Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) is one of the top management colleges in India. It is located in Kerala and is famous for its beautiful campus and strong academics. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the main exam for getting into IIM Kozhikode’s PGP course. Every year, the institute sets a minimum CAT score called the cutoff.
The CAT cutoff is different for each category. General category students usually need a higher score. Students from SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD categories have lower cutoffs. This is done to make sure students from all backgrounds get a fair chance. Preparing with the help of best online coaching for CAT can improve your chances of meeting and exceeding these cutoffs, as it provides structured study plans, expert guidance, and regular mock tests.
IIM Kozhikode Admission Process Overview
Getting into IIM Kozhikode starts with the CAT exam. First, students appear for the CAT and get their scores. Then, the institute shortlists candidates based on the CAT cutoff. Shortlisted students are invited for the next rounds, which include the Written Ability Test (WAT) and the Personal Interview (PI). After these rounds, the institute prepares a final merit list to select students for admission.
Also Read: IIM and Top B-School Cutoffs
IIM Kozhikode Admission Eligibility 2025
IIM Kozhikode does not look only at the CAT score. The final selection is based on several factors:
- CAT score – for academic ability and aptitude.
- Written Ability Test (WAT) – to check communication and writing skills.
- Personal Interview (PI) – to test personality, confidence, and knowledge.
- Academic profile – past marks in school and college.
- Work experience – professional experience in relevant fields.
All these factors are combined to decide the final list of students who get admission.
Factors Affecting IIM Kozhikode Cutoff
Whether it’s IIM Kozhikode or other IIMs these factors effects the cutoff of CAT exam|:
Difficulty Level of CAT Exam
If the CAT exam is tough in a given year, the cutoff may be slightly lower. If the paper is easier, the cutoff can go higher.
Number of Applicants
When more students apply for IIM Kozhikode, competition increases. This often pushes the cutoff higher.
Seats Available in Different Categories
The number of seats in each category also impacts the cutoff. Fewer seats mean higher competition, which can raise the cutoff.
Reservation Policies
IIM Kozhikode follows Government of India reservation rules. Different categories like SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD have different cutoff marks to ensure fair opportunities for all.
IIM Kozhikode CAT Cutoff 2025 (Expected)
Here are the expected minimum overall percentiles for different categories (based on 2024 trends and expert predictions):
General category: Around 85 percentile to get a call. But for safer chances, aiming for 98% or higher is better.
NC-OBC / EWS: Expected cutoff around 75 percentile.
SC category: Expected cutoff near 65 percentile.
ST / PwD: Expected cutoff around 55 percentile.
Sectional Percentile Expectations (by Category)
Expected sectional cutoffs (for VARC, DILR, QA) for different categories:
General category: Around 75 percentile in each section.
NC-OBC / EWS: Estimated 65 percentile in each section.
SC category: Around 55 percentile in each section.
ST / PwD: Around 45 percentile in each section.
IIM Kozhikode Cutoff 2024 – Category-wise
IIM Kozhikode set minimum CAT cutoffs for shortlisting candidates in 2024 as follows:
| Category | Overall Percentile Cutoff | Sectional Percentile Cutoff (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| General | 85 percentile | 75 percentile |
| NC-OBC / EWS | 75 percentile | 65 percentile |
| SC | 65 percentile | 55 percentile |
| ST / PwD | 55 percentile | 45 percentile |
These values come from Collegedunia, which details both overall and sectional cutoff requirements for the PGP batch 2025–27
InsideIIM also confirms that for the General category, the overall cutoff was 85 percentile and sectional cutoff was 75 percentile
Comparison with Expected Cutoff for 2025
Here’s how 2024’s cutoffs compare with the expected cutoffs for 2025:
| Category | 2024 Overall | 2025 Expected Overall |
| General | 85 percentile | 91–99.5 percentile |
| NC-OBC / EWS | 75 percentile | Slightly lower than General |
| SC | 65 percentile | Lower than NC-OBC/EWS |
| ST / PwD | 55 percentile | Lower than SC |
The expected 2025 cutoffs for overall percentile are based on industry predictions, particularly for General category candidates aiming at IIM Kozhikode, which ranges from 91–99.5 percentile
Sectional cutoffs are likely to stay similar—around 75 percentile for General category, as per expected norms
Also Read: CAT Exam Fees for OBC
IIM Kozhikode Cutoff Trends (Last 5 Years)
Year-wise Cutoff Trend (General Category Overall Percentile)
| Year | Overall Percentile (General) |
| 2019 | 97–98 (approximate) |
| 2020 | ~90–91 (approximate) |
| 2021 | 85 |
| 2022 | 85 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 85 |
Source Highlights:
For 2019, the approximate general cutoff was 97–98 percentile – Shiksha
For 2020, estimates suggest around ~90 percentile – CollegeDekho
From 2021 through 2024, the general category cutoff has remained consistently at 85 percentile
Key Insights on Cutoff Trends
Sharp Drop After 2019–2020: The general category cutoff dropped significantly from nearly 97–98 percentile in 2019 to around 90 in 2020.
Plateau from 2021 Onwards: From 2021 to 2024, the cutoff has stabilized at 85 percentile, indicating a steady admission threshold
Stable Across Categories (2021–2024): For other categories—NC-OBC/EWS (75), SC (65), ST/PwD (55)—the cutoffs have remained unchanged over these years
Category-wise Cutoff for IIM Kozhikode
The table below shows the category-wise overall and sectional CAT percentile cutoffs for IIM Kozhikode.
| Category | Overall Percentile Cutoff | Sectional Percentile Cutoff (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| General | 85 | 75 |
| NC-OBC | 75 | 65 |
| SC | 65 | 55 |
| ST | 55 | 45 |
| PwD | 55 | 45 |
Sectional Cutoff for IIM Kozhikode
IIM Kozhikode has separate minimum percentile requirements for each section of the CAT exam – VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). Candidates must meet both the sectional cutoff and the overall cutoff to be shortlisted for the next stage.
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA |
| General | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| NC-OBC | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| ST | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| PwD | 45 | 45 | 45 |
How to Meet the IIM Kozhikode Cutoff
Clearing IIM Kozhikode’s cutoff is not about random preparation — it’s about structured practice, consistent tracking, and targeted improvement.
Follow these steps to get there:
Set Daily Targets
Break your preparation into small, daily goals. Use a tracker like CAT Daily Targets to know exactly what to study each day and stay on schedule.
Master All Three Sections
Sectional cutoffs are non-negotiable. Give equal time to VARC, DILR, and QA so you don’t miss out because of one weak area.
Use Quality Study Material
Work with well-curated resources like CAT Study Materials that cover concepts, examples, and practice questions for all topics.
Test, Analyse, Improve
Take mock tests regularly. After each one, check where you lost marks and revise those topics immediately.
Aim Above the Cutoff
Always aim at least 5–10 percentile points higher than the expected cutoff. This gives you a safety margin on exam day.
Conclusion
Over the years, IIM Kozhikode’s cutoff has become stable, with the General category overall cutoff staying around 85 percentile since 2021. Sectional cutoffs have also remained steady, making it easier for aspirants to set clear targets.
For anyone aiming for IIM Kozhikode, remember — meeting the cutoff is just the first step. To secure your place, aim higher than the minimum, stay consistent with your preparation, and focus on improving every week.
Joining a CAT online coaching program can make a big difference. It gives you structured learning, expert guidance, mock tests, and doubt-solving support — all of which help you target both the overall and sectional cutoffs with confidence.
With the right strategy, daily practice, and the right guidance, getting into IIM Kozhikode is absolutely achievable.