{"id":17793,"date":"2025-09-27T07:36:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T07:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?p=17793"},"modified":"2025-09-27T07:36:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T07:36:58","slug":"cat-cut-off-for-top-mba-colleges-2025-a-comprehensive-guide-for-mba-aspirants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/cat-cut-off-for-top-mba-colleges-2025-a-comprehensive-guide-for-mba-aspirants\/","title":{"rendered":"CAT Cut Off for Top MBA Colleges 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for MBA Aspirants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201cCommon Admission Test (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2025\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)\u201dis 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This blog offers an in-depth guide on \u201cCAT cut-offs for India&#8217;s best MBA colleges\u201d, such as percentile requirements, selection process, influencing factors, reservation criteria, and how to ensure maximum chances of selection.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Why CAT Cut-off Matters?<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Decides eligibility for subsequent rounds: WAT\/PI or GDPI<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Differing from college to college, category to category, program to program<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Assists in filtering out serious candidates from the huge applicant pool<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Affects final admission chances even for high scorers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Top MBA Colleges with CAT Cut Offs 2026<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/college\/1457\/indian%0A%0A-institute-of-management-ahmedabad\"><b>IIM Ahmedabad<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected CAT Cut-off (General): 99+ percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actual Shortlisting Cut-off: ~80 percentile (academic profile-based)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weightage:65% (CAT), 35% (Academics, Work-ex, Diversity)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>IIM Bangalore<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected Cut-off: 99+ percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum Cut-off for Call:** 85 percentile (sectional: 80+)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Feature:** High weightage to academics and work experience<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/college\/1388\/indian%20-institute-of-management-calcutta\"><b>IIM Calcutta<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected Cut-off:** 98.5 \u2013 99 percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum sectional cut-off:** 80 percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selection Process:** CAT + PI + WAT (Writing Ability Test)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies)<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected Cut-off:98.5+ percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ROI-Focused College:Low fees (~\u20b92 lakh) with high salary outcomes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weightage:CAT (50%), PI (30%), Extempore (10%), Academics (10%)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>IIM Lucknow<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected Cut-off: 97+ percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sectional cut-off:85 percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Process:CAT + WAT + PI + academic profile weightage<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><b> SP Jain Institute of Management &amp; Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut-off (Profile-Based Call): ~85 percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut-off (Score-Based Call): ~95+ percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Note: Heavy profile and specialization preference push<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>MDI Gurgaon<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected Cut-off 95\u201396 percentile<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Program Offered:PGDM, PGDM-HRM, PGDM-IB<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Selection Parameters:CAT, PI, Academic background<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Quick Comparison Table \u2013 Top MBA Colleges and Cut Offs<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>College Name<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Expected CAT Cut-off (Gen)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Actual Shortlisting Range<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Selection Process<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIM Ahmedabad<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">99+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~80\u201385 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT + AWT + PI<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIM Bangalore<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">99+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~85 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT + WAT + PI<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIM Calcutta<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">98.5\u201399 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85\u201390 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT + PI + WAT<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FMS Delhi<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">98.5\u201399 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">97+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT + PI + Academics<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SPJIMR Mumbai<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">95 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85+ (Profile), 95+ (Score)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT + Profile Evaluation + PI<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MDI Gurgaon<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">95\u201396 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">93+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT + PI<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Category-Wise CAT Cut-Offs (2026 \u2013 Expected)<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Institute<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>General<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>NC-OBC<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>SC<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>ST<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>EWS<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIM Ahmedabad<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80\u201385<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIM Bangalore<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIM Calcutta<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">65<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FMS Delhi<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">97\u201398<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MDI Gurgaon<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">94\u201395<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">65<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Factors Influencing CAT Cut Offs<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0CAT exam difficulty level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Number of candidates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Reservation policies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Academic diversity and gender balance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Weightage to non-academic parameters<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>CAT Sectional Cut-Offs (Expected &#8211; General Category)<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Section<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Minimum Percentile (IIM-A)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Minimum Percentile (IIM-B)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VARC<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70\u201380<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DILR<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70\u201380<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">QA<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70\u201380<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Best Colleges Accepting CAT Score (Other than