The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to India’s premier business schools, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many top private and government-affiliated B-schools. If you are aiming for an MBA in India, here’s a detailed guide to the top colleges accepting CAT scores, including percentile cutoffs, program offerings, and admission insights.
Top CAT-Accepting Colleges in India
| College Name | Ownership | Approx. CAT Percentile | Flagship Program |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Public | 99+ | PGP (MBA) |
| IIM Bangalore | Public | 99+ | PGP |
| IIM Calcutta | Public | 99+ | MBA |
| IIM Lucknow | Public | 98-99 | PGP |
| IIM Kozhikode | Public | 97-98 | PGP |
| IIM Indore | Public | 97-98 | PGP |
| FMS Delhi | Public | 98-99 | MBA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Private | 85-95 (Profile-based) | PGPM |
| MDI Gurgaon | Private | 94-97 | PGPM |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | Public | 90-95 | MBA |
| IIT Delhi (DMS) | Public | 90-95 | MBA |
| IIT Kharagpur (VGSOM) | Public | 85-90 | MBA |
| IIT Madras (DOMS) | Public | 85-90 | MBA |
| XIM University, Bhubaneswar | Private | 85+ | MBA |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Private | 90+ | PGPM |
| IMI New Delhi | Private | 85-90 | PGPM |
| TAPMI, Manipal | Private | 85+ | PGPM |
| GIM Goa | Private | 85+ | PGPM |
| Great Lakes, Chennai | Private | 80+ | PGPM |
CAT Percentile vs MBA College
- 99+ percentile: IIM A, B, C
- 97–99 percentile: IIM L, K, I; FMS; MDI
- 90–95 percentile: IITs, IMT, IMI, SPJIMR (profile-based)
- 80–90 percentile: TAPMI, GIM, XIMB, Great Lakes
- 70–80 percentile: BIMTECH, LBSIM, IFMR
- Below 70 percentile: Some emerging private B-schools
Admission Insights
While a high CAT percentile is essential, many top colleges use a holistic selection process that includes academics, work experience, diversity, and personal interviews.
- SPJIMR, for example, considers profiles and gives calls at 85 percentile or above.
- FMS Delhi gives significant weight to CAT scores but also values academics and gender diversity.
- IITs accept CAT for their management programs, and they offer a strong tech-business blend.
Popular Searches:
- MBA schools by CAT percentile
- CAT percentile vs MBA college
- CAT cutoff for IIMs
- MBA admission by CAT score
- CAT accepting colleges 2026
- MBA colleges for 70 percentile in CAT
- Top B-schools by CAT score
Final Thoughts
Your CAT score opens doors to India’s most prestigious MBA programs. But percentile alone isn’t enough—build a well-rounded profile, work on communication skills for interviews, and choose colleges based on your career goals and ROI. Keep track of application deadlines and cutoffs, and apply smartly to maximize your chances.
For the latest updates on admissions, visit the official websites of respective colleges or follow portals like Career Mantra for consolidated info.
Leave a comment