KMAT Kerala 2026: What 175-200 Marks Mean for Your Percentile?

Sakshi Gautam

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175-200 marks in KMAT Kerala 2026 implies a low score, likely yielding a 30th-50th percentile. This won't get you to the top colleges. General category students should explore private regional MBA colleges at this range. SC/ST students might target Tier-3 colleges with strong GD-PI. 
Predicted Percentile for 175-200 Marks in KMAT Kerala

Scoring 175-200 marks in KMAT Kerala is not considered a good score. Scoring this many marks will not give you a pathway to your dream colleges. The percentile at this score may vary too, if you are from a different category. At this score, you can expect a percentile range of 30th-50th. Honestly, this score will not be enough to get you into top-tier management colleges. However, SC/ST category students can aim for Tier-3 colleges if they perform well in GD-PI rounds. In this article, we will help you to know what your expected percentile category-wise is for marks ranging between 175 and 200 in KMAT Kerala 2026. Early prediction of the percentile range will help you know what type of preparation you need to do for the respective colleges, as all colleges have different patterns of interviews.

Also Check - Is 90+ Percentile with 200 Marks in KMAT Kerala 2026 Possible?

Category Wise Minimum Marks Required to Pass KMAT Kerala 2026

KMAT Kerala follows a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format and is conducted in online mode with a total of 180 questions. Before looking at percentiles, it is crucial to know the minimum marks required to qualify for the selection process. As per CEE Kerala guidelines, candidates must hit the following scores out of 720 to be eligible for MBA counselling:

  • General / SEBC: 10% of total marks (72/720 marks)

  • SC / ST / PwD: 7.5% of total marks (54/720 marks)

*Note: Candidates failing to meet these minimums will not be included in the rank list, regardless of vacant seats.

How Are KMAT Kerala Percentiles Calculated?

Since KMAT Kerala 2026 is conducted in sessions, the difficulty level may vary. To ensure fairness, CEE Kerala uses a Normalisation Formula. Your raw score (calculated as +4 for correct and -1 for wrong) is converted into a percentile using:

How To Calculate Your Percentile

Expert Insight: It is better to attempt 60 questions with 90% accuracy than to attempt 120 questions with 50% accuracy. The former gets you closer to a top-tier MBA college in Kerala, while the latter might result in disqualification.

Also Check - 200-250 Marks in KMAT Kerala 2026: What Rank Can General/ST Category Expect?

Category-Wise Predicted Percentile for 175-200 Marks in KMAT Kerala 2026

Based on the question paper analysis and recent marks vs percentile cutoff trends, we have given an estimated percentile range for 175 to 200 marks category in KMAT Kerala. These should purely be treated as guidance. If you need a more precise percentile after results are out, use a percentile predictor or the official rank list.
Score Range Approx. Percentile (All Categories) General Category Outlook SEBC/OBC Outlook SC/ST Outlook PwD Outlook
175 Marks 30–40 percentile Below the competitive merit zone Limited merit chances Eligible for relaxed cut-offs Eligible for relaxed cut-offs
185–190 Marks 35–45 percentile Borderline for low-demand colleges Possible in select colleges Competitive within reserved seats Competitive within reserved seats
200 Marks 40–50 percentile Still below strong merit range Better chances in mid-tier private Stronger reservation advantage Improved reservation advantage

Quick Links:

KMAT Kerala 2026 Result KMAT Kerala 2026 Cutoff

What Should You Do After Predicting KMAT Percentile?

The very first step after giving exams is to analyse yourselves. You should know the predicted percentile for counselling at your dream colleges. Let’s be honest: you cannot aim for top colleges at this score. You will be eligible for lower tier-3 colleges. However, if you want to proceed with this score, prepare yourself for your interview. Here are the points that you should do after predicting the percentile.

Prepare GD/PI

The KMAT entrance test serves as the most important component for admission evaluation. The majority of management schools in Kerala use a three-stage admission process, which combines group discussion and personal interview assessments to determine student admissions. Most Kerala MBA colleges follow a standardised weightage system (80:10:10) for the final merit list:

  • KMAT Entrance Score: 80% weightage

  • Group Discussion (GD): 10% weightage

  • Personal Interview (PI): 10% weightage

Even with a moderate score, a stellar performance in the 20% allocated for GD/PI can push you ahead of candidates with higher test scores but lower communication skills.

Keep Documents Ready for Category Proofs

The seat allotment process requires you to possess current and valid category certificates if you belong to a reserved category. The authorities will conduct strict eligibility checks before the final admission process, which results in reservation benefits and seat allocation being lost if any document is missing, expired, or in an incorrect condition, despite holding a strong KMAT score. You can prepare these documents in advance once you determine your expected percentile.

