CAT 2025 score vs percentile for each slots will be available here. How much to score for 99 percentile in CAT? Top institutes, including IIMs and other prestigious MBA colleges, generally require 95 to 99+ percentiles for MBA/ PGDM admission. As per the experts, those who scored 87 to 93 in CAT 2025 will scored 99+ percentile. The maximum score in CAT entrance exam is 204 as 68 questions are distributed across the three sections. CAT score and CAT percentile are equally important as both of them directly affect your chances of getting into IIMs and other top B-schools. The slot-wise CAT score vs percentile CAT 2025 is mentioned in the table below to help the candidates predict their CAT percentile 2025. CAT 2025 result will be announced tentatively in the third week of December 2025. Check this article further for complete details on CAT marks vs percentile 2025.
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IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT exam on November 30, 2025. Check out below the CAT 2025 score vs percentile slot-wise.
CAT 2025 Slot 1 | ||||
Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
99% | 39-40 | 31-32 | 30-31 | 90 |
95% | 31-32 | 24-25 | 23-24 | 66 |
90% | 25-26 | 19-21 | 17-18 | 56-57 |
85% | 22-23 | 16-18 | 14-15 | 45-46 |
80% | 20-21 | 13-14 | 12-13 | 40-41 |
70% | 16-17 | 11-12 | 10-11 | 35-36 |
CAT 2025 Slot 2 | ||||
Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
99% | 41-42 | 27-28 | 28-29 | 87 |
95% | 33-34 | 22-23 | 22-23 | 63 |
90% | 26-27 | 18-19 | 16-17 | 55-56 |
85% | 23-24 | 15-17 | 13-14 | 44-45 |
80% | 21-22 | 12-14 | 11-12 | 39-40 |
70% | 17-18 | 11-12 | 10-11 | 35-36 |
CAT 2025 Slot 3 | ||||
Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
99% | 42-43 | 28-29 | 30-32 | 93 |
95% | 34-35 | 23-24 | 24-25 | 68 |
90% | 27-28 | 19-20 | 17-18 | 58-60 |
85% | 24-25 | 16-17 | 14-15 | 46-48 |
80% | 22-23 | 13-14 | 12-13 | 42-44 |
70% | 18-19 | 12-13 | 11-12 | 37-38 |
Know the CAT Qualifying Marks
After the conclusion of the CAT entrance exam, on this page, here we will share the estimated CAT score vs percentile as per students' reactions and expert views. Check out below the slot-wise CAT 2025 marks vs percentile which is provided by IQuanta.
CAT Percentile | CAT Score |
99 | 91 |
95 | 67 |
90 | 55 |
CAT Percentile | CAT Score |
99 | 85 |
95 | 62 |
90 | 50 |
CAT Percentile | CAT Score |
99 | 88 |
95 | 65 |
90 | 53 |
Question- Can I get IIM with the 95 percentile? Answer- As mentioned above, the CAT cutoff for top IIMs usually ranges between 98 to 100 percentile for candidates belonging to the General category. Those who belong to a reserved category i.e. SC or ST can expect a call from IIMs with 95 percentile in CAT. Also, the CAT cutoffs for admission to top MBA colleges such as MDI, FMS, and SPJIMR among others range from 90 to 99 percentile. Question-What is 30 marks in CAT percentile? Answer- The 30 marks in the CAT exam are considered to be the 80 percentile based on the previous year trends. Question-What is 60 marks in CAT percentile? Answer- CAT aspirants who achieve 60 marks in the CAT exam can expect the CAT percentile range from 90 to 92. Question-What is 50 marks in CAT percentile? Answer- MBA aspirants who achieve 60 marks in the CAT exam can score the CAT percentile ranges from 85 to 87. |
| Percentile | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
| 99.9% | 120-124 | 118-123 | 118-123 |
| 99.5% | 106-110 | 103-108 | 103-108 |
| 99% | 95-98 | 92-95 | 92-95 |
| 98% | 71-74 | 69-72 | 68-71 |
| 95% | 59-61 | 57-59 | 55-57 |
| 90% | 46-47 | 47-49 | 45-47 |
| 85% | 41-42 | 42-44 | 39-42 |
| 80% | 36-37 | 39-40 | 36-38 |
Check out the comparative analysis of the CAT marks to percentile previous years. By checking this candidates can be aware of how much they need to secure a CAT scaled score to estimate their CAT percentile. CAT aspirants can also check the CAT marks vs percentile and previous years CAT score and percentile such as CAT score vs percentile 2023, CAT score vs percentile 2022, and CAT score vs percentile 2021 etc here.
