CAT Percentile 2024, Calculate Percentile, What is A Good CAT Score
CAT Admission Exam

CAT Percentile 2024, Calculation Percentile, What is A Good CAT Score

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A strong CAT score for leading B-schools generally ranges from 198 to 180 raw marks. These scores are later converted into CAT percentiles to finalize results. However, what qualifies as an impressive CAT score can differ among institutions because each college establishes its own CAT cutoff score to select candidates.

To select the appropriate B-school, it’s crucial to estimate your expected CAT percentile. Utilizing a CAT 2024 percentile predictor tool can help in identifying schools that match your budget and align with your exam performance or score.

The best B schools have a higher range of CAT thresholds, 90+ percentile, while the mid-range B-School cutoff range, 75% 80th percentile and the lower B-School limits have a cutoff range of around 50 percentiles. The Result of the CAT will be published in December 2024/January 2025.

CAT Percentile 2024

A percentile represents the relative position of a candidate compared to others who took the exam. To calculate percentiles in CAT, institutions follow a specific marking and equating process. Raw scores are adjusted by equating and standardized across different sections. These standardized scores are then converted into percentiles to facilitate selection.

Candidates can access their CAT scorecards online. Based on their CAT percentile, overall CAT score, and sectional cut-offs, candidates receive interview calls from various IIMs and other non-IIM management institutions for the subsequent rounds of selection.

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What is a CAT Score?

The CAT score reflects a candidate’s performance in the entrance exam, which consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). In total, candidates attempt 66 questions across these sections, with the maximum achievable score being 193 marks.

Candidates’ CAT scores are calculated based on the marking scheme of the exam. Each correct answer earns +3 marks, while each incorrect answer results in a deduction of -1 mark. Unattempted questions do not affect the score. The CAT score is calculated using the following formula:

CAT Score=(Number of Correct Answers×3)−Number of Incorrect Answers

This formula considers only the correct and incorrect responses to determine the candidate’s total raw score in the CAT exam.

What is a CAT Percentile Predictor?

The CAT percentile predictor utilizes data from over 40,000 students who participated in last year’s CAT exam to estimate your CAT score and percentile based on your actual exam performance. With an anticipated 3 lakh+ candidates expected to appear this year, understanding your projected results early can help you strategize effectively for IIM MBA admissions, considering the intense competition. It’s wise to stay informed and explore your options well in advance.

How is the CAT Percentile Calculated?

The CAT percentile is determined by converting each candidate’s raw score to a standardized scale. Through the normalization process, any variations in exam difficulty across different slots are adjusted. The CAT percentile is calculated using the formula:

cat percentile

This calculation ensures that each candidate’s percentile reflects their performance relative to all other candidates who took the exam, considering the same scale and standardization across multiple slots.

IIM Admission Criteria and Selection Process

The admission criteria and selection process for management courses at IIMs and other B-schools typically follow several stages:

  • CAT Percentile: Candidates must achieve a valid CAT score. Admission to IIMs is primarily based on CAT scores. Older IIMs like Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Kozhikode typically shortlist candidates with CAT percentiles of 99+; newer IIMs like Mumbai, Kashipur, Bodh Gaya, Vizag, and others may shortlist candidates with CAT percentiles ranging from 85 to 90.
  • Written Test/GD and Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in a written ability test, group discussion, or personal interview, depending on the institute’s selection process.
  • Release of Final Admission Results by IIMs: After completing the selection process, final admission results are announced. The final composite score of a candidate is considered, incorporating parameters such as previous academic performance, CAT score, work experience, performance in GD and interview rounds, and gender diversity. The weightage assigned to each parameter varies between institutes.

CAT Cut-off 2024 (Expected)

Candidates achieving a 99+ percentile in CAT qualify for management programs at the six older IIMs, while those in the 90-95 percentile range are eligible for newer IIMs. Pursuing an MBA from IIMs is a coveted goal, offering top-tier education and ample opportunities for skill enhancement in management and entrepreneurship. IIM graduates also attract high-paying job offers from leading companies.

Here’s a summary of CAT cutoff percentiles, course fees, and average packages offered by various IIMs and other top B-schools:

Top IIMs

IIMsCAT Cutoff 2024 (Expected)Course FeesAverage Package Offered
IIM Ahmedabad99-100Rs 25 lakhRs. 34.45 LPA
IIM Bangalore99-100Rs 24.50 lakhRs. 35.3 LPA
IIM Calcutta99Rs 23.00 lakhRs. 35.07 LPA
IIM Lucknow97+Rs 26.50 lakhRs. 30 LPA
IIM Indore97+Rs 21.17 lakhRs. 30.21 LPA
IIM Kozhikode97-98Rs 22.50 lakhRs. 31.02 LPA
IIM Mumbai97Rs 21 lakhRs. 47.29 LPA

Other IIMs

IIMsCAT Cutoff 2024 (Expected)Course FeesAverage Package Offered
IIM Amritsar95+Rs 21.00 lakhRs. 16.51 LPA
IIM Nagpur95+Rs 18.90 lakhRs. 16.74 LPA
IIM Sambalpur95+Rs 21.01 lakhRs. 16.74 LPA
IIM Trichy94Rs 21.00 lakhRs. 20.55 LPA
IIM Raipur94Rs 18.00 lakhRs. 21.04 LPA
IIM Ranchi94Rs 17.50 lakhRs. 35.50 LPA
IIM Kashipur94Rs 17.30 lakhRs. 18.10 LPA
IIM Vizag92Rs 17.82 lakhRs. 16.61 LPA
IIM Udaipur92Rs 22.20 lakhRs. 20.02 LPA
IIM Bodhgaya92Rs 17.00 lakhRs. 14.96 LPA
IIM Shillong90Rs 22.71 lakhRs. 26.96 LPA
IIM Sirmaur95Rs 17.50 lakhRs. 14.45 LPA
IIM Rohtak95Rs 17.90 lakhRs. 18.73 LPA

Other Top B-Schools

B-SchoolsCAT Cutoff (Expected)Average Package Offered
FMS Delhi95+
SPJIMR Mumbai95+
MDI Gurgaon95+
IMT Ghaziabad95+
ISB Hyderabad95+
Tier 2 MBA Colleges85+
MBA Colleges (Low CAT Scores)50-60 percentile

CAT Score vs Percentile 2024

Analyzing CAT scores and percentiles helps candidates understand how their raw scores translate into percentiles. Referencing the expected CAT 2024 score vs percentile table, derived from previous years’ cutoffs and percentile data, provides insight into this conversion process.

PercentileScore VA-RCScore DI-LRScore QAOverall Score
99.542303086
9936252574
9530202252
9024141342
802011935
70189730

Factors Influencing CAT 2024 Cut-Off

After completing the CAT exam, candidates access their scorecards online. Each institute then sets its unique cutoff score for the admission process, which is influenced by several factors:

  • Challenge Level of the Exam: The difficulty of the CAT exam in a given year affects the cutoff scores.
  • Number of Candidates: The total number of candidates taking the CAT exam can impact cutoffs, with higher competition potentially raising the cutoffs.
  • Previous Years’ Cut-Offs: Institutions often consider trends from past years to set current cutoffs, ensuring consistency and competitiveness.
  • Seat Availability: The number of available seats in specific colleges also plays a crucial role in determining cutoff scores, as institutions manage admissions based on capacity.

Section-Wise Good CAT Score

Securing an 80+ percentile in CAT enables candidates to seek admission in esteemed B-Schools such as IBS Hyderabad, IIT Delhi, NIT Trichy, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management. Candidates achieving a 70 percentile in CAT are more likely to find admission opportunities at B-schools like JIMS, XIME Bangalore, and IILM Institute of Higher Education, Delhi.

The table below outlines section-wise target questions and required accuracy rates for achieving a good score in the CAT exam:

SectionTarget QuestionsAccuracy Required
Verbal and Reading Comprehension28-3080%
Quantitative AbilityAround 3290%
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning24-2690%

Candidates can gauge their performance in the CAT exam using the following percentiles:

  • Excellent: 90-99 percentile
  • Good: 80-89 percentile
  • Average: 70-79 percentile
  • Bad: Below 60 percentile

What Constitutes a Strong CAT Score in 2024?