  • KMAT Kerala 2026 Scorecard

  • KMAT Kerala Admit Card

  • SSLC / 10th Standard Certificate

  • Degree Marksheets

  • Provisional/Degree Certificate

  • Transfer Certificate (TC) & Conduct Certificate

  • Category & Reservation (Crucial for SEBC/SC/ST) Nativity Certificate/Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate

  • Community Certificate

  • Income Certificate

  • Photo ID Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID.

  • Migration Certificate: Required if your degree is from a university outside Kerala.

  • Passport Size Photos: 4-6 copies

Compare Last Year's Cutoffs of Target Colleges

Compared with previous years, the cutoff and sea matrix vary every year based on various other factors. By comparing them, candidates can set realistic expectations, shortlist suitable colleges, and avoid wasting options on unreachable cutoffs. This step helps in smart preference filling and better admission outcomes during KMAT Kerala 2026 counselling . Indeed, 175-200 marks translate roughly into the 30th-50th percentile. However, here is a general comparison across selected top institutions in Kerala.

College Tier

Top Institutions

Required KMAT Percentile (General)

Tier 1

CUSAT (Kochi), CET Trivandrum , Rajagiri Business School

85 - 95+

Tier 2

SCMS Cochin , TKM Institute of Management (Kollam), FISAT Business School

75 - 85

Tier 3

Regional Private MBA Colleges

60 - 75

Mentor’s Tip: The 175-200 range will not establish you as a strong candidate for Tier-1 colleges. Your admission to Tier 1 colleges such as CUSAT and Rajagiri requires you to achieve a score above 350 and excel in the GD/PI rounds.

Also Check - Does 250 Marks in KMAT Kerala Place You in the Top 1% Ranks for B-School Admissions?

As already mentioned in the blog above, if your score in KMAT is around 175-200, then you will not be in a position to get into the top management colleges. At this score, your predicted percentile will be in the range of 30th to 50th. However, if you want to go forward with this, you can apply for the counselling process. Tier-3 private universities might be possible at this score. But don’t keep your hopes high for top government universities.

You could also consider appearing for KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 2 exam for better scores. In that case, your preparation process must begin with strategy-building, mock tests, and revision plans. The predicted range of your performance provides you with a precise assessment of your current abilities, which enables you to shift from studying to designing your future steps.

CollegeDekho mentors will assist you through the entire process because the procedure becomes too challenging to handle. They will help you find practical solutions, which they will use to assist you during your interview and counselling sessions.

If you have further queries regarding admission to top private management colleges in India , you can write to hello@collegedekho.com or call our toll free number 18005729877, or simply fill out our Common Application Form on the website.

FAQs

How important are GD and PI after KMAT Kerala?

GD and PI carry 20% weightage in most Kerala MBA colleges. A strong performance in these rounds can significantly improve your final merit position, even if your KMAT score is moderate.

Can I get admission in Tier 1 colleges with 175–200 marks?

Admission to Tier 1 colleges usually requires an 85+ percentile. With 175–200 marks, you will not be eligible for Tier-1 colleges. Along with that, you will also need exceptional GD/PI performance and smart preference filling to compete for top institutions.

Does KMAT Kerala have sectional cut-offs?

No, KMAT Kerala does not have sectional cut-offs. Candidates only need to meet the minimum qualifying marks (10% for General/SEBC and 7.5% for SC/ST/PwD) to be included in the rank list.

What percentile can General category candidates expect at 180 marks?

General category candidates scoring around 180 marks can expect approximately 30-40th percentile, based on previous trends. However, the exact percentile may vary depending on session difficulty and the overall performance of candidates.

Is 175–200 a good score in KMAT Kerala 2026?

No, scoring between 175 and 200 is not considered a decent score. It generally places candidates in the 30th–50th percentile range (depending on category). You will only be competitive for Tier 3 MBA colleges in Kerala. Top B-schools are not possible with this score.

/articles/kmat-kerala-2026-what-175-200-marks-mean-for-your-percentile/

Quick Icon Quick Facts

  • Quick Facts General/SEBC require 10% (72/720) to qualify KMAT Kerala 2026.
  • Quick Facts SC/ST/PwD need 7.5% (54/720) minimum marks for KMAT Kerala.
  • Quick Facts Scores of 175-200 typically fall into the 30th-50th percentile range.
  • Quick Facts GD and PI rounds combined account for 20% of the final MBA admission weightage.

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