Percentile | CAT Scaled Score (2024) | CAT Scaled Score (2023) | CAT Scaled Score (2022) |
100 marks in CAT percentile | 151 | 138.59 | 145.83 |
99.95 marks in CAT percentile | 140 | 106.95 | 115 |
99.90 marks in CAT percentile | 135 | 101.43 | 109.9 |
99.50 marks in CAT percentile | 125 | 84.29 | 92.87 |
99 marks in CAT percentile | 90 | 76.02 | 83.64 |
98 marks in CAT percentile | 69+ | 66.68 | 73.88 |
96.6 marks in CAT percentile | 67+ | 59.99 | 65.4 |
95.5 marks in CAT percentile | 66+ | 56.41 | 59.75 |
93 marks in CAT percentile | 57-62 | 52.35 | 53 |
90 marks in CAT percentile | 56-57 | 45.16 | 48.44 |
CAT 85 percentile marks | 45-46 | 42.29 | 41.32 |
80 marks in CAT percentile | 40-41 | 41.19 | 36.02 |
70 marks in CAT percentile | 35-36 | 38.94 | 28.5-29 |
Also Read: Best MBA Colleges in Delhi Without CAT
The CAT score vs percentile analysis is done based on these elements. Check below to know how the CAT cutoff score vs percentile is calculated.
CAT raw score is the score that the candidates get after implementing the CAT marking scheme. The CAT raw score can also be calculated by using the CAT response sheet and answer key.
To calculate the CAT score, candidates can follow the below-mentioned process: Also, you can use the CAT score calculator tool to calculate your CAT score.
Candidate | Questions Answered | Correct Answers | Wrong Answers | Marks for Correct Answers | Marks for Wrong Answers | CAT Score |
ABC | 66 | 40 | 26 | 40*3= 120 | 26*1= 26 | 120-26= 94 |
XYZ | 54 | 50 | 4 | 50*3= 150 | 4*1= 4 | 150-4= 146 |
Note that due to negative marking, wrong attempts lead to a deduction of marks from the total.
Also check: CAT Marking Scheme
What is CAT scaled score- CAT is a computer-based test that is conducted each year on a rotational basis by IIMs for providing admissions to the MBA and other managerial programmes at the IIMs in India and other B-schools. The CAT exam is held in three sessions, which means the normalisation process takes place. Scores after normalization are called scaled scores in CAT. The percentile of candidates is calculated based on the scaled CAT score.
To sum up, the scaled score in CAT is the sum total of the marks obtained by a candidate after the normalization in all three sections namely Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
What is CAT percentile?- A CAT percentile is a measure that indicates the percentage of candidates below a candidate in the merit list. For example, if a candidate secures a position at the 90 percentile refers that about 90 percent of candidates competing with that candidate in the test have scored less than him/her. In other words, the CAT percentile is a measure of categorizing candidates based on their performance.
Hence, test takers who secure 90 percentile or above in CAT refer to the top 10 percent of the candidates on the merit list. The percentile secured according to marks obtained is only an indication of the candidate’s position. However, this does not tell the exact marks scored on the test.
Also read: CAT Pass Percentage
The conversion of the CAT score to the percentile involves three stages. Firstly, the CAT raw score is calculated on the basis of candidates' performance. After that, the CAT raw score is normalized to get the candidate's scaled score, and then the scaled score determines the CAT percentile. The CAT scorecard does not show the raw score; it only mentions the CAT scaled score and percentile for each section, along with the overall CAT score.
Conversion of scaled score to CAT percentile- The CAT scaled score of the candidates will be determined to provide relative data as to how ahead a particular CAT aspirant is as compared to other test takers.
CAT scorecard mentioned percentile secured by the candidates. IIM computes CAT percentile scores based on the total number of candidates who appeared for the CAT exam and each candidates CAT scaled score. Here we have listed the formula for calculating the CAT exam percentile.
The CAT 2025 percentile will be calculated based on the scaled score of each section from which questions are asked as well as the overall scaled score. CAT result 2025 will indicate the sectional as well as the overall scaled score and the CAT percentile of candidates.
