academics matter MBB consulting only shortlist 9/9/9 or 9/9/8 because they have that option , plenty of guys roam around with this profile And then their UG pedigree helps them SRCC/IIT etc...

But MBB and IB is not end of the world Marketing and genmans don't bother about UG And profile af

The comment about 'not being able to handle the program' is particularly sharp. Ironically, many science grads top their MBA cohorts because they are used to rigorous labs and complex theory. If a panelist says this to you, they are usually baiting you to prove them wrong with specific examples of your workload management.

f you know your academics are a weak spot, the goal shifts: you aren't just aiming for 99%ile, you're aiming to maximize the 'Quant' or 'VARC' sections specifically for colleges that weight them higher. Focus on the New and Baby IIMs through the CAP process they are much more lenient on the 8/8/8 rule than the legacy ones."

Your friend is giving you the 'safe' profile, not the 'only' profile. While an 8/8/8 makes things easier, plenty of candidates convert IIM Calcutta or FMS with lower graduation scores because those colleges prioritize CAT percentiles. Don't self-select out before you've even seen the Composite Score formulas for this year.