More than 2.93 lakh students took CAT 2025 on November 30, and now that the response sheets are out, everyone is checking their raw scores. If your score is around 50 marks, it’s important to know what percentile that may convert into so you can plan which MBA colleges to target.
- A raw score of 50 marks in CAT percentile typically corresponds to an 80-85 percentile, based on recent trends shared by leading coaching institutes such as IMS, TIME, Cracku, iQuanta, and Career Launcher.
- After CAT’s normalisation process, a 50-mark raw score generally scales to approximately 53–55 marks.
- With this percentile range, candidates become eligible for hundreds of MBA colleges across India, particularly tier-2 and tier-3 institutes that accept the 80th to 85th percentile range.
- For reserved categories, colleges offering category-specific relaxation may also consider applicants with this percentile band.
Scoring 50 marks in CAT percentile broadly places you among the top 15-20% of test-takers.
Also Read: Understand CAT 2025 results better: check official scorecard and expected IIM cutoffs here
Overall Expected CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile
According to past results analysis by different coaching institutes, it is estimated that the scoring to percentile correlation in CAT 2025 is as follows:
| Raw Score Range | Expected Percentile 2025 |
|---|---|
| 120+ | 99.9+ |
| 100–110 | 99.5–99.9 |
| 90–95 | 99–99.5 |
| 80–85 | 98–99 |
| 70–75 | 97–98 |
| 60–65 | 95–97 |
| 50–55 | 80–85 |
| 40–45 | 85–90 |
| 30–35 | 70–76 |
| 25–30 | 65–70 |
Note: It is anticipated that CAT 2025 will be available in the first week of January ’26. These estimates help students gauge their chances of admission until the official results are announced.
Also Read: CAT marks vs percentile trends from 2025 to 2022
Ques: What percentile can I expect with 50 marks in CAT 2025?
Ans: With 50 marks in CAT 2025, you can expect to score between 80-85 percentile. This percentile range opens admission opportunities to over 300 MBA colleges across India.
Ques: When will the CAT 2025 results be announced?
Ans: CAT 2025 results are anticipated to be released in the first week of January 2026. Until official results arrive, the coaching institute estimates help students assess their admission chances.
CAT Score vs Percentile Trends for 50 Marks
The table below indicates the change in the percentile of 50 marks over the years. The difference invariably relies on the level of difficulty in the tests, the intensity of competition and normalisation.
| Year | Total Candidates | 50 Marks Raw Score | Expected Percentile | Scaled Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2024 | 2.93 lakh | 50 | 80–85 | 53–55 |
| CAT 2023 | 2.88 lakh | 50 | 82–86 | 52–55 |
| CAT 2022 | 2.33 lakh | 50 | 83–87 | 50–54 |
| CAT 2021 | 2.30 lakh | 50 | 82–85 | 52–55 |
The trend clearly shows that 50 marks in CAT percentile typically places candidates in the 80–85 percentile, with minor fluctuations depending on exam toughness.
Also Read: Step-by-step guide on how CAT scores are calculated
Ques: Has the percentile for 50 marks remained consistent over the years?
Ans: Yes, 50 marks typically gives 80-85 percentile across CAT 2021-2024. Minor fluctuations occur due to exam difficulty, competition intensity, and normalisation processes applied each year.
Ques: What is the scaled score for 50 raw marks?
Ans: A raw score of 50 marks generally converts to a scaled score between 50-55, depending on the year and normalisation process applied by IIMs.
How 50 Marks Converts Across CAT 2025 Slots
The CAT is conducted through three slots having different amounts of difficulty. A 50 mark acquired provides varying percentile results in various slots.
Slot 1 timing: Morning 8:30 AM till Morning 10:30 AM
- Overall Difficulty of Slot 1 will vary from Moderate to Difficult.
- The expected percentile for 50 marks will be 82 to 85.
- Section Strength: QA had easier arithmetic
- Toughest Section: VARC due to tricky options
Slot 2 timing Afternoon 12:30 PM till Afternoon 2:30 PM
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate, Slightly Easier
- The expected percentile for 50 marks will be 80 to 83.
- Section Strength: VARC with direct RCs
- Toughest Section: DILR, heaviest logic sets
Slot 3 timing Evening: 4:30 PM till Evening 6:30 PM
- Overall Difficulty will vary from Moderate to Difficult
- The expected percentile for 50 marks will be 83 to 85.
- Section Strength: DILR, easiest across all slots.
- The toughest Section will be QA with many Algebra-based questions.
Also Check: Find out what counts as a good CAT score for top B-Schools.
Ques: Which CAT 2025 slot is best for scoring a higher percentile with 50 marks?
Ans: Slot 3 (4:30-6:30 PM) typically offers the best percentile of 83-85 for 50 marks, followed by Slot 1 (82-85) and Slot 2 (80-83).
Ques: Does the exam slot significantly affect my percentile?
Ans: Yes, different slots have varying difficulty levels. Slot-wise percentile differences can range 2-3 points for the same raw score due to normalisation across slots.