Now let us take an example and understand how is CAT percentile is calculated. Here the VARC section is just taken as an example with regard to the calculation of percentile.
Step 1: The first step is calculating the total number of candidates (N) who are likely to appear for the IIM Entrance Exam, in both sessions i.e. in the forenoon and afternoon session.
Step 2: Allot Rank (r) based on the scaled score obtained in the VARC section to all the candidates who appeared in the CAT. If two or more candidates score the same marks in the section, then assign identical ranks to the candidates.
Step 3: Calculate the percentile score (P) of a candidate with rank (r) in the VARC section as:

Step 4: Now, round off the calculated percentile score (P) of a candidate up to two decimal points only. For example, all percentile scores greater than or equal to 89.995 are rounded off to 90
Follow the same methodology for computing the overall CAT percentile scores and for percentile scores of other sections. Also you can use the CAT percentile calculator tool to calculate your CAT percentile.
Also See: At What Percentile Can I Get a Call from IIM? - A Complete Guide
| Section name | Number of questions | Time allotted (In minutes) | Marks (+3 for the correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer) |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 | 66 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 | 66 |
Out of 66 questions in CAT 2025, candidates should aim to attempt around 45 questions with 85-90% accuracy to get 100 percentile. For those who are aiming to get an MBA seat in IIMs or any other top B-schools, maintaining an accuracy rate of 90 percent is a must. For example, if a candidate attempts 12 questions from the CAT QA section, then answering at least 10 to 11 CAT questions is a must. Section-wise number of good attempts with an accuracy rate of 90 percent to secure 90 to 99+ percentile in CAT 2025 are as follows:
| Section-Wise Attempts For 99+ Percentile In CAT 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
CAT Percentile | VARC questions to attempt | DILR questions to attempt | QA questions to attempt | Overall questions to attempt |
100 | 15-16 | 11-12 | 15-16 | 42-45 |
99+ | 14-15 | 10-11 | 13-15 | 40-41 |
95-98.99 | 13-14 | 9-10 | 12-13 | 35-39 |
90-94.99 | 11-12 | 7-8 | 11-12 | 29-34 |
85+ | 9-10 | 6-7 | 9-11 | 24-28 |
Planning to study MBA abroad
Apart from above mentioned CAT percentile calculation method, candidates can calculate their CAT percentile by using a predictor tool. The accuracy of the CAT 2025 percentile predictor depends on the details provided by the CAT aspirant. While analyzing the CAT percentile, the tool considers the difficulty level of the CAT exam slot, expert analysis, and student feedback to predict the CAT 2025 percentile.
Candidates can use the CAT percentile predictor free tool introduced by Careers360 which is easy to use and one will get to know their MBA admission chances in IIMs or other top B-schools.
Use CAT percentile predictor tool by Careers360
Careers360's CAT score calculator is easy to use. Follow the provided steps:
With the help of the percentile predictor tool, students can know their CAT 2025 expected score vs percentile and CAT expected percentile.
Also Read: How Much CAT Score is Required for IIM
CAT composite scores of each candidate are calculated on the basis of the following parameters.
Here is the formula for calculating the CAT composite score.

For more details, check out IIM Admission Criteria
CAT score vs percentile 2023 evaluated the individual performance of the CAT exam takers also the performance of the candidates among all other test takers. As per the CAT score vs percentile 2023 analysis, the CAT score achieved above 56 is considered to be a CAT percentile of 95 and above. CAT score vs percentile is expected to change from previous years based on the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants and the reservation policy.
On the basis of the difficulty level of the CAT exam, the same was moderate to difficult. Here we have provided last year's CAT score vs percentile section-wise as per experts and students. Candidates can expect CAT score vs percentile will be on a similar line or a bit higher since this year CAT registrations increased as compared to last year.
| 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 |
The comparative analysis of CAT score vs percentile 2022 is quite different from 2024 and 2023. Candidates with a CAT score ranging from 48 to 144 made a CAT percentile of 95 to 100. From the year-wise CAT score vs percentile analysis, the required CAT raw score to achieve a CAT percentile above 95 increases year by year due to the higher level of competition and difficulty level of the CAT exam.
| Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall Score |
| 99.5 | 43 | 32 | 38 | 93 |
| 99 | 39 | 29 | 33 | 84 |
| 90 | 23 | 15 | 17 | 49 |
| 80 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 36 |
| 70 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 28 |
Check out the section-wise CAT score vs percentile 2021.
