80 Marks in CAT Percentile: Expected Slot-wise Percentile and Accepting IIMs

The response sheet is now available for CAT 2025, which concluded on November 30, 2025. Now the students are calculating their scores based on the response sheet. If you scored 80 marks in CAT 2025, then you are one of the top 2-3% of total exam takers. Understanding the percentile based on your raw score is important for planning your admissions to your desired college.

• "In CAT 2024, the expected score for 99 percentile is around 95.13 marks... However, a range of 80-95 marks will give an expected 99 percentile; Slot-wise, 80 marks yields 98-99, opening doors to IIMs like Sambalpur and Visakhapatnam", said Cracku Expert.
• After scaling, the raw score of 80 is expected to increase to 81-83 in CAT 2025.
• 500+ colleges that accept a CAT score of 80, including some of the old IIMs and most of the new IIMs.
• Students from SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories have a strong chance of receiving shortlisting calls from old IIMs.

Also Read:

• Understand CAT 2025 results better: check the official scorecard and expected IIM cutoffs here.

Expected CAT 2025 Overall Score vs Percentile

Based on various coaching institute predictions and past year trends, here is the expected score vs percentile for CAT 2025.

Check out:

• Check CAT marks vs percentile trends from 2022 to 2025.

CAT Score vs Percentile Trends for 80 Marks

Based on historical trends and expert analysis from various coaching institutes such as Career Launcher, IMS, and Cracku, here is an approximate trend for the raw score of 80 over the years.

The percentile for the raw score of 80 has generally increased over the past few years. It indicates that exam difficulty has, on average, been higher, requiring less marks to achieve a high percentile.

Note: The CAT scorecard uses the scaled score, which is the actual basis for percentile calculation.

Also read:

• Step-by-step guide on how CAT scores are calculated.

A Reddit user’s prediction on the CAT 2025 score vs percentile, according to this user, a raw score of 80 may get a percentile of 97-98. While 85 marks will give around 99 percentile.

Ques. Why has the percentile increased for 80 marks over the years?

Slot-wise Impact: How 80 Marks Converts Across Slots in CAT 2025

Based on the CAT 2025 slot-wise analysis, the same score of 80 marks can get you a different percentile depending on which slot you appeared in.

If you appeared in slot 2 and scored 80 marks, it can yield a 97.5 -98 percentile, whereas if you appeared in slot 3, which was a difficult slot compared to slot 1, it can give you a 98.2 - 99 percentile. The normalisation process ensures that difficult slots receive upward scaling to maintain fairness.

Note: Expected percentiles are based on Collegedunia’s slot difficulty analysis and normalisation patterns.

Check Out:

• Find out what counts as a good CAT score for top B-Schools.

Top IIMs Accepting 80 Marks in CAT Percentile

At 80 marks in CAT 2025 (97 - 98 Percentile), you will likely qualify for shortlists from mid/old IIMs(Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode). New IIMs are more accessible.

Here is the list of top IIMs that accept 80 marks in CAT 2025.

Ques. Chance for IIM Lucknow with 80 marks?

Ques. Is there any slight chance of getting a call from IIM Bangalore with 80 marks?

Also Read:

• Check what the category-wise CAT cutoff 2025 is for top IIMs and Non-IIMs?

Non-IIM B-Schools Accepting 80 Marks in CAT 2025

80 marks in CAT 2025, which translates to a 97-98 percentile, opens doors to elite non-IIMs like FMS, SPJIMR, and MDI with strong placements.

Check out:

• Find out what the actual CAT 2025 cutoff for general category students in the top IIMs

What’s Next for the CAT 80 Marks Scorer?

80 marks in CAT places you in an elite group of test takers, often in the top 2-3%. This score doesn’t just open the doors; it gives you a comfortable chair in the top-most B-schools in India.

At this level, CAT scores serve as a shortlisting filter, but your admissions now entirely depend on the strength of your profile and performance in the selection rounds. Use this time to prepare for your next steps.

The Profile and Interview Preparation

Every top B-school, especially IIMs, uses CAT scores, 10th/12th/graduation marks, and work experience. You must prepare a compelling statement of purpose or equivalent answer that sets a compelling narrative.

• Articulate clear, short-term and long-term goals. Showing how specific a B-school’s program is‌ only the next logical step in your career.
• Highlight your achievements. Quantify your achievements; instead of just saying your experience, say how you helped your company achieve its goals.

Interview and WAT Preparation

• Be ready for questions on your undergraduate major. For engineers, expect questions on core subjects. For arts/commerce, be ready for current economic and political affairs.
• Prepare structured method answers for behavioural questions: “Tell me about a time you faced conflict”, “Your biggest weakness”, or “Why this B-school?”
• For WAT, practice structured writing. Write 2 - 3 essays a week on diverse topics within a 20-minute time limit. Focus on a clear introduction, logically separated body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.

Get ready for and appear in additional MBA exams

An 80 marks in CAT makes your chances in CAT-accepting colleges excellent; however, you should still target the few remaining exams to keep a buffer.

• XAT has a unique decision-making section and focuses on ethics. Treat XAT as a high-priority exam.
• If you haven’t applied, check the deadline of other exams like SNAP. A top score here can open the doors to colleges like SIBM Pune and NCMHRD, providing excellent safety nets.

Also read:

• How academics and work experience are weighted in CAT 2025 admissions.
• Find out which IIM does not consider work experience