CAT Score vs Percentile 2026, 2025, 2024 Detailed Analysis

CAT Score vs Percentile 2026

CAT continues to be one of the most sought-after MBA entrance exams in India, attracting over 3 lakh candidates in 2025. There were 3 slots, which led to the normalisation of scores. Percentiles are calculated based on the scaled score after the final result.

The scaled score of approximately 85-86 in the CAT 2025 was translated to a 99+ percentile. In this guide, we compare the anticipated CAT 2026 score vs percentile, along with the previous years percentile data for CAT 2025, CAT 2024 and CAT 2023

The table below explains the key difference between the three score metrics used in CAT:

Percentile is the scale used by MBA colleges to rank applicants equally in all the slots of the exams. Having a high raw score does not necessarily imply a high percentile without it being normalized. Section-wise and overall percentiles are calculated based on scaled and normalized scores.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2025

The table below presents the overall score vs percentile for CAT 2025, derived from CAT 2025 results and recent exam patterns. It covers VARC, DILR, QA, and overall scores.

CAT 2025 VARC Score vs Percentile 

The table below is based on CAT 2025 VARC scorecard data and shows section-wise score vs percentile for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Use this to measure which score range aligns with your target percentile.

Also Read, CAT VARC Score vs Percentile 2025, Check Ideal VARC Score

CAT 2025 DILR Score vs Percentile

The table below is based on CAT 2025 LRDI result data and shows the score vs percentile for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section. Note that DILR was significantly tougher in CAT 2025 compared to CAT 2024.

Also Read, CAT DILR Score vs Percentile 2025, Check Ideal DILR Score

CAT 2025 Quant Score vs Percentile

Based on CAT 2025 QA result data, the table below outlines the section-wise score vs percentile for Quantitative Aptitude.

Also Read, CAT Quant Score vs Percentile 2025, Check Ideal Quant Score

CAT Score vs Percentile 2026 Expected

CAT percentile represents the proportion of candidates who scored below a particular value. It is not a direct score figure. Difficulty level and competition in a given year directly influence the score-to-percentile mapping, which shifts from year to year.

Based on available trends, a total scaled score of approximately 85-86 is expected to fetch the 99th percentile in CAT 2026. The tables below use CAT 2025 actual data as the most reliable benchmark until official CAT 2026 results are declared.

Note: CAT 2026 results are expected in January 2027. Until then, the tables below reflect CAT 2025 actual data as the closest available benchmark for CAT 2026

CAT Score vs Percentile: Previous Year Analysis

Reviewing past CAT data reveals important trends. Even small changes in scaled scores can result in significant percentile movements. In more difficult years, candidates can achieve top percentiles with comparatively lower raw scores.

These variations underscore how exam difficulty in any given year shapes the percentile cutoffs.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2024

CAT 2024 followed the standard three-section format. VARC was slightly more demanding than in 2023, DILR remained moderate, and QA received mixed reactions from candidates.

Reaching higher percentiles in CAT 2024 demanded a well-balanced performance across all three sections.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2023

CAT 2023 featured a relatively easier VARC alongside tougher DILR and QA. The combined difficulty resulted in slightly lower cutoffs for top percentiles.

Normalization played a key role in balancing difficulty differences across exam slots in CAT 2023.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2022

CAT 2022 was moderate in overall difficulty. DILR was notably challenging, while VARC varied across slots and QA was average.

CAT 2022 clearly shows how exam difficulty shapes the percentile distribution and the score jumps between bands.

CAT 2026 Marks Required for 99, 95, and 90 Percentile

The table below uses CAT 2025 actual results, the most recent data available, to show the section-wise and overall score needed to reach the 99th, 95th, and 90th percentile. These scores serve as the most reliable benchmark for CAT 2026 preparation.

Key observations:

In CAT 2025, a 99th percentile required a VARC score of 44, a DILR score of 29.8 and a QA score of 27.3.

In case of the 95 th percentiles, applicants were required to possess VARC 32.5, DILR 21.5 and QA 18.5.

In the case of the 90 percentile, any score of VARC 26, DILR 16.7, QA 15 would suffice.

