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International Colleges Accepting CAT Score in 2026
Many MBA aspirants are more familiar with the CAT exam in terms of getting admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top-tier business schools of India. The use of CAT scores, however, has grown beyond the confines of India over the years. CAT scores are now recognised for admission to several reputed international institutions, thus providing an opportunity for Indian students to complete their MBA and management courses without having to sit for an extra entrance test such as GMAT.
Countries Where CAT Score Is Accepted for MBA Admissions
Location | Name of the University/College | Name of the Program |
Berlin, London, Madrid, Turin, Paris | ESCP Business School | Masters in Management |
Paris (France), Singapore, Morocco | ESSEC Business School | Masters in Management |
France | EDHEC Business School | Masters in Management |
France | EMLyon Business School | Masters in Management, MSc in Management |
Perth, Australia | The University of Western Australia | MBA |
Philippines | Asian Institute of Management | MBA |
Dubai, Sydney, Singapore | SP Jain School of Global Management | Global MBA, Executive MBA |
France, USA, China, Brazil, South Africa | SKEMA Business School | Masters in Management |
Singapore
The reasons for Indian students preferring to study in Singapore for an MBA include its convenient location near India, strong job prospects, and top-tier business schools in the world. CAT scores are taken into account at some universities in Singapore, especially for Indian applicants for admission.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE has seen a rise in business schools that accept Indian students and are increasingly using CAT scores for admissions. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now hubs of global business that provide exposure to a variety of industries, including finance, logistics, consulting, and technology.
United Kingdom
Most universities in the UK would prefer GMAT or GRE score, but some may consider waiving such requirement or taking CAT scores into consideration for Indian candidates having good academic profile and relevant work experience. Requirements differ from university to university; hence, check individual requirements for admission.
Ireland
The rise in the popularity of Ireland as an MBA destination in recent times can be attributed to the country's booming economy and the presence of multinational corporations in various industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance. CAT scores may be used in conjunction with academic qualifications and work experience for some institutions in Ireland.
France
There are a number of French business schools that are flexible when it comes to admission for international students. While GMAT is the preferred test for many situations, a few institutions accept CAT scores or accept other standardized tests based on program and applicant profile.
Top Foreign Universities Accepting CAT Score
Many renowned international organizations have officially adopted CAT scores, or use them as a part of their student selection process when admitting Indian students.
Applicants should keep in mind that while CAT is accepted, universities generally consider a candidate's admission based on a holistic process. Often academic performance, work experience, essays, recommendation letters, interviews, and English language proficiency are equal in importance when deciding the final selection.
Following are the top foreign universities accepting CAT scores:
Name of the University/College | CAT Score Requirement |
ESCP Business School | The average CAT score requirement is not available. Meanwhile, the average GMAT score is between 680 and 690. |
ESSEC Business School | The CAT Score Requirement is 59% or higher. The average GMAT score is between 640 and 680. |
EDHEC Business School | The average CAT score requirement is not available. Meanwhile, the average GMAT score must be above 600. |
EMLyon Business School | The minimum CAT score requirement is 80%. |
The University of Western Australia | The average CAT score requirement is not available. However, the average GMAT score must be 550. |
Asian Institute of Management | The CAT cutoff percentile is expected to be around 65-75. GMAT cutoff is around 650. |
SP Jain School of Global Management | The CAT cutoff percentile is 85% for the general category. The sectional cutoffs for VARC, DILR, and QA are 75% in each category. |
SKEMA Business School | The CAT cutoff percentile is 67 while the GMAT cutoff is a score equal to or above 500. |
CAT Score vs GMAT for MBA Abroad
One of the most widely asked questions by MBA aspirants is whether or not CAT can be a substitute to GMAT for overseas admissions. It will depend on the university and country in which you wish to study.
CAT exam is specifically created for entry to Indian Management Institutes. It assesses an individual's aptitude through Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension sections. CAT is a very competitive exam and a good score is seen as having analytical skills by many universities.
The GMAT, however, is a standardized test that is designed specifically for admission into business school globally. It is much more popular in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia in universities.
Here is the validity of both the exams:
Entrance Test Scores | Validity for International MBA |
CAT | 1 year |
GMAT/GRE | 5 years |
Eligibility Criteria for MBA Abroad Through CAT Score
A CAT result is only an application for admission to an international MBA program and does not guarantee admission. There are various academic and professional criteria used by universities to assess candidates.
- Most universities will ask for applicants to have a recognised degree with good marks at the bachelor's level. A percentage or GPA may be required and will vary based on the institution.
- Additional key requirements include work experience. There are many MBA programs worldwide that prefer to have students hold two to five years of full-time work experience, while some MBA programs allow students to enter the program as fresh graduates.
- Candidates who have not attended all their education in English will typically be required to have a good level of English. Universities may require IELTS, TOEFL or PTE scores (unless the score is exempted).
- Applicants also need to provide a Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), updated resume, academic transcripts, and a work experience.
- Several universities also hold personal interviews prior to admission.
How to Apply to International Colleges Using Your CAT Score
The application process to international universities with CAT scores requires planning and preparation. Each university has its own application protocol, so it's best for students to start researching long in advance of admission deadlines.
The first step is to find universities that accept CAT scores for their MBA program. Make sure to check the requirements, documents needed, tuition costs, and scholarships and deadlines before compiling your shortlist.
Then, compile all supporting materials such as your CAT scorecard, academic transcripts, resume, Statement of Purpose, letters of recommendation, your passport and any English language test results if applicable. Having a solid, well-crafted SOP which clearly outlines your career aspirations, leadership experiences and motivations for applying to the program can definitely make your application stronger.
After your documents have been prepared, submit the online application via the university's admission system. Make sure all information is correct and send all necessary documents before a deadline. Certain universities may also require the candidate to go for an online interview as a part of selection.
