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What is a Good CAT Score - All CAT aspirants have a desire to get into top IIMs, but only some can convert to those top MBA colleges. So what is a good CAT score that a candidate should score to get a call from one of the best MBA colleges in the country? This article on Careers360 tries to answer that by looking at and analysing the previous cutoffs of IIMs and other top management colleges. The cutoff list for CAT for all institutions accepting CAT scores will be released in January 2025. A good score in CAT will depend on many things such as the difficulty level as pointed by the exam analysis, performance of other candidates, and the number of applicants (competition) for the exam. In this article, we will be discussing what is a good CAT score and tips and strategies for how to crack CAT exam. Additionally, we'll provide practical CAT preparation tips for high scores and discuss effective techniques to crack the CAT exam.
Candidates appear for CAT 2024 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 student should get a minimum 95 percentile compared to other B-schools like IIFT, IITs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR that accept CAT scores below 95 percentile.
So, is 120 a good score in CAT? The answer is yes. Scoring 120 is considered good in the CAT exam. Scoring above 120 puts you in the top 10% of test-takers, better than 90% of others. However, certain MBA colleges offer MBA admission on average CAT scores, and many B-schools offer MBA admission on low CAT scores.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Extended Application Deadline: 10th Feb 2024
250+ Companies | Highest CTC 16 LPA | Average CTC 8 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row | Awarded Best Business School of the Year
On the other hand, third-tier B-schools may accept candidates with a bit low CAT scores in comparison to IIMs. Take a look at the breakdown of the CAT percentile 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 |
As per experts, the difficulty level of CAT 2024 will be moderate to difficult. Here we have provided the CAT 2024 expected score vs percentile on the basis of CAT cutoff marks vs percentile on the basis of the past few years' trends.
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 |
When preparing for the CAT exam, understanding what constitutes "good attempts" is crucial for maximizing 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 minimize 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 | 20 | 9-11 |
III | QA | 22 | 9-11 |
TOTAL | 66 | 34-40 |
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 score 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.
B-schools accepting CAT scores and IIMs will release their respective cutoff based on CAT score. 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 2024 to clear the CAT cutoff will be determined on various factors such as:
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To achieve a good CAT score, one has to draw a study timetable and CAT exam strategy to ace the examination. Some of the proven tips for CAT preparation 2024 include:
Time is key to succeeding in the CAT exam, and time management, therefore, becomes important for candidates looking to achieve a good score in CAT 2024. When you start preparing for the CAT exam 2024, you must have a proper timetable wherein each section gets enough time to be covered completely. Candidates must know that the sectional time limit will be imposed in CAT 2024. For each section, students will be given 40 minutes; speed matters a lot while solving CAT questions, particularly from sections like QA and DI, which are more time-consuming.
A timetable also helps candidates know which topic or section to prioritise first and modify their timetable as they assess their performance by giving CAT mock tests or solving past year CAT question papers.
Know how the CAT cut off marks vs percentile are calculated here
Section | Total Number of Questions | Duration for all Category | Duration for PwD Category |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26 Questions | 40 Minutes | 53 Minutes and 20 Seconds |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 Questions | 40 Minutes | 53 Minutes and 20 Seconds |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 26 Questions | 40 Minutes | 53 Minutes and 20 Seconds |
Total | 66 Questions | 120 Minutes | 159 Minutes and 60 Seconds |
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, can know 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.
Before taking any entrance test, students need to appear for test series, which act as stepping stones to success. With the advancement in technology, students can now appear for online CAT test series with the help of e-learning websites that determine their scores and preparation levels. Giving such tests helps understand the weak and strong areas and prepare further accordingly so students can achieve a good CAT score to get admission at one of the top B-schools.
Students can avail themselves of the opportunity to have web chatting sessions and take help from experts for the test series designed by them. They give you assistance and tips to prepare for CAT 2024.
By solving the CAT 2024 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 its weaknesses sincerely to ace CAT exam 2024.
While preparing to get a good score in CAT 2024, 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 2024, it is not completely about the number of questions you attempt but the quality and accuracy to get a good percentile in CAT.
