CAT · Cutoff
CAT Cutoff 2026 — expected score & rank bands
What does your score in Common Admission Test actually get you? These bands map a mock/exam percentage to the rank window and outcomes that score range has typically achieved.
AI-curated from historic cutoff patterns — indicative, not official. Always verify with the latest official notification.
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Category-wise expected cutoff (indicative)
| Category | Expected Cutoff (indicative) |
|---|---|
| General | 90-100 percentile (typically 98+ for top IIMs; 90-95 for newer IIMs) |
| EWS | 88-98 percentile (typically 96+ for top IIMs; 88-93 for newer IIMs) |
| OBC (NC) | 80-94 percentile (typically 94+ for top IIMs; 80-88 for newer IIMs) |
| SC | 60-75 percentile (typically 70-75 for top IIMs; 60-65 for newer IIMs) |
| ST | 50-65 percentile (typically 60-65 for top IIMs; 50-55 for newer IIMs) |
| PwD | 50-70 percentile (varies by institute; typically 50-60 for newer IIMs, 60-70 for top IIMs) |
- General vs. OBC gap: Approximately 8-12 percentile points for top IIMs (e.g., Gen 98+ vs. OBC 86-90); gap narrows for newer IIMs to 5-8 percentile points.
- Cutoff drivers: Difficulty level of exam, number of test-takers, seat availability at individual IIMs, and institute-specific sectional cutoffs (each IIM sets independent criteria beyond CAT percentile).
- Note: These are *CAT percentile* cutoffs for shortlisting; final selection involves GD-PI-WAT performance, academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors, which vary significantly across institutes.
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Top 0.5% — IIM A/B/C prime territory
100–100%rank ~1–400
- IIM Ahmedabad — PGP program, very high conversion probability (General category typically needs 99+ percentile)
- IIM Bangalore — PGP/PGPBA, strong admit chances across programs
- IIM Calcutta — top choice conversion highly likely
- All other IIMs — multiple admits expected, choice of specialization
- XLRI, FMS, SP Jain, MDI — assured converts, scholarship opportunities
- International B-school options with CAT score (NUS, NTU Singapore partnerships)
Old IIMs competitive range
98–100%rank ~400–1,500
- IIM Ahmedabad — interview call likely (cut-off varies, but 98+ puts you in strong contention)
- IIM Bangalore — interview probability high (PGPBA/PGP programs)
- IIM Calcutta — strong interview and conversion chances
- IIM Lucknow — very high conversion probability
- IIM Kozhikode, Indore — near-certain interview calls and strong admits
- FMS Delhi — top choice conversion possible with fees advantage (₹20,000 for two years)
Top IIMs shortlist zone
96–98%rank ~1,500–3,000
- IIM Lucknow — General category cut-off approximately 90 percentile, but 96+ improves selection chances significantly
- IIM Indore, Kozhikode — strong conversion probability with decent WAT-PI
- IIM Calcutta — may receive interview call (overall cut-off ~85, but final selection needs 97-98+ typically)
- XLRI Jamshedpur — BM program strong probability
- FMS Delhi — strong interview and conversion chances
- JBIMS Mumbai — if applying via CAT-based admission
Established IIMs in reach
92–96%rank ~3,000–8,000
- IIM Indore, Kozhikode — General category cut-off typically 90-92 percentile
- IIM Shillong — IPM and PGP programs
- XLRI Jamshedpur — BM program (cut-off ~92 percentile)
- FMS Delhi — high chance of interview call (cut-off ~95-96 percentile, but profile-based)
- MDI Gurgaon — strong interview probability
- IIM Nagpur, Amritsar, Visakhapatnam — comfortable admits with good WAT-PI
Good IIMs and top private
85–92%rank ~8,000–30,000
- IIM Ranchi, Raipur, Kashipur, Udaipur — General category cut-off approximately 85-90 percentile
- IIM Trichy, Rohtak — depending on profile and WAT-PI performance
- XLRI Jamshedpur — HRM program (cut-off ~86 percentile historically)
- SP Jain Mumbai — PGDM programs
- MDI Gurgaon — may get interview call depending on profile
- NMIMS Mumbai — backup option with additional NMAT score
Tier 2-3 B-schools range
70–85%rank ~30,000–2,00,000
- Newer IIMs (Sirmaur, Sambalpur, Bodh Gaya) — General category cut-off typically 70-80 percentile
- FMS Delhi (backup rounds) — depending on sectional scores
- XLRI Delhi-NCR campus — HRM program
- IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi, TAPMI Manipal — lower fee programs
- Great Lakes Chennai, MICA Ahmedabad — specialized programs
- State university B-schools with CAT acceptance
Below competitive threshold
0–70%
- Unlikely to clear IIM or top B-school cut-offs
- Consider tier-3 private B-schools with lower requirements
- Focus on fundamentals for next attempt
- Some newer IIMs may conduct additional rounds for lower percentiles
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