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MBA Colleges With No Sectional Cut Offs: The CAT 2025 exam, conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode on November 30, 2025. This states an important examination for aspirants across India. The exam sets 3 types of sections: quantitative ability, verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. However, not all top MBA colleges require sectional cut-offs for admission.
Several reputed institutes shortlist candidates based on their overall CAT percentile. This method offers a flexible option for those who have received good marks in the overall subject but struggled in one section. These colleges provide an opportunity for well-rounded candidates to follow quality management education without being held back by sectional score requirements. This article will help you explore these MBA colleges without sectional cut-offs.
MBA Colleges Without any Sectional Cut Offs
In the CAT (Common Admission Test), a sectional cut-off refers to the minimum score required in each section
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Here is the table listing the MBA colleges and their overall CAT percentile requirements:
College Name | Overall CAT Percentile Requirement |
IIM Rohtak | 97+ |
FMS Delhi | 99+ |
DoMS IIT Madras | 96+ |
MHRM IIT Kharagpur | 96+ |
IMT Ghaziabad | 90+ |
IMI Delhi | 92+ |
TAPMI Manipal | 85+ |
GIM Goa | 85+ |
XIMB Bhubaneswar | 87–92+ |
DSE Delhi University | 95+ |
IRMA Anand | 88+ |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Without Sectional Cut Off
Many students miss top MBA colleges due to one weak CAT section, but several institutes accept overall CAT scores without sectional cut-offs. SPJIMR, MICA, TAPMI, IMT Ghaziabad, and KJ Somaiya consider your total percentile (85–95+), academics, and GD-PI. Even with one low section, you can still get into a good MBA colleges with strong placements.
| College | Average Package (LPA) |
|---|---|
| IIM Rohtak | 19.27 |
| FMS Delhi | 34.1 |
| DoMS IIT Madras | 16.93 |
| MHRM IIT Kharagpur | 22.75 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 17.2 |
| IMI Delhi | 16.71 |
| TAPMI Manipal | 13.84 |
| GIM Goa | 14.8 |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 18.25 |
| DSE Delhi University | 13.5 |
| IRMA Anand | 15.64 |
Also Read, CAT Answer Key 2025, Release Date OUT, Download Link
CAT Cut-off for IIMs and Top MBA Colleges
A "sectional cut-off" in the CAT exam refers to the minimum required score in each section (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude) to be considered for further admission stages, like the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Group Discussion-Personal Interview (PI).
However, it's important to know that most top B-schools, especially IIM colleges, don't officially announce sectional cutoffs. They mainly focus on an overall percentile score.
| Category | B-School Tier | Quantitative Aptitude Percentile | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Percentile | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Percentile |
| General | Top IIMs | 80-85+ | 80-85+ | 80-85+ |
| General | Tier 2 | 70-80+ | 70-80+ | 70-80+ |
| General | Tier 3 | 60-70+ | 60-70+ | 60-70+ |
| Reserved | Top IIMs | 75-85+ | 75-85+ | 75-85+ |
| Reserved | Tier 2 | 60-70+ | 60-70+ | 60-70+ |
| Reserved | Tier 3 | 50-60+ | 50-60+ | 50-60+ |
Colleges Accepting Other Exams Without Sectional Cut Off
Below is the table for colleges accepting other exams without a sectional cutoff.
College Name | Accepted Entrance Exams | Sectional Cut-Off Policy |
XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT, GMAT (for international candidates) | No strict sectional cut-offs; overall score focused |
SPJIMR Mumbai | CAT, XAT, GMAT | Flexible sectional cut-offs; holistic evaluation |
IMI Delhi | CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT | Emphasises overall percentile and profile |
TAPMI Manipal | CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, MAT | No fixed sectional cut-offs; overall performance |
Great Lakes Institute of Management | CAT, GMAT, GRE | Profile-based; sectional cut-offs generally not enforced |
KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT | Focus on overall percentile and profile |
LIBA Chennai | CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT | No strict sectional cut-offs; holistic profile |
Welingkar (WeSchool), Mumbai | CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT | No strict sectional cut-offs; holistic evaluation |
MBA Colleges With No Sectional Cut Offs: Conclusion
In conclusion, many top MBA colleges in India offer a great chance to students who have scored well overall in CAT but did not perform equally well in every section. Colleges like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIM Rohtak, IMT Ghaziabad, and TAPMI Manipal mainly look at your total CAT percentile, academic background, and interview performance instead of strict sectional cut-offs.
These institutes give deserving candidates the opportunity to pursue quality management education and achieve excellent career growth. Whether you appear for CAT, XAT, or GMAT, focusing on improving your overall score and profile can help you get into some of the best B-schools in India without worrying about individual section scores.
