The CAT 2025 score vs percentile analysis is important for MBA aspirants looking forward to joining the best B-schools in India such as IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, and others. The relevance of this analysis lies in the ability to determine how raw scores equate to percentiles, enabling students to assess their performance and plan for admission. The CAT exam is unique in that it is a standardized examination administered in multiple slots and across different levels of difficulty, and therefore subjected to normalisation.
Percentile scores represent a candidate's relative performance in relation to other test takers, not a candidate's absolute performance. For example, a raw score of about 95-100 could fall in the 99 percentile range because of the cutoffs being more competitive due to being taken by fewer candidates. The same applies to scores in the 70-80 range which may fall in the 90-95 percentile range under overall performance conditions. The CAT has a scoring pattern that consists of three sections, VARC, DILR, and QA, which are viewed as complimentary to the overall scoring and percentile.
This score vs percentile mapping helps to predict what the respective marginal cuts will be across the IIMs, and other institutes to be more productive in understanding boundaries for preparation. It can also serve them some clearer understanding in estimating admission chances before results are actually released. Kindly refer to the following to learn more about the CAT Score vs Percentile.
What is the Difference Between CAT Percentile and Score?
Refer to the following to know how CAT score is different from CAT percentile.
CAT Score:
The CAT score is the overall marks that a candidate earns through right and wrong answers in the exam. Every single right answer gets 3 marks and all wrong MCQ's lose 1 mark. Non MCQ's have no penalty. The total score can be out of 198, and based on how many questions attempted and correctness. It is simply total marks that shows the raw ability of competitors in the test.
CAT Percentile:
The CAT percentile measures the relative performance of a candidate based on all other candidates who took the test. It gives a candidate's ranking based on how many other candidates scored less than or equal to them. Percentiles are normalized based on how the test was different across slots for purposes of relative magnitude and, thus, are highly relevant for admission decisions. This is especially true for IIMs and all sturdy B-schools.
CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 (Expected)
Candidates can refer to the following to check out complete analysis of CAT 2025 score vs percentile.
Overall Percentile | Expected CAT Score (Out of 198) |
99.9 | 105 -110 |
99.5 | 95 -100 |
99 | 85 -90 |
98 | 80 -85 |
95 | 70 -75 |
90 | 60 -65 |
85 | 50 -55 |
80 | 45 -50 |
75 | 40 -45 |
70 | 35 -40 |
60 | 30 -35 |
50 | 25 -30 |
Note: Aspirants must note that this data is completely based on previous year trends and the official data for the same will be released by authorities soon.
How to Calculate CAT Percentile from CAT Score?
There are 3 stages to convert CAT Score into CAT Percentile. At first, the CAT 2024 Raw score is scaled to scores. After this, the scaled scores will determine students' CAT Percentile. But the CAT Score Card consists of the two main scores - CAT Scaled Score and CAT Percentile Score. The exact marks that you score in the CAT Exam are not visible in the CAT Score Card. Only the scaled CAT Score vs Percentile of overall as well as section wise will be mentioned in your CAT Score card. Below mentioned are the stages to convert Raw CAT Score into the CAT Percentile:
Raw Score in CAT Exam:
You can calculate it based on the CAT 2024 marking scheme and the level of accuracy with which you attempt the questions. You can also compare it to the answer keys made available by IIMs after the CAT exam.
Conversion of CAT Raw Score to CAT Scaled Score:
This calculation is done by the Indian Institutes of Management after normalization of CAT Raw Scores for all the CAT Exam Slots.
Conversion of CAT Scaled Score to CAT Percentile:
This calculation is done by IIMs too. It depends on the number of CAT Exam takers across all the CAT Exam Slots.
Also Read: Is CAT Exam Getting More Difficult Each Year? Get Last 5 Year CAT Analysis
IIM CAT Score Vs Percentile 2024
The following table contains IIM CAT score vs percentile analysis for 2024 academic year.
Percentile | Overall Score (Scaled) |
99.9 | 127 |
99.5 | 103.97 |
99 | 95.13 |
97 | 78.9 |
95 | 70 |
90 | 58 |
80 | 44 |
70 | 25.3 |
IIM CAT Expected Cutoff 2025
Students can check out the expected CAT 2025 cutoff provided in the table below.
Category / Institute | Expected Percentile Cutoff |
Old IIMs (A, B, C, L, K) | 98 - 100 |
New IIMs (e.g., Nagpur, Trichy) | 95 - 97 |
FMS Delhi (General) | ≥ 99 |
MDI Gurgaon | ≥ 95 |
IIT‑Delhi (MBA) | 90 - 92 |
SPJIMR Mumbai | ≥ 85 |
IMT Ghaziabad | 75 - 85 |
Top IIMs and B-Schools Accepting CAT 2025 Score
The following table contains a list of top colleges that accept CAT scores along with their expected cutoff criteria.
IIMs & other Top B-Schools | Expected CAT 2025 Cut Off Percentile |
95-98 | |
94-97 | |
97-98 | |
93-96 | |
91-93 | |
93-95 | |
97-98 | |
90-95 | |
95-97 | |
94-95 | |
90-92 | |
90-92 | |
90-93 | |
90-94 | |
Department of Management Studies (IIT Delhi) New Delhi | 90-93 |
→ In summary, while your score from the CAT is a representation of your raw performance, the percentile has a greater bearing on usable competitiveness for top B-schools. A high percentile indicates multiple opportunities for applying to the most prestigious IIMs, but also sufficiently improves your profile for the best private institutions and MBA programs abroad that recognize CAT. Since the percentile is affected by the overall landscape of performance, it is all about preparation, time management, and accuracy throughout. Instead of trying to obtain the highest score possible, candidates should consider a balanced performance in all sections. Knowing that each year will have stiff competition, knowing the score vs. percentile relationship can help candidates formulate realistic and focused potentiation for admission.
Recommended: CAT Exam Cutoff 2025 for IIMs and Top MBA Colleges with Sectional & Overall Trends
