CAT 2025 Cutoff for SC Category for IIMs and Other Top Colleges

CAT 2025 Cutoff for SC Category for IIMs and Other Top Colleges

Team Careers360Updated on 24 Dec 2025, 04:18 PM IST

CAT 2025 cutoff for SC category for IIMs is expected to be released after the CAT results today, December 24, 2025. The CAT 2025 SC cutoff is expected to be somewhere around 70-85+ percentile for MBA admission 2026-28. Additionally, there's a 15% IIM reservation for SC category candidates. Candidates scoring in the upper band of the range in the CAT 2025 may get top IIMs, while lower band can get SC candidates into lower-tier IIM colleges. Keep reading this article for more information related to the CAT 2025 SC cutoff, the Top IIMs CAT exam SC cutoff, and much more.
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LiveIIM CAT 2025 Result (OUT) LIVE: MBA admission criteria for IIMs; CAT score weightage, cut-offsDec 26, 2025 | 11:01 PM IST

IIM Kozhikode will retain its three-stage admission process for the MBA (PGP) 2026–28 batch, with CAT 2025 scores carrying a final weightage of 35 percent. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile, with sectional qualifying scores required in VARC, DILR, and QA. Shortlisting of candidates will be based on CAT performance, academic record, and personal interview rounds.

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CAT 2025 Cutoff for SC Category for IIMs and Other Top Colleges
CAT 2025 Cutoff for SC Category for IIMs and Other Top Colleges

CAT Cutoff Trends for SC category for IIMs and other top colleges (Previous Years)

The CAT cutoff for SC category has seen a consolidated trend staying between 55 to 70. The CAT cutoff for the SC category for IIM and other top-rated non-IIM colleges for the years 2024 and 2023 is provided in the table below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many SC students appeared for CAT?
A:

For the more recent CAT exam, it is estimated that approximately 23,440 SC students had appeared for the CAT 2025 exam. However, the exact number of SC students that appeared for the CAT exam might vary. 

Q: Is there a SC quota in CAT?
A:

The IIMs do have a Scheduled Caste quota. According to the reservation policies, a total of 15% of the IIM seats are reserved for candidates coming from the SC category. The total seats across all the 21 IIMs throughout the nation are around 5500.

Q: What is the CAT cutoff for IIM Kozhikode SC?
A:

The qualifying CAT cutoff for the SC category at IIM Kozhikode is around 65 as per the previous years' cutoff analysis. With 65, the SC category candidates can apply to the IIM Kozhikode. The final selection will depend on the overall application profile of the candidate.

Q: Is IIM free for SC students?
A:

The IIM is not free for the SC category students. The fee structure remains the same for every candidate irrespective of the category. The IIMs do have scholarships and education loan facilities for students from different financial institutions.

Q: What is the lowest IIM cutoff for SC?
A:

The lowest IIM cutoff for SC category candidates is around 54. With this, the SC candidates can apply for MBA/PGDM courses at IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Nagpur, and IIM Sirmaur.

Q: What is the CAT cut off for IIM SC?
A:

The CAT cut off for SC category for IIM admission is 45 to 70.

Q: How many SC candidates appeared in CAT?
A:

Last year a total of 3.29 lakh candidates registered for the CAT 2025 exam, out of which 8.51% candidates were from the SC category. Also, a total of 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for the same, out of which 8.08% candidates were from the scheduled caste (SC) category. 

Q: What is the minimum CAT percentile for IIM for SC category?
A:

For newer IIMs, the minimum CAT percentile for IIM may be around 90-92, and for the reserved category, the CAT percentile for IIMs for the SC category can be around 80-90, making the CAT score lower than the general category students.

Q: Is 70 a good score in CAT?
A:

Scoring 70 to 80 percentile in CAT exam is considered a moderate score for MBA admission. 

Q: What is the CAT cutoff for SC category MBA?
A:

The CAT cutoff for the SC category for admission to top IIMs and other top MBA colleges varies significantly by institution. Although the cutoff typically ranges from 55 to 70+ overall percentile. 

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

With a CAT percentile of 88.77 and a strong CGPA of 9.0, you are in a competitive range for newer IIMs (like IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Nagpur) and several top non-IIM B-schools such as TAPMI, BIM Trichy, Great Lakes, IMI Delhi, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. You may not reach the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.) since they usually require 98+ percentile, but you have excellent chances at mid-tier and emerging institutes.

For more details access mentioned link below:

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-cutoff-2025-category-wise-iims-iits-top-mba-colleges-cutoff

Hope it helps.

Hello

The expected cutoff for the JAP (Joint Admission Process) is around 90 to 95th percentile, with a minimum sectional cutoff of around 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability. You have scored 82.2% which is very low; that's why you are unlikely to meet the minimum criteria for the JAP IIMs in the general Category.

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Here is your IIM Cutoff for Gen/OBC/SC/ST, CS Score Cut Off. I am providing you the link. Kindly open and check it out. From here you can get all the details.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-2025-cut-off-live-updates-iim-blacki-expected-cat-cs-score-cut-off-iim-cat-call-cut-off-latest-updates

I hope it will help you.

Thank you.


Hello,

With 2 years of experience and an 80th percentile in CAT, getting into top-tier IIMs (ABC) is very difficult, but you have a decent chance at some newer/baby IIMs (like IIM Bodh Gaya, Nagpur, etc.) and strong Tier-2 colleges that value profile strength, especially with your work experience.

I hope it will clear your query!!

With a CAT 2025 percentile of 99.27 and all sectional percentiles above 93, your son has a strong and competitive profile, but calls from IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta depend on more than just CAT score.

For IIM Ahmedabad, the CAT cutoff for the general category is usually very high (around 99+ overall and strong sectionals). However, IIM A gives very high weightage to academic consistency, especially Class 10 and Class 12 marks. With 10th at 89% and 12th at 80%, his academics are decent but not exceptional by IIM A standards, where many shortlisted candidates have 90%+ in both. A call from IIM Ahmedabad is possible but not guaranteed, and would depend on how his profile compares with others in the same academic category.

For IIM Bangalore, the chances are better. IIM B places significant weight on work experience, and 2 years of experience is considered ideal. His CAT percentile, good sectionals, engineering background, and work experience together make him a strong contender for an interview call, provided he meets the institute’s academic eligibility and normalization criteria.

For IIM Calcutta, the selection process is more CAT-score driven, especially for engineers. With a 99.27 percentile and strong sectionals, he stands a fairly good chance of getting a call, as IIM C traditionally gives relatively less weight to Class 12 marks compared to IIM A.

Overall, while calls from all three are not guaranteed, he has realistic chances for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, and a borderline but possible chance for IIM Ahmedabad. In addition, he is very likely to receive calls from other top IIMs such as IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong, and several top non-IIM B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and IIT Bombay/Delhi.

The final conversion will depend heavily on performance in the personal interview, clarity of goals, quality of work experience, and communication skills, so focused PI preparation will be crucial at this stage.