On November 30, 2025, over 2.6 lakh candidates took the CAT exam. Test-takers are eager to understand their performance from the response sheets. If you've achieved approximately 75 marks in CAT percentile, then knowing your percentile conversion is essential for strategising your MBA admission journey.
- 75 marks in CAT percentile generally converts to a 97-98 percentile, subject to slot difficulty variations and normalisation adjustments.
- Post-scaling procedures, this raw score typically elevates to roughly 79-82 marks.
- This percentile bracket makes candidates eligible for premier IIMs, including several Baby IIMs, and top-tier business schools nationwide.
- General category applicants have realistic opportunities at Baby IIMs and new IIMs, while reserved-category students may receive interview calls from older IIMs as well.
Achieving 75 marks positions you within the top 3% of all CAT aspirants. This performance level opens doors to quality management education at India's most respected institutions.
Also Read: Understand CAT 2025 results better: check official scorecard and expected IIM cutoffs here
CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile Projection (Overall)
Drawing from multiple coaching institute forecasts and historical data patterns, here's the anticipated score-to-percentile conversion for CAT 2025:
| Raw Score Range | 2025 Projected Percentile |
|---|---|
| 120+ | 99.9+ |
| 100-110 | 99.5-99.9 |
| 90-95 | 99-99.5 |
| 80-85 | 98-99 |
| 70-77 | 97-98 |
| 60-68 | 95-97 |
| 50-58 | 92-95 |
| 40-48 | 85-90 |
| 30-38 | 70-76 |
| 25-30 | 65-70 |
Note: The official CAT 2025 results are expected to be released on December 20, 2025. These projections are only temporary guidance for planning your application.
Also Read: CAT marks vs percentile trends from 2025 to 2022
Ques: What percentile can I expect with 75 marks in CAT 2025?
Ans: With 75 marks in CAT 2025, you can expect a percentile between 97-98. This places you in the top 3% of all test-takers nationwide.
Ques: When will official CAT 2025 results be declared?
Ans: Official CAT 2025 results are expected on December 20, 2025. Until then, these percentile projections serve as temporary guidance for planning your MBA applications strategically.
Historical Trends: CAT Score vs Percentile for 75 Marks
Analyzing past year data reveals interesting patterns:
- Changes in the number of candidates and the difficulty of the test lead to differences in the percentile position for the same raw score.
- For CAT 2025, the coaching experts are expecting that 75 marks in CAT percentile will probably correspond to a 97-98 percentile range. This is in line with the 2024 trend, considering that the exam was of moderate-to-challenging difficulty.
| Year | Total Applicants | 75 Marks Raw Score | Achieved Percentile | Scaled Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2024 | 2.93 lakh | 75 | 97-98 | 79-82 |
| CAT 2023 | 2.88 lakh | 75 | 98 | 79-81 |
| CAT 2022 | 2.33 lakh | 75 | 98.5-99 | 78-81 |
| CAT 2021 | 2.30 lakh | 75 | 98.5-99 | 79-82 |
Also Read: Step-by-step guide on how CAT scores are calculated
Ques: Has the percentile for 75 marks remained consistent over the years?
Ans: The percentile for 75 marks has ranged from 97-99 across CAT 2021-2024. For 2025, experts predict a 97-98 percentile, considering moderate-to-challenging difficulty levels.
Ques: What is the scaled score for 75 raw marks?
Ans: A raw score of 75 marks typically converts to a scaled score of 79-82 after normalisation. This accounts for slot difficulty variations and ensures fairness.
Slot-by-Slot Analysis: How 75 Marks Translates Across CAT 2025 Sessions
The identical raw score of 75 marks in CAT percentile can produce varying percentiles depending on your examination slot due to difficulty differences. Grasping this variation helps establish practical expectations.
Session 1 will be conducted from Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM:
- Overall Difficulty Level will vary from being Moderate to being Challenging.
- 75 Marks Projected Percentile will vary from 97 to 98.
