The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India, conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Every year, lakhs of aspirants take this test, aiming for a high percentile to secure admission into top business schools. One of the most common questions among candidates is: How many marks are required to achieve a specific percentile? This article provides a detailed analysis of CAT percentile vs marks, helping aspirants understand the score conversion and set realistic targets.
Understanding CAT Scoring System
Before diving into the percentile-to-marks mapping, it is essential to understand how CAT is scored:
- Total Questions: Around 68 questions (subject to changes each year).
- Total Marks: 204 marks (3 marks for each correct answer).
- Negative Marking: -1 for each incorrect answer in MCQs; no negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
- Sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
The raw score obtained by a candidate is then scaled and converted into a percentile based on the performance of other test-takers.
CAT Percentile vs Marks: Expected Trends
While exact marks required for each percentile vary yearly due to exam difficulty, the table below provides an estimated breakdown based on previous years’ trends:
| Raw Score (Out of 204) | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|
| 110+ | 99.9+ |
| 100 – 110 | 99.5 – 99.9 |
| 85 – 100 | 99 – 99.5 |
| 70 – 85 | 97 – 99 |
| 60 – 70 | 95 – 97 |
| 50 – 60 | 90 – 95 |
| 40 – 50 | 85 – 90 |
| 30 – 40 | 75 – 85 |
| 20 – 30 | 60 – 75 |
| Below 20 | Below 60 |
Note: These numbers are approximate and subject to variation each year based on the difficulty level of the exam and overall performance of candidates.
Section-Wise Marks vs Percentile
A candidate’s overall percentile is derived from their sectional scores. Here’s an approximate score-to-percentile mapping for individual sections:
VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
| Raw Score | Expected Percentile |
| 40+ | 99+ |
| 35 – 40 | 97 – 99 |
| 30 – 35 | 95 – 97 |
| 25 – 30 | 90 – 95 |
| 20 – 25 | 80 – 90 |
DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)
| Raw Score | Expected Percentile |
| 35+ | 99+ |
| 30 – 35 | 97 – 99 |
| 25 – 30 | 95 – 97 |
| 20 – 25 | 90 – 95 |
| 15 – 20 | 80 – 90 |
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
| Raw Score | Expected Percentile |
| 40+ | 99+ |
| 35 – 40 | 97 – 99 |
| 30 – 35 | 95 – 97 |
| 25 – 30 | 90 – 95 |
| 20 – 25 | 80 – 90 |
Also read This :- Basic Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2025
How is CAT Percentile Calculated?
The percentile is a relative measure that compares a candidate’s performance with others. The formula used is:
For example, if 2,00,000 candidates appear for CAT and your rank is 2,000:
This means you have scored better than 99% of the candidates.
Tips to Achieve a High CAT Percentile
- Focus on Accuracy: Due to negative marking, minimizing errors is crucial.
- Improve Speed and Time Management: Practicing mock tests will enhance speed and accuracy.
- Balance All Sections: Since sectional cutoffs matter for IIMs, ensure a balanced score.
- Target High-Weightage Topics: Prioritize important topics in QA, DILR, and VARC.
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous year’s papers and take timed mock tests.
- Revise Concepts Thoroughly: Conceptual clarity in quantitative and logical reasoning is key.
Conclusion
Understanding the CAT percentile vs marks relationship is essential for aspirants to set realistic goals. While raw scores vary yearly, a strong preparation strategy focusing on accuracy, speed, and balanced performance across sections can help candidates achieve 99+ percentiles and secure admission into premier B-schools.
For additional guidance and strategies to ace CAT, keep tracking trends and practice rigorously.