CAT Qualifying Marks & Cut Offs 2026 – Complete Guide for IIM & Top MBA Admissions

Every year, lakhs of test takers sit for the Common Admission Test (CAT) dreaming of studying business administration at the top IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India. The CAT exam is only the first step; what actually gets you shortlisted is your CAT score, CAT percentile, and whether you clear the qualifying cutoff and the higher cut offs used in the IIM admission process.

To be eligible for the CAT exam, General category candidates must have at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in their bachelor's degree, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates need at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA. Meeting these minimum eligibility criteria only makes you eligible for consideration in the next admission stages; it does not guarantee an interview call.

The CAT exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), where each correct answer earns +3 marks and each incorrect answer incurs a -1 penalty. For non-MCQ questions, there is no penalty for incorrect answers. The marks obtained in the exam, also known as the raw CAT score, are the starting point for percentile calculation and play a crucial role in determining your eligibility and shortlisting for further admission rounds.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about CAT 2026 qualifying marks, CAT cutoff 2026, and how they translate into shortlists for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, IIM Ranchi, IIM Rohtak, IIT Delhi and other top B schools like Business Management Pune (SIBM Pune) and Pai Management Institute (T. A. Pai Management Institute).

Important (current as of Feb 2026): The official CAT 2026 notification is not out yet. So the “official qualifying cutoffs” cited below are the latest published cutoffs for CAT 2025 / admissions 2026–28 (the most current official data available). Use them as the best reference point for CAT 2026 planning.

If you want to double-check that you’re even allowed to take CAT, first read Mockat’s pillar page: ➡️ CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age, Qualification & Category on mockat.com.

Introduction to CAT Exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to India’s most prestigious management programs, including MBA and PGDM courses at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top MBA colleges. Conducted annually by an IIM on a rotational basis, the CAT exam is a computer-based test designed to evaluate candidates on key skills essential for business administration—verbal ability, quantitative ability, and logical reasoning.

The CAT exam typically takes place in November or December, with results announced in January. As a national-level entrance test, the Common Admission Test attracts lakhs of aspirants each year, all vying for a coveted seat at the top mba colleges in the country. The exam is structured into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section is timed and tests a unique set of skills, from reading comprehension and grammar to data analysis and mathematical reasoning.

Securing a high CAT score is crucial, but what truly matters for admission is meeting the cat cutoff 2025 set by each institute. The cat cutoff is the minimum score or percentile required to qualify for the next stage of the selection process at various IIMs and other leading mba colleges. These cutoffs are determined based on the performance of all test takers and can vary significantly between institutes and categories. Understanding the structure and expectations of the CAT exam is the first step toward achieving your MBA dreams at the top mba colleges in India.

1. Qualifying Cutoffs vs Final CAT Cut Offs

Before you obsess over numbers, you MUST understand the difference between:

Qualifying cutoff (a minimum percentile / minimum qualifying score required just to be considered), and
Final admission CAT cutoff / final cutoff (the actual level at which calls and final converts happen).

Meeting the eligibility criteria is a prerequisite before qualifying cutoffs are even considered.

1.1 Key Terms You’ll See Everywhere

CAT cutoff / CAT cutoff marks / CAT exam cutoff: Generic phrases for the minimum performance needed, usually in percentiles.
CAT cut offs / cut offs / cutoff scores: Often used for both qualifying and final levels.
Overall percentile cutoff / overall CAT cutoff: The minimum overall CAT percentile required.
Sectional cutoff / sectional cut offs / CAT sectional cutoff: The minimum percentile in each section (VARC, DILR, QA).
CAT cut / higher CAT cutoffs: Informal ways of referring to the required percentiles—especially high for top IIMs.
CAT cut off 2025: Refers to the category-wise and section-wise cutoff scores required for eligibility and shortlisting for top MBA colleges and IIMs.
Cut off for IIM: The minimum percentile or scores required for admission to various IIMs via the CAT exam, including specific sectional and overall cut offs for different categories and campuses.
Expected CAT: Projected cutoff percentiles and scores for various years and admission categories, which influence preparation and application strategies.
Admission criteria: Refers to the full set of requirements (including cutoffs, profile, and other factors) used by institutes to select candidates.

