CAT is the gateway to elite MBA colleges in India. If you are planning for an MBA at top-level institutes, a high percentile is a must. But what is "good percentile" for CAT 2024? Your quest for answers comes to an end as this article discusses the CAT percentile cutoffs 2024, expected percentiles and how your percentile can help you secure a seat at the most coveted MBA colleges. Let’s begin!
What is a Good Percentile for CAT 2024?
A good CAT percentile in highly relies on your target colleges and even career goals. For example:
- 99+ Percentile: Needed for the top BLACKI IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) and FMS Delhi.
- 90-95 Percentile: Easiest qualifications to get into IITs, SPJIMR, and MDI.
- 85-90 Percentile: Suitable for colleges like Great Lakes, KJ Somaiya, and TAPMI.
Also Read, CAT Score Calculator 2024, Predict Your CAT Percentile
CAT Score vs Percentile
Your CAT score vs percentile reflects marks in the exam, whereas percentile shows your ranking as compared to other candidates. For example, scoring in the 99th percentile means you have surpassed 99% of test-takers.
| Raw Score Range | Expected Percentile |
| 115+ | 99.9 |
| 94-100 | 99.5 |
| 82-88 | 99 |
| 75-78 | 97 |
| 58-70 | 95 |
| 45-51 | 90 |
Also Read, CAT Score vs Percentile 2023, Raw & Scaled Score Analysis
Percentile Required for Top IIM Colleges 2024
| IIM | General Category Cutoff Percentile |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.5+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 99.5+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 99.7+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 99+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 98.5+ |
| IIM Indore | 98+ |
| IIM Mumbai | 98+ |
A better score increases your chances of being selected, even though the needed percentile may be lower for reserved categories.
Percentile Required for Top MBA Colleges 2024
Apart from the IIM colleges, many prestigious MBA colleges accept CAT scores:
| Percentile Range | Colleges |
| 90-95 Percentile | IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad |
| 85-90 Percentile | KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, GIM, Great Lakes |
| 80-85 Percentile | IFMR, NIRMA, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, BIMTECH |
| 70-80 Percentile | IMT Hyderabad, ITM Navi Mumbai, Christ University, IBS Hyderabad |
Choosing the right college depends on 3 key primary factors: placement ROI, brand name, and alumni network.
How Much Percentile is Good in CAT 2024
The “good percentile” in CAT varies:
- IIM aspirants: Aim for 95+ percentile.
- Reputed private institutes: 85+ percentile is competitive.
- Tier 2 colleges: 70-80 percentile can be sufficient.
Also Read, CAT Exam Analysis 2024
How Many Questions to Attempt for a 99 Percentile
To achieve a 99 percentile, you need to answer approximately 50-60% of the questions correctly. Based on the CAT marking scheme:
- Quantitative Ability (QA): Solve 12-15 questions accurately
- VARC: Target 16-18 questions with precision
- DILR: Focus on solving 2 and a half sets correctly.
| Section | No. of Questions to Solve Correctly | Target Accuracy |
| VARC | 16-18 | 85-90% |
| DILR | 12-14 | 80-85% |
| QA | 12-15 | 80-85% |
Colleges Based on CAT Percentile
| Percentile Range | Colleges |
| 95+ Percentile | FMS Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIMs (Top 10), SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon |
| 90-95 Percentile | IIT Delhi, XIMB, MICA, DFS, DSE |
| 85-90 Percentile | KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, BIM Trichy, FORE, Great Lakes, IRMA |
| 80-85 Percentile | IFMR, BIMTECH, NIRMA, Loyola, UBS |
| 70-80 Percentile | Christ University, SDA Bocconi Asia Center, IBS Hyderabad, IMT Nagpur, Welingkar |
Conclusion
A good CAT percentile for 2024 would depend on one's target colleges and career aspirations. For instance, 99+ is a must if one wants to study at the top IIMs, but most excellent MBA programs are accessible with scores in the 85-95 percentile range. Preparing with the right percentile goals while being consistent with mock test analysis will ensure entry into a top B-school. Your choice has to weigh the placement ROI, brand name, and your long-term goals.