IIMs)<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>College Name<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Expected CAT Cut-off<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Programs Offered<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIT Bombay &#8211; SJMSOM<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">98+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBA<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIT Delhi &#8211; DMS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">97\u201398 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBA<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMT Ghaziabad<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PGDM, Marketing, Finance<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMI Delhi<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">88\u201390 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PGDM<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TAPMI, Manipal<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PGDM<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Admission Process Timeline (CAT 2026)<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Stage<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Tentative Timeframe<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT Exam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">November 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Result Declaration<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">January 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortlisting by IIMs<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">January\u2013February 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WAT-PI Rounds<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">February\u2013April 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Admission Offers<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">April\u2013May 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>FAQs \u2013 CAT Cut-off 2026<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Q1. What is a good percentile for IIMs?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: For best IIMs (A\/B\/C), 98\u201399.9 percentile is generally needed for general category.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q2. Is there any sectional cut-off in CAT?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Yes, minimum sectional cut-offs are followed by all IIMs and the majority of top colleges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q3. Can one enter an IIM with a score less than 90 percentile?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Perhaps in diversity profile shortlisting IIMs or in reserved categories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q4. Do private MBA schools consider CAT scores?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Yes, most top private schools like MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, and IMI consider CAT.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q5. Does one&#8217;s work experience and academics come into consideration?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Yes, most institutes do take into account past academics, work experience, and gender\/academic diversity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>My Career Mantra<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Begin early, study wisely, and aim for overall as well as sectional scores. Practice mock tests regularly, and target at least \u201c95+ percentile if you aim for the top B-schools. Do not ignore your academic and work-ex profile \u2013 they are crucial to final selection!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 \u201cWAT-PI\u201d rounds is equally vital for final acceptance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Related Articles You Might Like:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/course\/1\/mba\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top MBA Colleges in India 2025: Rankings, Fees &amp; Placements<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2025\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT 2025 Exam Strategy: Tips, Timeline &amp; Syllabus<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The \u201cCommon Admission Test (CAT)\u201dis 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 \u201cCAT cut-offs for India&#8217;s best MBA colleges\u201d, such as percentile requirements, selection process, influencing factors, reservation criteria, and how to ensure maximum chances of selection. Why CAT Cut-off Matters? \u00a0Decides eligibility for subsequent rounds: WAT\/PI or GDPI \u00a0Differing from college to college, category to category, program to program \u00a0Assists in filtering out serious candidates from the huge applicant pool \u00a0Affects final admission chances even for high scorers Top MBA Colleges with CAT Cut Offs 2026 IIM Ahmedabad 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 IIM Calcutta Expected Cut-off:** 98.5 \u2013 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 (~\u20b92 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 &amp; 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\u201396 percentile Program Offered:PGDM, PGDM-HRM, PGDM-IB *Selection Parameters:CAT, PI, Academic background Quick Comparison Table \u2013 Top MBA Colleges and Cut Offs College Name Expected CAT Cut-off (Gen) Actual Shortlisting Range Selection Process IIM Ahmedabad 99+ percentile ~80\u201385 percentile CAT + AWT + PI IIM Bangalore 99+ percentile ~85 percentile CAT + WAT + PI IIM Calcutta 98.5\u201399 percentile 85\u201390 percentile CAT + PI + WAT FMS Delhi 98.5\u201399 percentile 97+ percentile CAT + PI + Academics SPJIMR Mumbai 95 percentile 85+ (Profile), 95+ (Score) CAT + Profile Evaluation + PI MDI Gurgaon 95\u201396 percentile 93+ percentile CAT + PI &nbsp; Category-Wise CAT Cut-Offs (2026 \u2013 Expected) Institute General NC-OBC SC ST EWS IIM Ahmedabad 80\u201385 75 70 60 75 IIM Bangalore 85 75 70 60 75 IIM Calcutta 85 75 70 65 75 FMS Delhi 97\u201398 90 85 75 90 MDI Gurgaon 94\u201395 80 75 65 85 &nbsp; Factors Influencing CAT Cut Offs \u00a0CAT exam difficulty level \u00a0Number of candidates \u00a0Reservation policies *Academic diversity and gender balance \u00a0Weightage to non-academic parameters CAT Sectional Cut-Offs (Expected &#8211; General Category) Section Minimum Percentile (IIM-A) Minimum Percentile (IIM-B) VARC 70\u201380 80 DILR 70\u201380 80 QA 70\u201380 80 &nbsp; Best Colleges Accepting CAT Score (Other than IIMs) College Name Expected CAT Cut-off Programs Offered IIT Bombay &#8211; SJMSOM 98+ percentile MBA IIT Delhi &#8211; DMS 97\u201398 percentile MBA IMT Ghaziabad 90+ percentile PGDM, Marketing, Finance IMI Delhi 88\u201390 percentile PGDM TAPMI, Manipal 85 percentile PGDM &nbsp; Admission Process Timeline (CAT 2026) Stage Tentative Timeframe CAT Exam November 2025 Result Declaration January 2026 Shortlisting by IIMs January\u2013February 2026 WAT-PI Rounds February\u2013April 2026 Final Admission Offers April\u2013May 2026 &nbsp; FAQs \u2013 CAT Cut-off 2026 Q1. What is a good percentile for IIMs? A: For best IIMs (A\/B\/C), 98\u201399.9 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&#8217;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 \u201c95+ percentile if you aim for the top B-schools. Do not ignore your academic and work-ex profile \u2013 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 \u201cWAT-PI\u201d 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! Related Articles You Might Like: Top MBA Colleges in India 2025: Rankings, Fees &amp; Placements CAT 2025 Exam Strategy: Tips, Timeline &amp; Syllabus &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[660,18],"tags":[635,622,810],"class_list":["post-17793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cat-exam","category-top-mba-colleges","tag-all-about-cat-entrance-exam","tag-best-mba-colleges-by-cat-percentile-placements","tag-cat-cut-off-for-top-mba"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>CAT Cut Off for Top MBA Colleges 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for MBA Aspirants - Career Mantra<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The \u201cCommon Admission Test (CAT)\u201dis the most sought-after entrance test for MBA\/PGDM courses in India, The \u201cCommon Admission Test (CAT)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/cat-cut-off-for-top-mba-colleges-2025-a-comprehensive-guide-for-mba-aspirants\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CAT Cut Off for Top MBA Colleges 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for MBA Aspirants - 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