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For every MBA aspirant in India, the Common Admission Test (CAT exam) is a pathway that leads one to some of the most reputed institutions-B-schools, especially the IIMs. But the question doing rounds in every aspirant's mind is: What is a good CAT score? Answering that cannot be generic. Depending on what B-school you are targeting, your academic background, and your career aspirations, the answer might vary.

 Scoring in CAT

Before getting into any specifics about what is considered a 'good' score, some basics about CAT scoring ought to be clear:

 Total Marks-The CAT exam comprises a total of three sections: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR-Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and QA-Quantitative Ability. Each section is usually made up of 66 to 76 questions depending on the year.

Marking Scheme: +3 for every right answer, -1 for every wrong one (for MCQs), and unattempted or incorrect TITA (non-MCQ) questions have 0 marks.

 But the raw score is not the final score. CAT takes recourse to scaled scores and calculates percentiles to reflect your rank among the fellow test-takers.

What Is a Percentile in CAT?

A percentile is an indication of the percentage of students who have scored lower than you. So, if you score at the 99th percentile, it means your performance is better than 99 percent of the test-takers.

 Every year, approximately 2 lakh students appear for the CAT exam. So a 99 percentile means you are in the top 2,000-3,000 candidates.

 Here is a rough score-to-percentile mapping based on the trends of past years:

Percentile           Approx. Scaled Score (2023 Trends)

99.9+                    105–110+

99                          95–100

95                           75–80

90                           65–70

85                            55–60

Note: Actual values vary each year depending on difficulty and normalization of the exam.
What is a Good CAT Score for the Best B-Schools?

Let us break down in the tiers of institutes:

IIMs (A, B, C, L, I, K)

These are the most competitive institutions. For general category aspirants, the expected percentiles are:

·         IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta - 99.5+

·         IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode - 98-99+

Strong academics also play an important role in shortlisting as 10th, 12th, and graduation, and work experience is a necessary criterion.

Best Among Non-IIMs

·         FMS, Delhi - Above 98.5 (high weight age to CAT exam score)

·         SPJIMR Mumbai - 85-92 (shortlists may be based on profile)

·         MDI Gurgaon - 95-98

·         IIFT, NMIMS, XIMB: 85-95+ (accept CAT or other entrance exams)

·         New IIMs & Tier 2 B-Schools

New IIMs: 90-95 (Trichy, Udaipur, etc.)

·         IMT, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya - 85-90

·         Some other reputed B-schools - 75-85+

So, a good CAT score depends wholly on the target institute. It can lie in a range from just 99.8+ for IIM A to 85+ for a seed into some extremely reputed MBA programs.

Does High Percentile Entail Admission?

Not really. Most top B schools, especially IIMs, will have high holistic criteria for admission such as:

·         CAT Exam Score (percentile)

·         Academic Backgrounds (10th, 12th, Graduation)

·         Work-experience

·         Gender and Academic Diversity

·         Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT)

So, it may not mean a call from the top three IIMs if the 99 student's academics are weak. A well-rounded profile with say 96-97 percentile could get calls, though from newer IIMs or the best private institutes.

How Can Career Launcher In Nagpur Help?

At Career Launcher Dharampeth Nagpur, we not only focus on preparation for the CAT but also readiness for the full complement of MBA entrances. Our classroom programs or online resources will:

·         Create strong conceptual clarity through expert led sessions

·         Enhance performance through mock tests and deep analytics

·         Provide personalized guidance and mentoring

·         Prepare for GD-PI-WAT with real-time simulation and feedback

We offer well-structured learning, explanatory study material, doubt-clearing sessions, and workshops so that one gains a competitive edge in every aspect of preparation.

Summary

A "good" CAT score is all relative. The CAT score is just one aspect of selection; most important are your academics, communication skills, and interview performance.
Start early, aim high, and make sure your preparation is structured. If you have the will to chase your dream B-school or pursue your MBA from among the best, you will get there with the right coaching, consistency, and strategy.
Want a head start toward taking the CAT exam? Look into the programs offered at Career Launcher Dharampeth Nagpur and get closer to making your B-school dreams a reality.