1.2 Qualifying vs Final Cutoff – At a Glance

Qualifying cutoff = minimum eligibility percentile published in advance.
Final cutoff = the practical percentile band where you actually get calls/converts.

Feature	Qualifying cutoff	Final admission CAT cutoff / final cutoff
Also called	Minimum percentile / minimum qualifying score	Final cutoff / final percentile
Who decides	Each institute (IIM, IIT, etc.)	Each institute after full evaluation
Purpose	To shortlist for WAT–PI / PI	To decide final admission offers
Typical level (General)	75–95 percentile (varies widely)	90–99.9 percentile (top institutes)
Applies to	Overall & sectional cutoff (in most cases)	Overall CAT + entire profile
Fixed or variable	Published in advance	Emerges after difficulty & profiles

Because competition is intense, the final admission cutoff is usually much higher than the published qualifying cutoff.

2. Quick Recap of CAT 2026 Exam Basics

Exam name: CAT 2026 (IIM CAT – official CAT conducted by IIMs)
Official CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
Exam date: Late November 2026 (Expected: 29 November 2026, Sunday)
Mode: Computer-based CAT exam in three sessions
Sections: VARC, DILR, QA (MCQ + non-MCQ)
Conducting IIM: Will be confirmed in CAT 2026 notification (CAT 2025 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode)
CAT 2025 snapshot (for context): ~2.95 lakh registered and ~2.58 lakh appeared; 12 candidates scored 100 percentile.

For eligibility-related doubts, always cross-check with the official notification on iimcat.ac.in and Mockat’s eligibility page linked above.

Factors Affecting Cut Offs

The cat cutoff 2025 is shaped by a variety of factors, making it a moving target for every aspirant. One of the most significant influences is the difficulty level of the cat exam itself. If the paper is tougher than usual, the cutoff scores may be lower, while an easier exam can push the cutoffs higher. The number of test takers each year also plays a crucial role—greater competition among candidates can drive up the minimum percentile required for admission to top mba colleges.

Seat availability at each IIM, including sought-after campuses like iim ahmedabad, iim bangalore, and iim calcutta, directly impacts the cat cutoff. Institutes with fewer seats and higher demand tend to have higher cutoff scores. Additionally, reservation policies for categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and EWS affect the distribution of cutoff scores, with different minimum percentiles set for each group.

The cat exam pattern and syllabus are also key contributors. With three distinct sections—verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning, and quantitative ability—candidates must perform well across all areas. Each section has its own sectional cutoff, and missing the mark in even one can disqualify a candidate, regardless of their overall score. This makes balanced preparation across all sections essential.

Beyond the cat cutoff 2025, other elements like academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors are considered during the admission process. After clearing the cutoff scores, shortlisted candidates face further evaluation through group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests. The final admission decision is based on a composite score that combines CAT performance, academic achievements, and performance in subsequent rounds.

In summary, the cat cutoff 2025 is not just a number—it’s the result of a complex interplay between exam difficulty, candidate performance, institute policies, and the overall competitiveness of the applicant pool. Understanding these factors can help you set realistic goals and tailor your preparation strategy to maximize your chances of securing a seat at the top IIMs and other leading mba colleges.

3. CAT 2026 Expected Cut Offs for Top IIMs

Let’s start with the big picture: what CAT cut off 2026 can you expect at the top IIMs for General category candidates?

Clearing the cutoff is just the first step in the selection process, which also includes WAT/PI or PI and other assessments.

3.1 Expected Overall CAT 2026 Cutoffs (General Category)

Institute (MBA/PGP)	Expected overall percentile cutoff (CAT 2026)
IIM Ahmedabad	99–100
IIM Bangalore	99–100
IIM Calcutta	Around 99
IIM Lucknow	97–98
IIM Kozhikode	97–98
IIM Indore	97–98
IIM Shillong	Around 90–92 (final)
IIM Ranchi (via JAP cycle reference)	Mid–high 90s (final varies by profile)
IIM Rohtak	Around 97
Centralized PI pools (reference)	JAP Gen PI: 96.25 \| CAP Gen PI: 90 (male/GN) / 85 (female & transgender)

These are expected cutoffs, not official numbers. Actual CAT cutoffs depend on:

number of test takers
difficulty level of CAT 2026
distribution of marks and normalization across slots

4. Official Qualifying Cutoffs: IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore & Calcutta

Now let’s look at the latest published qualifying cutoff tables for the biggest three: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta.

