Updated on 19th November 2024 | 1:27 pm | #CATScoreVSPercentile
The Common Admission Test, or CAT 2024, is the entrance exam that unlocks opportunities for postgraduate studies in numerous top B-schools, including IIMs and other management institutes. Last year, over 3.5 lakh people have taken the exam, and this number could increase this year. The CAT score vs percentile shows the comparison between the sectional and overall CAT percentile against specific scores.
Here are some key points to consider regarding CAT percentiles and scores:
CAT marks vs percentile analysis helps to determine the score needed in CAT 2024 to get the desired percentile.
The first question that pops up for any first-time CAT taker is that, “What is CAT percentile and score?
Well, to answer this question in the simplest way possible, we can tell you that your CAT score comprises the marks you scored in your CAT exam, and your CAT percentile signifies nothing but the number of candidates you have performed better than. It is still crucial to decode how exactly you got those marks and the criteria behind converting them into scaled scores and percentiles. For that, let’s first try to understand what exactly these CAT scaled scores and CAT percentiles are.
Check out your estimated CAT scores and stay updated on all the live updates on CAT 2024, visit CAT Exam Analysis 2024.
We are all familiar with the CAT 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?
You can utilize the best test series for CAT prep in order to have a fair idea of where you stand among the 3 lakh+ candidates appearing for CAT 2024.
Step 1: Calculate the total number of candidates (N) who appeared for CAT (i.e. including morning, afternoon and evening sessions).
Step 2: Assign a rank (r) to all candidates who appeared for CAT based on the scaled scores obtained in all the sections. In the case of two or more candidates obtaining identical scaled scores of the particular section, assign identical ranks to all those candidates.
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.
Step 3: Calculate the percentile score (P) of a candidate with rank (r) of the particular section as:
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
Step 4: Round off the calculated percentile score (P) of a candidate up to two decimal points.
For example, all percentile scores greater than or equal to 99.995 are rounded off to 100, and all
percentile scores greater than or equal to 99.985 but strictly less than 99.995 are rounded off to
99.99 and so on.
A similar methodology is used to compute the overall CAT percentile scores and the percentile scores of other sections.
Also Check: CAT Syllabus | CAT Exam Pattern
The given expected percentile and scores are based on inputs provided by CAT-takers in CL’s score calculator. The actual CAT cutoffs 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 2024 for your reference:
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 |
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 |
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 |
There is no specific answer to this particular question as it is subject to the candidate's interest and the college he/she is aiming to get into. However, ideally, students should target a CAT percentile somewhere above 95% to secure a seat in some of the best MBA colleges in India.
In order to achieve that CAT percentile, you need to work on getting an appropriate score to match that level, considering the increasing competition nowadays. To attain a good CAT score, you should aim to attempt around 65+ questions overall and at least 24 questions from each section with an accuracy of 85% to 90%.
For an exam as competitive as CAT, it is best to know where you stand in the competition of over 3 lakh aspirants. Improve your readiness for the CAT exam and take your preparation to the next level with Career Launcher's free CAT mock tests.
Take your free mock test today!!Out of the 66 questions in CAT 2024, attempting around 45 questions with 85-90% accuracy can get you a 100 percentile.
Here is the section-wise number of questions to attempt in CAT 2024 to get a good percentile for your reference:
Section-Wise Attempts For 99+ Percentile In CAT 2024 |
||||
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 |
With CAT 2024 just around the corner, focus on improving your CAT mock percentile with the experts and start taking full-fledged CAT mock tests in case you haven't so far.
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-
Here is an expected overview for CAT 2024 based on the paper patterns and cutoffs of CAT 2023-
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 |
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 |
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.
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.
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.
There are a few parameters based on which the composite score is determined while calculating CAT score vs. percentile. These CAT percentiles represent the weightage of the number of candidates you have performed better than, and the composite score is used for shortlisting in the further rounds by considering several factors that carry different weightage, such as:
There are certain colleges that place a higher emphasis on academics, and in the case of low scores, candidates are advised to consider colleges that take recent achievements into account rather than focusing on past performance.
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.
CAT Scaled Score |
CAT Percentile |
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 |
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.
Keep up with the competition and gear up your CAT preparation accordingly. Here is a table that provides an analysis of the CAT score vs percentile in the past few years. Have a look at the table and set your aim for your dream B-school.
CAT Percentile |
Expected CAT 2024 Scaled Score |
CAT 2023 Scaled Score |
CAT 2022 Scaled Score |
100 |
140+ |
138.59 |
145.83 |
99+ |
103+ |
101.43 |
109.9 |
95+ |
58+ |
56.41 |
59.75 |
90+ |
47+ |
45.16 |
48.44 |
85+ |
44+ |
42.29 |
41.32 |
80+ |
43+ |
41.19 |
36.02 |
Candidates can secure admission in new IIMs with an 80 percentile score. Top MBA colleges in India and top IIMs accept CAT qualifying cut-offs at 80 percentile and above for CAT 2024.
According to CAT 2023, in slot 1, a raw score of 72 is scaled up to 78, resulting in a percentile of 99; in Slot 2, a raw score of 72 is scaled down to 71.4, resulting in a percentile of 98.54. In Slot 3, a raw score of 71 is adjusted to 67, with a corresponding percentile of 97.91. It's important to note that while the CAT score represents the total marks obtained by a candidate, the CAT percentile indicates the percentage of candidates scoring below a specific percentile.
There is no hard and fast rule to score a 99.99 percentile in CAT; however, by following a dedicated study schedule and the right approach, you can easily secure a good score in CAT 2024. Regular practice is key to success in CAT. Dedicate a significant amount of daily time to solving practice questions and taking mock tests. Focus on improving your speed and accuracy. Additionally, pay extra attention to your weaker areas while practicing.
FMS Delhi usually sets its CAT cutoff around the 98-99 percentile. Different cutoffs are specified for each phase of the selection process at FMS Delhi. During the initial shortlisting stage, which leads to the personal interview, the cutoff is determined based on the CAT percentile of applicants.