Profile Based MBA Admission in Top Colleges: Check Criteria, Selection Process, Dates, Timelines for Admission 2024

Profile Based Admission process in many top MBA colleges, including IIMs, is getting preference to conventional MBA entrance exam Score cut off based selection process. The process results in attracting not just the usual CAT, XAT exam toppers, but the real life achievers as well. As such more and more B-schools are opting for Profile based shortlisting process instead of merely exam based performance. With their unique profile based admission process, B-Schools like SPJIMR Mumbai, IIM Bangalore, IMT Ghaziabad, BIMTECH Greater Noida are getting the cream of talent.

Read this article to understand what exactly is profile based admission process, how much exam score is required, which are the top profile based MBA colleges in India, How Profile Based MBA Selection process is conducted, how it is beneficial for applicants as well as for the B-schools.

Table of Contents

1. What is Profile Based MBA Admissions Process? Key Considerations
2. Profile Based MBA Admissions in India: Key Highlights & Parameters
3. Eligibility Criteria for Profile Based MBA Admission Process  
4. Top 10 MBA Colleges with Profile Based MBA Admission
5. IIM Ahmedabad Profile Based Admission Process 2024
6. IIM Bangalore Profile Based Admission Process 2024
7. SPJIMR Mumbai Profile Based Admission Process 2024
8. IMT Ghaziabad Profile Based Admission Process 2024
9. GIM Goa Profile Based Admission Process 2024
10. TAPMI Manipal Profile Based Admission Process 2024
11. BIMTECH Greater Noida Profile Based Admission 2024
12. Quality Assessment with Profile Based Admission Process
13. How the Process is beneficial to both? Applicants and the Institute
14. Moderate Cut Offs Attract Best Qualified Candidates  
15. Profile Based MBA Admission: Check & MAP Then Apply

1. What is Profile Based Admissions Process? Key Considerations
For MBA admission, Profile Based Selection Means that your overall profile is of more importance than only your entrance exam score. Many top MBA colleges including IIMs, SPJIMR, IMT among others will offer Profile Based MBA Admissions 2024. Profile-Based calls for MBA Admissions happen in two phases - Profile based and cut off based. So, let’s know what is Profile Based Shortlisting in MBA admission and how the process of Profile Based MBA Admissions 2024 will be completed. Key difference and parameters for Profile Based Shortlist for MBA and Exam based shortlist are as below:

• Profile Based Shortlist for MBA in India: It is done before declaration of entrance exam result based on your candidate’s academic and diverse profile, extra-curricular achievements.
• Entrance Exam Cut off Based Shortlisting for MBA: It is done after the release of entrance exam result based on entrance exam score cut off and a part of profile.
• Importance of Profile in Phase-1 & Phase-II of Shortlisting: Although in both phases of shortlisting profile is considered, but in the phase-1 it is more important than CAT/XAT score based shortlisting in phase-II.
• Cut Offs in Both Phases: Most of the top B-schools following this process, keep lower cut off in Profile based admission process than in Exam score based phase-II shortlisting.

2. Profile Based MBA Admissions in India 2024: Key Highlights & Parameters
After getting clarity on what profile based selection means, let us know the shortlist and final selection criteria, which top colleges are offering Profile Based MBA Admissions 2024. Key features of the process followed in Profile Based MBA Admissions in India are:

• Profile Based Admission Criteria: Profile based shortlist is based on Consistency of academic record, extra curricular achievements, Relevance of work experience, Versatility among others
• Early Profile Based Shortlist for MBA: The first phase in shortlisting is the profile based shortlisting process. Applicants are shortlisted on the basis of their profiles before submission of entrance test scores like CAT or XAT score.
• Conduct of Early Interview without Entrance Exam Score: The difference between Profile based admission and Exam score based shortlisting is in the interview dates. The Applicants who are shortlisted based on their profile are called for an early interview. These candidates are given the opportunity to appear in the first phase interviews which are held without the availability of entrance test scores.  The candidates who are shortlisted on the basis of their profile as well as entrance test score will be called for interview after declaration of entrance exam result. However, top PGDM B-schools like SPJIMR follow this process, IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and others will conduct the PI round for Profile Based MBA Admissions 2024 simultaneously for all the candidates, although the due weightages will be awarded for diverse profiles in releasing final merit list
• Submit Exam Score Later: The candidates who are shortlisted on the basis of profile are expected to meet the qualifying scores in at least one of the entrance exams as a qualifier. After the profile based shortlisting is completed, the scores will be taken into account when the results are declared.

