CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025, Check Ideal Quant Score

CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025: The CAT 2025 examination held on November 30, 2025, has let the participants to check their performance in the Quantitative Ability (QA) section depending on the difficulty level of the slots. Knowing CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025 is vital for the purpose of predicting calls from the best IIM colleges and other B-schools, since the sectional scores are the main criterion determining shortlisting.

Unravel the secret to your CAT aspirations with this all-inclusive guide on CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025. Whether you are figuring out your scorecard or making future plans, study CAT Quant Sectional Score vs Percentile trends, How CAT Quant Percentile Is Calculated, Slot-Wise CAT Quant Difficulty Level and Its Impact on Percentile. With the help of a 2025 data analysis, this blog provides you with practical insights to rate your preparation.

CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025

CAT Quant Sectional Score vs Percentile 2025 varies by exam difficulty, with scaled scores determining final percentiles. For CAT 2025, expected mappings based on CAT Score Calculator, official scaling formula and estimates by experts are given in the table below:

Higher raw scores in easier slots boost percentiles more significantly.

Slot-wise Raw Score Vs Scaled Score

Based on the difficulty level across the three slots, we have prepared the raw scores vs scaled score with the help of some intelligent estimates. The scaling is almost accurate but you might see some differences in the actual result. So the expected data is given in the table below: 

How CAT Quant Percentile Is Calculated?

The calculation of CAT Quant percentile is a complicated process that involves several steps, starting with the raw scores from the 22 questions in the Quantitative Ability section, each scoring +3 for correct answers, -1 for wrong ones (unattempted questions carry no penalty).

The raw scores are then transformed into scaled scores through normalization which accounts for the different levels of difficulty in the different slots, and then percentiles are calculated using a rank-based formula that is applied separately to each section, the overall, and the top 1% candidates.

Normalization

Raw scores convert to scaled scores via the formula: Scaled Score = 50 + (Raw Score - Slot Mean) × (15 / Slot SD), where mean (M) and standard deviation (S) are calculated per slot and section. This equips scores across CAT 2025's three slots, ensuring fairness. For instance, a tougher Quant slot lowers the mean, boosting scaled scores for similar raw performance.​

Percentile Formula

Post-scaling, Quant percentile uses: Percentile = [(N - R) / N] × 100, where N is total candidates in that slot/section, and R is the candidate's rank (based on descending scaled scores). Results round to two decimals; separate calculations apply for VARC, DILR, overall, and top 1% pools.​

This method means no fixed raw score guarantees a percentile e.g., 30-33 scaled marks often yield 99%ile in Quant depending on slot norms. IIMs use these for sectional cutoffs, emphasizing balanced performance.

Slot-Wise CAT Quant Difficulty Level and Its Impact on Percentile

On November 30, the CAT 2025 Quant section exhibited an uneven level of difficulty in the three slots, thus giving a significant impact on the raw scores needed for the desired percentiles due to the CAT normalisation process. The easier slots required a lot more attempts to get the same percentile, whereas, in the tougher slots, a moderate performance would get a score boost.

CAT Slot 1 Difficulty Level

Slot 1 QA was moderate-difficult, dominated by arithmetic (tricky but doable) and easier algebra, with good attempts at 11-13 questions. This difficulty meant candidates needed ~13 raw marks for 90+ percentile.

CAT Slot 2 Difficulty Level

Slot 2 emerged as moderate for Quant, with tough geometry/algebra and arithmetic-heavy questions, good attempts 13-14. Percentile impact was significant, same raw score as Slot 1 yielded 3-5 points higher percentile post-normalization.​ 

CAT Slot 3 Difficulty Level

Slot 3 QA rated difficult overall, focusing on algebra/arithmetic with fewer geometry questions, good attempts 10-12. Evening slot's toughness lowered score thresholds; e.g., 22+ raw often hit 95 percentile here versus 25+ in easier slots.​

Normalization equalizes this, but slot awareness guides mock practice.

Ideal Quant Score for 90, 95 and 99 Percentile in CAT

Ideal Quant Score for 90, 95 and 99 Percentile in CAT 2025 varies by slot due to differing difficulty levels in QA, with normalization adjusting raw scores to scaled equivalents. Easier slots like Slot 1 require higher raw marks for the same percentile compared to tougher Slot 3. These estimates are based on CAT 2025 post-exam analyses from coaching institutes.​

Slot-Wise QA Raw Score Targets

Aim for 14-16 good attempts in QA across slots, prioritizing accuracy to hit these raw score ranges before scaling.

CAT Quant Cut-Offs for IIMs - Category-Wise Comparison

The CAT Quant Cut-Offs for IIMs entail that a minimum of sectional percentiles in QA should be achieved along with overall scores for the prospective students to be considered for the WAT/PI rounds of the respective institute and category, depending on CAT 2025 trends. The top IIMs, namely A, B, and C, ask for higher QA scores for the General category (80-90%ile), however, there are 10-20%ile relaxations for reserved categories. The newer IIMs, although less stringent, require a balanced sectional performance.

Top IIMs Sectional Cutoffs

The expected CAT cutoff for quants for top MBA colleges are given in the table below:

CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025: Conclusion

CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025 knowledge strengthens the aspirants' situation to interpret their CAT performance and plan IIM calls smartly. It is all about the understanding of the slot-wise variations where Slot 1 (moderate) takes 27 raw marks for 99%ile, Slot 2 (moderate) requires 29, while Slot 3 (tough) only 25, and appreciating the normalization process, these trends transform efforts into admission advantages.

The suggested targets are 17 for 90%ile, 22 for 95%ile, and 28+ for 99%ile in QA, whereas the top IIMs maintain category-wise cutoffs like 80-90%ile for General, 75-85 for EWS, and even lower for reserved groups. Regular mock practice on platforms such as Cracku, equal sectional emphasis, and being above cutoffs post-results will connect scores with dream MBA seats.