98 Percentile in CAT 2025: Required Marks, Slot-Wise Score vs Percentile & Top MBA Colleges

98 Percentile in CAT 2025: Required Marks, Slot-Wise Score vs Percentile & Top MBA Colleges

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 30 Nov 2025, 04:07 PM IST

98 Percentile in CAT 2025: Scoring a 98 percentile in the CAT (Common Admission Test) is a dream for many MBA aspirants. This score places candidates in the top 2% of test-takers, significantly increasing the chances of admission to premier institutes like the IIMs and other top B-schools in India. However, achieving this percentile requires a clear understanding of the score dynamics and preparation strategy.

This Story also Contains

  1. Understanding CAT Scoring and Percentiles
  2. What is the meaning of 98 Percentile in CAT?
  3. CAT 2025 Slot-wise Score vs Percentile (Expected)
  4. Why Aim for 98 Percentile?
98 Percentile in CAT 2025: Required Marks, Slot-Wise Score vs Percentile & Top MBA Colleges
98 Percentile in CAT Means How Many Marks

In this article, we break down the approximate marks required to secure a 98 percentile in CAT 2025, the factors influencing percentile calculation, and tips to achieve this target.

CAT 2025 Important Links

Understanding CAT Scoring and Percentiles

The CAT exam comprises three sections:

  1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section is scored out of 68 marks, making the total score 204. However, the scaled score (adjusted based on difficulty levels) determines the percentile.

How Many Marks for 98 Percentile in CAT?

While the exact marks needed for a 98 percentile vary each year due to factors like exam difficulty and performance of candidates, historical data provides a rough estimate:

  • Overall Score: 105-115 out of 204
  • Sectional Scores:
    • VARC: 35-40

    • DILR: 30-35

    • QA: 35-40

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These figures are indicative and can shift based on the normalisation process and varying levels of competitiveness.

Factors Influencing Percentile Calculation

Several factors play a role in determining how many marks correspond to a 98 percentile:

  1. Exam Difficulty: Tougher papers often lead to lower marks for higher percentiles.
  2. Candidate Pool: The number and performance of test-takers significantly affect percentile brackets.
  3. Sectional Weightage: Each section contributes equally to the overall percentile, so balanced performance is essential.
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Tips to Score 98 Percentile in CAT 2025

  1. Analyse Previous Year Trends: Study past years’ score-percentile relationships to set realistic targets.
  2. Focus on Strengths and Weaknesses: Identify your strong areas and maximise your sectional scores while improving weak sections.
  3. Time Management: Practice mocks to optimise time across sections effectively.
  4. Mock Tests and Analysis: Regularly attempt mocks and analyse them to fine-tune your strategy.
  5. Consistency in Preparation: Follow a structured study plan and avoid last-minute cramming.

What is the meaning of 98 Percentile in CAT?

Securing a 98 percentile in CAT requires a combination of smart preparation, focused practice, and a clear understanding of scoring patterns. By aiming for a score of 105-115, you can significantly boost your chances of joining a top-tier MBA program.

Stay committed, analyse your performance, and align your efforts with past trends to make your CAT 2025 journey a success.

CAT 2025 Slot-wise Score vs Percentile (Expected)

Check out the following tables, which mention the CAT 2025 section-wise scores which all candidates must target (slot-wise).

CAT 2025 Slot 1

Percentile

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall

99

39-40

31-32

30-31

90

95

31-32

24-25

23-24

66

90

25-26

19-21

17-18

56-57

85

22-23

16-18

14-15

45-46

80

20-21

13-14

12-13

40-41

70

16-17

11-12

10-11

35-36


CAT 2025 Slot 2

Percentile

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall

99

41-42

27-28

28-29

87

95

33-34

22-23

22-23

63

90

26-27

18-19

16-17

55-56

85

23-24

15-17

13-14

44-45

80

21-22

12-14

11-12

39-40

70

17-18

11-12

10-11

35-36


CAT 2025 Slot 3

Percentile

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall

99

42-43

28-29

30-32

93

95

34-35

23-24

24-25

68

90

27-28

19-20

17-18

58-60

85

24-25

16-17

14-15

46-48

80

22-23

13-14

12-13

42-44

70

18-19

12-13

11-12

37-38


Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 98 Percentile

Some of the top MBA colleges that will typically accept a 98 percentile in the CAT 2025 exam are as follows:

IIM IndoreIIM Kozhikode
IIM LucknowIIT Roorkee
IIT BombayIIT Delhi
FMS DelhiMDI Gurgaon
SPJIMR MumbaiFORE School of Management
IIM RaipurIIM Rohtak
IIM TrichyIIFT Delhi
IMT GhaziabadIIM Kashipur


Why Aim for 98 Percentile?

A 98 percentile opens doors to top B-schools such as:

  • IIMs: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and more.
  • Other Premier Institutes: FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, etc.
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These institutes often shortlist candidates with a strong CAT score coupled with an excellent academic and co-curricular profile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What percentile is 55 marks in CAT?
A:

With 55 marks in CAT 2025, candidates can expect a 95 percentile.

Q: What is the ideal preparation strategy to achieve 98 percentile in CAT?
A:

Focus on understanding concepts, practice extensively, analyze mock test performance, and maintain a consistent study routine.

Q: Are CAT mocks essential for scoring 98 percentile?
A:

Yes, regular mock tests help improve time management, accuracy, and familiarity with the exam pattern, which are key to scoring 98 percentile.

Q: How many hours of study are required to score a 98 percentile in CAT?
A:

On average, 2-3 hours of consistent daily study over 6-8 months, combined with mock tests and analysis, can help achieve this target.

Q: Can a non-engineer score a 98 percentile in CAT?
A:

Absolutely! With the right preparation and strategy, candidates from all academic backgrounds can achieve a 98 percentile.

Q: How does the CAT difficulty level impact the marks for a 98 percentile?
A:

A tougher exam generally reduces the marks needed for higher percentiles, as scaling adjusts for the difficulty level.

Q: Which IIMs accept candidates with 98 percentile?
A:

Candidates with a 98 percentile can get calls from IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, and sometimes IIM Calcutta or Bangalore, depending on their profiles.

Q: How is the percentile calculated in CAT?
A:

Percentile in CAT is calculated based on the scaled score, considering the relative performance of all candidates and normalization for difficulty across slots.

Q: Does scoring 98 percentile guarantee admission to IIMs?
A:

No, admission to IIMs depends on other factors such as academic profile, work experience, and performance in the interview and WAT rounds.

Q: Is sectional balance important to achieve a 98 percentile in CAT?
A:

Yes, balanced performance across VARC, DILR, and QA is crucial as each section contributes equally to the overall percentile.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :

Top colleges accepting CAT:

  • IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)

  • FMS Delhi

  • SPJIMR Mumbai

  • MDI Gurgaon

  • IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)

  • IIT Delhi (DMS)

  • IIFT

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • JBIMS Mumbai

Top colleges accepting XAT:

  • XLRI Jamshedpur

  • XIMB Bhubaneswar

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • Great

Hi there,

A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.

Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of

Hi there,

Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.

According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the

Hi there,

Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and

Hi there,

The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong