CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile

Common Admission Test (CAT), which is one of the popular management entrance exams in India, is conducted for admission to some of the top B-Schools in India. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on November 28, 2021 across multiple CAT test centres across India. The provisional answer key of CAT 2021 is generated after the completion of the exam. Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), the conducting body of CAT, releases the CAT 2021 Result online. The CAT 2021 Percentile is calculated on the basis of the rank of the candidate as per their score. The IIM Cutoff 2021 is also released in terms of the CAT 2021 percentile.

What CAT Score is required for a specific percentile?

There is no certainty of getting a certain CAT percentile for a specific CAT score. However, taking a look at the previous year's CAT score vs percentile analysis provides a candidate with a basic idea of how much they need to score.

Understanding the relationship between score and percentile is not only confusing but also complex. In general, the CAT percentile points to a candidate’s position among all applicants of CAT, based on which the ranking of the candidate is decided.

The CAT 202 scorecard does not mention the raw score of a candidate. Instead, a candidate is presented with their scaled scores, which are calculated after normalisation, and their percentile. Go through What is a Good CAT 2021 Percentile/ Score? to understand the CAT scores better. 

How do I find out my CAT percentile?

You can check your estimated CAT score using our CAT Percentile Predictor here. And once the CAT result is out, you will also be able to predict and evaluate your chances of getting into an MBA college in India through the CAT College Predictor here.

You can also read and go through the detailed CAT exam analysis here to estimate the required CAT score / CAT Percentile to study in your dream college according to the exam analysis of last year. 

In this article, CollegeDekho has put down a detailed analysis of CAT Score vs Percentile. This analysis will help you understand the basic difference between CAT score and CAT percentile.

CAT Score vs Percentile - What Does it Mean

The aspirants must note that there is no specific method for CAT through which you can figure out the exact score you will have to achieve to feature in the elite list of CAT 99 percentile league. The percentile in the CAT exam is evaluated at par with the difficulty level of the exam.

The difficulty level of the CAT exam is not constant every year, and the evaluation process of CAT percentile changes every year. Before going through some examples associated with the CAT score and CAT percentile, you need to understand the exact meaning of CAT Score and CAT Percentile.

In 2020, a total of 9 candidates and 19 candidates out of 2,27,835 acquired 100 and 99.99 percentile respectively in CAT. Aspirants were from various backgrounds such as engineering or technology, mathematics, electronics, management etc.

CAT 2019 witnessed 10 candidates out of 2.09 lakh candidates scoring 100 percentile in CAT. Those who scored 100 percentile in the CAT are from Engineering backgrounds. The highest number of toppers in CAT 2019 are from Maharashtra where four candidates scored 100 percentile. Almost 21 candidates scored 99.99 percentile, and 19 of them were from Engineering backgrounds.

What is CAT Score?

To understand the CAT score, one must first understand the CAT exam pattern and marking scheme, both things are explained in the following points. Candidates can take look at the revised CAT 2021 exam pattern given below.

CAT 2021 Marking Scheme

Here are some important points to remember about the CAT marking scheme.

• The maximum Marks for CAT 2021 is 228
• Marking Scheme for CAT Exam is such that for every correct answer, +3 marks are allocated, whereas, for every wrong answer, 1 mark is deducted.
• There is no deduction of marks if the question is unanswered.
• Each section is evaluated and marked.
• Based on the above rules, the CAT Score of a candidate is prepared.

Using the marking scheme, a candidate can calculate their CAT 2021 raw scores but the scaled scores are used when calculating the final merit for CAT percentile calculation. If you want to know about the process in detail, the following article provides a step-by-step guide of how CAT score is calculated.

What is CAT Percentile?

A percentile is regarded as a unit used to calculate/ evaluate the percentage of students above or below you in the merit list. For example, if you score 70 percentile in CAT, it means that 70% of students who appeared in the entrance test scored less than you. Therefore, candidates securing 70 percentile or above indicate their position in the top 30% of applicants who appeared for the exam.

Let us look at another example to make it clearer. If two lakh students gave the CAT exam, at least 20% of students (40,000 students) would come under the 80-100 percentile range. Therefore, the percentile secured by the candidates in the CAT exam is suggestive of their position and does not indicate the marks they score in CAT exam.

Also Read:

CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile: Expected

As per the previous year's trends, the expected CAT 2021 score vs percentile are captured below:

CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile: Section-Wise

Provided below are the section-wise CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile:

CAT 2020 Score vs Percentile

The CAT 2020 score vs percentile has been provided in the following table. Students involved in CAT preparation can refer to the table to get an idea of the relation between these two parameters.

CAT 2020 Score vs Percentile: Section-Wise

Following is the section-wise analysis of CAT 2020 score vs percentile:

CAT 2019 Score vs Percentile

The table below explains the score vs percentile analysis of CAT 2019.

Note: The above-mentioned comparison is made based on the previous year’s data of CAT. Candidates who score above 90 percentile in CAT have chances to get a call from IIMs.

