Every January, the same questions flood r/CATpreparation: "When will IIM-A release shortlists?" "Are New IIM interviews before or after Old IIMs?" "How do I manage work around interview travel?"
The confusion is understandable. Different IIMs operate on different timelines. Some release shortlists in late January, others wait until March. Interview formats vary from in-person panels to online sessions. And the entire process stretches across four months.
This guide gives you the complete timeline so you can plan preparation, manage work commitments, and avoid scrambling at the last minute.
Understanding the IIM Tiers for Interview Scheduling
Before diving into dates, let us understand how IIMs cluster for interview purposes.
Old IIMs (Individual Processes):
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore conduct their own admission processes. Each has unique criteria, interview formats, and timelines. These are the most competitive seats with the highest cutoffs.
New IIMs (Often CAP-Based):
IIM Shillong, Rohtak, Ranchi, Raipur, Trichy, Udaipur, and Kashipur participate in CAP (Common Admission Process) rounds for some portion of their intake. CAP allows you to attend one interview that counts for multiple schools.
Baby IIMs (Newer Establishments):
IIM Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Nagpur, Sirmaur, Sambalpur, Amritsar, and Visakhapatnam often rely heavily on CAP and may conduct additional online interviews. Their timelines extend later into the season.
The Complete 2025 Timeline
January 2025: Results and Initial Shortlists
CAT 2024 Results: Second Week of January
This is when everything begins. CAT results typically release between January 5-15. Within hours, the anxiety shifts from "Did I clear CAT?" to "Will I get shortlisted?"
What to do immediately after results:
- Download your scorecard and verify all details
- Calculate your composite scores for different IIMs (each has unique weightage formulas)
- Start gathering documents: CAT scorecard, Class 10/12 marksheets, degree certificates, work experience letters
Old IIM Shortlist Releases: Late January
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta typically release shortlists between January 20-31. Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore follow within a week.
The shortlist is not just CAT percentile. Each school applies its own formula:
- IIM-A: Heaviest weightage on CAT score, but significant gender and academic diversity factors
- IIM-B: Strong emphasis on work experience quality alongside CAT
- IIM-C: Known for valuing academic consistency across 10th, 12th, and graduation
When shortlists release, you will receive:
- Email notification (check spam folders)
- Login portal access for document submission
- Interview slot booking options (first-come for some IIMs)
February 2025: The Interview Marathon Begins
Old IIM Interviews: February 10 - March 15
This is the most intense period. Old IIMs conduct in-person interviews at multiple centers across India.
IIM Ahmedabad Timeline:
- Interview dates: Usually February 15 - March 5
- Format: 15-20 minute personal interview, sometimes with WAT
- Centers: Ahmedabad (primary), plus Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata
IIM Bangalore Timeline:
- Interview dates: Usually February 20 - March 10
- Format: Personal interview, no separate WAT (integrated into PI)
- Known for: Deep academic probing, current affairs depth
IIM Calcutta Timeline:
- Interview dates: Usually February 15 - March 5
- Format: Group discussion (often) + Personal interview
- Known for: GD topics that require quick thinking, economic awareness
IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore:
- Interviews: February 25 - March 20
- These often overlap with IIM ABC interviews, requiring careful scheduling
New IIM and CAP Round Interviews: February - March
CAP Round 1 typically happens in late February. If you are shortlisted by CAP-participating IIMs, you attend one interview that counts for multiple schools.
CAP 2025 Expected Timeline:
- CAP Registration: February 5-15
- CAP Round 1: February 25 - March 10
- CAP Round 2 (if applicable): March 15-25
Schools participating in CAP: IIM Trichy, Raipur, Ranchi, Kashipur, and potentially others.
What CAP interviews look like:
- 30-minute slot covering PI and sometimes WAT
- Multiple panel members (often faculty from different IIMs)
- Your performance is shared with all participating IIMs
March 2025: Baby IIMs and Final Rounds
Baby IIM Interviews: March - April
Newer IIMs often conduct interviews later and increasingly online:
IIM Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Sirmaur:
- Interviews: March 10 - April 15
- Format: Often online (video call)
- Shorter duration but similar questions
IIM Nagpur, Sambalpur, Amritsar, Visakhapatnam:
- Interviews: March 15 - April 20
- Many rely on CAP scores plus supplementary online rounds
Why Baby IIM timelines extend later:
- They often offer seats after Old IIM results, picking up candidates who did not convert top choices
- Online format allows more flexible scheduling
- Lower applicant volumes mean less scheduling pressure
April 2025: Results Season
Old IIM Results: April 1-20
IIM Ahmedabad typically leads, releasing results in the first week of April. Bangalore and Calcutta follow within days.