These are the minimum sectional cutoff and overall percentile cutoff you must clear before your profile and academics are even considered.

4.1 IIM Ahmedabad CAT 2025 Minimum Percentiles

Category	Overall percentile rank (PT)	Sectionwise percentile rank (PVARC, PDILR, PQA)
General / EWS	95	85
NC-OBC	90	80
SC	85	75
ST	75	65

Key points for IIM Ahmedabad

These are minimum percentile values – real cutoff for IIM A in practice is higher.
Candidates must meet the minimum percentile rank in each section, including quantitative ability percentile rank (PQA), logical reasoning percentile rank (PDILR), and reading comprehension percentile rank (PVARC), to be eligible for shortlisting.
Some institutes also require non-negative / positive raw scores in sections; always cross-check the institute policy.

4.2 IIM Bangalore Minimum Percentiles

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Aggregate percentile cutoff
General	80	75	75	85
NC-OBC	70	65	65	75
EWS	70	65	65	75
SC	65	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PwD	50	50	50	60

These are minimum percentiles for the first shortlist. The actual final admission cutoff is higher due to competition and composite scoring.

4.3 IIM Calcutta CAT 2025 Minimum Percentiles

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall percentile cutoff
OPEN	≥80	≥80	≥75	≥85
EWS	≥70	≥65	≥65	≥75
NC-OBC	≥70	≥65	≥65	≥75
SC	≥65	≥60	≥60	≥70
ST	≥55	≥55	≥55	≥65
PwD	≥45	≥45	≥45	≥55

So even before your profile weightages kick in, you must clear these cutoffs.

5. Qualifying Cutoffs for IIM Kozhikode, Lucknow, Shillong, Ranchi & Rohtak

5.1 IIM Kozhikode

Category	Sectional cutoffs (each section)	Overall minimum percentile
General	75	85
NC-OBC / EWS	65	75
SC	55	65
ST / PwD	45	55

As a practical target, most General candidates aiming for IIM K plan for a high-90s overall percentile.

5.2 IIM Lucknow (MBA 2026–28)

Category	Sectional percentile (each section)	Overall percentile
General	85	90
EWS / NC-OBC	77	82
SC	55	65
ST / PwD	50	60

In practice, calls/converts can require a significantly higher percentile depending on profile.

5.3 IIM Shillong – Category-wise CAT Cutoffs

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General (OTHERS/OT)	75	75	75	No fixed minimum overall
EWS	75	75	75	No fixed minimum overall
SC	60	60	60	No fixed minimum overall
ST	50	50	50	No fixed minimum overall
DA/PwD	50	50	50	No fixed minimum overall

Even though sectionals are 75 for General, actual outcomes are often in the 90+ overall range, with profile + PI playing a big role.

5.4 IIM Ranchi (via JAP 2026 reference)

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General	75	75	75	96.25
EWS	60	60	60	89
NC-OBC	60	60	60	88.5
SC	45	45	45	75
ST	25	25	25	44
PwD	25	25	25	30

5.5 IIM Rohtak – Overall Minimum Cutoffs (CAT 2025 for PGP 2026–28)

General: 97
EWS: 93
NC-OBC: 83
SC: 60
ST: 50
DAP-General: 87
DAP-EWS: 83
DAP-NC-OBC: 73
DAP-SC: 50
DAP-ST: 40

6. IIM CAP Cutoff & New IIMs (Updated for 2026 Admissions Cycle)

As of CAP 2026 (MBA 2026–28 based on CAT 2025), CAP is a joint PI process of:
IIM Bodh Gaya | IIM Jammu | IIM Sirmaur

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General (male & gender-neutral)	65	65	65	90
General (Female & Transgender)	65	65	65	85
EWS (male & gender-neutral)	50	50	50	75
EWS (Female & Transgender)	50	50	50	70
NC-OBC (male & gender-neutral)	45	45	45	75
NC-OBC (Female & Transgender)	45	45	45	70
SC (male & gender-neutral)	40	40	40	60
SC (Female & Transgender)	40	40	40	55
ST (male & gender-neutral)	25	30	30	38
ST (Female & Transgender)	25	30	30	35
PwD (male & gender-neutral)	25	30	30	38
PwD (Female & Transgender)	25	30	30	35

Note: “New IIMs = CAP” is no longer a safe assumption. Many IIMs run independent processes or are part of JAP.

