Free CAT percentile predictor for 2026. Enter your VARC, DILR, and QA scores to instantly predict your overall CAT percentile and section-wise percentiles. See IIM shortlist chances across all categories — based on official CAT 2025 normalization data. No signup, instant result.
The most-searched CAT question answered in one table. Scaled score + estimated raw marks + IIM zone. Based on official CAT 2025 result data verified by IMS, Career Launcher, and Cracku.
| Target Percentile | Scaled Score (out of 198) | Est. Raw Marks | Approx. Rank | IIM Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.90+ | 127+ | 140+ | Top 300 | IIM ABC certain |
| 99.50 | 100–126 | 110–138 | Top 1,500 | IIM ABC zone |
| 99.00 | 79–99 | 88–110 | Top 3,000 | IIM LKI zone |
| 98.00 | 74–78 | 82–87 | Top 6,000 | IIM LKI zone |
| 97.00 | 70–73 | 77–81 | Top 9,000 | IIM Shillong/Trichy |
| 95.00 | 63–69 | 70–76 | Top 15,000 | New IIM zone |
| 92.00 | 58–62 | 64–69 | Top 24,000 | New IIM zone |
| 90.00 | 50–57 | 55–63 | Top 30,000 | Baby IIM zone |
| 85.00 | 44–49 | 48–54 | Top 45,000 | Top private MBA |
| 80.00 | 36–43 | 40–47 | Top 59,000 | Private B-schools |
| 75.00 | 28–35 | 31–39 | Top 73,000 | Tier-2 B-schools |
| 70.00 | 20–27 | 22–30 | Top 88,000 | State MBA colleges |
Each section is scored and ranked independently. Missing a sectional cutoff eliminates you from IIM shortlisting regardless of overall score. DILR 2025 benchmarks reflect the tougher Slot 1 paper.
| %ile Target | VARC Score | (~Qs correct) | DILR Score | (~Qs correct) | QA Score | (~Qs correct) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.0+ | 40+ | ~14–15 Qs correct | 28+ | ~9–10 Qs correct | 36+ | ~12–13 Qs correct |
| 97.0 | 35+ | ~12 Qs correct | 22+ | ~7–8 Qs correct | 30+ | ~10 Qs correct |
| 95.0 | 30+ | ~10–11 Qs correct | 18+ | ~6 Qs correct | 24+ | ~8–9 Qs correct |
| 90.0 | 24+ | ~8–9 Qs correct | 13+ | ~4–5 Qs correct | 18+ | ~6–7 Qs correct |
| 85.0 | 19+ | ~7 Qs correct | 9+ | ~3 Qs correct | 14+ | ~5 Qs correct |
| 80.0 | 15+ | ~5–6 Qs correct | 6+ | ~2 Qs correct | 10+ | ~3–4 Qs correct |
Paper difficulty shifts the marks-percentile relationship by up to 30+ marks year to year. A hard paper (like 2023) dramatically lowers the marks needed — the same 76 marks would give only ~85 percentile in an easy year.
| Year | Scaled Score for 99 %ile | Paper Difficulty | Total Candidates | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~105 | Hard | 2.44L | QA was very tough |
| 2020 | ~101 | Hard | 1.90L | COVID year; fewer candidates |
| 2021 | ~108 | Moderate | 1.92L | DILR easier than usual |
| 2022 | ~110 | Moderate | 2.23L | Easiest recent paper — highest score needed |
| 2023 | ~76 | Hard | 2.87L | Toughest in years — 76 scaled marks = 99 %ile |
| 2024 | ~95 | Moderate | 2.95L | Balanced paper |
| 2025 | ~85 | Moderate | 2.93L | DILR Slot 1 was very tough |
| 2026 | ~80–95 (est.) | TBD — Nov 2026 | ~3L (est.) | Use 2025 data as primary reference |
Key insight: In hard papers (2023), 76 scaled marks gave 99 percentile. In easy papers (2022), 110 marks were needed. Focus on accuracy and TITA attempts — not raw question count.
