For IIM admissions, your CAT score is very important. IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta usually shortlist applicants in the 99+ percentile for the General category, and IIM Lucknow and Kozhikode accept applicants in the 95-97 percentile.
The baby IIMs often call on students in the 90th-94th percentile, but with a slightly lower bar. Cutoffs for reserved categories in the CAT exam can be as low as the 70th-85th percentile.
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Key Summary
- For the top three IIMs, which are Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta, you must score 99+ percentile.
- For the General category, the mid-tier IIMs shortlist students if they get 95-97 percentile.
- New IIMs are more flexible, calling students with 90+ percentiles.
- Reserved category students can get shortlisted atthe 70-85 percentile, depending on the IIM.
What Is a Good CAT Score for IIM Selection?
- At the older IIMs, such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow, a score above the 95th percentile is usually regarded as competitive if you are a general category candidate.
- For highly ranked private B-schools and more recent IIMs, scores in the 90-95 percentile are competitive.
- The score acts as the first filter in the selection process, followed by WAT and PI.
| CAT Percentile | Approx. Score (Out of 300) | Likely Target IIMs / B-Schools |
|---|---|---|
| 99+ percentile | 245-300 | IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow |
| 95-98 percentile | 210-244 | IIM Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong, Rohtak |
| 90-94 percentile | 180-209 | Other newer IIMs, top private B-schools |
| Below 90 percentile | <180 | Limited chances at top IIMs, focus on mid-tier B-schools |
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CAT 2025 SyllabusCAT Cutoff for IIMs: Category-Wise Overview
The general category cutoffs for highly regarded IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta range from 99 to 99.5 percentile, the EWS from 94 to 95, and the OBC-NCL from 97 to 99.
PwD cutoffs are usually in the 85-90 percentile, whereas SC/ST cutoffs are usually in the 75-85 percentile.
At more recent IIMs, like Shillong and Indore, the general category cutoffs fall between 95 and 97 percentile.
Here’s a category-wise view of typical CAT cutoffs for top IIMs:
| IIM | General | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.5 | 95 | 99 | 85 | 80 | 90 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99 | 95 | 98 | 85 | 80 | 90 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 | 95 | 98 | 85 | 80 | 90 |
| IIM Lucknow | 98.5 | 94 | 97 | 80 | 75 | 88 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 98 | 93 | 96 | 78 | 75 | 85 |
| IIM Indore | 97 | 92 | 95 | 75 | 70 | 83 |
| IIM Shillong | 95 | 90 | 93 | 70 | 65 | 80 |
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CAT Cut-off 2025CAT Percentile Required for IIM Ahmedabad
You must receive at least the CAT percentile needed for IIM Ahmedabad to be shortlisted for the WAT/PI stage. The cutoff for the General category is typically in the 99th-99.5th percentile, making it one of the most difficult IIMs.
Here is a thorough analysis of IIM Ahmedabad's category-wise CAT percentiles:
| Category | Expected CAT Percentile |
|---|---|
| General (UR/EWS) | 99-99.5 |
| OBC-NCL | 97-99 |
| SC | 80-85 |
| ST | 75-80 |
| PwD | 85-90 |
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CAT 2025 Preparation OnlineCAT Percentile Required for IIM Bangalore
The minimum score required to be shortlisted for the WAT/PI stage is indicated by the CAT percentile required for IIM Bangalore. Given how competitive this IIM is, the cutoff for the General category usually falls between the 98.5 and 99.5 percentiles.
Here is a thorough analysis of IIM Bangalore's category-specific CAT percentiles:
| Category | Expected CAT Percentile |
| General (UR/EWS) | 98.5-99.5 |
| OBC-NCL | 96-98 |
| SC | 80-85 |
| ST | 75-80 |
| PwD | 85-90 |
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CAT College PredictorQuora Insights on How Important is the CAT Score in the Selection Process for a B-School like IIM?
Aspirants frequently discuss on Quora that the CAT score is the primary criterion for IIM admissions since it determines who is shortlisted for subsequent rounds. Users also point out that different IIMs place different values on CAT in comparison to coursework and work experience.
For instance, IIM Indore places more emphasis on Class 10 and 12 grades and only gives 20% weight to CAT scores, whereas IIM Kozhikode gives 75%.
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How Important is the CAT Score in the Selection Process for a B-School like IIM? FAQs:
FAQs
Ques. Which IIM accepts the lowest CAT score?
Ans. You should be aware that the more recent IIMs, such as IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur and IIM Kashipur, typically maintain lower CAT cut-offs than the older ones.
- Your CAT percentile of 92-94 might be enough to get a call from these more recent IIMs if your profile and academics are strong.
- For older IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, you should always aim for the 98+ percentile.
Ques. Is 70 a good score in CAT?
Ans. Your percentile will remain between 75 and 80 if you are getting a raw score of 70, and it is also insufficient for IIMs.
- Given that score, you ought to concentrate more on private MBA programs that accept this range, such as BIMTECH, Amity, or Lovely Professional University.
- If your CAT score is about 70, you should also think about taking the CMAT or MAT, since they give you more options.
Ques. Is it important to give a CAT exam for an MBA?
Ans. Since CAT is the primary gateway, you should give it to IIMs and prestigious B-schools like FMS, SPJIMR, or MDI.
- However, you should look into other tests like the XAT, NMAT, CMAT, or state-level entrances if your only objective is to pursue an MBA for professional advancement.
- Your MBA value comes from the college reputation, so CAT is important only if you are aiming high.
Ques. Is MBA without a CAT worth it?
Ans. You should think about your career goals first. If you want to target top corporates and packages, MBA without CAT may not give you the same opportunities.
- But you should not worry much if you plan for mid-level management roles, because exams like XAT, NMAT, or GMAT also lead to good colleges.
- If you want international exposure, you should even think about GMAT-based MBAs abroad.
Ques. Which university is best for MBA without CAT?
Ans. You should know that many top private institutes don’t need CAT.
- Some of the best are, for instance, Symbiosis (through SNAP), XLRI (through XAT) and NMIMS (through NMAT).
- Christ University, Amity University and Lovely Professional University accept direct admission or their own exams if you're interested in attending one of these universities.
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