CAT Score Needed for 99, 98 & 95 Percentile, Check Now

CAT Score Needed for 99, 98 & 95 Percentile: Based on past scores, for CAT 2024 and previous years, the CAT score needed for 99 percentile is approximately around 95 to 100 marks out of 204 total marks. Around 80 to 85 marks are needed for a 98 percentile in CAT 2025 and nearly 65 to 70 marks will be needed for a CAT 2025 95 percentile. These estimates will vary based on the CAT normalization process and test difficulty level.

The final score for the CAT exam is based on a 3 step calculation process. First, you must calculate your raw score. CAT raw score is the sum total of every correct answer minus the sum total of every wrong answer. For each correct answer, students need to add +3 marks and deduct -1 mark for each incorrect answer (no negative marking for TITA questions). The final number is your CAT raw score. Raw marks are not final so use the CAT raw scores only to get a ballpark CAT percentile.

The second step to knowing the percentile based on your CAT raw score, is to convert your raw score to scaled score. CAT conducting authority, IIM Kozhikode (this year) will convert a candidate’s raw score into scaled score. This process is important for the normalisation of candidate scores across different slots and difficulty levels. Once the scores are scaled by the conducting IIM, the candidate's CAT percentile is set which shows their relative performance.

Also Read, CAT Exam Analysis 2025

CAT Score Needed for 99, 98 & 95 Percentile

Around 78-86 or 80-85 marks are needed for a 98 percentile score. The score range for a 99 or 95 percentile depends on how tough will CAT 2025 be and the degree of difficult questions per slot. In other words, a rough estimate for a 99, 98 or 95 percentile in CAT 2025 is an ideal score range which students may set as their goal to secure admission into top MBA colleges like IIMs , non-IIMs (FMS, SPJIMR, IIFT etc) and other reputed tier 2 management colleges.

CAT Score Required for 99 Percentile

The estimated CAT score needed for a 99 percentile is between 95 to 105 marks. To achieve 95 to 105 raw score in CAT 2025, students must score 35-40 marks in each CAT exam section. A high sectional score is a must to reach the 99 percentile benchmark. It is not possible without discipline, a dedicated timetable and motivation to crack the exam.

CAT Score Required for 98 Percentile

A CAT raw score between 80 to 85 or 75-89 marks is required for a 98 percentile rank. Based on the nature of CAT 2025, the expected score for 98 percentile may change. With a tough set of questions, students will have to score less marks for a 98 percentile but if the level of CAT questions is easy, then a high score range will be needed for a 98 percentile. With a 98 percentile rank, students fall under the top 2% category after 99 percentile which is the top 1% category of students also known as toppers.

CAT Score Required for 95 Percentile

Students must aim for a CAT score between 55-70 or as per some sources, 65-70 marks. The range of CAT scores which roughly translates to a 95 percentile is only a predictive value which can change depending on the difficulty level of the CAT exam in different slots each year. Students who are able to successfully crack the CAT 2025 exam and achieve a score equivalent to 95 percentile are among the top 5% of the students given that approximately 2.8-3 Lakh students took the exam.

Also Read, How Many Questions to Attempt for 95 Percentile in CAT 2025

CAT Section-Wise Score Requirements for 99%ile

Below table outlines the estimated range of CAT score needed for a 99%ile in each section of the CAT exam. It is important to know the section wise cutoff or minimum scores needed as your overall scores are based on sectional scores. Some colleges also consider sectionwise scores when checking the 99%ile of a candidate.

CAT Expected Score vs Percentile for CAT 2025

Below table provides an estimated CAT score and its equivalent percentile. Based on this data, students may set their CAT raw score target for 2025 keeping the normalization process into account. Your CAT score vs percentile is not fixed. The variable score and percentile depends on CAT exam paper slot wise difficulty level.

Also Read, CAT Score vs Percentile 2024, Section-wise Percentiles

CAT Raw Score vs Scaled Score vs Percentile

Your CAT exam raw score is converted into scaled score by the IIM conducting the CAT exam. Scaled score is based on the normalization process which ensures fair evaluation of candidate scores across different levels of difficulty for CAT exam slot-wise. CAT percentile corresponding to the scaled score is necessary to estimate the relative performance of a candidate from the pool of students who were able to pass the exam.

CAT Past Year Score vs Percentile Trends

Check the table below to know the CAT 2025 expected score for different CAT percentile ranks. Students must also analyse the previous year CAT scores for the same percentile rank to identify the drop or hike in the CAT raw score. CAT expected scores 2025 for 99.9% to 90% are almost similar with a few tweaks compared to CAT 2024 scores.

CAT Score Needed for 99, 98 & 95 Percentile: Conclusion

The CAT score needed for 99, 98, or 95 percentile changes every year based on how difficult the exam is and how the normalization process works. In general, a score of 95–105 marks is enough for 99 percentile, 80–85 marks for 98 percentile, and 65–70 marks for 95 percentile. These ranges help students set clear score targets while preparing.

It’s important to understand raw scores, scaled scores, and percentile calculation to know where you stand. By checking previous years’ score vs percentile trends and focusing on accuracy and time management, aspirants can plan better and aim for these top percentile ranges.