- Strongest Section for 75 Marks: QA (calculation-friendly arithmetic problems)
- Most Challenging Section: VARC (moderate complexity with deceptive answer choices)
Session 2 will be conducted from Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
- Overall Difficulty Level will be Moderate.
- 75 Marks Projected Percentile will be 96.5 to 97.5.
- Straightforward reading comprehension and simple para-jumbles will have a section for 75 marks.
- Logic-intensive sets will be the most challenging section.
Session 3 will be conducted from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM:
- Overall Difficulty Level will vary from being Moderate to being Challenging.
- 75 Marks Projected Percentile will be 97.5 to 98.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning will be the most manageable across sessions, with 2-3 solvable sets.
- The most challenging Section will be algebra.
Also Check: Find out what counts as a good CAT score for top B-Schools.
Session-Wise Sectional Performance Breakdown for 75 Marks
| Section | Session 1 Percentile | Session 2 Percentile | Session 3 Percentile | Optimal Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (75 marks) | 97-98 | 96.5-97.5 | 97.5-98 | Session 3 |
| VARC (75 marks) | 99.2-99.4 | 99.5-99.6 | 99.1-99.3 | Session 2 |
| DILR (75 marks) | 99.3-99.5 | 99.6-99.7 | 99-99.2 | Session 2 |
| QA (75 marks) | 99.1-99.3 | 99-99.2 | 99.3-99.5 | Session 3 |
Note: Projected percentiles derived from coaching institute slot difficulty assessments and normalisation frameworks
Key Insight: Candidates who appeared in Session 2 and achieved 75 marks in DILR, or Session 3 participants scoring 75 marks in QA, will experience substantially elevated sectional percentiles due to respective section difficulty. The normalisation mechanism ensures equitable treatment across sessions through upward scaling for tougher slots.
Ques: Which CAT 2025 session gives the best percentile for 75 marks?
Ans: Session 3 (4:30-6:30 PM) offers the highest percentile of 97.5-98 for 75 marks, followed by Session 1 (97-98) and Session 2 (96.5-97.5).
Ques. How does slot difficulty affect my percentile with 75 marks?
Ans: Normalisation adjusts for slot difficulty. Tougher slots receive upward scaling, ensuring candidates aren't disadvantaged. Session-wise percentile differences can vary by 0.5-1.5 points for identical scores.
Premium B-Schools Accepting 75 Marks in CAT Percentile
Achieving 75 marks in CAT 2025 positions you competitively for admission to India's finest management institutions, including multiple IIMs and top-ranked private business schools.
- Approximately 50+ premier institutions accept the 97-98 percentile range.
- Reserved category candidates benefit from quota provisions and scholarship opportunities.
- The 97–98 percentile is accepted for shortlisting at IIM Shillong, IIM Ranchi, IIM Raipur, IIM Trichy, and IIM Udaipur.
- Candidates starting at the 97th percentile are taken into consideration by MDI Gurgaon, NITIE Mumbai, SIBM Pune, and IMT Ghaziabad.
- Great Lakes Chennai, TAPMI Manipal, MICA Ahmedabad shortlist begins around the 97-98 percentile.
- IIFT Delhi, FMS Delhi, and XLRI Jamshedpur HRM program accept candidates in this percentile bracket.
Also Read:
Baby IIMs Accepting 97-98 Percentile in CAT 2025
| Institute Name | CAT Cutoff (2025 Expected) | Type | Categories Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Shillong | 97-98th | IIM | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD |
| IIM Ranchi | 97-98th | IIM | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD |
| IIM Raipur | 97-98th | IIM | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD |
| IIM Trichy | 97-98th | IIM | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD |
| IIM Udaipur | 97-98th | IIM | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD |
| IIM Kashipur | 97-98th | IIM | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD |
Also Read: How academics and work experience are weighted in CAT 2025 admissions.