Minimum CAT percentile needed for interview shortlisting at each IIM, by category. Actual call percentiles are typically 2–5 points higher — these are qualifying floors.
| IIM | General | OBC/EWS | SC | ST | Sectional Min | Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99.5+ | 97+ | 85+ | 80+ | 80+ | CAT 65% + profile 35%; WAT-PI process |
| IIM Bangalore | 99.0+ | 96+ | 82+ | 75+ | 80+ | 55% CAT + 45% profile; WE-friendly |
| IIM Calcutta | 99.0+ | 95+ | 85+ | 80+ | 80+ | 100% CAT for shortlist — pure merit |
| IIM Lucknow | 97.0+ | 92+ | 80+ | 70+ | 75+ | Good for non-GEM profiles |
| IIM Kozhikode | 96.0+ | 88+ | 75+ | 65+ | 75+ | Diversity-friendly admission |
| IIM Indore | 96.0+ | 88+ | 80+ | 70+ | 75+ | High academics emphasis |
| IIM Mumbai | 96.0+ | 88+ | 75+ | 65+ | 75+ | Ex-NITIE; strong Operations MBA |
| IIM Shillong | 93.0+ | 83+ | 70+ | 60+ | 70+ | |
| IIM Trichy | 91.0+ | 81+ | 68+ | 58+ | 70+ | |
| IIM Raipur | 90.0+ | 80+ | 65+ | 55+ | 70+ | |
| IIM Ranchi | 90.0+ | 80+ | 65+ | 55+ | 70+ | Strong HR stream |
| IIM Udaipur | 90.0+ | 80+ | 65+ | 55+ | 70+ | |
| IIM Kashipur | 88.0+ | 78+ | 62+ | 52+ | 65+ | |
| IIM Nagpur | 88.0+ | 78+ | 62+ | 52+ | 65+ | |
| IIM Vizag | 85.0+ | 75+ | 60+ | 50+ | 60+ | Baby IIM |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 85.0+ | 75+ | 58+ | 48+ | 60+ | Baby IIM |
| IIM Jammu | 85.0+ | 75+ | 58+ | 48+ | 60+ | Baby IIM |
| IIM Sirmaur | 83.0+ | 73+ | 55+ | 45+ | 60+ | Baby IIM |
| IIM Amritsar | 83.0+ | 73+ | 55+ | 45+ | 60+ | |
| IIM Sambalpur | 75.0+ | 65+ | 50+ | 40+ | 55+ | Baby IIM |
Many B-schools accept CAT with lower cutoffs — several offer better ROI than newer IIMs. FMS Delhi is the standout: near-IIM ABC caliber at ₹2L total fees.
| College | CAT %ile Cutoff | Total Fees | Why Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| FMS Delhi | 99.0+ | ~₹2L | Best ROI in India — lowest fees, top placements |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 98.0+ | ~₹23L | Unique social sector focus; 5-yr WE preferred |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | 98.0+ | ~₹10L | IIT pedigree; tech + management specialization |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 97.0+ | ~₹27L | Also accepts XAT; top HR and Business Management |
| MDI Gurgaon | 97.0+ | ~₹24L | Strong placements; Gurgaon location advantage |
| IIFT Delhi/Kolkata | 97.0+ | ~₹16L | Best for International Business; own entrance exam |
| IIT Delhi (DMS) | 97.0+ | ~₹8L | Excellent placement; IIT Delhi campus advantage |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90.0+ | ~₹18L | Strong Delhi NCR placements |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 90.0+ | ~₹17L | Jesuit school; ethics and culture focus |
| TAPMI Manipal | 85.0+ | ~₹19L | Finance and Analytics specialization |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 85.0+ | ~₹20L | Excellent for experienced professionals (PGPM) |
| FORE School Delhi | 85.0+ | ~₹18L | Strong consulting and finance placements |
| MICA Ahmedabad | 85.0+ | ~₹22L | Marketing specialist; also own MICAT exam |
RC (4 passages × 4 Qs = 16 marks) + Para Summary, Para Jumbles, Odd One Out (TITA — no penalty)
Data Interpretation (tables, bar charts, caselets) + Logical Reasoning (seating, arrangements, puzzles)
Arithmetic · Algebra · Geometry · Number System · Modern Maths (PnC, Probability)
This CAT percentile predictor uses the official CAT 2025 normalization data — the closest available benchmark for CAT 2026. Enter your section-wise scores (VARC, DILR, QA) and the tool: (1) calculates an overall scaled score out of 198, (2) maps each section score to a sectional percentile using CAT 2025 calibrated curves, (3) maps the overall score to an overall percentile, and (4) applies category-based reservation adjustments to show IIM shortlist eligibility.