Performance Table Section for 50 Marks Slot-Wise
| Section | Slot 1 Percentile | Slot 2 Percentile | Slot 3 Percentile | Best Slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (50 marks) | 82–85 | 80–83 | 83–85 | Slot 3 |
| VARC (50 marks) | 93–95 | 95–97 | 92–94 | Slot 2 |
| DILR (50 marks) | 94–96 | 95–97 | 90–93 | Slot 2 |
| QA (50 marks) | 90–92 | 88–91 | 92–94 | Slot 3 |
List of Colleges that are Accepting 50 Marks in the CAT Percentile
The candidates can target a wide range of MBA colleges in India with an 80 to 85 percentile, which can be achieved by getting 50 marks.
More than 300 colleges, including reputable private universities and state-level management institutes, accept 80 to 85 percentile range.
Some colleges known to accept scores in this band include:
- PUMBA Pune
- LBSIM Delhi
- Great Lakes Chennai (1-year PGPM)
- XIME Bangalore
- Christ University
- VIT Vellore
- Alliance University
- BIM Trichy
- IBS Kolkata
- IIFM Bhopal
Also Read:
Ques: How many colleges accept 80-85 percentile in CAT?
Ans: Over 300 MBA colleges across India accept candidates in the 80-85 percentile range, including reputable private universities, state-level institutes, and specialised management schools.
Ques: Can I get admission to IIMs with 50 marks?
Ans: Older IIMs typically require 95+ percentile. However, newer IIMs and baby IIMs may consider lower percentiles for certain categories like SC/ST/PwD/EWS.
Maharashtra MBA Colleges Accepting 80–85 Percentile in CAT 2025
| Institute | CAT Cutoff (Expected) | Type | Categories Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL Dalmia, Mumbai | 85 | Private | Gen, OBC, SC, ST, PwD |
| SIES, Navi Mumbai | 80–82 | Private | Gen, OBC, SC |
| Chetana’s, Mumbai | 80–82 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| Balaji Institute, Pune | 82–83 | Private | General |
| PUMBA, Pune | 85 | University | Gen, OBC, SC, ST |
| MIT SOB, Pune | 80 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| Vishwakarma Institute, Pune | 80 | Private | Gen, OBC |
Also Read: How academics and work experience are weighted in CAT 2025 admissions.
Karnataka MBA Colleges Accepting 80–85 Percentile in CAT 2025
| Institute | Expected Cutoff | Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIMS Bangalore | 82 | Private | Gen, OBC, SC |
| Kristu Jayanti | 80 | Private | General |
| Indus Business Academy | 83 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| GIBS Business School | 80–82 | Private | General |
| Ramaiah Institute | 85 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| Alliance University | 80–82 | Private | General |
| PES University | 85 | University | General |
Check:
- The most important WAT topics for IIMs you must prepare
- Key PI tips and commonly asked interview questions in IIMs
Tamil Nadu MBA Colleges Accepting 80–85 Percentile in CAT 2025
| Institute | Expected Cutoff | Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRM Institute, Chennai | 80–82 | Private | General |
| VIT Business School | 85 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| Amrita School of Business | 85 | Private | General |
| PSGIM Coimbatore | 83–85 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| BIM Trichy | 85 | Government | All |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 85 | Private | Gen, OBC |
Also Read: Complete admission process for IIMs for the 2026 batch.
Delhi MBA Colleges Accepting 80–85 Percentile in CAT 2025
| Institute | Expected Cutoff | Type | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIIB Delhi | 82 | Private | General |
| JIMS Rohini | 85 | Private | Gen, OBC |
| Delhi School of Business | 80–82 | Private | General |
| Tecnia Institute | 80–82 | Private | Gen, SC |
| JIMS Kalkaji | 82–85 | Private | Gen, OBC |
Also Read: Know which IIMs do not consider work experience in shortlisting.
Uttar Pradesh MBA Colleges Accepting 80–85 Percentile in CAT 2025
| College Name | Expected Cutoff | Type | Categories Accepted |
| Jaipuria, Noida | 80–82 | Private | All |
| IMS Ghaziabad | 80–82 | Private | All |
| GL Bajaj | 80 | Private | General |
| IILM Lucknow | 80–82 | Private | All |
| Sharda University | 80 | Private | Gen, SC |
| Jaipuria School of Business | 80 | Private | Gen, SC |
Also Read: Total seats available across all IIMs and top MBA colleges.
Strategy for 50-Mark Scorers
- Download your response sheet from iimcat.ac.in
- Calculate your raw score using the standard marking scheme
- Using the College Predictor tool, shortlist 15-20 colleges in the 80-85 percentile range
Building Your Profile: Even with an 80-85 percentile, you can strengthen your candidacy through:
- Strong performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT)
- Excellent Personal Interview (PI) preparation
- Highlighting relevant work experience
- Showcasing a consistent academic record
- Demonstrating extracurricular achievements
Scoring 50 marks in CAT percentile in the CAT exam 2025 places you in an 80-85 percentile range, which is suitable for many strong MBA programs across India. Although it may not help to secure admission to older IIMs, it opens pathways to reputable private B-schools, university departments, and several well-ranked institutions.
Ques: How can I strengthen my profile with 80-85 percentile?
Ans: Focus on excellent WAT/PI preparation, highlight relevant work experience, maintain consistent academics, and showcase extracurricular achievements. Strong interview performance significantly improves admission chances.
Ques: Should I apply to multiple colleges with this percentile?
Ans: Absolutely. Shortlist 15-20 colleges in the 80-85 range using predictor tools. Apply strategically across locations and specialisations to maximise admission and scholarship opportunities.
Related News:
Comments