Goel Group of Institutions | MBA 2025
450+ Expert Faculty | 8000+ Alumni
Securing a seat in a top B-school through CAT 2024 can be challenging, especially if your CAT score falls below the cutoff required by IIMs and other premier institutes. However, missing the cutoff doesn’t mean you can’t pursue an MBA from a reputed institute. Many top MBA colleges accept low CAT scores or provide alternative admission options through other entrance exams and direct admissions for the 2025 academic session.
CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant: MCQs & Weightages | Chapter-wise MCQs
CAT 2025 Study Material: VARC | Quantitative Aptitude | 60 Days Study Material by Experts
Online MBA: Guide | Universities That Redefine Online MBA | Online MBA at IIMs
In this article, we explore the best MBA colleges for low CAT scores, admission options, and strategies to improve your chances of securing a seat in 2025.
If your CAT score is lower than expected, here are some options:
Apply to MBA colleges that accept low CAT scores for 2025.
Consider other entrance exams like XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, and ATMA.
Explore direct MBA admission without CAT in private universities.
Focus on B-schools offering admission based on work experience and profile evaluation.
Explore Top MBA Colleges in India to find suitable options.
If you didn’t meet the CAT 2024 cutoff for IIMs, consider these reputed MBA colleges that accept low CAT scores:
Accepts: CAT (Low Scores Considered), XAT, MAT, CMAT
Minimum CAT Score: 60 percentile
Accepts: CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT
Minimum CAT Score: 50-60 percentile
Accepts: CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT
Minimum CAT Score: 65 percentile
Highest CTC: Rs 18.33 LPA | Average CTC: Rs 7.39 LPA | Experiential Learning | Classes by Industry Professionals | Alumni Mentorship Program
100% Placement Record | Highest CTC 21.58 LPA | Average CTC 8.75 LPA
Accepts: CAT, XAT, MAT, GMAT
Minimum CAT Score: 50 percentile
Accepts: CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA
Minimum CAT Score: 55 percentile
Accepts: CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA
Minimum CAT Score: 50-55 percentile
Accepts: CAT, XAT, GMAT, MAT, CMAT
Minimum CAT Score: 50 percentile
For more details, check MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Scores.
If your CAT 2024 score is not competitive, you can attempt these alternative MBA entrance exams:
XAT 2025 – Accepted by XLRI and 160+ colleges.
MAT 2025 – Conducted multiple times a year and accepted by 600+ colleges.
CMAT 2025 – AICTE-approved exam for MBA admissions.
ATMA 2025 – Conducted by AIMS for various B-schools.
GMAT 2025 – Globally recognized, also accepted by Indian B-schools.
Check the Complete MBA Entrance Exam List for upcoming exams.
Several private universities and B-schools offer direct MBA admissions based on academic performance and personal interviews. These institutions provide management quota seats, allowing students to secure MBA admission without competitive exam scores.
Some popular B-schools offering direct admission include:
To explore direct admission options, visit Direct MBA Admission Guide.
If your CAT 2024 score is below the expected cutoff, you can enhance your profile by:
Scoring well in alternative entrance exams like XAT, MAT, CMAT, or GMAT.
Highlighting work experience and academic achievements to strengthen your application.
Developing strong communication skills for personal interviews.
Applying to B-schools with holistic selection criteria that consider academic performance, work experience, and extracurriculars.
Networking with alumni and faculty to understand the admission process better.
Missing the CAT 2024 cutoff is not the end of your MBA journey. Many reputed business schools in India accept low CAT scores for the 2025 session, and alternative exams can help you secure admission.
Yes, many reputed B-schools accept low CAT scores or provide admission through other exams like XAT, MAT, CMAT, and GMAT.
Some options include BIMTECH, Welingkar, IFIM Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad, and ITM Navi Mumbai.
Consider appearing for XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, or GMAT for better admission chances.
Yes, private universities like Amity, LPU, Alliance University, and UPES offer direct MBA admissions based on academic merit and interviews.
Many private B-schools accept CAT scores between 50-70 percentile, along with alternative entrance exams.
Apply to colleges accepting low CAT scores, attempt other entrance exams, and focus on a strong profile and interview performance.
If your CAT score is too low, consider retaking CAT next year. However, if your score is decent but below IIM cutoffs, apply to B-schools accepting lower scores.
Hi aspirant,
The CUSAT CAT 2025 admit card has been released.
The admit card will be accessible for download on the official website, admissions.cusat.ac.in. Candidates can obtain their admit card by logging into their candidate portal and entering their User ID and password. The admit card will provide vital information including the exam date, time, and location.
You can also refer to this link for more information on the same.
All the best!
Hi aspirant,
As of the CAT 2024 exam for the MBA class of 2025-2027 at IIM Mumbai, the NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes) category requires an overall percentile of 75.
It is essential to understand that these are the minimal qualifying percentiles required to go to the next level, the Personal Interview (PI). The actual cutoffs for receiving a PI call may be much higher, depending on the number of candidates, their profiles, and IIM Mumbai's special admission requirements for the year.
A higher score will considerably improve your chances of being shortlisted for the PI process.
CAT Cut off for IIM for OBC Category
You can also refer to the link given above for more information.
All the best!
All the best!
The CAT is a great option after graduation if you're interested in pursuing an MBA and building a career in management. It can open doors to top business schools like IIMs and lead to lucrative corporate roles. However, if you're not interested in management, there are other career options like higher studies, certifications, or entrepreneurship. Consider your career goals, interests, and investment before deciding.
Hello,
Yes, CAT is a better option if you want to pursue an MBA from top institutes like the IIMs and other reputed B-Schools in India. It is highly recognized and opens many career opportunities in management. However, if you want other options, exams like XAT, SNAP, or GMAT are also good.
Hii,
Here's the best MBA colleges in Bangalore (without CAT)
SIBM Bangalore (Symbiosis Institute of Business Management)
Accepted Exam: SNAP
Average Package: 10–11 LPA
Highest Package: 20+ LPA
NMIMS Bangalore (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies)
Accepted Exam: NMAT
Average Package: 9–10 LPA
Highest Package: 19 LPA
JAGSoM (Jagdish Sheth School of Management, formerly IFIM)
Accepted Exams: GMAT, GRE, MAT, XAT, CMAT
Average Package: 10.5 LPA
Highest Package: 22 LPA
XIME Bangalore (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship)
Accepted Exams: XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA
Average Package: 7 LPA
Highest Package: 16 LPA
Christ University, Bangalore
Accepted Exams: CUET (Christ Entrance), MAT, XAT, CMAT
Average Package: 6–7 LPA
Highest Package: 13 LPA
Indus Business Academy (IBA), Bangalore
Accepted Exams: MAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA
Average Package: 6.9 LPA
Highest Package: 14 LPA
ISME (International School of Management Excellence)
Accepted Exams: MAT, CMAT, XAT
Average Package: 6 LPA
Highest Package: 13 LPA
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
MBA @ DES Pune University | Top Ranked B-School | 100% Placement Assistance | Last date to apply: 9th May’25
Amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings)
Ranked #41 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement | Last Date Extended to 30th April. Apply Now!
Recruiters: Godrej, TCS, Amul, Kotak etc | Strong alumni network
NAAC A++ Accredited | NIRF 2024 ranked 42nd among Indian universities| 150+ Multidisciplinary Programs | Centre for Career Enhancement
MBA @ P P Savani University | NAAC A+ Grade | 100% Placement Assistance | Apply Now