What are CAT Scaled Scores and CAT Percentiles?
We are all familiar with the raw scores, the total marks calculated based on a candidate's correct and incorrect attempts. As there are three slots in CAT with varying difficulty levels per section, each candidate's raw scores are converted to scaled scores to standardize the marks across all slots.
CAT percentile, on the other hand, is a reflection of how you have performed across test takers. For instance, the 90th percentile reflects that your test score is greater than 90% of the test takers. The higher the percentile, the better. Both the CAT marks and percentile are different parameters that play a vital role in qualifying for the CAT exam.
The CAT scaled score is evaluated on the basis of CAT marks, whereas the CAT Percentile is the total percentage of candidates who secured less than or equal to a specific candidate’s score. This brings us to the question, How much do you need to score in CAT to get a 99%ile?
CAT 2024: How is the CAT Percentile Calculated?
The calculated percentile of each aspirant is given on the respective scorecard. The convening body on the official website of CAT also provides the method of calculating the percentile. Here is the method used to calculate the percentiles in CAT 2024:
where,
P = Percentile of the candidate
N = Number of candidates who appeared for CAT 2024
r = The rank assigned to candidates based on their scaled scores
Note:
If two or more candidates' scaled scores are the same, they will be given the same rank (r). That is, if two candidates get the highest scaled score in VARC, they will be assigned rank 1. Also, the candidate with the second highest scaled score will follow at rank 3.
The Final Percentile (P) will be rounded off to two decimal places.
CAT 2024: Expected Score vs Percentile
The given expected percentile and scores are based on inputs provided by CAT-takers in CL’s score calculator. The actual cutoffs for CAT 2024 will be collated after the CAT 2024 results are out.
Based on the CAT 2023 results and cut-offs, candidates can expect a higher level of difficulty for CAT 2024 this year. The ideal score required to gain admission to the top B-schools with a 99+ percentile is expected to be lower, ranging between 80-90. Here are the expected CAT scores vs percentiles for 2024 for your reference:
Expected CAT Score vs Percentile: Slot 1
|
CAT Percentile |
CAT VARC Score |
CAT DILR Score |
CAT QA Score |
Overall CAT Score |
|
100 |
42-44 |
29-30 |
30-32 |
100-102 |
|
99+ |
40 |
25-27 |
25-28 |
80 |
|
95+ |
28-30 |
18-20 |
20-22 |
55 |
|
90+ |
22-24 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
45-48 |
|
85+ |
20-22 |
13-14 |
12-14 |
39-41 |
|
80+ |
18-20 |
11-12 |
10-12 |
35-37 |
Expected CAT Score vs Percentile: Slot 2
|
CAT Percentile |
CAT VARC Score |
CAT DILR Score |
CAT QA Score |
Overall CAT Score |
|
100 |
43-44 |
25-27 |
29-30 |
98-100 |
|
99+ |
40-42 |
22-23 |
27-28 |
82-83 |
|
95+ |
30-33 |
18-20 |
20-22 |
57-58 |
|
90+ |
24-26 |
14-15 |
15-17 |
46-48 |
|
85+ |
20-22 |
12-13 |
12-14 |
40-43 |
|
80+ |
18-20 |
10-11 |
10-12 |
36-39 |
Expected CAT Score vs Percentile: Slot 3
|
CAT Percentile |
CAT VARC Score |
CAT DILR Score |
CAT QA Score |
Overall CAT Score |
|
100 |
42-23 |
27-28 |
32-34 |
98-100 |
|
99+ |
38-40 |
23-24 |
27-28 |
78-80 |
|
95+ |
28-30 |
18-20 |
18-20 |
57-58 |
|
90+ |
24-25 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
46-48 |
|
85+ |
20-22 |
12-14 |
12-14 |
40-41 |
|
80+ |
18-20 |
10-11 |
10-11 |
36-37 |
CAT 2024: How Many Questions to Attempt for 99+ Percentile?
