How to Achieve a Good CAT Score; Sectional Score (VARC, DILR And QA) And Overall CAT Score

How to Achieve a Good CAT Score; Sectional Score (VARC, DILR And QA) And Overall CAT Score

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CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 20 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 02 Jul 2025, 05:38 PM IST

What is a Good CAT Score - Every CAT aspirant dreams of securing admission into the top IIMs and leading MBA colleges in India, but only a few manage to convert those calls. So, what exactly is considered a good CAT score to receive interview calls from these premier institutes? This article by Careers360 aims to answer that by analysing the previous year CAT cutoffs of IIMs and other top B-schools accepting CAT scores. It’s important to note that a good score in CAT 2025 depends on several factors, including the difficulty level of the paper (as per exam analysis), the overall performance of aspirants, and the competition level (number of applicants). In this article, we’ll explore what qualifies as a good CAT score and share CAT preparation tips, strategies for high scores, and effective techniques to crack the CAT exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. What Is a Good CAT Score?
  2. Good CAT score for all Tier B-Schools
  3. CAT 2025 Cutoff
  4. How to achieve a good CAT score?
How to Achieve a Good CAT Score; Sectional Score (VARC, DILR And QA) And Overall CAT Score
What is a Good CAT Score

What Is a Good CAT Score?

Candidates appearing for CAT 2025 are advised to attempt questions from all sections judiciously so they score a good percentile in the CAT exam. The good CAT score differs from institute to institute, as each B-school has a different CAT cutoff to shortlist candidates for selection rounds. For example, to get admission into IIMs, a candidate generally needs to secure a high percentile, as these institutes have competitive cutoffs compared to other B-schools like IIFT, and FMS Delhi, SPJIMR that accept CAT scores below 95 percentile.

So, is a particular score considered good in the CAT exam? The answer depends on your target B-schools. A high CAT score is generally seen as a strong performance and can boost your chances of getting shortlisted by top management institutes. However, it’s important to remember that different MBA colleges have different admission cutoffs and criteria. While the IIMs and other top-tier institutes may require higher scores, several other reputed B-schools accept moderate scores and consider overall profiles as well. Even candidates with average CAT scores can secure admission into good colleges based on their academic background, work experience, and performance in the interview process.

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CAT Participating Institutes: Get the complete list of CAT 2025 participating institutes, including all 21 IIMs and other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, and more that accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.

How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT to Get 99 Percentile: To score a 99 percentile in CAT 2025, candidates typically need to attempt around 65–75% of the total questions with high accuracy. This may vary depending on the difficulty level of the exam, but maintaining 90%+ accuracy is key to reaching this percentile range.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 - Expected

As per experts, the difficulty level of CAT 2025 will be moderate to difficult. Here we have provided the CAT 2025 expected score vs percentile on the basis of the CAT cutoff marks vs percentile on the basis of the past few years' trends.

Take a look at the general CAT score-to-percentile trend in the table below.

Percentile

Score VARC

Score DILR

Score QA

Overall Score

99.5

42

30

30

86

99

36

25

25

74

95

30

20

22

52

90

24

14

13

42

80

20

11

9

35

70

18

9

7

30

CAT Good Attempts

When preparing for the CAT exam, understanding what constitutes "good attempts" is crucial for maximising your score. A good attempt in CAT refers to the number of questions answered accurately while balancing speed and accuracy. It’s not just about answering more questions; it's about ensuring that your attempts are strategically chosen to minimise negative marking. Generally, aiming for 70-80% accuracy with a sufficient number of good attempts can significantly boost your percentile. Remember, quality over quantity is key in determining your overall performance.

Section No.

Section Name

Total No. of Qs

Good Attempts

I

VARC

24

16-18

II

DILR

22

9-11

III

QA

22

9-11

TOTAL

68

34-40

Good CAT score for all Tier B-Schools

The good CAT score required to qualify for admission will vary from one institute to another. The B-schools accepting CAT scores can be divided into three tiers, which are mentioned in the table below:

Tier-wise CAT scores for B-schools

Tier

Minimum CAT score

Minimum Sectional Score

Top tier

200

80-85

Middle tier

120

40-50

Low tier

100

30-40

For candidates who do not qualify for any of the tiers above, B-schools accepting low CAT scores are a good option to choose. They can also appear for other national-level entrance exams like CMAT, XAT, SNAP, etc., which are reputed and accepted by many of the top B-schools.

CAT 2025 Cutoff

B-schools accepting CAT scores and IIMs will release their respective cutoff based on the CAT scores. Candidates meeting the minimum cutoff criteria for the B-school will be shortlisted for the selection rounds, as per the institutes they will apply. The good percentile in the CAT exam 2025 to clear the CAT cutoff will be determined on various factors such as:

  • The difficulty level of the CAT question paper

  • Number of test-takers

  • Seat availability

  • Reputation of the Institute

  • Past year cutoff trends

CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages
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How to achieve a good CAT score?

