparation at least 6-9 months before the exam. Take lots of mock tests. Read newspapers and novels to build your reading speed. Brush up on your high school math. And practice, practice, practice those logic puzzles.
Step 3: Wait for the Shortlist
Results usually come out around the third week of December. Then comes the nerve-wracking part—waiting to see if you’ve been shortlisted for the next round.
IIM Lucknow doesn’t just look at your CAT score when deciding who gets called for interviews. They assign points based on your performance in Class 10, Class 12, and your undergraduate degree. Consistency matters here. If you’ve been a strong student throughout, it helps. They also give points for work experience (if you have more than 6 months) and for diversity factors, including gender diversity.
The shortlist comes out in early January. If you make it, congratulations! You’ve cleared a major hurdle. Now comes part two.
Step 4: The WAT-PI Application
Once shortlisted, you’ll need to fill out another detailed application form on IIM Lucknow’s website. This is different from the initial CAT registration. You’ll need to provide:
- All your academic transcripts (Class 10, 12, graduation)
- Work experience certificates if you’re employed
- Recent photographs
- Valid ID proof
- Category certificate if applicable
Pay close attention to deadlines here. Miss the deadline, and you’re out—no appeals, no second chances.
Step 5: Written Ability Test and Personal Interview
This is judgment day. IIM Lucknow conducts a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) for shortlisted candidates. These usually happen in February or March.
The WAT is typically a 30-minute essay on a current affairs topic. They’re testing your ability to construct logical arguments, your awareness of what’s happening in the world, and your written communication skills. Practice writing timed essays on topics like technology’s impact on society, economic policies, environmental issues, or ethical dilemmas in business.
The Personal Interview can be intense. Expect a panel of 2-3 professors who will grill you on your background, your career goals, current affairs, and sometimes even technical aspects of your undergraduate degree. They want to see if you can think on your feet, handle pressure, and articulate your thoughts clearly.
You need to score at least 12 out of 40 marks in the PI to qualify for the final merit list. Score below that, and even if everything else is perfect, you won’t make it.
Step 6: Final Selection
After the interviews are done, IIM Lucknow calculates a composite score. This includes your CAT score, academic performance across all three levels (10th, 12th, graduation), work experience points, diversity factors, and your performance in the WAT and PI.
The CAT score still carries substantial weight in the final selection, but it’s not everything. Someone with a slightly lower CAT score but stellar academics and work experience can edge out someone with a higher CAT score but weak academic record.
Final offers usually come out in April or May. If you receive an offer, you’ll have a short window to accept it and pay the admission fee to secure your seat.
The Programs Available
While the flagship two-year MBA (called PGP) is what most people aim for, IIM Lucknow offers other programs too:
- MBA in Agribusiness Management (MBA-ABM): For those interested in agriculture, rural management, and allied sectors
- MBA in Sustainable Management (MBA-SM): This requires at least 24 months of work experience
- MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation: For aspiring entrepreneurs
Each program has slightly different criteria and cutoffs, so check which one aligns with your interests and background.
What It Costs
The total fee for the two-year MBA program is approximately ₹19-20 lakhs for the entire program. This includes tuition, but you’ll have additional expenses for accommodation, food, books, and living costs. IIM Lucknow does offer scholarships based on merit and need, so explore those options if finances are a concern.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Start Early: CAT preparation needs time. Don’t think you can pull off a 99 percentile with two months of casual studying.
Build Your Profile: Work experience, certifications, extracurricular achievements—these all add points. Volunteer, take on leadership roles, upskill yourself.
Stay Informed: Read business newspapers, follow economic trends, understand current affairs. You’ll need this for the WAT, the interview, and honestly, for your entire MBA journey.
Mock Interviews: Practice with friends, mentors, or professional services. Getting comfortable with the interview format makes a huge difference.
Be Authentic: During interviews, don’t try to be someone you’re not. They’ve seen thousands of candidates—they can spot fake answers from miles away.
Alternative Entry Routes
While CAT is the primary route, some IIM Lucknow programs accept GMAT or GRE scores, particularly for the working executives program and the entrepreneurship program. If you’re an international student or working professional, these might be easier pathways.
The Reservation Policy
IIM Lucknow follows the Government of India’s reservation policy for Central Educational Institutions. This means seats are reserved for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD categories as per government norms. Make sure you have valid certificates if you’re claiming reservation benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to IIM Lucknow if I’m in my final year of graduation?
Yes, absolutely. You can appear for CAT and apply to IIM Lucknow while completing your bachelor’s degree. Just make sure you finish your degree and can provide proof of completion before the program starts in June.
What if I have a backlog or have failed a year in college?
As long as you meet the minimum percentage requirement in your final aggregate, you can apply. However, backlogs might come up during your interview, so be prepared to explain what happened and what you learned from the experience.
How many times can I attempt CAT?
There’s no limit. You can take CAT as many times as you want. Many successful candidates crack it on their second or third attempt after learning from previous experiences.
Is work experience mandatory?
No, it’s not mandatory for the regular MBA program. Fresh graduates can and do get in. However, work experience does add points to your profile and gives you more to talk about during interviews.
What’s a good CAT score for IIM Lucknow?
While the qualifying cutoff is around 90 percentile for General category, realistically, you should aim for 97-98+ percentile to have a comfortable chance of converting the call into an admit. Competition is fierce.
Can I get admission through GMAT instead of CAT?
For the two-year MBA program, CAT is the primary route. GMAT is accepted for certain programs like the working executives MBA and entrepreneurship MBA. Check the specific program requirements on IIML’s website.
When should I start preparing for CAT if I want admission in 2027?
If you’re targeting CAT 2026 (for admission in 2027), start preparing by early 2026 at the latest. Starting in late 2025 gives you even more cushion.
Are there any coaching institutes at IIM Lucknow campus?
IIM Lucknow itself doesn’t run coaching for CAT. However, many coaching institutes operate in Lucknow and online that specialize in CAT preparation.
What happens if I miss the interview date?
IIM Lucknow typically doesn’t offer alternate dates for interviews. If you miss your scheduled slot due to emergencies, you’ll need to request rescheduling immediately with proper documentation, but it’s not guaranteed.
Do I need to know programming or have tech skills?
Not necessarily. While digital literacy helps, you don’t need coding skills for admission. However, during the program, you might have analytics courses where basic Excel and data analysis skills are useful.
How diverse is the batch at IIM Lucknow?
Quite diverse! You’ll find engineers, commerce graduates, science students, humanities folks, working professionals, and fresh graduates all in the same batch. That diversity is actually one of the strengths of the program.
Can I visit the campus before applying?
Most IIMs, including Lucknow, don’t offer casual campus visits. However, they sometimes organize open days or information sessions for prospective students. Check their website for announcements.
What’s the difference between IIM Lucknow’s Lucknow campus and Noida campus?
The main two-year MBA program runs at the Lucknow campus. The Noida campus hosts the working executives program and some executive education courses. For regular MBA admissions, you’ll be looking at the Lucknow campus.
Getting into IIM Lucknow isn’t easy—if it were, everyone would do it. But it’s definitely achievable with the right preparation, persistence, and strategy. Thousands of students make it every year, and there’s no reason you can’t be one of them. Start early, stay focused, and give it your best shot. Good luck!
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