CAT Score Vs Percentile – How to Analysis Your Performance

The Common Admission Test, generally referred to as CAT, is one of the toughest and most coveted exams for MBA aspirants in India. As conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT acts as a gateway to the best business schools in the country. Well if you want to ascertain the level of your performance you would have to understand the two very essential metrics i.e. the CAT score vs Percentile.

CAT Score vs Percentile

While both the terms are used almost simultaneously, each one of them signifies the different facets of your performance which is very necessary for evaluation. In this blog, we will break down and explain the differences between CAT Score vs Percentile. We will also be covering from their meaning to formulas to their implications followed by the top MBA colleges you can apply for based on your percentile. Keep reading to get the full information!

What is a CAT Score?

The CAT score is the raw score obtained by answering the questions in the exam. The scoring process is based on the following principle:

• Every correct answer has +3 marks.
• Every wrong answer has -1 mark each
• Non-MCQs attract no form of negative marking.

The three common sections in the CAT exam are as follows:

• Quantitative Ability (QA)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

What is the CAT Percentile?

The CAT percentile is essentially the representation of the relative performance of a candidate vis-à-vis other candidates. It actually represents the percentage of those candidates who have scored lower than you. For example, if you have scored 95th percentile that simply means you have done better than 95% better than all those candidates who have appeared in the examination.

Percentiles are calculated by ranking raw scores in multiple slots, hence accommodating differences between CAT Score vs percentile various difficulty levels. Such scoring is also ensured to be fair between candidates for evaluation purposes.

Differences Between CAT Score vs Percentile:

While your CAT score is a reflection of your absolute performance, percentiles go beyond this to represent your position in the larger scheme of competition.

How to calculate the CAT Percentile?

CAT Percentile can be calculated with the following formula:

P = [(N – r) / N] × 100

Where:

• P represents “Percentile”.
• N stands for “Number of candidates” who appeared for CAT.
• R represents “Rank” provided to the candidate based on scaled scores.

 Calculation of CAT Score vs Percentile:  

• Rank of Candidates: All candidates are ranked in descending order based on their scaled scores.
• Treatment of Tie: Here tie treatment means that if any other candidate has also got the same score then in such cases, those candidates who have scored the same will share the rank but omit the next rank.
• Percentile Rounding: Percentiles are generally rounded to two decimal places for precise information.

This mechanism ensures that all the students get a fair evaluation.

Projected CAT Score vs Percentile 2024

These historical trends and analyses would place a relationship with regard to CAT score vs Percentiles for the year 2024 as follows:

Note: These projections are subject to variation.

Previous Year CAT Exams Analysis

Refer to the table below to understand how the CAT Score vs percentile have changed over the past couple of years:

Observations of CAT Score vs Percentile:

• The trend is steady, which speaks of the fact that raw scores required for higher percentiles have decreased because of the difficulty level of the exam.
• The same percentile brings slightly lower raw scores in tougher papers due to normalisation.
• Since CAT is conducted in various slots, which are challenging to different extents, there is a process of normalisation whereby raw scores are corrected across slots for fair play.

Key Facts about Normalisation: 

• Wherever a slot is tough, the students from that slot may receive a slight score boost while scaling.
• Conversely the scores from an easier slot may be scaled down.
• These scaled scores are used to arrive at the final percentile.

This is to ensure that the chance remains equal for everyone in the applicants’ category and nobody benefits from the slots.

Top MBA Colleges Based on CAT Score vs Percentile in CAT

The top MBA colleges for CAT Score vs Percentile where you can apply. Here is a list of institutes based on percentile ranges:

For those who have scored Between 98-100%ile:

The candidates falling into this category are quite likely to enter into India’s top B-schools. These B-schools are:

• IIM Ahmedabad: Renowned for academic excellence along with the leadership development of the student.
• IIM Bangalore: Major hub for the specialisations and provides a  global exposure to the student.
• IIM Calcutta: Places extra emphasis on finance and analytics particularly for those who are looking to build their career in finance and analytics.
• FMS Delhi: Provides High ROI alongwith the excellent placements records for the students.
• IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore: Provides a very good management program for the MBA aspirants.

