IIM Kozhikode has released the CAT 2025 Results on 24 December 2025. Scorecards are available for download on the official site – iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can now download their scorecards by using their User ID and Password.

Direct Link to Download CAT 2025 Result - (Out)

Once you get your scorecard, analyse your score against the minimum qualifying percentiles and previous years' cutoffs of colleges.

Shortlist your target colleges realistically based on your scores. Sectional scores of 80th-90th percentile are usually required for top IIMs, and 95+ overall‌ to be eligible for a call.

  • Start preparing for your WAT, GD, and PI. The shortlisting process may start from January 2026.
  • Keep your 10th/12th/graduation marks cards, work experience certificate, ID proof, and other required documents ready for the document verification process.
  • If your CAT scores are not up to the mark, you can retake the exam next year while building your profile, or you can take the upcoming sessions of entrance exams such as XAT, SNAP, MAT, or CMAT.
Predict Your College Based on CAT Score 2025

In this article, we will break down what the next steps are to follow after you get your CAT results 2025.

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What After the CAT Result

Key Summary

  • Top IIMs typically require 95+ overall percentile and 80-90 sectional scores. Newer IIMs might have a lower cutoff percentile.
  • CAT scores, academic performance, and work experience are considered for shortlisting in most colleges.
  • IIM may start the shortlisting process within 1–4 weeks after CAT results, WAT, PI, and GD are mostly included in the selection process.
  • Top B-schools such as FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IIFT, and many other colleges are the better options for low CAT scores.
  • You can retake the CAT, appear for XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT, or focus on your profile building through work experience if your CAT scores are not good.

Understanding Your CAT Results

What matters most after CAT results:

  • Overall percentiles (for overall shortlisting)
  • Sectional percentile (many IIMs have minimum sectional cutoffs)
  • Your profile (academics, work experience, diversity, etc.) This is used for shortlisting by many institutes.
Item in Scorecard Why does it matter?
Overall percentile Primary filter for many calls
VARC percentile Some IIMs have sectional minimums
DILR percentile Sectional minimums + PI shortlist
QA percentile Sectional minimums + PI shortlist
Overall scaled score Score + percentile used in shortlisting

Also Read: CAT 2025 Scorecard explained

IIM Shortlisting and Selection Process

The IIMs start their shortlisting process right after the CAT results.

  • CAT results are the main deciding factor for shortlisting for IIMs. Usually, 99+ percentile for top IIMs; newer IIMs might have lesser percentile requirements like 95+ percentile.
  • Based on your CAT scores, academic profile, and work experience, you will be called for the selection process by IIMs and other colleges.
  • Written ability test, group discussion, and personal interview will be conducted as a selection process by IIMs. It usually starts in January or February.
Selection Components Purpose
CAT 2025 Results Entry requirement
Written Ability Test Assess writing skills and coherence
Group Discussion Evaluates teamwork and communication
Personal Interview Tests personality knowledge
Academic Record Overall profile evaluation

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Ques. How long after CAT results should I wait if I’m expecting a shortlisting call from IIMs?

Ans. Shortlists usually come out within 1-3 weeks after the CAT results for older IIMs. Newer IIMs might take a month before releasing the shortlisting list. Check IIM's website for the updated list. If you didn’t hear back from them, it might mean you didn’t clear the cutoff.

Also Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting 80 percentile in CAT 2025

CAT College Predictor

Opportunities in Non-IIM B-Schools

If your results are good but not enough to get into the top IIMs, non-IIM B-schools are a great choice for you. These schools accept CAT scores and offer great placements.

  • Colleges like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon are the top choices. These colleges shortlist based on CAT scores with slightly lower cutoffs. Many colleges conduct their own GD and PI rounds.
  • Applying to the non-IIM colleges gives you a lot of options while considering admissions.
College Name Expected Overall cutoff percentile Key Features
FMS Delhi 98+ Low fees, excellent ROI
SPJIMR 98+ (profile-based) Strong industry ties
MDI Gurgoan 95+ Good placements
IIFT Delhi 93+ Focus on international business
IIT Delhi 95+ Tech-oriented MBA
Great Lakes Chennai 90 One-year programs available

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Ques. Which non-IIM colleges are best through CAT?

Ans. FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, and IIFT Delhi are the best colleges through CAT.

Preparing for Next Rounds

Preparation for the next round is the next important thing after the CAT results. Start building skills for WAT, GD, and PI right away.

Focus areas:

  • Personal Interview: Your story, academics, work goals, and why MBA.
  • Current affairs + business basics: daily 30-45 minutes.
  • Written tasks: short, structured answers, clarity, and examples.
Day Range What to prepare Output you should practice
Day 1-3 Self-introduction + resume walk-through 2-minute pitch + resume notes
Day 4-6 Academics + work projects 5 key subjects + 3 projects
Day 7-9 MBA “why” + short/long-term goals Written goal statement
Day 10-12 Current affairs + opinion practice 6 issue briefs ( 1 page each)
Day 13- 14 Mock PI + feedback 2 mocks + improvement list

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Ques. How to prepare for PI?

Ans. Build expertise in one area, like a hobby or a subject. Talk about it in PI. Start now, not last minute. Read widely and practice mocks. Interviewers value the depth of your answers.

What If Your CAT Results are Not Up to the Mark?

There are alternatives if your CAT exam didn’t go as planned.

  • Retake the CAT next year with better preparation.
  • Take other exams like XAT, SNAP, or NMAT for upcoming sessions next year.
  • Gain work experience to strengthen your profile for your future attempts.
  • Online MBA or executive programs are also excellent options for you.
Exam Name Conducting Body Colleges Accepting Test Focus
XAT XLRI XLRI, XIMB Similar to CAT with unique sections like decision making and GK
SNAP Symbiosis SIBM, SCMHRD Easier quant, focus on logic
NMAT GMAC NMIMS Adaptive test, multiple attempts
CMAT NTA JBIMS, GIM Broad management test
MAT AIMA Over 600 colleges Frequent test, basic level

Ques. My CAT score is below 20, but I can’t take a drop. What should I do?

Ans. Now, most of the MBA exams are over, and registrations are now closed. You can take other exams, such as MAT, NMAT, SNAP, after the commencement of the next session. Or you can build your profile by gaining work experience. You can also choose online MBAs.

Documents and Backups After CAT Results

Don’t miss the basics. Keep your Scorecard and documents for the next process, which also includes document verification.

CAT results are valid up to December 31, 2026. You can use your CAT results for this academic cycle.

Keep this document ready:

  • CAT 2025 Scorecard
  • 10th/12th Marks card
  • Graduation Marks Sheet
  • Work experience-related documents(if you have experience)
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)
  • Photo ID and passport-size photo
Documents Needed For
CAT Scorecard PDF All Applications
ID Proof Interview + forms
Academic marksheet Shortlisting + verification
Work experience proof Weightage + verification
Category documents (if any) Reservation benefits

CAT results are just the start; the shortlisting and admission process will start from January. Apply to many colleges using the CAT 2025 scorecard, and prepare for your next rounds of interviews. Stay updated on the next steps by visiting the official website of IIMs and specific colleges.