Making a decision about a school is similar to creating a regression model, where the features serve as the parameters and the coefficients represent the students' preferences.
Batch size: The placement at XLRI Delhi is combined with the JSR batch. As a result, the combined batch size (XLRI JSR BM + XLRI JSR HR + XLRI Delhi BM) is quite large but still significantly smaller than IIM Lucknow. FMS is the clear winner in terms of batch size. As a result, FMS > XLRI > IIML.
Group of peers: This is a highly debatable and relative parameter. XLRI has no reservations, and some argue that people are chosen solely on merit, whereas FMS and IIML have more than 50% reservations. As a result, a better crowd.
The CAT score: It is extremely important to FMS. You'll mostly find a more educated crowd there. IIM Lucknow has very diverse selection criteria, similar to IIM Bangalore. In their selection criteria, they consider gender and academic diversity, previous academic records, work experience, and so on, ensuring a consistent and diverse crowd. Now it all comes down to personal preference, FMS > IIML > XLRI.
Tag: IIM Lucknow has an old IIM tag and is well-known worldwide. XLRI and FMS are both very old institutes with strong brand identities. Personal preference once again. IIM > XLRI > FMS.
Campus Life: FMS has no hostels and a very small campus. You're basically a day student there. IIML = XLRI > FMS.
Finance: Lucknow has more financial opportunities than the other two in terms of profiles available and companies visiting campus. FMS >= IIML.
When discussing a business school, the most common topics of conversation are diversity, peer learning, case competitions, learning culture, and placements.
Both FMS and IIM Lucknow have very different admissions criteria. Lucknow promotes academic diversity and places a high value on interview scores, whereas FMS places a greater emphasis on percentile.
Typically, classes in business schools last until five o'clock. If you stay on campus, you have the option of sleeping until 8 p.m. and then attending a club/committee event at 9 p.m. When you have in-house fields, you can relieve stress by playing football or cricket at night. You have the chance to run your own business at IIML thanks to their student-run enterprises on campus.
When it comes to faculty, case competitions, and academic curriculum, both brands are massive, and there are numerous opportunities. Additionally, since ROI is the topic of most discussion, FMS succeeds in this area if cost is a genuine concern.
Considering the ROI and fees, JBIMS is a better option than IIM Lucknow. Also, it is affiliated with Mumbai University so has a brand name also. But in reality, these factors are short-term and cannot be considered if you are investing in your career.
Overall, IIM Lucknow has an upper hand in almost all aspects. Be it placements, faculty, or brand name. Had I been in your place I would have chosen IIM Lucknow mainly because
Both these aspects are lacking in the case of JBIMS because it is standalone and has a very weak alumni network. It also lacks accommodation facilities.
Overall both colleges have roughly the same worth and choosing one over the other is just a matter of preference.
I think the PGP course is a better option if you are interested in Finance and Economics. This is because the ABM program offers the choice of only one option during the second year. The electives of the first year of both the programs ABM and PGP are the same. They comprise important topics like Micro and Macroeconomics, Financial Reporting and Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Financial Management.
Most importantly you will be missing out on Finance and Economics courses. Some ABM students are diligent enough to sit through these classes despite everything.
There are no major differences in the placement scenario of ABM and PGP. Though I will recommend you go for the PGP program of a more reputed institute. Through ABM you will have to resort to self-learning more.
The CAT cutoff for admission to IIM Indore, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Kozhikode for the General Category has been tabulated below
Institute |
CAT Cutoff |
IIM Indore |
90 |
IIM Lucknow |
90 |
IIM Kozhikode |
85 |
Not every IIM discloses the placement statistics to the public. But we can definitely say that IIM Ahmedabad has the best placement statistics.
Institute |
Median Salary |
IIM Ahmedabad |
INR 31.49 LPA |
IIM Bangalore |
INR 31.20 LPA |
IIM Kolkata |
INR 31 LPA |
IIM Lucknow |
INR 29 LPA |
IIM Indore |
INR 24.09 LPA |
IIM Kozhikode |
INR 26.5 LPA |
The table above has tabulated the median CTCs of the institutes you asked for.
The simple answer is no, IIM Lucknow and in fact, even other IIMs don’t give calls to just experienced people. Every MBA aspirant who has a Bachelor's degree in any field (minimum 3 years of course) or is in their final year is eligible to appear for CAT. You start getting calls from IIMs based on your percentile. IIM Lucknow Sectional Cutoff is 85 Percentile while the Overall CAT Percentile is 90 for General Category.
However, there are several other parameters that determine your chances of admission. The parameters along with their respective weightage are given below
Parameters |
PGP Weightage |
PGP-ABM Weightage |
PGP-SM Weightage |
CAT |
60 |
60 |
60 |
Class 12 Marks |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Graduation Marks |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Work Experience |
10 |
0 |
10 |
Academic Diversity |
5 |
20 |
5 |
Gender Diversity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
From the table you can determine that the maximum weightage is given to CAT. Although work experience does carry a certain weight, a fresher can maximize their CAT score to compensate for it.
IIM Lucknow gives more weightage to work experience than other IIMs but that does not mean it does not give admission to freshers. It’s just that experienced candidates have a higher chance of admission.
The Sustainability Management program is an excellent domain with the capability to gain fame quickly. Although it has been launched several years before it is only now that corporations are finally giving it the attention it deserves. In fact, some companies across the spectrum of industries are establishing formal teams to solve this issue.
The level of expertise in this domain is relatively lacking all across - policy making, policy implementation, regulation, etc. This can be seen as an opportunity as it has led to an increased demand for professionals with a formal background in Sustainability Management.
The curriculum includes the foundation management courses along with complex topics like
So in the current scenario, the Sustainability Management program offers ample opportunities to aspiring managers.
The first step to getting admission to IIM Lucknow is to apply for entrance exams. Several national-level entrance exams are accepted by the IIM Lucknow for admission to its Management programs. Some of them include
PGP: CAT
MBAEx: GMAT
DPM: CAT/ GMAT/ GRE/ GATE/ UGC-JRF
IIM Lucknow Sectional Cutoff is 85 Percentile while the Overall CAT Percentile is 90 for General Category.
The next step is PI. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of CAT score will be called for Personal Interview. This year, the WAT round is excluded from the selection process. The various parameters that are considered while shortlisting candidates for this round are
Parameters |
PGP Weightage |
PGP-ABM Weightage |
PGP-SM Weightage |
CAT |
60 |
60 |
60 |
Class 12 Marks |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Graduation Marks |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Work Experience |
10 |
0 |
10 |
Academic Diversity |
5 |
20 |
5 |
Gender Diversity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The 3rd step includes shortlisting of candidates based on the following parameters
Parameters |
PGP & PGP-SM |
PGP-ABM |
CAT |
30 |
35 |
Academic Performance (12M + GM) |
5+5 |
5+5 |
Diversity Factor |
5 |
5 |
Work Experience |
5 |
NA |
Written Ability Test |
10 |
10 |
Personal Interview (PI) |
40 |
40 |
So finally based on your CAT score, GDPI score and your academic record along with work experience your total will be calculated out of 100. The students will then be listed in descending order of their total score and top students will be made an admission offer.