CAT uses equi-percentile normalization across its two exam slots to ensure fairness when one slot gets a harder paper. This is why percentile — not raw marks — is used for all IIM shortlisting. The formula: Percentile = (1 − Rank / Total Candidates) × 100. With ~2.93 lakh CAT 2025 candidates, each percentile point represents approximately 2,930 candidates.
Accuracy of this CAT score to percentile calculator: ±1–2 percentile points for scores in the 80–99 percentile range; ±3–5 points at extremes (very high or very low scores). Actual CAT 2026 percentile depends on paper difficulty and total candidates that year — both unknown before the exam.
Published cutoffs are the qualifying floor — not the actual shortlist level. Understanding each IIM's composite score formula is essential for setting realistic percentile targets.
General category male engineers (GEM) face the steepest competition at top IIMs. At IIM Ahmedabad, GEMs typically need 99.7+ percentile for a realistic shortlist call. A General female with identical percentile receives gender diversity bonus. OBC/EWS gets category relaxation. Both yield interview calls at lower percentiles.
GEM strategy: (1) Target 99.8+ CAT; (2) Prioritize IIMB where WE matters more; (3) FMS Delhi has more merit-based shortlisting and negligible fees; (4) SPJIMR and MDI are more balanced in composition; (5) XLRI via XAT is a strong alternative — different exam, less GEM-saturated competition pool.
CAT is not the only path to a top MBA. Knowing which exam unlocks which colleges helps build a smarter application strategy.
| Exam | When | Key Colleges | Why Take It |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | Nov 2026 | All 20 IIMs + 1,200+ B-schools | Single best exam; widest college coverage in India |
| XAT 2027 | Jan 2027 | XLRI, XIMB, TAPMI, IMT + 800 colleges | XLRI is a must; unique essay + decision-making section |
| NMAT 2026 | Oct–Dec 2026 | NMIMS + 100 colleges; 3 attempts | 3 attempts allowed; good for NMIMS target |
| SNAP 2026 | Dec 2026 (3 attempts) | Symbiosis institutes (SIBM, SCMHRD) | Easier than CAT; 3 slots; strong Pune colleges |
| IIFT 2026 | Dec 2026 | IIFT Delhi + Kolkata (International Biz) | Best for international trade & finance MBA |
| CMAT 2027 | Jan 2027 | 1,300+ colleges including JBIMS Mumbai | NTA-conducted; JBIMS at 99+ is near-IIM ROI |
| GMAT | Year-round | ISB Hyderabad + global MBA programs | ISB + top global programs; no annual cycle |
| MICAT 2026 | Dec 2026 | MICA Ahmedabad only | Marketing & Comms MBA; unique creative section |
Answers to the most searched questions about CAT 2026 percentile, marks, IIM cutoffs, and sectional strategy.
Enter VARC, DILR, and QA scores for an instant section-wise and overall percentile prediction with IIM shortlist analysis.
Data sourced from IMS India · Career Launcher · Cracku · MBAUniverse · official CAT 2025 scorecard analysis (result: December 24, 2025). Last updated June 10, 2026.
