CAT CUTOFF: Factors, CUTOFF for TOP IIMs, CUTOFF for Top MBA Colleges, CUTOFF for New IIMs, cut-offs in top MBA colleges, Calculation Process
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most standardized test that is conducted in India every year. This is an Entrance test that is conducted to get admission to the management programs offered by the top business schools pan India. Most of them are Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other renowned business schools in the country.
CAT cutoff is the minimum score or percentage that candidates must achieve to progress or to go through the next stage of the selection process for admissions to top business schools, which usually includes Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds are identified by objects such as numbers.
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Factors Determining CAT Cutoff
The CAT cutoff for various institutes is influenced by multiple factors. Understanding these factors helps aspirants gauge their chances and strategize their preparation accordingly. The cutoff percentile is not just about your individual score but also about the overall exam environment and competition.
- Difficulty level of the CAT exam: Harder exams usually lead to lower cutoffs and vice versa.
- Number of aspirants who cleared the exam: Higher the number of qualifiers, more the competition.
- Number of aspirants who appeared for the exam: The total pool influences the cutoff threshold.
- Number of seats in a particular institute: Limited seats push cutoffs higher.
- Previous years’ trends of CAT cutoff: Institutes often follow historical data to decide their cutoffs.
- All India ranking of the institute: Higher-ranked institutes generally have tougher cutoffs.
CAT Cutoff for Top IIMs
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are the most sought-after business schools in India. Their CAT cutoff percentiles vary based on their prestige, seat availability, and past trends. While some older IIMs have relatively lower cutoffs due to a larger seat matrix, others maintain very high cutoff percentiles reflecting intense competition.
For complete information about the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, visit our detailed CAT ExamDetails.
| IIM | CAT 2023 Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Mumbai | 90 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 92 |
| IIM Shillong | 90 |
CAT Cutoff for Top MBA Colleges (Non-IIMs)
Apart from IIMs, several reputed private and government MBA colleges accept CAT scores. Their cutoff percentiles vary significantly depending on their brand value and seat availability. These institutes provide excellent opportunities for candidates who score well but might miss out on top IIMs.
| Top MBA College | CAT Cutoff (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| FMS, Delhi | 98-99 |
| IIFT Delhi | 95-99 |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | 95-99 |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | 95-97 |
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 96 |
| MDI, Gurgaon | 97-99 |
| IMI, New Delhi | 90 |
| XIM, Bhubaneshwar | 91 |
| GIM Goa | 85 |
| K J Somaiya, Mumbai | 86 |
CAT Cutoff for New & Baby IIMs
The newer IIMs, often referred to as baby or new IIMs, have relatively lower cutoff percentiles compared to the older ones. However, the competition remains fierce, and most new IIMs set their cutoffs close to 85-92 percentile range to maintain quality standards. Some institutes also have a separate CAP round with slightly different cutoffs.
| New & Baby IIM | CAT 2023 Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| IIM Raipur | 92 |
| IIM Ranchi | 92 |
| IIM Kashipur | 92 |
| IIM Rohtak | 92 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 92 |
| IIM Udaipur | 92 |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 85 |
| IIM Amritsar | 85 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 85 (CAP round 92) |
| IIM Jammu | 80-85 (CAP round 92) |
| IIM Sirmaur | 80-85 (CAP round 92) |
| IIM Sambalpur | 80-85 (CAP round 92) |
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CAT cut-offs in top MBA colleges (Non-IIMs):
Apart from IIMs, groups of top business schools (non-IIM) in India, such as FMS, SPGMR, MDI, IMT, and IMI, will be accepting the CAT exam for the year 2024 for MBA/PGDM admissions.
Calculation Process of CAT Cutoff
The CAT cut-off and the calculation of percentile scores are revised every year by the IIMs to ensure fairness and precision. Here’s how the percentile rounding works:
- All the percentile scores that are greater than or equal to 99.995 are rounded off to 100%.
- All percentile scores that are greater than or equal to 99.985 but strictly less than 99.995 are rounded off to 99.99%.
- This rounding process continues similarly for lower percentile scores, ensuring a consistent and fair cutoff determination.
Important FAQs on CAT Cutoff
Check below some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT Cutoff:
What is the expected CAT cut-off for top IIMs in 2024?
Is there a sectional cut-off in CAT for admissions?
How is the CAT cut-off calculated?
What is the CAT cut-off for new IIMs and other top B-schools?
Can I get admission to a good B-school with a CAT percentile below 90?
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