CAT 2025 Cutoff for Top Private MBA Colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC

Expected CAT 2025 cutoffs for leading private MBA colleges in India differ across institutions. For the general category, scores above the 95 percentile are usually required, while OBC candidates may aim for 85–90 and SC/ST candidates for 70–80. Colleges like SPJIMR and MDI accept around 94+ percentile.

Table of Contents

CAT 2025 Category-Wise Cutoff for Top Private MBA Colleges
CAT Reservation Policy 2025 for Private MBA Colleges
How to Apply for a Reservation in Top Private MBA …
Documents Required to Apply for Reservation in Private MBA Colleges
CAT 2025 Cut Off: Score vs Percentile
CAT Previous Years’ Cutoff vs Percentile
CAT Qualifying Cut Off vs CAT Final Cut Off
Factors Determining CAT Cutoffs 2025
Faqs

CAT 2025 Cutoff for Top Private MBA Colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC

The CAT Cutoff 2025 for private MBA colleges usually ranges from 90 to 100 percentile. Students must clear the CAT examination and score marks in accordance with the CAT cutoff. Apart from the IIMs, there are many private MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. Some of the top private MBA colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC, include XLRI, JBIMS, MDI, SPJIMR, NITIE, IMT Ghaziabad , and more. Students who make it to the CAT 2025 cutoff set by these institutes will be eligible to get admission to their MBA courses.

The average CAT 2025 cutoff for the top private MBA colleges like XLRI and MDI is 94, for SPJIMR - 92, and for NITIE - 95. Students must set their targets high to get admission to a college of their choice. The CAT cutoff scores for all categories are different. Due to the reservation policies followed by these MBA colleges, the cutoff for reserved category students is much lower than that for the UR category students. However, several standalone MBA private colleges do not offer any reservations and have the same eligibility criteria for MBA admissions . Scroll down to read more about the CAT 2025 cutoff for the best private MBA colleges, reservation policy, CAT cutoff for General, SC/ST, OBC categories, and more.

Also Read:

IIT CAT Cut off	IIM CAT Cut off
MBA Colleges Without Sectional Cutoff	CAT 2025 Reservation Policy

CAT 2025 Category-Wise Cutoff for Top Private MBA Colleges

Check out the table given below that mentions the category-wise CAT expected cutoff for some of the best private MBA colleges accepting CAT scores as per previous years' data here:

Name of Private MBA College	Category-Wise CAT 2025 Cutoff (Expected)
Name of Private MBA College	General	SC	ST	OBC
MDI Gurgaon	97-99 percentile	93 percentile	93 percentile	93 percentile
XLRI Jamshedpur	96 percentile	96 percentile	96 percentile	96 percentile
IMT Ghaziabad	96 percentile	96 percentile	96 percentile	96 percentile
JBIMS Mumbai	95 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile
NMIMS Mumbai	91 percentile	91 percentile	91 percentile	91 percentile
IMI Delhi	90 percentile	90 percentile	90 percentile	90 percentile
LBSIM Delhi	86 percentile	86 percentile	86 percentile	86 percentile
SPJIMR Mumbai	95-99 percentile	85 percentile	85 percentile	85 percentile
TAPMI Manipal	85 percentile	85 percentile	85 percentile	85 percentile
FORE School of Management, Delhi	85 percentile	85 percentile	85 percentile	85 percentile
GLIM Chennai	80 percentile	80 percentile	80 percentile	80 percentile
LPU Jalandhar	80 percentile	80 percentile	80 percentile	80 percentile
UBS Mumbai	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile
UPES Dehradun	70 percentile	70 percentile	70 percentile	70 percentile
Amity University Noida	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile
Alliance University	70 percentile	70 percentile	70 percentile	70 percentile
JIMS Rohini	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile	75 percentile

Also Read:

MBA Colleges Accepting 90-95 Percentile in CAT	Colleges Accepting CAT Score 50-60 Percentile
Colleges Accepting 60-70 Percentile in CAT	Colleges Accepting 80-90 Percentile in CAT
Colleges to Apply Before CAT

CAT Reservation Policy 2025 for Private MBA Colleges

During MBA admissions, candidates will be eligible for reservation as determined by the specific policy of the institute where they are seeking admission for their MBA courses. It's important to note that the reservation policy may vary between private MBA colleges, as they are not always obligated to follow government regulations. In fact, some private MBA colleges may not have any reservation or relaxation measures in place for minority groups such asthe Scheduled Caste (SC), the Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), etc. To fully understand the reservation policy of a particular institute, candidates should refer to the official website or information brochure of the respective college.

How to Apply for a Reservation in Top Private MBA Colleges

When applying to private MBA colleges, it's important to note that the application process for reserved and unreserved seats may differ slightly. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Candidates applying for reserved seats are required to submit additional documents as proof of their category. This could include caste certificates or other relevant paperwork.

