What is a good CAT Score? How to achieve it in CAT Exam 2024

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. In this article, we will be discussing what is a good CAT score and tips and strategies for how to achieve it.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is a good CAT score?
2. Good CAT score for all tier B-Schools
3. CAT 2024 Cutoff
4. How to achieve a good CAT score?

What is a good CAT score?

Candidates planning to 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, there are certain MBA colleges that offer MBA admission on average CAT scores, and many B-schools offer MBA admission on low CAT scores.

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:

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

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.

CAT 2024 Cutoff

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 for. The good percentile in CAT exam 2024 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 Institute
• Past year cutoff trends

Quick Links;

• CAT Participating Institutes
• How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT to Get 99 Percentile

How to achieve a good CAT score?

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 management

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

Know CAT 2024 sectional time limit and number of questions

Take frequent CAT mock tests

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

Appear for CAT test series

Prior to taking any entrance test, it is important for students 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 score and preparation level. Giving such tests help understand the weak and strong areas and prepare further accordingly so students can achieve a good CAT score in order to get admission at one of the top B-schools.

Students can avail themselves of the opportunity of having web chatting sessions and taking help from experts for the test series designed by them. They give you assistance and tips to prepare for CAT 2024.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

By solving the CAT 2024 mock tests students must know their weaknesses and strengths in order 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.

Maintain your cool

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 in order to get a good percentile in CAT.