7. CAT Score vs Percentile (Overall) – How Many Marks You Need

Understanding score vs percentile helps you translate target cutoffs into a target raw/overall score.

Normalization is used to ensure fairness across different exam slots.

7.1 CAT 2023 Score vs Percentile (Scaled Score) – Approx.

Percentile	Scaled score (2023)
100	~138.6
99.95	~107
99.9	~101
99.5	~84
99	~76
98	~67
95	~56
90	~45
85	~42
80	~41

7.2 CAT 2024 Marks vs Percentile (Overall, by Slot) – Approx.

Percentile	Slot 1 score	Slot 2 score	Slot 3 score
100	150	140	140
99.5	97	95	96
99	91	85	88
98	80	74	77
95	67	62	65
90	55	50	53
85	46	41	44
80	40	35	38

7.3 CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile (Overall) – Approx.

CAT percentile	Approx. overall score (CAT 2025)
99.9	~115–122
99.5	~97–103
99	~82–86
95	~65–70
90	~51–53
85	~41–45
80	~35–40

If your target is:

IIM A/B/C: aim 99–99.5+
IIM L/K/Indore/IIT Delhi: aim 97–99
CAP/JAP pools: CAP Gen = 90 overall, JAP Gen PI = 96.25 overall

8. Section-wise Cut Offs: VARC, DILR & QA

CAT has three sections: VARC, DILR, QA. You must clear minimum sectional cutoffs too. Candidates must meet the required percentile rank in each section, including logical reasoning percentile rank, quantitative ability percentile rank, and reading comprehension percentile rank, to clear these sectional cutoffs.

8.1 Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Top institutes often have VARC sectional cutoff in the 70–85 percentile range.
For IIM A, the sectional cutoff for General is 85.

8.2 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

In difficult years, DILR decides the paper. Many candidates lose calls due to DILR sectional misses.

8.3 Quantitative Ability (QA)

Missing QA sectional cutoff can disqualify you even with a strong overall percentile.

9. Category-wise CAT Cutoffs: General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST

9.1 General Category Students

Typical patterns:

Top IIMs: 99–100 overall
Other top IIMs + IIT Delhi: ~97–99
CAP Gen minimum: 90 overall; JAP Gen PI: 96.25 overall

9.2 Reserved Categories – SC/ST, OBC & EWS

Reserved categories have lower qualifying cutoffs in official tables.

9.3 What This Means for You

Don’t just look at IIM ABC; look at your category row.
For General, treat qualifying numbers as a bare minimum, not a target.

10. How Composite Score & Academic Performance Affect IIM Cut Offs

10.1 Composite Score Basics

Most IIMs use a composite score including:

CAT percentile
10th/12th/grad scores
Work experience
Diversity factors
PI/WAT performance

10.2 Impact on Final Admission CAT Cutoff

Two candidates with the same CAT percentile can have different outcomes due to profile differences:

Strong academics → can convert with a slightly lower CAT percentile
Weaker academics → may need higher CAT percentile to compensate

11. Non-IIM CAT Colleges: IIT Delhi, SIBM Pune, TAPMI & Others

11.1 IIT Delhi (DMS) – Minimum Qualifying Cutoffs (Reference)

Category	Overall percentile	Sectional minimum percentile
General	90	80 in each section
OBC-NCL	81	72 in each section
SC	60	53 in each section
ST	60	53 in each section
PwD	60	53 in each section

11.2 SIBM Pune (Symbiosis Institute of Business Management)

SIBM Pune uses SNAP, not CAT, as its primary exam. It is often compared alongside IIMs in difficulty, but the entrance test is different.