A competitive CAT score in 2024 is essential for gaining admission to prestigious management colleges. Below is a summary of the ranges for both overall and sectional scores that are considered indicative of a strong CAT performance:

Overall ScoreDILRVARCQA
198607260
161 – 164517067
140415058
148466452
126405743
110 – 120324751
95 – 98284328
85253824

Good CAT Score for IIM Admission

Scoring 99+ percentile in CAT is highly regarded for securing admission into top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore. Achieving a 99 percentile can also pave the way for admission to IIM Calcutta. However, several IIMs admit candidates with CAT scores as low as 90 percentile.

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IIMsExpected Cut off
IIM Bangalore99+
IIM Ahmedabad99+
IIM Calcutta99
IIM Lucknow97-98
IIM Kozhikode97-98
IIM Indore97-98
IIM Nagpur95-96
IIM Amritsar95-96
IIM Sambalpur95-96
IIM Kashipur94-95
IIM Raipur94-95
IIM Tiruchirappalli94-95
IIM Ranchi94-95
IIM Udaipur92-94
IIM Visakhapatnam92-94
IIM Bodh Gaya92-94
IIM Jammu90
IIM Sirmaur90
IIM Shillong90
IIM Rohtak90-92

Good CAT Score for Non-IIMs

Non-IIM institutions across India also utilize CAT scores as a criterion for selecting candidates for their MBA programs. Here are some of these institutions along with their corresponding CAT percentile cutoffs:

Non-IIM CollegeCAT Cut Off Percentile
Goa Institute of Management, Goa90
MDI, Gurgaon98
FMS, Delhi98-99
Department of Management Studies – IIT Delhi98.04
National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai97
Manipal Management Development Institute, Manipal97
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Mumbai97.5
IMT, Ghaziabad95-97
IIT Kharagpur, Kharagpur95
JBIMS, Mumbai95
IMI, New Delhi90
SPJIMR, Mumbai95-99
National Institute of Technology, Trichy90
XIM, Bhubaneshwar91
Lal Bahadur Shastri Inst. of Management, Delhi87
FORE, New Delhi85
IBS, Hyderabad85
IRMA, Anand80
S.P. Jain Inst. of Management and Research, Mumbai85
K. J. Somaiya Inst. of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai90
Amity Business School, Mumbai85
Welingkar Inst. of Management Development & Research, Bengaluru85
International Management Institute, Delhi85
Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Trichy85
IMNU, Ahmedabad80.04
MICA, Ahmedabad80
TAPMI, Manipal80
IFMR, Chennai80
TAPMI, Karnataka80
Birla Inst. of Management Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh75
LIBA, Chennai70
Xavier Inst. of Management & Entrepreneurship, Bangalore70
AIMS Institutes, New Delhi60
IILM Institute for Higher Education, Delhi60
Institute of Management Technology, Nagpur50
Fortune Institute of International Business, Delhi50

CAT Percentile 2024 FAQs

What is CAT?

CAT, or Common Admission Test, is a computer-based entrance exam conducted annually for admission to management programs at various Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading business schools in India.

Who conducts the CAT exam?

The CAT exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. For example, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, etc., are responsible for organizing CAT in different years.

What are the eligibility criteria for CAT?

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) or an equivalent CGPA. Final-year students are also eligible to apply.

How is CAT scored?

CAT is scored based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. Each correct answer earns +3 marks, and each incorrect answer results in a penalty of -1 mark. Unattempted questions do not attract any penalty.

What is a good CAT percentile?

A good CAT percentile typically ranges from 90 to 99. Candidates scoring in this range are eligible for admission to top IIMs and other prestigious management institutes.

What is the CAT exam pattern?

CAT consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes.

How can I prepare for the CAT exam?

CAT preparation involves a structured approach, including understanding the exam pattern, regular practice with mock tests, solving previous years’ papers, improving time management, and focusing on weak areas.

What are the top colleges that accept CAT scores?

Besides IIMs, other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, and IMT Ghaziabad also accept CAT scores for their management programs.

When does the CAT exam typically take place?

CAT is usually held in late November or early December each year. Candidates can check the official CAT website for exact dates and registration details.

Candidates with questions about the CAT Percentile 2024 can leave comments in the comments box.