Also Read: Difference Between MAH CET and CAT: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Difficulty Level, Colleges

CAT 2018 Score vs Percentile

CAT exam occurs in two shifts, morning and evening, here is the estimated CAT score and CAT percentile for the morning and evening shift of CAT 2018.

CAT 2018 Morning Shift Score vs Percentile

Here is the estimation of CAT Marks and CAT percentile of the year 2018 to help students preparing for CAT 2019 an idea:

Note: The above-mentioned score is based on the data of CAT 2018 percentile and score. There may be a change in score and percentile for CAT 2019.

CAT 2018 Evening Shift Score vs Percentile

The table given below is showing the CAT 2018 exam analysis for the evening shift. Students aspiring to appear for the CAT 2018 exam can have a look at the following table:

The CAT percentile and CAT Score required to study different MBA specialisations in the same University can be different.

CAT Score vs Percentile - IIM Scaling and Normalisation Process for CAT 2021

CAT exam is conducted in different shifts. IIMs follow a smart scaling and normalisation process for scoring with an objective to determine the merit of the candidates appearing for the CAT exam in different sessions. The scaling and normalisation process came into existence after the CAT was revamped into the computer-based test.

The normalisation process followed by IIMs for CAT exam ensures complete justice when it comes to appraising equity and fairness in performance across multiple sessions. CAT normalisation process is a clear practice of comparing the CAT scores of candidates across different forms and is similar to other popular entrance exams in India such a GATE. For normalisation across sections, IIMs use the percentile equivalence.

Also Read:

To put it simply, the CAT normalisation process is based on the primary guesswork that in all sessions of the CAT exam, the ability of the candidates remains the same without any changes.

Let us try to interpret the CAT scoring system to get a fair idea of the percentile more clearly. The CAT paper comprises 100 questions and three marks are awarded to each correct answer while one mark is deducted for a negative answer. The original score secured by the candidates in CAT is not based on this typical marking system due to the prevalence of the normalisation process.

In recent years, the normalisation process is not too aggressive as the CAT exam is being conducted in two slots on a single day (morning and afternoon). Therefore, the scaled score mentioned in the CAT scorecard remains too close to the actual marks secured by the candidates.

Also Read: Difference between GMAT and CAT

How to Calculate CAT Percentile

Percentiles in the CAT exam are just like percentiles in other exams. The percentiles are just a representation/ indication of the number of people who are behind you in the test. The General formula to calculate percentile along with some of the examples in this regard are elaborated below.

Percentile = ( 1 - All India Rank(Total Candidates in the Exam) * 100%

Example 1: Let us assume that 50 candidates appeared for the CAT exam. You have done well in the exam and scored 3^rd rank in the entrance test, which means that 47 students scored less than you. Now, your percentile should be calculated as follows: -

47/50*100 = 94 Percentile.

Therefore, you scored 94 percentile in CAT as per the above example.

Example 2: Let us assume that 2,000 candidates appeared for the CAT exam. You have topped the exam by securing the first rank, which means that 1,999 candidates scored less than you. Now, your percentile should be calculated as follows: -

1999/2000*100 = 99.95 Percentile.

Therefore, you scored 99.95 percentile in CAT as per the above example.

After having a look at the above examples, you might wonder how multiple people secure 100 percentile in CAT. It happens because of rounding off, which is explained below in detail: -

Also Read:Low Scores in CAT? - Here's How to Get Admission in Top B Schools in India

Example 3: Let us assume that 2,00,000 candidates appeared for the CAT exam. You have secured 6^th rank in the exam, which means that 1,99,994 students scored less than you. Now, your CAT percentile should be calculated as follows:

199994/200000*100 = 99.997 Percentile.

Therefore, you scored 99.997 percentile in CAT as per the above example.

However, the CAT scorecard shows percentile up to two decimal digits. Therefore, we will have to round it off. If we will have to round this off to two decimal places, we should round it up to 100 percentile.

Also Read: IIM Admission Criteria for 2021-2023: IIMs Selection Criteria

Calculation of Composite Score by IIMs

Composite Score is the final score calculated by IIMs for admission to their programmes. CAT score is only a part of a candidate and many other parameters are considered to calculate their composite score.

Based on various parameters, two candidates with the same on paper score may have different composite sores. Here are the other parameters that are considered while drawing a composite score:

• Class 10th Marks
• Class 12th Marks
• Graduation Percentage/ Grade
• Work Experience
• Academic Background

Colleges Accepting CAT 2021

To get the list of colleges for different percentile ranges, read the following articles:

Apart from CAT, many MBA colleges accept other examinations, here is a list of the popular MBA exams:

• Xavier's Aptitude Test (XAT)
• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
• Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
• AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA)
• NMAT by GMAC (NMAT)
• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• IIFT Entrance Exam
• IRMA

More About CAT 2021

Find out more about CAT 2021 at the links available below.

To know all about CAT 2021, keep checking CollegeDekho. All the Best! Those who want to ask questions about CAT may ask them in the Collegedekho QnA zone. Apart from this, those who need admission-related assistance may fill our Common Application Form (CAF).