2. Reserved seats generally have a lower cutoff than unreserved seats, so it's important to be aware of the specific requirements for each category.

Now, let's delve into the application process in more detail:

Step 1 : Visit the official college website and create an account. This will provide you with access to the application portal.
Step 2 : Log in to the application portal and complete the application form. It's crucial to ensure that you select the correct category as per the documentation you provide.
Step 3 : Upload all required documents, pay the application fee, and then submit the application. Double-check to make sure you haven't missed anything before finalising your submission.

Documents Required to Apply for Reservation in Private MBA Colleges

Candidates who select any category other than 'General' or 'Unreserved' will be asked to upload supporting documents for their claim during the CAT selection process in 2025 . Candidates must obtain their caste certificate only from a Competent Authority such as the DM, City Magistrate, Collector, Sub-Divisional Officer/Development Officer of the candidate's residing area. More details can be found in the following articles.

Documents Required for MBA Admissions	How to Apply for Category Certificates for CAT 2025

CAT 2025 Cut Off: Score vs Percentile

Candidates can refer to the range of CAT 2025 scores vs percentile analysis to evaluate their performance in the entrance exam and assess their chances of being shortlisted to pursue an MBA course in MBA colleges accepting CAT scores:

Percentile	Score-VARC	Score-DILR	Score-QA	Overall Score
99.5%ile	44	35	40	101
99%ile	34	26	36	96
98%ile	32	28	30	90
95%ile	32	20	29	81
90%ile	29	17	26	72
85%ile	24	15	20	59
80%ile	20	12	15	47

CAT Previous Years’ Cutoff vs Percentile

To obtain a comprehensive idea of the CAT scores needed to get into their selected institute, candidates need to grasp how CAT Score vs Percentile works. From CAT 2018 through CAT 2023, the table below compares CAT marks to percentile:

Percentile	Marks in CAT 2023	Marks in CAT 2022	Marks in CAT 2021	Marks in CAT 2010	Marks in CAT 2019	Marks in CAT 2018
99.9	110.72	120	131	196	192	208
99.5	93	100-110	115	170	170	183
99	82.5	100	102	157	155	173
95	60	71	77	120	125	139
90	48.5	59	63	90	110	121
85	40	50	55	87	90	103
80	35.5	45	49	75	80	98
90	33	40	36	57	62	83

CAT Qualifying Cut Off vs CAT Final Cut Off

CAT exam applicants must understand the differences between the two CAT cut-offs, which are important factors in the admissions process. There are two different kinds of cutoffs: Qualifying CAT cutoffs (IIM eligibility cutoff) and Final CAT cutoffs (IIM call cutoff). The differences between the two have been listed in the table below:

CAT Qualifying Cut Off	CAT Final Cut Off
Also known as the IIM eligibility cut off or IIM shortlist cut off, it is the minimum mark requirement which determines whether an applicant will be invited to an IIM interview (for the WAT/GD-PI phase).	Also referred to as the IIM call cut offs, it is the minimum percentile score established by the IIMs for the purpose of shortlisting candidates for the WAT/GD-PI phase.
The candidate may still not be chosen for the WAT/GD-PI round despite meeting the qualifying cut off.	Meeting the final CAT cut off does not guarantee admission for the applicant.
Before the CAT results are announced, the qualifying cut off is set.	After the announcement of the CAT results, the final cut-off is determined.
Each management institute publishes the qualifying CAT cut off percentiles along with their announcement of the admission requirements and selection process for that academic year.	No IIM or even other top MBA institutions formally publish the final CAT cut offs.
For all IIMs, the qualifying CAT cut offs remain over 90 percentile, with IIM Ahmedabad's qualifying cut off remaining above 80 percentile since 2016.	For all prestigious IIMs, the final CAT cutoffs continue to be as high as 99+ percentile, and for new IIMs, the cutoff is 95+ percentile.
Sectional and overall cut offs are included in the qualifying CAT cutoffs.	Sectional and overall cutoffs are included in the final CAT results.
Category-by-category, the CAT cutoff is fixed by the IIMs. The cutoff is high (90 percentile) for general category students and low (70 and below) for reserved category candidates.	The category-specific final CAT cut off is set by the IIMs. The CAT Cutoff is higher for general category male engineering students than it is for students in reserved categories. The CAT cutoff is also lower for female candidates and those without an engineering background.

Factors Determining CAT Cutoffs 2025

The CAT 2025 cutoff scores will differ for every management institute depending on several influencing factors. Understanding these key elements helps you estimate your target percentile more accurately before applying to top B-schools.

