The “Common Admission Test (CAT)”is the most sought-after entrance test for MBA/PGDM courses in India, accepted by top institutions like the IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and many others. With lakhs of candidates competing annually, knowing the CAT cut-off trends for leading B-Schools is vital for successful application planning.
This blog offers an in-depth guide on “CAT cut-offs for India’s best MBA colleges”, such as percentile requirements, selection process, influencing factors, reservation criteria, and how to ensure maximum chances of selection.
Why CAT Cut-off Matters?
- Decides eligibility for subsequent rounds: WAT/PI or GDPI
- Differing from college to college, category to category, program to program
- Assists in filtering out serious candidates from the huge applicant pool
- Affects final admission chances even for high scorers
Top MBA Colleges with CAT Cut Offs 2026
- Expected CAT Cut-off (General): 99+ percentile
- Actual Shortlisting Cut-off: ~80 percentile (academic profile-based)
- Weightage:65% (CAT), 35% (Academics, Work-ex, Diversity)
IIM Bangalore
- Expected Cut-off: 99+ percentile
- Minimum Cut-off for Call:** 85 percentile (sectional: 80+)
- Special Feature:** High weightage to academics and work experience
- Expected Cut-off:** 98.5 – 99 percentile
- Minimum sectional cut-off:** 80 percentile
- Selection Process:** CAT + PI + WAT (Writing Ability Test)
FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies)
- Expected Cut-off:98.5+ percentile
- ROI-Focused College:Low fees (~₹2 lakh) with high salary outcomes
- Weightage:CAT (50%), PI (30%), Extempore (10%), Academics (10%)
IIM Lucknow
- Expected Cut-off: 97+ percentile
- Sectional cut-off:85 percentile
- Process:CAT + WAT + PI + academic profile weightage
- SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Cut-off (Profile-Based Call): ~85 percentile
- Cut-off (Score-Based Call): ~95+ percentile
- Special Note: Heavy profile and specialization preference push
MDI Gurgaon
- Expected Cut-off 95–96 percentile
- Program Offered:PGDM, PGDM-HRM, PGDM-IB
- *Selection Parameters:CAT, PI, Academic background
Quick Comparison Table – Top MBA Colleges and Cut Offs
| College Name | Expected CAT Cut-off (Gen) | Actual Shortlisting Range | Selection Process |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ percentile | ~80–85 percentile | CAT + AWT + PI |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ percentile | ~85 percentile | CAT + WAT + PI |
| IIM Calcutta | 98.5–99 percentile | 85–90 percentile | CAT + PI + WAT |
| FMS Delhi | 98.5–99 percentile | 97+ percentile | CAT + PI + Academics |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 95 percentile | 85+ (Profile), 95+ (Score) | CAT + Profile Evaluation + PI |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95–96 percentile | 93+ percentile | CAT + PI |
Category-Wise CAT Cut-Offs (2026 – Expected)
| Institute | General | NC-OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80–85 | 75 | 70 | 60 | 75 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 75 | 70 | 60 | 75 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 75 |
| FMS Delhi | 97–98 | 90 | 85 | 75 | 90 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 94–95 | 80 | 75 | 65 | 85 |
Factors Influencing CAT Cut Offs
- CAT exam difficulty level
- Number of candidates
- Reservation policies
- *Academic diversity and gender balance
- Weightage to non-academic parameters
CAT Sectional Cut-Offs (Expected – General Category)
| Section | Minimum Percentile (IIM-A) | Minimum Percentile (IIM-B) |
| VARC | 70–80 | 80 |
| DILR | 70–80 | 80 |
| QA | 70–80 | 80 |
Best Colleges Accepting CAT Score (Other than IIMs)
| College Name | Expected CAT Cut-off | Programs Offered |
| IIT Bombay – SJMSOM | 98+ percentile | MBA |
| IIT Delhi – DMS | 97–98 percentile | MBA |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90+ percentile | PGDM, Marketing, Finance |
| IMI Delhi | 88–90 percentile | PGDM |
| TAPMI, Manipal | 85 percentile | PGDM |
Admission Process Timeline (CAT 2026)
| Stage | Tentative Timeframe |
| CAT Exam | November 2025 |
| Result Declaration | January 2026 |
| Shortlisting by IIMs | January–February 2026 |
| WAT-PI Rounds | February–April 2026 |
| Final Admission Offers | April–May 2026 |
FAQs – CAT Cut-off 2026
Q1. What is a good percentile for IIMs?
A: For best IIMs (A/B/C), 98–99.9 percentile is generally needed for general category.
Q2. Is there any sectional cut-off in CAT?
A: Yes, minimum sectional cut-offs are followed by all IIMs and the majority of top colleges.
Q3. Can one enter an IIM with a score less than 90 percentile?
A: Perhaps in diversity profile shortlisting IIMs or in reserved categories.
Q4. Do private MBA schools consider CAT scores?
A: Yes, most top private schools like MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, and IMI consider CAT.
Q5. Does one’s work experience and academics come into consideration?
A: Yes, most institutes do take into account past academics, work experience, and gender/academic diversity.
My Career Mantra
Begin early, study wisely, and aim for overall as well as sectional scores. Practice mock tests regularly, and target at least “95+ percentile if you aim for the top B-schools. Do not ignore your academic and work-ex profile – they are crucial to final selection!
Conclusion
Knowledge of CAT cut-offs is vital while selecting the proper institutes to apply to. Scoring well in CAT is necessary, but a balanced profile and preparation for the “WAT-PI” rounds is equally vital for final acceptance.
Every B-school has its own admission process, so follow individual college announcements attentively. As a 2025 aspirant, be prepared, remain current, and set your goals high!
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