For those who have scored Between 95-98%ile:

If you have scored somewhere between 95-98%ile then it opens up gates to class these institutions such as:

• IIM Shillong: Focus on sustainable management practices.
• SPJIMR Mumbai: Specialised towards industry-oriented courses.
• MDI Gurgaon: Have excellent placement records coupled with exposure to corporates.
• IIFT Delhi/Kolkata: Specialised towards international business courses.
• NITIE Mumbai: Operations and supply chain management is a very popular choice.
• DMS IIT Delhi & SJMSOM IIT Bombay:Technical & Managerial education amalgamation.

For those who have scored Between 90-95%ile:   

Candidates in this category can consider the following:

• Newer IIMs (Amritsar, Nagpur, Bodh Gaya): The new institutes that have come up in the recent past and which have a rising reputation.
• XIMB Bhubaneswar: Strong on HR and Rural Management.
• IMI Delhi, VGSoM IIT Kharagpur: Both depend on strong academic and placement records.

For those who have scored Between 80-90%ile

This percentile band opens up to –

• GIM Goa, GLIM Chennai, TAPMI Manipal: Particularly known for a blend of academics and affordability.
• UBS Chandigarh: Provides good ROI and strong career prospects.

Also, learn Top 10 Government MBA Colleges in India

How To Achieve Good Percentile

If you want to achieve a good CAT Score vs Percentile, it is only possible with smart preparation and consistent efforts. Some of the strategies include:

• Get Familiar with the Exam Pattern: Achieving good percentile in CAT is not easy but with a strategic preparation it is possible. The first and the foremost step for this is making yourself aware of the structure and format of the CAT Exam, number of questions, sections, and time limits etc.
• Focus on Basics: Build good fundamentals in QA, DILR, and VARC are not waivable. Take time in mastering these sections.
• Take Regular Mock Tests: Mocks are critical for evaluating your preparation. Taking regular mocks help you to analyse your performance and identify the areas in which improvement is needed.
• Time Management:  In an exam, time should also be awarded to maximise the attempts maintaining accuracy during it.
• Practise Strategic Guessing: Avoid wild guesses, because negative marking can considerably hit your score. Be very selective with your answer.

Also learn – How to Get 95 Percentile in CAT

Why CAT Percentile Matters More Than Score

Percentiles are something on the basis of which the maximum number of MBA colleges have shortlisted their candidates. Percentiles indicate your relative ranking. Though raw score is important, it is your scaled score and resulting percentile that determines the institutes you can target.

Conclusion

Those who wish to crack the CAT and gain admission to premier MBA colleges must understand the dynamics of CAT Score vs Percentile. By analyzing past trends, strategically preparing, and targeting the right percentiles, one’s chances of cracking CAT increase significantly.

Indeed, this will be a journey any MBA aspirant dreams of. Through sustained efforts and informed choices, you can aim to enter either the elite IIMs or one of the emerging institutes. Understanding your CAT Score vs Percentile is crucial in making these informed choices and achieving your MBA aspirations.

FAQs

What is the difference between CAT score vs percentile?

Ans: CAT score is determined by the number of correct and incorrect responses while CAT percentile represents a candidate’s relative performance, indicating the percentage of test-takers who have scored less. For instance, if you are in the 99th percentile, you outperformed 99% of the candidates who have attempted the exam. Understanding the difference between CAT score vs percentile is crucial for evaluating your performance and setting realistic targets for admissions.

How many questions should I attempt to achieve a 99 percentile?

Ans: The number of attempts required for a 99 percentile depends on the exam’s difficulty. In recent years, with the increasing toughness of the paper, achieving 76 marks (approximately 26 correct answers with 100% accuracy) is sufficient to score 99th percentile

Which MBA colleges accept CAT scores in the ranging between 60 to 70 percentiles? 

Ans: Several MBA colleges accept CAT scores within the 60-70 percentile range. Some of them are AIMS Institutes (AIMS), Bangalore, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, International School of Business & Media, Kolkata, Doon Business School (DBS) Dehradun.

What is the total score of CAT and how is it distributed?

Ans: The CAT is scored out of a total of 198 marks divided in three sections VARC, DILR, and QA. Each answer has 3 marks and if there is any wrong answer, it has -1 mark.

How does normalization affect the CAT score?

Ans: Normalisation ensures fairness across multiple exam slots with wearing difficulty levels. It adjusts course candidates from tougher slots are not disadvantaged, making the percentile calculation fair and smooth.