What is a Good Percentile in 2024?

What is a Good CAT Score For CAT 2024?

A CAT score represents the performance of a candidate in the entrance exam, divided into three sections- VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability) with 66 questions aggregating up to a maximum of 193 marks.

For each correct answer, a candidate will get +3 marks, while for each wrong answer, there will be -1 mark. There is no negative marking for any unattempted questions at all. This marking system is used to determine the final raw CAT score. The formula used for calculating CAT score is as follows:

CAT Score = (Number of Correct Answers x 3) – (Number of Incorrect Answers)

Often, candidates who are starting their preparation for CAT or are in the final lap of their preparation wonder what a good CAT score is and how they can work hard to achieve it. This score holds a way for their future career prospects and exciting opportunities, which are not only accepted by the 21 IIMs present in India but also by some of the other best MBA colleges that are highly reputed and have commendable ROI. However, note that each B-school has its own cut-offs and admission criteria that should be fulfilled by a candidate in order to receive a call from that specific B-school.

In simple terms, the definition of a good score may vary for different people, as everyone aims at different B-schools. Generally, a score between 110 and 120 is considered to be very good. If you score above 100, you are likely to fall under the bracket of 95+%ile, which implies that you performed better than 95% of those who took the CAT exam.

For your reference, the table below showcases the expected CAT scores you can target to achieve your desired percentiles.

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What is a Good CAT Percentile For CAT 2024?

CAT percentile is a relative score that indicates your rank compared to the rest of the CAT test takers. In simple terms, the CAT percentile measures a candidate's performance by comparing their score to those of other candidates, indicating the position of the candidate in comparison to those with lower scores.

Example: If a candidate has secured a 99 %ile, it means that his or her performance was better than 99 percent of all the test takers who appeared for CAT in that particular year.

You can 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

For your reference, the table below showcases the expected CAT percentiles you can target to get into your desired B-school.

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CAT Score vs Percentile (Expected)

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 results 2024 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:

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Number Of Good Attempts in CAT 2024

To know all about the good number of attempts in CAT 2024, visit CAT Exam Analysis 2024.

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Good CAT Score For Top B-Schools (Expected)

The good CAT score needed for admission can differ from one institute to another. For easier understanding, the B-schools that accept CAT scores can be grouped into three tiers as given below:

Tier-Wise Good CAT Score

For candidates who don't meet the score requirements of the top colleges in India, there are other B-schools that accept lower CAT scores, which can be a good option. Not only this, but they can even take other management entrance exams like CMAT, XAT, and SNAP, which are easier to prepare for compared to CAT and are accepted by many top B-schools.

Section-Wise Good CAT Score

Receiving a call from a tier 1 B-school depends not only on a good CAT score but also on your profile; thus, it is subjective. Achieving 99+%ile in the CAT exam can definitely open doors to the top MBA colleges in India like IBS Hyderabad, IIT Delhi, NIT Trichy, and Lal Bahadur Institute of Management. Those who score around 90%ile may have better chances of getting into schools like JIMS, XIME Bangalore, and IILM Institute of Higher Education in Delhi.

The table below shows the recommended number of good attempts and the accuracy rate needed to achieve a good score in the CAT exam:

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CAT Cutoff 2024 (Expected)

We have jotted down an expected CAT 2024 cutoff percentiles based on the difficulty level of CAT 2023; utilise the information and gear up your CAT preparation accordingly:

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How To Achieve a Good CAT Score?

If you set high goals, you are likely to achieve them. With that in mind, here are ways candidates can aim for a good CAT score in 2024. These tips are essential for success in the exam.

Understand the Sectional Marks Distribution

The CAT exam consists of three different sections. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the CAT marking scheme and the number of questions in each area. Here are the details:

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 26 questions, 40 minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude: 26 questions, 40 minutes
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 24 questions, 40 minutes

Self-Assessment

The most critical part of preparing for CAT is understanding one's strengths and weaknesses. It would help one better fashion a study plan. Once one masters the strongly held areas, one can concentrate more time on improving the weak areas. This is one of the most effective approaches to achieving success in the exam.

Practice with Previous Years' Questions

The use of the CAT previous year question papers can greatly enhance your preparation. They might give you an insight into the exam pattern and mark distribution. It also gives you an idea of how the topics weigh in different proportions. Practicing these also sharpens time management skills. This will help you develop your own strategies towards improvement.

Don’t forget the Mocks

There is no syllabus 'as such' for CAT, so there is no point in waiting before you can write mocks. Write two mocks almost every week, and write not more than two mocks in the last few months.

Seek Guidance from Experts

You can join a crash course for CAT preparation for expert guidance, and you can also benefit from self-paced courses offered by many CAT coaching institutes to enhance your understanding and develop effective test-taking strategies.

By following these strategies, you can definitely increase your chances of getting a good score in your upcoming CAT attempt. Keep aiming high!