{"id":18732,"date":"2025-10-09T10:58:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T10:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?p=18732"},"modified":"2025-10-09T10:58:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T10:58:57","slug":"cat-2026-score-vs-percentile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/cat-2026-score-vs-percentile\/","title":{"rendered":"CAT 2026 score vs percentile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most frequently asked question from CAT 2026 score vs percentile: “What score do I need to achieve for a 99+ percentile?” Knowing the relationship between raw scores and percentiles is vital in order to set preparation goals. As CAT is a scaled test, the percentile varies with the difficulty level, normalization procedure, and candidates’ total performance. Your ultimate reference guide for CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile is here.<\/span><\/p>\n

CAT <\/b><\/a>2026 Score vs Percentile (Expected Range)<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s a general breakdown based on previous year trends. Note: These are <\/span>estimated<\/b> and can vary each year depending on paper difficulty and normalization.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Overall Scaled Score<\/b><\/td>\nExpected Percentile<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100 \u2013 105+<\/span><\/td>\n99.9+ percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
95 \u2013 100<\/span><\/td>\n99.5 \u2013 99.9 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
85 \u2013 94<\/span><\/td>\n99 \u2013 99.5 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
70 \u2013 85<\/span><\/td>\n97 \u2013 99 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
60 \u2013 70<\/span><\/td>\n95 \u2013 97 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50 \u2013 60<\/span><\/td>\n90 \u2013 95 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40 \u2013 50<\/span><\/td>\n85 \u2013 90 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30 \u2013 40<\/span><\/td>\n75 \u2013 85 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20 \u2013 30<\/span><\/td>\n60 \u2013 75 percentile<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sectional Score vs Percentile (Approximate)<\/b><\/h2>\n

CAT percentiles are also calculated section-wise. Here\u2019s how individual section scores roughly align with percentiles:<\/span><\/p>\n

VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension \u2013 24 Qs)<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Score<\/b><\/td>\nPercentile<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35+<\/span><\/td>\n99+<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30<\/span><\/td>\n95+<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24\u201328<\/span><\/td>\n90\u201395<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning \u2013 20 Qs)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Score<\/b><\/td>\nPercentile<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30+<\/span><\/td>\n99+<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25\u201330<\/span><\/td>\n95\u201399<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20\u201325<\/span><\/td>\n90\u201395<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

QA (Quantitative Aptitude \u2013 22 Qs)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Score<\/b><\/td>\nPercentile<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34+<\/span><\/td>\n99+<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28\u201334<\/span><\/td>\n95\u201399<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22\u201328<\/span><\/td>\n90\u201395<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Do Score vs Percentile Fluctuate?<\/b><\/h2>\n