| Percentile | CAT VARC | CAT DILR | CAT QA | Overall Score |
| 99.5 | 49 | 37 | 40 | 107 |
| 99 | 45 | 34 | 34 | 97 |
| 90 | 28 | 20 | 18 | 60 |
| 80 | 22 | 15 | 12 | 45 |
Over 1000 MBA colleges in India are accepting the CAT percentile for MBA admission. Among the top CAT-accepting colleges are 21 IIMs and other top CAT MBA colleges in a non-IIM category, including MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, SJSoM IIT Mumbai, SPJIMR Mumbai, DoMS IIT Delhi and from this year IIFT has also announced to accept CAT score for the MBA (IB) admission.
| IIMs and Other top B-Schools in India | Range of CAT cut off percentile |
| IIM Bangalore | 94 to 97 |
| IIM Indore | 91 to 93 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 to 98 |
| IIM Calcutta | 97 to 98 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 93 to 95 |
| IIM Lucknow | 93 to 96 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 85 to 88 |
| IIM Jammu | 84 to 87 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 80 to 85 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 80 to 85 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 94 to 95 |
| FMS, New Delhi | 97 to 98 |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 95 to 97 |
| SPJIMR | 90 to 95 |
| IIT Bombay, Mumbai | 90 to 94 |
| IIT New Delhi | 90 to 93 |
| LBSIM New Delhi | 80 to 85 |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) Chennai | 80 to 85 |
Also Read: IIM Cut Off: Official IIM CAT Cut Off (GEM/OBC/SC/ST) for MBA/PGDM/PGPM
| List of MBA Colleges Accepting 80-90 Percentile in CAT | List of MBA Colleges Accepting 70-80 Percentile in CAT |
| List of MBA Colleges Accepting 60-70 Percentile in CAT |
Check out the key difference between CAT score vs percentile.
| Particulars | CAT Score | CAT Percentile |
| Nature | Absolute | Relative |
| Scale | Raw | Standard |
| Calculation | The cumulative score of the candidate obtained in all three sections | Percentage of candidates who secured less than you |
| Use | Use to determine the percentile of the candidate | Used for final call and in MBA admission process |
Category-wise CAT cutoff for IIMs
| CAT Cutoff for OBC Category | CAT Cutoff for General Category |
| CAT Cutoff for SC Category | CAT Cutoff for ST Category |
Candidates will be able to download their CAT scorecard in online mode tentatively in the third week of December 2025. Students can check the same by using the required CAT login credentials, such as CAT ID and Password. Prior to the declaration of the CAT result, IIM Calcutta has released the CAT final answer key and response sheet.
Know the CAT attempt limits
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The percentage of candidates below a candidate in the merit list is indicated through measure of the CAT percentile. The 40 marks in the CAT exam are taken as 70 percentile.
In order to secure 90 percentile in CAT entrance test, candidates will have to score 72-75 overall score.
As per the expected CAT 2024 score vs percentile, those who will be able to secure 98 percentile in CAT entrance test can easily able to score between 80 to 85 marks.
For IIMs, nothing less than 97-98 percentile is good but for other top MBA colleges 90-95 percentile is good. A majority of CAT test takers fall in the category of 80-90 percentile and 100s of B-schools accept candidates having CAT score in this range.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Here you can get study material for CAT :
https://bschool.careers360.com/download/ebooks/cat-quantitative-aptitude-questions-answers-pdf
Hope it helps !
Hello aspirant,
A timetable is essential if you are preparing for the CAT in addition to your college coursework. It will give you an idea of how long it will take you to finish your syllabus and then set aside the appropriate amount of time for revision and mock exams.
Hello Nikita,
To get into any of the top IIMs, such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, or Indore, a good percentile in CAT is required, although academics play a vital role too. Let's break it down below:
CAT Score: 98+ percentile is an excellent score and makes one
Hello!
Prep for CAT 2024: Application Pattern
Syllabus: Focus on those areas that fall under the syllabus; for instance, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
Books: Stick to standard books from renowned authors, say, Arun Sharma for Quant, Norman Lewis in vocabulary, and
I understand your situation, Aishwarya. Preparing for the CAT while balancing your final year of engineering can be challenging, especially without coaching. However, with dedication and the right approach, it's definitely possible to crack the exam.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Assess Your Strengths and