Top Private B-Schools Accepting 97-98 Percentile in CAT 2025
| Institute Name | CAT Cutoff (2025 Expected) | Type | Categories Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDI Gurgaon (PGPM) | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST, PwD |
| NITIE Mumbai (PGDIM) | 97-98th | Government | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| SIBM Pune | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 97th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC |
| TAPMI Manipal | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| BIM Trichy | 98th | Government | General, OBC, SC, ST |
Check:
- The most important WAT topics for IIMs you must prepare
- Key PI tips and commonly asked interview questions in IIMs
State-Level Premier MBA Institutions Accepting 97-98 Percentile
| Institute Name | CAT Cutoff (2025 Expected) | Type | Categories Accepted |
| FMS Delhi | 98-99th | University | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS |
| IIFT Delhi | 97-98th | Government | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS |
| XLRI Jamshedpur (HRM) | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| SPJIMR Mumbai (GM) | 98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| IMI Delhi | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| FORE School Delhi | 97th | Private | General, OBC |
| K J Somaiya Mumbai | 97-98th | Private | General, OBC, SC, ST |
Also Read: Total seats available across all IIMs and top MBA colleges.
Action Plan for 75-Mark Achievers: Next Steps
For candidates scoring around 75 marks in CAT 2025, below is a planned journey. Strategically, the immediate sections are:
- Download your response sheet from the official portal iimcat.ac.in
- Calculate the exact raw score with the help of the official marking scheme (+3 correct, -1 incorrect MCQs, no penalty for TITA).
- Take percentiles from Career Launcher, IMS Learning, TIME Institute, or Cracku percentile calculators.
- Create a list of 20-30 target colleges with a percentile range of 97-98.
- Start the research of admission criteria and weightages for each institution on your list.
Profile Enhancement Strategies: You can further enhance your profile by the following means, even if your profile is at the 97-98 percentile:-
- Outstanding Written Ability Test (WAT) showing a clear and well-organised response.
- Thorough Personal Interview (PI) practice concentrating on current affairs, personal experiences, and academic concepts.
- Giving more emphasis on significant and detailed work experience, especially with achievements that can be quantified.
- Continuing to have good academic records (percentages in the 10th, 12th, and graduation).
- Highlighting the leadership roles, participation in extracurricular activities, and the unique achievements you possess.
Category-Specific Opportunities:
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: Reasonable chances at senior IIMs (IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode) along with the benefits of relaxations.
- OBC-NCL/EWS candidates: Good position at Baby IIMs and level of FMS, IIFT, with category relaxation taken into account.
- Women candidates will get extra diversity points at such institutions as IIM Bangalore, IIMA, MDI Gurgaon
Alternative Pathways:
To maximize your MBA admission prospects:
- You may appear for different tests corresponding to different B-schools (XAT for XLRI, SNAP for SIBM/SCMHRD, NMAT for NMIMS) in order to have more options.
- Think about choosing a particular sector if your background can be helpful in that sector.
- Get ready for the G.D.-P.I.-W.A.T. rounds with full vigour because the final selection depends heavily on these rounds.
- Try to know and interact with students and alumni of the colleges you want to get into.
- If you need to, make sure that your recommendation letters are of good quality.
Also Read: Know which IIMs do not consider work experience in shortlisting.
Achieving 75 marks in CAT percentile 2025 makes you a potential candidate for the best management programs in India. This level of performance opens up real possibilities at Baby IIMs, new IIMs, top private business schools, and sectoral management institutions like NITIE and IIFT. Your turn to be successful in the final admission will be conditioned by a multitude of factors apart from CAT scores, like academic stability, work experience, participation in co-curricular activities, and your performance in the next selection rounds. Concentrate on having a balanced profile that shows not only your academic strength but also your leadership potential.
Que: How should I calculate my exact CAT score?
Ans: Download your response sheet from iimcat.ac.in. Apply the marking scheme: +3 for correct MCQs, -1 for incorrect MCQs, no penalty for TITA questions. Use percentile calculators.
Ques: How many colleges should I apply to with a 97-98 percentile?
Ans: Create a list of 20-30 target institutions in the 97-98 percentile range. Include Baby IIMs, top private B-schools, and state-level institutes across different locations and specialisations.
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