A score range between 104 to 108 is considered a very good score in the CAT exam. If a candidate able to score that much then their CAT percentile range is 99+.
Usually, a CAT percentile score of 90 or above is considered as a good score and its can help candidates to bag a MBA seat at some of the top business schools in India.
As per previous year CAT Cutoffs, candidates are required to secure more then 90 percentile in CAT to get a call from IIMs.
It’s hard to say exactly how tough the CAT 2024 will be since it depends on various factors like the difficulty level of the questions and how well you’ve prepared. Generally, the CAT can be challenging because it tests a wide range of skills, but with good preparation and practice, you can handle it. It’s a good idea to stay focused on your studies, understand the test pattern, and practice with previous years’ papers to get a feel for what to expect.
Scoring a 99 percentile in CAT 2024 will require a mix of strategic preparation and smart test-taking. Start by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Focus on building a strong foundation in areas like Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability. Practice regularly with mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Analyze your performance in these mocks to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Work on your weak areas while also refining your strengths.
Hello,
Here are important points regarding your query :-
Hope it helps !
Hi,
Based on the previous year analysis, According to your CAT 2024 percentile some of the colleges in which you have chances to get a seat includes:
You can predict more colleges using the CLAT 2024 college predictor tool .
Hope this information will help you
Hello Greetings
With a CAT 2024 percentile of 68.28%, you may face a challenging time getting into IIT Delhi, as their cutoffs are typically higher. However, being an SC female student, you may be eligible for relaxation in the cutoff criteria .
To give you a better idea, here are some general CAT cutoff percentiles for IITs and other top B-schools:
- *IIT Delhi*: Typically above 90 percentile for general category students.
- *Newer IIMs*: Such as IIM Vishakapatnam, IIM Shillong, and IIM Udaipur, may have lower cutoffs, around 80-90 percentile.
- *Other top B-schools*: Like IMT Ghaziabad, XIM Bhubaneswar, and TAPMI, may also consider students with lower percentiles.
It's essential to note that CAT cutoffs can vary from year to year, and other factors like your academic background, work experience, and performance in the personal interview (PI) and written ability test (WAT) also play a significant role in the admission process.
To explore more options and predict your chances of getting into various colleges, you can use online CAT college predictor tools .
Have a great day
Hello Greetings
Considering your 82.58 percentile in CAT and 22 months of industry experience in IT and Financial analysis, you have several options for General Management PGDM or PGPM programs.
*Decent Colleges Accepting Low CAT Percentile:*
- _SPJIMR_: Offers PGDM and PGPM programs, accepting CAT scores, with a minimum eligibility criterion of 50% aggregate in graduation ¹ ².
- _SOIL_: Provides PGPM and PGDM programs, considering CAT scores, with a focus on experiential learning ³.
- Other institutes like _IMT Ghaziabad_, _XIMB_, and _IRMA_ might also accept candidates with lower CAT percentiles, but this may vary depending on the program and intake.
*Key Factors to Consider:*
- _Work Experience_: With 22 months of experience, you might be eligible for PGPM programs, which typically require more work experience than PGDM programs ¹.
- _Career Gap_: Explain your career gap effectively in your application, highlighting any relevant activities or skills gained during that period.
- _Profile-Based Selection_: Some institutes consider profiles, including work experience, academic background, and extracurricular activities, in addition to CAT scores ¹.
*Next Steps:*
1. Research the institutes mentioned above and their programs.
2. Review the eligibility criteria, admission process, and fees for each program.
3. Prepare your application, ensuring you effectively communicate your strengths, work experience, and career goals.
4. Be prepared for interviews, focusing on your profile, experience, and motivation for pursuing a PGDM or PGPM program.
Remember, a lower CAT percentile doesn't necessarily limit your options. Focus on showcasing your strengths, experience, and fit with the program to increase your chances of admission.
Have a great day
Hi Gaurav,
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted annually in India for admission into MBA/PGDM programs at prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools.
For registering for CAT 2025, you can follow the given steps:
For more recent details, you can check out the given link.
Best wishes!
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