Final Profile Based MBA Selection: The final selection list is based on a composite score, which takes into account the applicant’s profile, academic record, entrance test scores (CAT/XAT/GMAT), relevance of work experience (if any) and performance in the interview. 

3. Eligibility Criteria for Profile Based MBA Admission Process 
The eligibility criteria for profile based MBA admission process is as below. The preferred candidates who are considered for profile based shortlisting process by top B-schools are:

• Applicant must possess a strong and consistent academic background
• Various factors such as overall profile, relevant work experience, academic & gender diversity, Extra-curricular achievement like Sports, Cultural, Social etc. are considered
• Fresh graduates with excellent academics and notable achievements are considered for profile based shortlisting
• All candidates who apply for admission by the last date, and have registered for required entrance exam like CAT/XAT/GMAT are eligible to be included in Profile based shortlisting process.

4. Top 10 MBA Colleges with Profile Based MBA Admission

While appearing in eligible MBA entrance exams like CAT, NMAT, SNAP, XAT is mandatory, the profile based MBA Admission Process in Top B-Schools do not ask for entrance exam score at the time of sending Profile-Based Calls For MBA Admissions in their shortlisting process. However, IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore Profile Based Admission process is conducted after release of CAT exam result and with a minimum CAT cut off at 80 to 85 percentile. Otherwise the candidates with 98-99 percentile may not get admission in these IIMs. Details of profile based admission process 2024 in Top MBA colleges are shared below:

• IIM Ahmedabad Profile Based Admission Process
• IIM Bangalore Profile Based Admission Process
• SPJIMR Mumbai Profile Based Admissions 2024
• IMT Ghaziabad Profile Based Selection Process
• BIMTECH Profile Based Selection Process
• GIM Goa Profile Based Selection Process
• TAPMI Profile Based Selection Process

5. IIM Ahmedabad Profile Based Admission Process
IIM Ahmedabad Profile based selection process awards more weightage to the candidates with diverse profile. By giving more weightage to applicants’ profile, IIM Ahmedabad is admitting highly diverse batch and is improving diversity in its class rooms. This is the reason that IIM Ahmedabad has reduced the CAT cut offs during last few years and is admitting students who have scored a percentile of 80 to 85. Otherwise, even 99 percentilers were earlier not sure of getting shortlisted by IIM Ahmedabad.

For Example, IIM Ahmedabad has reduced the CAT score cut offs since 2017 from 90 to 80 percentile and increased the weightage to diversity and profile. As a result, candidates like Mehak Sharma, a professional golfer of national level; Nitin Pal, an international chess player; Purvi Edara who studied Psychology; Akanksha Choudhary, Winner of Miss India Elite; Aditi Agarwal, Fashion Designer among others got admission offers from IIM Ahmedabad and other IIMs. While IIM Ahmedabad has increased weightage to profile and diversity, it has not yet started shortlisting the candidates based on their profile before declaration of CAT result.

IIM Ahmedabad Profile Based Selection Process: Key Highlights

• IIM Ahmedabad Overall CAT 2023 Cut off is reduced to 80 percentile
• Sectional CAT Cut off 2023 is reduced to 70 percentile
• Candidates with diverse profile need to clear the above moderate cut off
• Candidates are shortlisted after release of CAT exam result
• Shortlist is released for all the eligible candidates based on CAT score and candidate’s profile
• 30% weight is given to Academic Profile in Shortlisting for Class 10 and Class 12
• 5% weight is awarded to work experience at the shortlisting stage
• In the final merit list after PI-WAT round, IIM Ahmedabad awards 15% weight to Academics, Work Ex, Extra Curricular Achievements

Read in Detail IIM Ahmedabad Profile Based Admission Process 2024

6. IIM Bangalore Profile Based Admission Process 2024
IIM Bangalore has drastically reduced the weightage to CAT scores in admission and has increased weightage to profile and diversity. Although the IIM Bangalore profile based shortlist is released alongwith other candidates. Clarifying its profile based selection process, IIM Bangalore states, “IIMB has found over the years that students who perform well in the academic programme are typically those who have a consistently good academic record during their school, high school and graduation level, besides exhibiting sufficiently high aptitude as measured by CAT (Common Admission Test if the IIMs)/GMAT. Therefore, IIMB uses multiple parameters, namely academic performance in school, high school and graduation programmes as well as candidate’s scores in CAT/GMAT to judge the suitability of candidates for the PGP programme. Relevant work experience, if any, is also given weightage.”

While IIM Bangalore awards weightage to profile and diversity, it has not yet started shortlisting the candidates based on their profile before declaration of CAT result. Key highlights of IIM Bangalore profile based selection process are:

IIM Bangalore Profile Based Selection Process: Key Highlights

• IIM Bangalore overall CAT Cut off is 85 percentile
• Sectional CAT cut off is in the range of 75-80 percentile
• With moderate CAT cut off, candidates with diverse profile can be shortlisted
• Candidates are shortlisted after release of CAT exam result
• Shortlist is released for all the eligible candidates based on CAT score and candidate’s profile
• Awards 15% Weightage for Class 10 Marks in Shortlisting
• Awards 15% Weightage for Class 12 Marks in Shortlisting
• Awards 5% Weightage for Gender Diversity in Shortlisting
• Awards 10% Weightage for Work Experience in Shortlisting
• Final Merit list after PI-WAT round awards 10% weight to class 12 marks

Read in detail IIM Bangalore Profile Based Admission Process 2024

7. SPJIMR Mumbai Profile Based Admission Process 2024
Top PGDM B-schools have realized that it takes more than IQ and performance in exam to be a great business leader. SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) Mumbai, one of the top B-Schools is following the process of Profile Based Admission to their flagship MBA/PGDM programs. SPJIMR Mumbai is one of the highly ranked and AACSB Accredited top B-schools. SPJIMR offers 2 years full time AICTE approved PGDM programme. SPJIMR will accept CAT 2023 score for PGDM Admission 2024. The process of SPJIMR Profile based admissions has following key parameters:

• Early Shortlisting: SPJIMR shortlists the candidates based on their profiles much earlier than release of CAT exam result. The shortlisted students should also meet the qualifying scores in CAT 2023.
• Profile Evaluation: SPJIMR evaluates the profiles of the applicants and the applicants are sorted into two groups: Profile-based and Profile-cum-Score-based.
• Consideration of Overall Profile: For PGDM program selection, the applicants’ overall profile and other factors contributing to profile are also considered
• Academic Profile: A strong and consistent performance in 10th grade, 12th grade and every year of graduation is considered for Profile based shortlisting by SPJIMR Mumbai.
• Qualitative Work Experience: Relevance of work experience for the chosen specialisation is considered in Profile Based Selection Process. SPJIMR asks the applicants to fill their preferred specializations at the time filling the application form for PGDM admission
• Minimum Cut offs Considered: SPJIMR requires an applicant to appear in the entrance exam like CAT but considers the minimum required cut off in Profile Based Shortlisting, that too when entrance exam result is declared. But meeting the minimum eligibility cutoff in the required entrance exam is mandatory. For example, if SPJIMR announces minimum CAT 2023 cut off between 85-90 overall percentile and sectional 75-80 percentile, the candidates who are shortlisted based on their profile, before CAT result, need to score at least this minimum score, while the candidates shortlisted based on exam score will be shortlisted as per the cut off merit after declaration of CAT result.
• Versatility and Achievements: The candidates with endeavours in diverse fields of interest and noteworthy past extra curricular achievements are considered for profile based PGDM admission process.

