If you aspire to crack the CAT 2025 and get into one of the top MBA colleges in Kolkata , then you need to know about the "safe percentile" cut-off for such colleges. The right percentile will fetch you a greater chance of getting shortlisted. Top-rated colleges include the International Management Institute, IMI Kolkata, which generally requires a general category aspirant to score approximately 70 percentiles or more. However, this may vary marginally with each admission cycle. As the competition increases gradually with each passing year, knowing the recent cutoff trend and what experts have to say about it will certainly help you plan better and not get any shocks during the selection process. Indeed, preparing yourself with updated knowledge of these cutoffs will definitely enable you to opt for an effective strategy to get into the best MBA programs in Kolkata and start a successful career in management, finance, or related fields. This approach balances preparation with realistic goal-setting based on up-to-date data.
List of Top Colleges in Kolkata with CAT 2025 Safe Percentile
The table below shows the expected CAT 2025 safe percentiles for the list of top MBA colleges in Kolkata:
College Name | Safe Percentile (General) | Final Cutoff Range (Recent Trends) | Category Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
98 to 99 | 85 (qualifying), 99+ (shortlist) | Yes (OBC, SC, ST, PwD) | |
85 to 90 | 80–85 | Yes | |
90+ | 85–90 | Yes |
The minimum qualifying percentile of the CAT for IIM-Calcutta is around 85. To practically get shortlisted for interviews, you really need a percentile of 98 to 99 for the general category. At IMI and IISWBM, a score above 85 to 90 percentile strengthens your application, although candidates with work experience or category advantages might qualify with marginally lower scores. These are the recent trends and admission patterns.
Note: Sectional cutoffs also play a significant role, especially for IIM Calcutta. Ensure you score above the minimum required in all three sections (VARC, DILR, QA) lest you miss out on a shortlist despite a high overall percentile.
Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2025
Factors Influencing CAT 2025 Safe Percentiles for MBA Colleges in Kolkata
While targeting a safe percentile in CAT 2025, you shall remain well aware of the following important factors:
- The overall number of candidates appearing affects cutoffs. Normally, the more test-takers, the higher the cutoffs because the competition gets tougher.
- The difficulty level of the exam does have an impact on percentile requirements. Cutoffs may decrease slightly if CAT 2025 is tougher compared to usual.
- The top IIMs, like IIM-Calcutta, do not make selections based on CAT scores alone; they consider your academic record, work experience, gender diversity, and extracurricular activities during shortlisting.
- There is a big variation in category-wise cutoffs. Reserved category candidates usually have relaxed percentile thresholds with separate sectionals.
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FAQs
The expected CAT 2025 cutoff for general category candidates aiming for IIM Calcutta (Kolkata) is around 85 to 87 percentile overall. Section-wise cutoffs are usually about 75 to 80 percentile in QA and DILR and 80 percentile in VARC. Aim for above 85 percentile overall to stay safe for admission calls from IIM Calcutta.
Yes, there are MBA colleges in Kolkata with CAT percentile cutoffs below 90. Praxis Business School Kolkata generally accepts CAT scores around 80 percentile. IMI Kolkata also accepts CAT scores in the 70-80 percentile range. These colleges offer quality MBA programs with good placements and reasonable fees compared to top IIMs, which usually require percentiles above 95.
To secure a seat at IIM Calcutta via CAT 2025, you need at least an 85 percentile in CAT to be considered for WAT-PI rounds for the General category. However, scoring above 95 percentile boosts your chances significantly because the final selection also weighs academic records and interview performance. Sectional cutoffs around the 75–80 percentile apply too for shortlisting. Reserved categories have lower cutoffs.
For IMI Kolkata admission through CAT 2025, you should aim to score around 70 to 75 percentile to have a competitive chance. The general category cutoff usually stays near this range based on recent years' trends. Clearing this percentile will help you get shortlisted for the interview and further rounds. Keep your preparation focused on crossing this mark confidently.
To get into Kolkata’s top MBA colleges like IIM Calcutta, IIFT, and IMI Kolkata, your CAT percentile matters a lot. You usually need around 98-99 percentile for IIM Calcutta, 90-96 for IIFT, and about 70-80 for IMI. A higher percentile improves your chance of selection, especially for IIM Calcutta. Other colleges accept lower percentiles, but check their cutoff and profiles carefully.
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