The overall difficulty level of CAT 2025 will play a major role. A tougher paper usually leads to lower cutoffs, while an easier one pushes cutoffs higher.
The total number of test-takers in 2025, expected to cross 3.3 lakh as per recent trends, will influence the percentile range and competition level.
The number of candidates qualifying for the exam will shape the availability of seats in IIMs and other premier institutions.
Seat intake of each institute also affects the cutoff; colleges with limited seats typically have higher cutoff percentiles.
The national ranking and reputation of the college directly impact cutoffs; top IIMs and reputed private B-schools set the bar significantly higher.

Also Read: Direct MBA Admission Without Entrance Exam

Scoring well in CAT requires smart preparation and not just hard work. Focus is essential, and many successful aspirants draw inspiration from their goals or those of other successful candidates.

Related Links:

CAT Exam Day Tips	Do’s & Don’ts for CAT Exam
CAT Attempts vs Percentile	10 Last-Minute Tips to Crack CAT

Students can check out the CAT College Predictor 2025 and the CAT 2025 Percentile Predictor tools to check their estimated CAT results 2025. Calculating their CAT score through these tools will help students get an idea of their performance in the CAT examination. For any more queries, students can reach out to us CollegeDekho QnA Zone , and get their queries resolved.

To get more information on the CAT 2025 cutoff for Top Private MBA Colleges for General, SC/ST, and OBC categories, students can fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) or call our toll-free number at 18005729877 to get in touch with our team of college counsellors!

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

FAQs

What is the expected CAT cutoff 2025 for new IIMs?

Hey, you can aim for 92-95 percentile overall in CAT 2025 to crack calls from new IIMs like Udaipur, Ranchi, Trichy, or Nagpur. Trends from 2024 show the General category needs this range, with sectionals around 70-75 each. Reserved categories drop to 70-80.

Which are some top private MBA colleges that accept 70 percentile and above in CAT 2025?

If you have a CAT percentile of 70 or above, some good private MBA colleges you can consider are:

BIMTECH, Greater Noida
XIME, Bengaluru
IMT, Hyderabad
Amity University
IBS Business School
Alliance University
Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai
Welingkar Institute, Mumbai
JAGSOM, Bangalore

Which are some top private MBA colleges that accept 80 percentile and above in CAT?

Some of the top private MBA colleges that accept 80 percentile and above in CAT are as follows:

MICA Ahmedabad
Xavier University Bhubaneswar
BITS School of Management - BITSOM
FORE School of Management New Delhi
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Mumbai
SDA Bocconi Asia Center
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani
NIRMA University

How is qualifying CAT cutoff and final CAT cutoff 2025 decided?

The qualifying CAT cutoff is the minimum percentile set by IIMs or B-schools to let you appear for the next round, like interviews. The final CAT cutoff is higher and is based on your overall performance, category, exam difficulty, number of candidates, and available seats. For 2025, expect qualifying cutoffs around 75-90 percentile and final cutoffs near 98-99 percentile for top IIMs like Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

What is the difference between the qualifying CAT cutoff and final CAT cutoff 2025?

The qualifying CAT cutoff is the minimum percentile set by IIMs or B-schools to let you appear for the next round like interviews. The final CAT cutoff is higher and based on your overall performance, category, exam difficulty, number of candidates, and available seats. For 2025, expect qualifying cutoffs around 75-90 percentile and final cutoffs near 98-99 percentile for top IIMs like Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

What is expected CAT cutoff 2025 percentile for top private MBA colleges?

Hey, for top private MBA colleges like MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, and IMT Ghaziabad, aim for 95-99 percentile in CAT 2025 to stay safe. That's based on past trends and expected cutoffs this year.

College	Expected Cutoff
MDI Gurgaon	97-99
SPJIMR	95-97
IMT Ghaziabad	95-97

What are the expected final CAT cutoffs 2025 percentile for top IIMs for MBA?

You can expect the final CAT 2025 percentile cutoffs for top IIMs to be very high, mostly between 98 and 100 percentile for the General category. For example:

IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta: 98-100 percentile
IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode: 95-98 percentile
Newer IIMs: around 90-95 percentile

What are the expected qualifying CAT 2025 cutoffs for top IIMs for MBA?

You should aim for a CAT 2025 overall percentile of around 98-99+ to be competitive for the top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. Sectional cutoffs typically range from 70 to 80 percentile in Verbal, DILR, and QA. Reserved categories have lower cutoffs but still require strong scores:

IIM Ahmedabad: 95+ overall, 85+ sectionals
IIM Bangalore & Calcutta: 85+ overall, 75-80 sectionals
Other top IIMs: 90+ overall

What are the average CAT 2025 cutoffs for IIMs?

You need 98-99+ percentile overall for top ones like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta to get shortlisted safely. Newer IIMs drop to 92-96. Here's the general category average trend: