CAT 2025 GD-PI: Preparation Tips, Weightage, Previous-Year Questions, Books
- Cut Off for IITs
- IIM Kashipur Cut Off
- IIM Amritsar Cut Off
- IIM Nagpur Cut Off
- IIM Indore Cut Off
- IIM Udaipur Cut Off
- IIM Ranchi Cut Off
- IIM Raipur Cut Off
- IIM Jammu Cut Off
- IIM Bodh Gaya Cut Off
- IIM Kozhikode Cut Off
- IIM Sambalpur Cut Off
- IIM Bangalore Cut Off
- IIM Sirmaur Cut Off
- IIM Trichy Cut Off
- IIM Visakhapatnam Cut Off
- IIM Lucknow Cut Off
- IIM Shillong Cut Off
- IIM Calcutta Cut Off
- IIM Ahmedabad Cut Off
- IIM Rohtak Cut Off
Content Writer | Updated On - Nov 28, 2025
CAT qualified candidates have to appear for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds conducted by all the IIMs as a part of selection process. Personal Interview rounds’ weightage is different in different CAT score accepting colleges. The weightage of PI Round at IIM Calcutta is 48 whereas the weightage of PI Round at IIM Kozhikode is 44.
Along with the Personal Interview round, there is a Group Discussion. Recently, the Group Discussion (GD) round has been replaced by WAT known as Written Ability Test. Now, due to the current pandemic of COVID-19, the Written Ability Test (WAT) has also been scrapped by many IIMs. But as per the rules, the PI round is conducted after clearing the WAT round by the candidates so that the final list for admission of students can be made.
For judging the characteristics based on the personality of students, a Personal Interview round is conducted. The Personal Interview (PI) of the CAT Exam also asks the questions based on a panel of eminent judges by the candidates.
Also Check:
Table of Content
1.1 CAT 2025 GD-PI: Weightage of PI in IIMs
CAT Personal Interview Preparation 2025
CAT GDPI preparation for MBA is mentioned below:-
- CAT PI includes a variety of questions based on their profile and cross-questioning them based on their answers that would be asked by a panel of judges.
- This PI round aims to test the confidence and presentation skills of the candidate. Confidence should be seen in them while giving answers to the test.
- You should know about what you are talking about as it improves your confidence. Most questions will be asked about the candidate themselves, such as the reason behind choosing their major and many more similar questions. This would be good to know how the candidates will present their answers.
- The question which is mostly asked is to tell judges about themselves. This is one of the most commonly asked questions in interviews. Candidates should have an effective answer which could impress judges.
- Questions that would be asked in CAT personal interview are unpredictable as there would be different judges asking different questions. Also, these judges change every year and they ask different questions in different IIMs.
- It is necessary for the candidates to get knowledge about those questions which have maximum chances to be asked in the interview such as current affairs, politics, business, economy, and so on.
- Politics is also a topic that is mainly asked in the interview. If you are asked political questions, you need to answer them in a palatable way.
- The judges may also ask about the work experience of the candidate with the previous employer if the candidates have work experience. The discussion about negative points in their previous work is not important.
- Sometimes, strange questions can be asked by the judges. So, be mentally prepared to answer questions like singing a song and many more similar questions.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Right Approach in Interview |
|
| Judgement |
|
Quick Links
CAT 2025 GD-PI: Weightage of PI in IIMs
Weightage of personal interview in different IIMs are as follow:
| Institute | Weightage |
|---|---|
| IIM Calcutta | 48 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 44 |
| IIM Lucknow | 40 |
| IIM Raipur | 35 |
| IIM Bangalore | 30 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 30 |
| IIM Jammu | 30 |
| IIM Ranchi | 30 |
| IIM Trichy | 25 |
| IIM Amritsar | 25 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 25 |
| IIM Kashipur | 25 |
| IIM Rohtak | 20 |
| IIM Udaipur | 15 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 20 (30 if WAT is not conducted) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Formula will be used |
| IIM Indore | Formula will be used |
CAT 2025 GD-PI: PI Previous-Year Questions
The questions asked to the candidates by IIM Bangalore are as follows:
- About the production facilities of Maruti
- Issue in the Gujarat plant
- Wiring Harness
- What do you design?
- Which is safer, a heavy car or a lighter car?
- Which is a more stable, low height or short height man?
- Volkswagen diesel scandal
- Sharapova drug abuse case
- Had Serena Williams had done the same thing
- Tiger Woods and Shane Warne Affairs
CAT Group Discussion Preparation 2025
There will be a Group Discussion for the CAT Exam in which candidates are to be divided into a group of 8-10 candidates. Each group is to be given a topic on which they have to give a sustained discussion for at least 15 minutes. Candidates will be asked questions on leadership skills, vision, decision-making skills, mediation, and many more. Some major information about the CAT GD preparation is given below.
- Leadership Skills: Candidates have to work properly on their leadership skills. It reflects a bad impact on the candidates if the candidate is not used to taking charge of the situation. They should know about leading the conversation and should not dominate the conversation. Candidates have to add their points wherever necessary during the conversation. They have to pay attention properly at the time of GD.
- Personal Grooming: Candidates should make sure that they have to dress in a professional manner. Most students selected are well dressed as they give a positive impact on the judges. Work the inherent biases in your favor. Do not wear too simple or too gaudy clothes. A well-ironed shirt with a pair of jeans is enough to give a good impact on your personal grooming. The clothes should not be too loose or too tight for which the candidates should ensure the proper fitting of the clothes they are wearing.
- Work on your body language: It makes other people more receptive to the candidates if they express their body language in a good manner. You should not put your arms back or fold your arms as it makes you appear reserved or closed off. Do not stare at others but make eye contact with all other individuals. Maintain professional decorum every time and do not appear too relaxed every time.
- Listening Skills: Listening Skills are the one where most candidates do not prepare themselves while preparing for the stage of Group Discussion. Candidates can become effective leaders only if they have perfect listening skills. Acknowledgment of some good points that the other aspirants have made in their GD round adds credence to your argument/point, and also improves cohesiveness in the group. Candidates have to practice themselves to improve in this aspect. They have to leave other opinions aside and exercise empathy. They have to be non-judgemental, and they have to pay attention to the group discussion talks every time.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| How to Approach GD? |
|
| Analyze your Topic |
|
CAT 2025 GD PI: GD Previous-Year Questions
In the previous year 2021, some IIMs asked the following topics in their Group Discussion:
| IIM Branch | Topic |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Case Study on Maggi Controversy |
| IIM Bangalore | Comment on the decision of TRAI to ban Free Basics |
| IIM Kozhikode | Terrorism being a subject of monetary aspects and not of religion |
Some important topics for CAT Group Discussion 2025 are as follows:
- Privatisation of Public Institutions
- Social Media
- Reforms in Digital Media, Social Media - Regulation of OTT Platforms
- Data Privacy and importance of Data Privacy
- Pandemic of COVID-19 and its effect on Businesses
- Wall Street vs Reddit
- Farmers Protest
- Indian Bank Scams
CAT 2025 GD PI: Preparation Books
Preparation Books for GD and PI of CAT Exam are tabulated below:
| Book Name | Subject |
|---|---|
| Sheetal Desarda | Master the Group Discussion & Personal Interview: Complete Discussion on the topics which are asked by reputed B-schools & IIMs |
| Shel Leanne | How to Interview Like a Top MBA: Fortune 100 Recruiters, Job-Winning Strategies From Headhunters, and Career Counsellors |
| Nimish V. Dwivedi | Marketing Chronicles: Compendium of Global and Local Marketing Insights from the Pre-Smartphone and Post-Smartphone Eras |
| Dale Carnegie | How to Develop Self-Confidence & Influence People by Public Speaking |
| Anand Ganguly & RPH Editorial Board | Group Discussions And Interviews |
| Mathur D | Mastering Interviews And Group Discussions 4ed (Pb 2018) |
| S. Hundiwala | A Complete Kit for Group Discussion |
| Universal | Group Discussion: More Than 100 Topics Covered |
| P. N. Joshi | Group Discussion on Current Topics |
| Manoj Kumar Sharma | Universal Interview And Group Discussion Book |
| Jeremy Shinewald | Complete Start-to-Finish MBA Admissions Guide |
CAT GD-PI Tips from Toppers
Given below are some of the tips from CAT toppers that aspirants need to follow to ace the CAT 2025 GD/PI and WAT.
- Keep yourself updated with current affairs and make a list of expected questions for CAT GD/PI.
- Students must know about themselves very well. And the answers must be framed very well.
- Candidates require 2-3 months and choose good mentors for excellent GD, PI and WAT preparation.
- Keep yourself updated with daily news and recent happenings.
- Use question banks issued by IIMs for preparation.
- Aspirants must remember to revise academic related questions that are commonly asked in PI`s.
- Keep yourself updated with the topics mentioned in the CV.
- Revise the relevant subjects of your UG course.
- Keep an eye on your weeknesses and strengths for better preparation.
CAT 2025 GD-PI: FAQs
Ques: What are some important topics for CAT Group Discussion 2025?
Ans: Some important topics for CAT 2025 GD are as follows:
- Effect of Banning Cryptocurrency on Indian Economy
- Union Budget
- Rising Petrol Prices
- National Education Policy
Ques: Which institutes give maximum admission to the students after qualifying for CAT Exam along with GD and PI?
Ans: There are some top institutes that give maximum admission to the students after qualifying CAT Exam along with GD and PI which are as follows:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Indore
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Lucknow
Ques: Is GD replaced by WAT for CAT Exam?
Ans: Recently, the Group Discussion (GD) round has been replaced by WAT known as Written Ability Test. Now, due to the current pandemic of COVID-19, the Written Ability Test (WAT) has also been scrapped by many IIMs.
Ques: Which skills are to be prepared for the Group Discussion stage of the CAT Exam?
Ans: The skills required to prepare for the Group Discussion stage of the CAT Exam include Leadership Skills, Personal Grooming, Body Language, Listening Skills, vision, decision-making skills, mediation, and many more.
Ques: How to prepare for CAT 2025 GD-PI?
Ans: Candidates can go for online classes available on various websites by which they can prepare themselves for Group discussions and Personal Interviews for their CAT 2022 Exam.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
Ask your question
Answered Questions
Hey Khushi! You can practise NTA JEE main mock tests at your home as well as you can attempt them at the nearest test practise centre. The choice is entirely yours. You simply have to login with your credentials and make your choice.
Candidates can apply for the PDUSU admission online through the official website. Click on the 'Admission' link, and check for eligibility. Post checking the eligibility, click on the 'Apply Online' link, fill in the required details, and submit the y application after paying the specified fees. Applicants must also upload their recent photograph, signature, scanned copies of 10th, 12th, and degree certificates, fee payment challan, and Government ID proof.
Hello Abhishek! If you have successfully registered at the official NTA website to avail the facility of the Test Practice Centre then you can visit the Centre. Your parents may drop you at the test centre but they will not be allowed to enter the test centre during the exam or practise mock tests.
The selection process for admission to LNMU varies depending on the course:
- BTech - Candidates must have a valid JEE Main scorecard and register for counselling and seat allotment.
- MTech - Candidates must have a GATE scorecard and a relevant BTech/BE degree.
- MBA - Final selection is based on performance in entrance exams, group discussions, and personal interviews.
- UG - The merit list is based on intermediate marks, reservation, and your choice of college. After admissions are complete, spot admissions are based on the third merit list
- Other entrance exams accepted for admission to LNMU include MAT and CMAT.
For Undergraduate courses, applicants must have a completed 12th grade with 45% aggregate marks, 40% aggregate for restricted categories.
For Postgraduate courses, applicants must complete their graduation with at least 50% of their degree in their respective stream from an accredited university. 45% aggregate marks for SC/ST students.
Indian Institute of Science - [IISc]
Bangalore, KarnatakaIIM Bangalore - Indian Institute of Management
Bangalore, KarnatakaIIT Madras - Indian Institute of Technology - [IITM]
Chennai, Tamil NaduIndian Institute of Management - [IIMC]
Kolkata, West BengalIIMA - Indian Institute of Management
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
