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CAT Percentile Required for Top 5 IIM Colleges: For MBA aspirants targeting the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), achieving a high CAT percentile is crucial. The top 5 IIMs Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Indore are known for their competitive selection process, where the CAT score plays a key role in shortlisting candidates for the next stages, including the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
While the official cut-offs may vary slightly each year, a percentile of 94 to 100 is generally considered a safe range for General category students aiming for these top-tier institutes. For 2025 admissions, understanding the expected CAT percentile cut-offs can help aspirants set realistic goals and prepare strategically.
CAT Percentile Required for Top 5 IIM Colleges
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to the top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which are among the most sought-after MBA colleges in India. Each year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a limited number of seats at the top IIM colleges, making CAT one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in the country. A key metric that candidates focus on is the CAT percentile, which reflects how well a candidate has performed relative to others.
Top IIMs CAT Score vs Percentile Comparison
For candidates aiming to secure admission into the top IIMs in 2025, it's crucial to understand how CAT percentiles are used in the shortlisting process. While each IIM sets its own criteria, the 2024 data gives a reliable benchmark. The table below outlines the overall and sectional CAT percentile cut-offs used by the top IIMs for shortlisting candidates for the next rounds, such as the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
Score | Expected Percentile |
127 | 99.9+ |
110 – 120 | 99.7 – 99.9 |
94 – 103 | 99 – 99.5 |
85 – 93 | 97 – 98 |
72 – 84 | 90 – 95 |
60 – 71 | 85 – 89 |
50 – 59 | 80 – 84 |
Also Read; IIM Shortlisting Criteria 2025: Composite Score, CAT Percentile
Minimum CAT Percentile Needed for Top IIMs in 2025
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the key entrance exam for admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Each IIM releases its CAT cutoff percentile every year, which serves as a minimum benchmark for candidates to qualify for the next stages of the selection process, such as the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). For the 2025 admissions cycle, the minimum CAT percentiles required to be shortlisted by the premier IIMs are generally high and vary slightly across institutes and categories.
Below is a summary of the expected minimum CAT percentile cutoffs for the General category at three of the top IIMs:
IIM Institute | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Competitive (Safe) Percentile |
IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 99.5+ |
IIM Bangalore | 85 | 99+ |
IIM Calcutta | 85 | ~99 |
IIM Lucknow | 90 | 97–99 |
IIM Indore | 90 | 97–98 |
IIM Kozhikode | 85 | 97–98 |
Can You Get Into Top IIMs with 95 or 98 Percentile?
If you score between 95 and 98th percentile in the CAT exam, you have a good chance of getting into some IIMs, but not the top ones. The top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta usually need a score above 99 percentile, especially for general category students. With 95 to 98th percentile, you might get calls from IIMs like Lucknow, Indore, or Kozhikode, but it also depends on your full profile, like your past marks, work experience, and other achievements.
Newer IIMs like Nagpur, Trichy, and Amritsar mostly take students in this range, so your chances are better there. But remember, the CAT score is only one part, your overall profile and how you do in the interview also matter a lot.
Also Read, CAT Answer Key 2025, Release Date OUT, Download Link
IIM Admission Criteria Based on CAT Percentile & Academic Profile
IIM | Overall CAT Percentile Cut-off | Sectional Cut-off |
IIM Ahmedabad | 95 (General) / 85 (SC/ST/PwD) | 85 (General) / 75 (SC/ST/PwD) |
IIM Bangalore | 90–95 (General) / 80–85 (SC/ST/PwD) | 80–85 (General) / 70–75 (SC/ST/PwD) |
IIM Calcutta | 90 (General) / 80 (SC/ST/PwD) | 80 (General) / 70 (SC/ST/PwD) |
IIM Lucknow | 90 (General) / 80 (SC/ST/PwD) | 80 (General) / 70 (SC/ST/PwD) |
IIM Kozhikode | 90 (General) / 80 (SC/ST/PwD) | 80 (General) / 70 (SC/ST/PwD) |
IIM Indore | 90 (General) / 80 (SC/ST/PwD) | 80 (General) / 70 (SC/ST/PwD) |
IIM Shillong | 85–90 (General) / 75–80 (SC/ST/PwD) | 75–80 (General) / 65–70 (SC/ST/PwD) |
Also Read, CAT Response Sheet 2025 Date OUT, Download Official PDF
CAT Percentile Required for Top 5 IIM Colleges: Conclusion
Getting into the top 5 IIMs, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Indore—takes more than just a high CAT percentile. While General category aspirants usually need 99+ percentile for IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, a 97–99 percentile can secure calls from IIM Lucknow and Indore. For reserved categories, the required cutoffs are lower, often between 70 and 85 percentile.
However, CAT scores are only part of the process. IIMs also look at sectional cutoffs, academics, work experience, diversity, and performance in WAT and PI. This means candidates should focus on both scoring high and strengthening their overall profile. With the right preparation and strategy, admission to a top IIM is well within reach.