What the result includes:
- Final admission offer or waitlist position
- Fee payment deadline (usually 2-3 weeks)
- Seat acceptance confirmation process
New IIM Results: April 10-25
CAP-participating IIMs release results based on CAP interview scores combined with their individual weightage criteria.
Baby IIM Results: April 15 - May 15
Later timelines for both interviews and results.
How to Plan Your Preparation Around This Timeline
November - January: Before Shortlists
This is foundation building time. You do not know which IIMs will shortlist you, so prepare broadly.
What to do:
- Build your narrative (Why MBA? Why now? Why this school?)
- Practice core questions: Tell me about yourself, Walk me through your resume
- Start reading newspapers and building current affairs awareness
- Identify weak areas in your profile that panels might probe
What NOT to do:
- Obsess over which schools will shortlist you
- Start school-specific preparation before knowing your calls
- Neglect work responsibilities (poor recent performance is hard to explain)
Research shows that candidates who start general preparation before shortlists convert at higher rates. A 2023 study of IIM admits found that 73% began interview preparation within a week of CAT exam, not CAT results.
January - February: After Shortlists, Before Interviews
You now know your schools. Time to intensify.
The 15-20 mock rule:
Successful IIM converts average 15-20 mock interviews before their first real panel. Not reading about questions. Actually practicing out loud under pressure.
How to structure this:
- Week 1-2: 3-4 mocks focusing on narrative and core questions
- Week 3-4: 5-6 mocks with current affairs and academic probing
- Week 5-6: 4-5 mocks with stress testing and unexpected questions
- Week 7+: Maintenance mocks (1-2 per week) plus school-specific refinement
Current affairs intensity:
In the month before your interview, you should be reading 2-3 newspapers daily. Focus on:
- Economic policy and business news
- Technology developments relevant to your field
- Social issues and policy debates
- International affairs (especially India's relationships)
The Week Before Your Interview
This is not the time for intensive new preparation.
Do:
- Light mock practice (1-2 sessions max)
- Review your key stories and talking points
- Read newspapers for any breaking news
- Prepare logistics: travel, accommodation, documents, formal wear
- Get adequate sleep
Do not:
- Cram new information
- Stress yourself with difficult mock questions
- Make any changes to your core narrative
- Travel without buffer time for delays
The cognitive science is clear: learning new information close to a high-stakes event interferes with retrieval of existing knowledge. Trust your preparation.
After Each Interview
Once an interview is done, do not dwell on it.
Immediately:
- Write down questions you were asked (helps for next interviews)
- Note any areas where you felt weak
- Identify any follow-up questions you should have anticipated
Within 24 hours:
- Shift focus entirely to your next interview
- Do not discuss with other candidates in depth (creates anxiety)
- Do not try to predict outcomes
Many candidates self-sabotage by obsessing over interviews that are already complete. Each IIM panel is independent. Your IIM-A performance does not affect your IIM-B chances.
Managing Work and Interview Schedules
Most CAT aspirants are working professionals. Here is how to handle the scheduling challenge.
Requesting leave:
- Book leave as soon as you receive shortlists
- Interview season (Feb-March) is known in corporate India; most managers understand
- If possible, cluster interviews geographically to minimize travel days
If interviews overlap:
- IIMs sometimes allow rescheduling within their window (ask politely)
- Priority order: Old IIMs before New IIMs, in-person before online
- Document any rescheduling requests formally via email
Travel planning:
- Book travel immediately after receiving interview slots
- Add buffer days for weather or transport delays
- Keep formal wear, documents, and essentials in carry-on luggage
Cost planning:
Budget for:
- Flight/train tickets to 5-8 cities
- Hotel stays (2 nights minimum per city for safety)
- Local transportation
- Meals and incidentals
- Emergency buffer (20% of total)
A realistic budget for a candidate with 6 interview calls is Rs. 40,000-60,000 for travel and accommodation. Plan this before the season begins.
Key Dates Summary
| Milestone | Expected Date |
|-----------|---------------|
| CAT 2024 Results | January 5-15, 2025 |
| Old IIM Shortlists | January 20-31, 2025 |
| IIM ABC Interviews | February 15 - March 10, 2025 |
| CAP Round 1 | February 25 - March 10, 2025 |
| New IIM Interviews | February 20 - March 25, 2025 |
| Baby IIM Interviews | March 10 - April 20, 2025 |
| Old IIM Results | April 1-20, 2025 |
| New IIM Results | April 10-25, 2025 |
| Baby IIM Results | April 15 - May 15, 2025 |
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