To achieve a good CAT score, one has to draw a study timetable and a CAT exam strategy to ace the examination. Some of the proven tips for CAT preparation 2025 include:

Time management

Time management is crucial for success in the CAT exam, making it essential for aspirants aiming for a high score in CAT 2025. When beginning your CAT 2025 preparation, having a well-structured timetable is key to ensuring balanced coverage of all sections, VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Since the CAT 2025 exam pattern includes a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section, managing speed and accuracy becomes especially important in time-intensive sections like Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation (DI). A smart timetable helps candidates prioritise topics effectively and adjust their strategy based on performance in CAT mock tests and previous year CAT question papers, ultimately leading to a more focused and result-oriented preparation. Also know how the CAT cut-off marks vs percentile are calculated.

Know the CAT 2025 Sectional Time Limit and Number of Questions

Knowing the CAT 2025 sectional time limit and number of questions is essential for building an effective exam strategy. It helps candidates manage their time efficiently during the test, allocate focus to each section—VARC, DILR, and QA—and practice under real exam conditions. Understanding the section-wise distribution of questions also allows aspirants to prioritize topics, improve accuracy, and reduce stress on exam day.

Section

Total Number of Questions

Duration for all categories

Duration for PwD Category

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

24 Questions

40 Minutes

53 Minutes and 20 Seconds

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

22 Questions

40 Minutes

53 Minutes and 20 Seconds

Quantitative Ability (QA)

22 Questions

40 Minutes

53 Minutes and 20 Seconds

Total

68 Questions

120 Minutes

159 Minutes and 60 Seconds

Take Frequent CAT Mock Tests

To know how to manage their stress level and time during D-day, students must take the mock test of CAT. Solving the CAT sample papers will help candidates become familiar with the exam environment and, most importantly, help them understand the detailed exam pattern of CAT. Also, CAT mock tests will help students become familiar with their strengths and weaknesses, which will help to gauge the preparation level and achieve a good CAT score.

Appear for the CAT Test Series

Before appearing for any entrance exam, it is crucial for students to take the CAT test series, as they serve as key stepping stones toward success. With the rise of e-learning platforms, aspirants can now access online CAT test series that not only simulate the real exam environment but also help evaluate their performance and preparation level. These mock tests are essential for identifying strengths and weaknesses, enabling students to refine their strategy and improve their chances of securing a high CAT score for admission into top B-schools. Moreover, many platforms offer live chat support and expert guidance for their test series. Students can interact with mentors to receive valuable preparation tips, personalised feedback, and strategies to boost their CAT 2025 performance.

Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

By solving the CAT 2025 mock tests, students must know their weaknesses and strengths to execute the strategy for CAT preparation. This practice will inculcate strategic planning, positivity, lots of practice, self-guidance, and hard work. Students must know that there are no shortcuts to success. One has to pay for it. One must work hard towards their weaknesses sincerely to ace the CAT exam 2025.

Maintain your Cool

While preparing to get a good score in CAT 2025, it is important to keep your level of enthusiasm and positivity high to confront any kind of challenge or difficulty. While writing the CAT exam, students must not only check their accuracy but also their level of anxiety. It is crucial to know how you can manage the stress level while solving the CAT questions. Remember, when you are writing an exam like CAT 2025, it is not completely about the number of questions you attempt, but the quality and accuracy to get a good percentile in CAT.

CAT Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How much should i score in cat to get into IIM?
A:

As per previous year CAT Cutoffs, candidates are required to secure more then 90 percentile in CAT to get a call from IIMs.

Q: How should I prepare for the CAT to achieve a good score?
A:

A balanced preparation strategy, including time management, regular mock tests, solving previous year question papers, and focusing on high-weightage topics (like Quantitative Aptitude, DILR, and VARC), is key to achieving a good CAT score.

Q: What is considered a good CAT score to get admission into top B-schools?
A:

A good CAT score for top B-schools like IIMs is generally above 95 percentile. For IIFT, FMS Delhi, and other reputed institutes, a score around 90-95 percentile is often considered competitive.

Q: How many questions should I attempt in the CAT to get a good percentile?
A:

Ideally, you should aim to answer around 70-80% of the total questions accurately. In terms of good attempts, you should aim for around 34-40 correct answers out of 68 questions.

Q: What is the difference between sectional cutoffs and overall cutoffs for CAT?
A:

Sectional cutoffs refer to the minimum marks you need to score in each section of the CAT exam (VARC, DILR, QA), while the overall cutoff is the cumulative score required to be shortlisted for the next round.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

  4. If the issue is not fixed after 48 hours, contact the official CAT helpdesk immediately with your transaction details.

Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects