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What Is a Good CAT 2027 Score for IIMs?
A good CAT 2027 score depends on the IIM you are targeting, your category, and your overall profile. The score required for a particular percentile also changes every year based on the difficulty level of the CAT exam.
If you are targeting the top IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, you should aim for 99+ percentile. For other IIMs, a 95–99 percentile can also give you good options, depending on your category and profile.
As a preparation target, you can use the following score ranges:
| Target Percentile | Target Score |
|---|---|
| 99.9+ | 115–120+ |
| 99.5+ | 95–100+ |
| 99+ | 85–90+ |
| 98+ | 78–82+ |
| 97+ | 72–75+ |
| 95+ | 65–68+ |
| 90+ | 55–58+ |
These are only expected target scores for CAT 2027 and not official CAT cutoffs. The actual score required for each percentile will depend on the difficulty level of CAT 2027.
CAT Score vs Percentile 2027
The CAT score vs percentile 2027 will depend on the difficulty level of the examination, candidate performance and the normalization process across different CAT slots.
Based on Cracku's previous-year score-vs-percentile data, the following can be used as an indicative benchmark for CAT 2027:
| CAT Percentile | Expected CAT 2027 Score Range |
|---|---|
| 99.9+ | 115–130+ |
| 99.5 | 90–100+ |
| 99 | 85–90 |
| 98 | 75–85 |
| 97 | 68–85 |
| 95 | 60–68 |
| 93 | 56–60 |
| 90 | 50–66 |
| 85 | 40–50 |
| 80 | 35–40 |
| 75 | 30–35 |
| 70 | 27–30 |
Note: These are expected ranges for preparation purposes and are not official CAT 2027 score-vs-percentile figures.
CAT Score vs Percentile: Previous-Year Trends
Cracku's historical data demonstrates why the score required for a particular percentile changes every year.
| Percentile | CAT 2022 | CAT 2023 | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 | 109 | 101.43 | 127 | 111.48 |
| 99.5 | 92 | 84.29 | 103.97 | 93 |
| 99 | 84 | 76.15 | 95.13 | 84.8 |
| 97 | 72 | 61.45 | 78.9 | 70 |
| 95 | 62 | 54.86 | 70 | 62.3 |
| 90 | 49 | 44.36 | 58 | 51.5 |
The variation is particularly noticeable at higher percentiles. For example, the score corresponding to 99 percentile increased from 76.15 in CAT 2023 to 95.13 in CAT 2024, before coming down to around 84.8 in CAT 2025.
CAT 2027 Score Required for Top IIMs
The CAT 2027 score required for top IIMs will depend on more than just your overall score. IIMs consider CAT percentile along with factors such as academics, work experience, category, sectional performance and other IIM admission criteria.
If you are targeting the top IIMs, it is better to aim for a percentile well above the minimum qualifying cutoff.
A broad target for different IIMs can be:
| IIM | CAT 2027 Target Percentile |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.5+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 99+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 97–99+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97–99+ |
| IIM Indore | 97–99+ |
These are target percentiles and not guaranteed call cutoffs.
For example, simply clearing the minimum CAT percentile does not mean that you will receive an interview call. The actual shortlisting percentile can be much higher because of competition and the candidate's profile.
So, if you are serious about getting into a top IIM, it is better to prepare for 99+ percentile rather than aiming just to clear the cutoff.
CAT 2027 Target Score by Category
The CAT 2027 target score by category will be different because IIMs have different qualifying criteria for different categories.
However, candidates should not set their target based only on the minimum qualifying percentile. A higher percentile gives you more options during the admission process.
A broad target can be:
| Category | Suggested Target |
|---|---|
| General | 99+ percentile |
| EWS | 97–99+ percentile |
| NC-OBC | 95–99+ percentile |
| SC | 90–95+ percentile |
| ST | 80–90+ percentile |
| PwD | Depends on IIM and profile |
These are only general preparation targets. The actual percentile required can vary from one IIM to another.
Your category is only one part of the selection process. Academic performance, work experience, sectional percentile and other factors can also affect your chances.
How to Calculate Your CAT 2027 Target Score for IIMs?
The easiest way to set your CAT 2027 target score is to first decide the percentile you want and then work backwards to a score target.
Decide Your Target IIMs
Start by deciding which IIMs you want to target. If you are aiming for IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore or Calcutta, you will need a much higher target than if you are targeting a wider range of IIMs.
Decide Your Target Percentile
Set a realistic but ambitious percentile target.
For example:
- Top IIMs: 99+ percentile
- Other old IIMs: 97–99+ percentile
- Wider IIM options: 95+ percentile
Look at Previous-Year Data
Check the previous CAT score vs percentile data to understand approximately how many marks have been required for your target percentile.
Don't rely on just one year. As the table above shows, the score required for 99 percentile has changed significantly over the years.
Set a Mock-Test Target
Once you have a target score, use it while analysing your mocks.
For example, if you are targeting 99 percentile, don't wait until the actual CAT to reach your target score. Try to consistently score at that level in your mocks.
Work on Your Weak Sections
CAT has three sections VARC, DILR and QA. Your overall score is important, but you also need to clear the sectional requirements of the IIMs you are targeting.
Analyse every mock and check which section is pulling your score down.
Keep Some Margin
Don't target exactly the minimum expected score. Try to score a little higher in your mocks so that you have some margin if CAT 2027 turns out to be easier or more difficult than expected.
Can You Get an IIM With 90, 95 or 99 Percentile in CAT 2027?
Yes, you can get opportunities at IIMs at different percentile levels, but your chances will depend on your category, academic profile, work experience and the IIM you are targeting.
99 Percentile
At 99 percentile, you can be competitive for several IIMs. However, a 99 percentile does not guarantee a call from every top IIM. Some institutes may require a higher percentile depending on your profile and category.
95 Percentile
A 95 percentile can give you opportunities at several IIMs and other good MBA colleges. Your category and profile become particularly important at this percentile.
90 Percentile
At 90 percentile, you may still have IIM options, particularly depending on your category. However, General category candidates should keep a wider list of colleges and not depend only on the IIMs.
| CAT 2027 Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 99+ | Strong target for top IIMs |
| 97–99 | Competitive for several IIMs |
| 95–97 | Good range for several MBA colleges |
| 90–95 | Options depend more on category and profile |
| Below 90 | Consider a wider range of MBA colleges |
So, if your goal is a top IIM, don't prepare just to reach 90 or 95 percentile. Set a higher target and try to maximise your CAT score.
The CAT 2027 score vs percentile will only be known accurately after the exam. Until then, previous-year data can help you set a realistic target and track your preparation.