The most differentiating aspect in CAT 2025 was DILR which was notably harder in 2025 than it was in 2024.

All IIMs use section-based cut-offs when shortlisting by applying cut-offs on individual sections.

CAT 2026 Slot-Wise Score vs Percentile Analysis

CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted across three slots in a single day. Since each slot can differ in difficulty, IIMs apply a normalization process to ensure equal comparison. Percentiles are derived from normalized scaled scores, not raw scores. The table below, drawn from CAT 2025 scorecard data, shows score vs percentile variation at the 99th, 99.5th, and 99.9th percentile levels across the three slots.

Note: The figures above are based on CAT 2025 slot-wise scorecard data. Slot 1 data represents the 99.99 %ile benchmark; Slot 2 represents the 99.9 %ile; Slot 3 represents the 99.95 %ile. Actual CAT 2026 slot-wise data will be published after results are declared.

Key observations about slot-wise analysis:

Slot difficulty can vary each year; no particular slot is consistently easier or harder.

Normalization ensures candidates in a tougher slot receive a higher scaled score for the same level of raw performance.

On exam day, candidates should focus on their own attempt rather than worrying about slot difficulty.

In CAT 2025, DILR was demanding across all three slots, which lowered the raw score threshold for top DILR percentiles.

How CAT Percentile is Calculated (Normalization Explained)

The CAT is done in various slots on the same day and the difficulty of a slot can vary. To ensure that everyone has equal chances to compete irrespective of the slot one was assigned, IIMs use the normalization process which adjusts scores of the sessions.

What is the Raw Score in CAT?

The overall marks achieved by the candidate through the application of the marking scheme is known as the raw score. Every correct answer scores +3 marks. Any wrong MCQ answer has -1 mark as the penalty. There is no negative marking on TITA (Type in the Answer) questions.

What is the Scaled Score in CAT?

The scaled score is obtained by modifying the raw score to include slot difficulty. The questions in each slot can be of different levels of difficulty. IIMs use statistical models to normalise such variations. The percentile would be calculated using the scaled score, and not the raw score. The process of scaling is done to both section-wise and total scores.

CAT Normalization Process

How Normalization Works:

• Raw Scores: The first step will be to perform the calculations of the raw score using the standard marking scheme ( +3 correct, -1 incorrect MCQs, 0 when the TITA is used and when the question is not answered) to obtain the raw score.
• Slot-wise Statistics: Per section ( VARC, DILR, QA) the mean and standard deviation of raw scores are used, individually in each slot.
• Scaling: The score of each candidate is then scaled, using a mathematical formula which takes into account slot-wise mean, standard deviation, and the performance of the top 0.1% candidates in each slot.
• Computation of the percentile: We compute the final percentile given the place of the candidate among all the people taking the test by normalization.

Formula Used in Calculating CAT Percentile and Scaled Scores

The following formula is used to calculate the normalized scaled score:

Normalized Score = μ + ( X − μs / σs ) × σ

Where:

• X = Raw score of the candidate in that section
• μs = Mean score of the candidates for that session
• σs = Standard deviation of scores in that session
• μ = Mean score of all candidates across all sessions
• σ = Standard deviation of all candidates across all sessions

Once scores are normalized, the percentile is calculated using the formula:

Percentile = ( N − R / N ) × 100

Where:

• N = Total number of candidates who appeared in CAT for that particular slot or section
• R = Rank of the candidate based on normalized score (in descending order)

CAT Score vs Percentile 2026: Conclusion

Understanding the CAT Score vs Percentile 2026 is crucial for building an effective preparation strategy. Since CAT uses a normalization process across multiple slots, your final percentile depends on the scaled score rather than the raw score. Based on recent trends, a score of around 85–86 is expected to fetch a 99 percentile, while smaller score differences can lead to large percentile jumps due to high competition.

Overall, CAT 2026 aspirants should focus on balanced preparation across VARC, DILR, and QA while aiming for accuracy and consistency. Since the score-to-percentile mapping varies each year, analyzing previous trends and understanding normalization can help you set realistic targets and improve your chances of securing admission to top MBA colleges.