SPJIMR Profile Based Selection Process: Time lines
SPJIMR Profile Based Admissions offer opportunity of getting shortlisted before declaration of entrance exam results. A candidate who has applied for admission to SPJIMR has the opportunity to get shortlisted much before the declaration of CAT/XAT exam result viz-a-viz the candidate who is shortlisted much later and only after declaration of entrance exam result. Key timelines for SPJIMR Profile based selection process are:

• Application Deadline: November last week
• Profile Based Shortlisting Date: Completed in December before CAT Result
• PI Round Date: Conducted before release of CAT exam result

Application Opening Soon, Check Status

8. IMT Ghaziabad Profile Based Admission Process 2024

AACSB Accredited, IMT Ghaziabad is one of the premier B schools in the country and has extensive and exclusive industry partnerships in the B school arena. The two-year Post-graduate Programme Diploma in Management (PGDM) at IMT Ghaziabad is a full-time residential course for graduates from all disciplines wishing to choose a career in management. IMT Ghaziabad accepts CAT/ XAT /GMAT score for admission

IMT Ghaziabad Profile Based Selection Process considers following parameters and the eligible candidates in respective category should apply in that category to gain maximum benefit of IMT Ghaziabad profile based selection process as below:

Exceptional Profile Category

• Undergraduate from a reputable and premium undergraduate college/university/institute within India.
• Undergraduate from a reputable and ranked undergraduate foreign university.
• Have represented national/international* level teams’ in sports.
• Other exceptional skills or talent which can be proven via Govt. certified documents, public awards or rewards.

Exceptional Work Experience Category
The candidates working/ have worked in leading national/ foreign multinationals with  minimum of 2 years should apply under this category

IMT Ghaziabad Profile Based Admission 2024 Timelines
IMT Ghaziabad PGDM Admission Timelines are as below:

• Last Date to Apply: November 2023 Last week
• Shortlisting for PI Round: February 2024
• PI Round Dates: February to March 2024
• Final Result: April 2024

9. GIM Goa Profile Based Admission Process 2024
GIM Goa, a SAQS Accredited  highly ranked B-School. The PGDM program of GIM Goa is AICTE Approved and Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has recognized GIM's Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programme as equivalent to an MBA degree. GIM offers 4 full-time residential programs PGDM, PGDM-HCM, PGDM- BDA and PGDM-BIFS to get “agile leaders ready for the world.

GIM Goa Profile Based Selection Process
GIM Goa invites a select group of candidates for PGDM Admission 2024 at various interview centres for Achiever's Round interview process in January 2024. GIM Goa has further strengthened the shortlisting process in its Achievers Round. Key highlights and parameters for Profile based PGDM admission at GIM Goa are

• Achievers round is applicable to all four programmes i.e. PGDM, PGDM-HCM, PGDM-BDA, PGDM-BIFS.
• Shortlisted candidates shall be eligible to apply for scholarships.
• Interviews shall be held at various interview centres (Bangalore, Goa, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi)  
• Profile based shortlisting shall be on the basis of curricular, extracurricular, and career achievements and profile -qualification, past academic performance, and work experience of the candidates
• The shortlist shall be drawn without XAT, CAT, GMAT score to facilitate interview process in January
• Score of MBA entrance exams shall be incorporated later on

GIM Goa Profile Based Admission 2024: Timelines

• Last Date to Apply: December 2023
• Shortlisting: January 2024
• PI Round: January 2024

Application Opening Soon, Check Status

10. TAPMI Manipal Profile Based Admission Process 2024
T. A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal is one of the highly ranked and preferred management institute with AACSB and AMBA Accreditation. TAPMI is now a constituent management institute of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE and its all the 5 PGDM programs are now MBA Degree programs. TAPMI students will be awarded MBA degree instead of post graduate diploma. TAPMI profile based admission process has following key highlights:

TAPMI Profile Based Selection Process
TAPMI profile based selection process includes shortlisting the candidates on the basis of exam score and profile for PI Round as per following details:

TAPMI has divided the shortlisting criteria for the candidates with less than 20 months of work experience and for the candidates with more than 20 months of work experience. Students will be informed on the shortlist decision through email to their registered email address.