Out of the 66 questions in CAT 2024, attempting around 45 questions with 85-90% accuracy can get you a 99+ percentile. Here is the section-wise number of questions to attempt in CAT 2024 to get a good percentile for your reference:
|
CAT Percentile |
VARC questions to attempt |
DILR questions to attempt |
QA questions to attempt |
Overall questions to attempt |
|
100 |
15-16 |
11-12 |
15-16 |
42-45 |
|
99+ |
14-15 |
10-11 |
13-15 |
40-41 |
|
95-98.99 |
13-14 |
9-10 |
12-13 |
35-39 |
|
90-94.99 |
11-12 |
7-8 |
11-12 |
29-34 |
|
85+ |
9-10 |
6-7 |
9-11 |
24-28 |
CAT 2024: Trends in CAT Score vs Percentile based on CAT 2023
Following the past year's trends, candidates can infer an estimated number of questions that they must answer correctly to get a good percentile. Here is an expected overview for CAT 2024-
|
Sections |
Total Questions Per Section |
Number of Questions |
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension |
24 |
13-15 |
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
20 |
9-12 |
|
Quantitative Ability |
22 |
11-13 |
|
Total no of Questions |
66 |
27 - 33 |
CAT 2024: Section-Wise CAT Score vs Percentile
While the overall marks and percentile are important candidates must also keep in mind the sectional cutoffs. While CAT 2024 is yet to be held, here are the number of questions that you can consider a good attempt, along with the scaled scores of all three sections of CAT to reach the 99+%ile based on CAT 2023 paper.
|
Section |
Scaled Scores |
Number of Questions |
|
VARC |
37 |
12 |
|
DILR |
27 |
9 |
|
QA |
26 |
9 |
CAT Marks vs Percentile for VARC Section
There were a total of 24 questions in this section in CAT 2023, out of which 16 questions were from RC passages, and the remaining 8 were from VA.
The VARC section comprises two sub-sections Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. The section focuses on grammar, vocabulary, para jumbles, para summary, odd sentence out, and para completion.
CAT Marks vs Percentile for DILR Section
Owing to the complexity of the section and the fear it creates, the scores for this section are lower and thus relatively easier to achieve.
There are four sets in this section with 5 questions each. The sets are data-based reasoning sets and call for a knack for data and logical thinking. To do well in this section, you need a sound strategy and should steer clear of panic in case of a difficult DILR section.
CAT Marks vs Percentile for QA Section
This section is focused on mathematics and requires aspirants to be well-versed in various mathematical formulae, equations, and shortcuts to do well. Candidates can focus on estimating the answer to the nearest answer in the MCQs to lessen the time spent per question.
CAT 2023: CAT Score vs Percentile
It is very important to look at past trends before proceeding with your preparation for CAT 2024. By doing so, you can adopt a better exam-taking strategy and learn smart tips and tricks to score better. Here are the scores and total questions you needed in CAT 2023 for top percentiles to receive calls from B-schools.
|
Score |
Percentile Rank |
Net Qs |
|
84.5 |
99.5 |
28 |
|
76 |
99 |
25 |
|
62 |
97 |
20 |
|
55 |
95 |
18 |
|
44.5 |
90 |
14 |
|
38 |
85 |
12 |
|
34 |
80 |
11 |
|
30 |
75 |
10 |
|
27 |
70 |
9 |
|
22 |
60 |
7 |
|
17 |
50 |
5 |
CAT 2023 Scores vs Percentiles: Analysis as of November 26, 2023
|
Expected Percentiles |
VARC Score |
DILR Score |
QA Score |
Overall Score |
||||||||
|
Slot 1 |
Slot 2 |
Slot 3 |
Slot 1 |
Slot 2 |
Slot 3 |
Slot 1 |
Slot 2 |
Slot 3 |
Slot 1 |
Slot 2 |
Slot 3 |
|
|
99 |
40 |
40-42 |
38-40 |
25-27 |
25-26 |
27-28 |
25-28 |
28-30 |
27-28 |
80-81 |
82-83 |
78-80 |
|
95 |
28-30 |
30-33 |
28-30 |
18-20 |
18-20 |
18-20 |
20-22 |
20-22 |
18-20 |
55-56 |
57-58 |
57-58 |
|
90 |
22-24 |
24-26 |
24-25 |
15-17 |
14-15 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
15-17 |
45-48 |
46-48 |
46-48 |
|
85 |
20-22 |
20-22 |
20-22 |
13-14 |
12-13 |
12-14 |
12-14 |
12-14 |
12-14 |
39-41 |
40-43 |
40-41 |
|
80 |
18-20 |
18-20 |
18-20 |
11-12 |
10-11 |
10-11 |
10-12 |
10-12 |
10-11 |
35-37 |
36-39 |
36-37 |
*Fill in the score calculator to determine your overall score and predicted percentile using Career Launcher’s Percentile Predictor. Take advantage of our resources to stay one step ahead of your competition.