11.3 TAPMI (T. A. Pai Management Institute)

TAPMI accepts CAT/XAT/GMAT. CAT cutoffs are typically in the 85–90 percentile band (approx.), making it a strong backup for many aspirants.

12. From Raw Score to Actual Percentile: How CAT Calculates

12.1 Raw Score vs Scaled Score vs Percentile

Your slot score = raw score (with negative marking)
Slot normalization creates a scaled score
Scaled score converts into percentiles (overall + section-wise)

12.2 Why Difficulty Level Matters

Tough paper → lower scores can still give high percentiles
Easy paper → you need higher marks for the same percentile

13. Typical Cut Offs by Target Cluster

13.1 Top IIMs (A, B, C)

Target: 99–100 overall
Sectionals: usually 75–85+ across all sections

13.2 Other Top IIMs – L, K, Indore, Shillong, Ranchi, Rohtak

Lucknow qualifying: 90 overall + 85 sectionals
Kozhikode qualifying: 85 overall + 75 sectionals
Shillong: 75 sectionals (Gen), no fixed overall in policy
Ranchi (JAP): 96.25 overall + 75 sectionals
Rohtak: 97 overall (Gen)

13.3 New IIMs & Centralized PI Processes (CAP/JAP)

CAP 2026 Gen: 90 overall + 65 sectionals
JAP 2026 Gen: 96.25 overall + 75 sectionals

13.4 IITs & Other Top B-Schools

Other CAT colleges like FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon often demand 97–99 (varies year to year).

14. CAT 2026 Sectional Strategy: Clearing Sectional Cut Offs

14.1 VARC Strategy

Build daily reading + VA practice
Ensure you clear your target sectional line (often 75–85+)

14.2 DILR Strategy

Practice mixed DI + LR sets regularly
Track “sets solved per mock” consistency

14.3 QA Strategy

Strengthen fundamentals (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math)
QA swings often decide your final percentile band

15. How Much CAT Is Enough for You? (Setting Personal Targets)

15.1 Decide by College Cluster

IIM Ahmedabad / Bangalore / Calcutta

Aim for CAT 2026 ≥ 99.5 percentile

IIM Lucknow / Kozhikode / Shillong / Ranchi / Rohtak

Aim for 96–98 percentile and clear all sectionals

CAP/JAP pools and other strong colleges

95–97 percentile, with no section below 75–80 percentile, is a sensible target

15.2 Profile-adjusted Target

Strong 10th/12th/grad → can target slightly below headline for some calls
Average academics → aim higher than typical cutoffs to compensate

16. FAQ on CAT & Cut Offs

Q1. Is there a single CAT cutoff common to all colleges?
No. Each institute sets its own qualifying cutoff and final cutoff.

Q2. What are the marks r for CAT 2026?
There are no universal “qualifying marks” in raw-score terms. You qualify based on minimum percentile (overall + sectional) decided by each institute.

Q3. How do I know the official CAT qualifying numbers?
Check the official CAT notification and each institute’s admission policy document.

Q4. Are raw scores or scaled scores used for cutoffs?
IIMs use scaled scores and percentiles (after normalization).

Q5. What is the difference between cutoff for IIM and CAT cut off for other B-schools?
IIM A/B/C are among the highest. Other elite B-schools can be similar or slightly lower. Mid-tier colleges may be in the 80–90 band.

Q6. How does IIM CAP cutoff work?
CAP publishes pooled cutoffs for PI eligibility for participating IIMs. Final offers are still decided individually by each institute.

Q7. What role does CAT preparation play vs profile?
Even with a strong profile, you must clear sectionals + overall cutoff. Preparation and mock-based strategy make the difference.

17. How Mockat Helps You Reach (and Beat) These Cut Offs

Mockat is run by CAT 99.9+ percentilers and focuses on turning your target CAT cut into a daily action plan:

Detailed blogs on CAT preparation, score vs percentile, and expected cutoffs
Tools like CAT Percentile Predictor and free mocks to estimate your percentile range
Sectional tests to ensure you clear each sectional cutoff—not just overall

Explore more on mockat.com and revisit the eligibility pillar page whenever you’re unsure about rules or categories.