Profile Based with more than 20 Months of Work Experience: The shortlisting criteria for the Candidates with work experience of More than 20 months is based on TAPMI Profile based shortlisting based on Academic performance, Work Experience, Achievements

Exam Cut off Based with less than 20 Months of Work Experience: The shortlisting criteria for the Candidates with work experience of less than 20 months is based on TAPMI cut off score for CAT/XAT/NMAT/GMAT exams and Academic performance

TAPMI PI Round: TAPMI’s objective for conducting a personal interview is to understand the applicant’s attitude towards management education. To ensure the same TAPMI will be conducting Behavioural Personal Interview. TAPMI will evaluate applicant’s ability in terms of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Leadership, and Communication.

TAPMI Profile Based Admission 2024: Timelines

• Last to Apply: January 2024
• Shortlist Announcement: March 2024
• PI Round: March-April, 2024
• Admission Result: May 2024

Application Opening Soon, Check Status

11. BIMTECH Greater Noida Profile Based Admission 2024
BIMTECH Greater Noida is AICTE approved and AACSB Accredited B-school. To avoid possible overlapping of selection process with other B Schools and also to facilitate the early selection/offer of admission, BIMTECH Profile based selection process is conducted early.

BIMTECH Profile Based Selection Process: Key Highlights
BIMTECH conducts profile based early round (First Phase) of Shortlisting and PI process before declaration of CAT exam result considering the following parameters:

• Candidates should apply by the first week of December
• Candidates with consistency and good past academic performance will be considered
• Candidates with relevant work experience that brings value to the class room learning will be considered

BIMTECH Profile Based Admission Process: Timelines

• Last Date to Apply: First week of December 2023
• Shortlist and PI Dates: Third Week of December 2023

Application Opening Soon, Check Status

These B-schools are way ahead of IIMs in offering admission to bright candidates from all academic disciplines with their unique Profile based Shortlisting & Interview process which is conducted before declaration of CAT/XAT result. The innovative approach of profile based shortlisting differentiates their admission process from other top B-schools

12. Quality Assessment with Profile Based Admission Process
Profile Based Shortlisting process assesses not only the intellectual readiness in terms of academics but also emotional readiness, work- experience, extra-curricular activities and aptitude for and befitting the Institute’s mission of value-based leadership.

13. How the Process is beneficial to both? Applicants and the Institute
Profile Based Shortlisting Process is beneficial both to the Applicants & the Institute as this unique selection process offers the opportunity of early interviews to candidates and avoids overlapping with other interview calls during the admissions season.  It gives an opportunity to stagger interviews and ensure that the interview process remains robust even though numbers being interviewed are large.

Profile based shortlists are announced before release of CAT/XAT result and the candidates participate in PI round much before the declaration of exam result. These candidates do not need to appear again in PI round, unless they wish to go through second phase of exam score based selection process.  

After the profile based shortlisting process, the candidates are required to add the entrance test scores of CAT/CAT/GMAT as it is a qualifier for final selection. Submission of entrance exam score is common to both profile based and profile + score based shortlisted candidates. The admission offers for finalized candidates are made after the process is over in March/April.

14. Moderate Cut Offs Attract Best Qualified Candidates  
Not shying away from announcing the qualifying standards in admission process, B-Schools do not peg their cut offs very high. It helps hundreds of such applicants, who have excellent profile but due to any momentary reason, miss the high sectional or overall score in the entrance exam. The B-schools like SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad give higher emphasis on other quality parameters in their admission process instead of only exam score.  The candidates who have been shortlisted based on their profile and secure above the minimum cut-offs in the CAT/XAT/GMAT, are considered for all the subsequent stages.

15. Profile Based MBA Admission: Check & MAP Then Apply

• Please note that profile based application process closes earlier than exam cut off score based admission
• While some B-schools like SPJIMR, BIMTECH shortlist the candidates based on profile before release of CAT/XAT result, other top B-schools like IIMs, IMT release shortlist after declaration of CAT result
• Take Note of Last Date
• Check and Evaluate your profile with the B-school requirement for profile based selection process
• Don’t forget that you need to score minimum cut off in the MBA entrance exam, although you can submit the score later

Hope this article has been useful in taking the decision on MBA admission 2024 with your profile in the most suitable MBA college. We will update this article frequently with more information

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on Profile based MBA Admission 2024