Low scores in CAT/ XAT? What should be your next steps?

Low scores in CAT/ XAT? What should be your next steps?

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Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 24 Nov 2024, 05:02 PM IST

After results of most of the MBA exams including CAT 2024, XAT 2024, IIFT entrance exam, SNAP exam candidates focus must be shifted to their admission options to different B-schools depending on your scores or percentile in different MBA exams. But what if they have not fared well in your MBA exams like CAT and XAT? What options do you have after scoring low in CAT or XAT? How can you still get into a top B-school? Careers360 brings you advice on your next steps towards your MBA dream.

Low scores in CAT/ XAT? What should be your next steps?
Low Score in CAT and XAT

Explore options for top B-schools:

You might be disappointed with your MBA exam results, but you should not lose heart as you may still get calls from B-schools which give very low weightage to MBA exam scores like CAT or XAT. Such B-schools shortlist candidates with percentile range as low as 50 to 60 or above.

Thus, you should explore your B-school options based on your existing CAT and XAT percentile.

Besides CAT and XAT scores, such B-schools look for other components like academic profile, extra-curricular activity, soft skills, personal traits, attitude and social behavior along with many other personal characteristics while finalizing admission offers. In many B-schools CAT or XAT scores carry only 20-30 per cent weightage in their selection process. Thus, despite your low percentile in CAT or XAT, many B-schools may shortlist you as the MBA exam scores are not the deciding factor for them. If you find B-schools which can shortlist you basis your existing CAT/XAT percentile, you can still apply to them provided they are open for applications.
Shortlist the B-Schools before they shortlist you. Predict your college with our CAT/XAT Pathfinder Tool

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All MBA exams are not yet over

If you are still not satisfied with the B-school options that you are getting based on your CAT and XAT scores, you must now gear up for other MBA exams which are scheduled to be conducted in next two months. You can explore admission opportunities in top B-schools for academic year 2025-26 by taking two more MBA exams - CMAT and MAH CET entrance exam.

A good score in CMAT can bring you admission opportunities to top B-schools accepting CMAT like JBIMS- Mumbai, DMS -NIT Durgapur, SIMSREE-Mumbai amongst public institutions and Great Lakes Institute of Management- Chennai, Prin. LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research- Mumbai, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research- Mumbai, Institute of Public Enterprise-Hyderabad, Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM) –Pune, Jaipuria Institute of Management – Lucknow, PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore amongst many other private B-schools in India.

Similarly, a good score in MAH CET will bring you admission opportunity at over 400 B-schools in the state of Maharashtra. Top B-schools which accept MAH-CET scores include JBIMS- Mumbai, SIMSREE-Mumbai, DMS (PUMBA)-Pune amongst public institution besides many other top private B-schools.

Prepare for remaining MBA exams and GD-PI-WAT simultaneously:

So, what should be your next steps now? Since important MBA exams are scheduled in next few months and many B-schools are scheduling their GD-PI in coming weeks also, your preparation for written test and GD-PI should go side by side.

As you would have already prepared your basic during your preparation for exams like CAT and XAT, you should now go back to CMAT syllabus and MAH CET syllabus to cross-check your preparedness for the two exams. You should plan your preparation strategy for the two exams very carefully because you may also have to continue your preparation for GD-PI as many B-schools may shortlist you despite your low score. Toppers however advise that you should not start a new topic for written test now. Instead, you should revise the topics that you have already covered for CAT and XAT exams.

Careers360 has launched a prep meter tool where you can check how prepared you are to score well in CMAT and MAH CET.

Get your personalized preparation report and improvement plan. Analyze your preparation level withCMAT Prepmeter” and “MAH-CET Prepmeter"

For any doubts and questions related to MBA exam pattern, preparation and other related queries, students can call the MBA Exam Helpline at 011-40360360.

Begin afresh for the next year exams:

If your CAT results and XAT results are not satisfactory and you still want to enter Indian Institute of Management (IIM) or XLRI Jamshedpur, you should seriously start afresh with a long term plan for MBA admission in academic year 2025-27.

An early preparation strategy may give you an edge over the other CAT/XAT aspirants who begin preparation after the admissions to this academic year is over.

Stay tuned to bschool.careers360.com for more news and updates on MBA admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which IIM is conducting CAT 2024?
A:

IIM Kolkata conducted CAT 2024.

Q: When is CAT 2024?
A:

CAT 2024 was conducted on November 24, 2024.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello dear candidate,

Yes, you have a very good chance of getting a BPT seat with 488 out of 600 and TS EAMCET rank of 14,000 under the ST category.

As the cut off of BPT for ST category students are generally between 25,000 to 45,000 ranks, depending upon the college and you have TS EAMCET rank of 14,000.

Thank you.

If you got 802 marks in Telangana Intermediate and belong to the ST category, you have a fair chance to get admission in a BPT course in 2025, but it depends on the college and cut-off. Most BPT colleges in Telangana ask for 12th marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and some also use the TS EAMCET rank for admission. The cut-off for ST students is usually lower than for general students, but it changes every year. It is better to check the previous year’s cut-offs of the colleges you want to apply to.

Hello, Getting shortlisted for IIM Lucknow or IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) with your profile is challenging, primarily due to your 58% in Class 10th, which significantly impacts the composite score calculation for both institutes. While your 98 percentile CAT score is excellent, and your 24 months of work experience, B.Com (Hons) background (providing academic diversity, especially for IIM-L), and KVS National player status are valuable additions, top IIMs and IITs heavily weigh consistent academic performance. Your 74% in 12th is also on the lower side. IIM Lucknow places substantial weight on 10th and 12th marks, making a call quite difficult despite your strengths. You likely have a relatively better, though still uncertain, chance at IIT Bombay, as their weighting might be slightly less penalizing for past academics compared to IIM-L, and your high CAT score is a major factor. However, the low 10th score remains a significant hurdle for both prestigious institutions.

I hope you found this information helpful and for study related queries you can ask in careers360 app, Have a great day and!

Hey,

You already have a strong profile with the score of 58% in Class 10, 74% in Class 12, and 80% in graduation, but admission in IIT Bombay, Shailesh J Mehta School of Management is quite competitive, especially if you are in general category because the cutoff for general goes to 98.5-99%. Your CAT percentage is impressive but your 10th marks might reduce your score during the shortlisting process. If you perform well in Written Ability Test and Personal Interview, and present your commerce background you still stand a fair chance. But it would also be wise if you have some backups like MDI Gurugram, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi, where your marks and profile will fit well in their selection range.

HELLO,

I am providing you the link below through which you will be able to download the previous 10 years CAT question papers

Here is the link :- CAT Previous year Question papers

Hope this Helps!