Updated By Shivangi Ahirwar on 22 Aug, 2024 16:39
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Predict My CollegeThe CAT cutoff 2020 for admission to IIMs and other top MBA colleges is set at a minimum of 90 percentile, with prominent IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Kozhikode maintaining cut-offs exceeding 99 percentile. Tier 3 colleges typically have cut-offs at 60 percentile and above, while Tier 2 institutions fall within the range of 70 to 80 percentile. It's crucial to check these cut-offs before applying for MBA programs.
IIMs and leading MBA schools such as FMS, IMT, SPJIMR, and MICA release preliminary cut-offs for WAT-PI shortlisting well before the result declaration. The final CAT cut-offs are announced post-result or at the beginning of PI shortlisting, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about these criteria for MBA admission. Candidates can find further details with regard to the CAT cutoff 2020 below.
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Attempt nowUnderstanding the difference between the Qualifying CAT Cut-off and the Final CAT Cut-off is crucial for students aspiring to secure admission to IIMs. The Qualifying Cut-off is the minimum CAT score required to advance to the WAT/GD-PI round, while the Final CAT Cut-off is the higher minimum percentile set by IIMs for selecting candidates for the WAT/GD-PI process. Both the qualifying and final CAT cutoff vary each year, so candidates must take a look at the CAT cutoff 2023, CAT cutoff 2022, and CAT cutoff 2021 to understand the cutoff pattern well. It's important to note that the Final Cut-off is always higher than the Qualifying Cut-off. Candidates can view the key differences between Qualifying and Sectional cutoff in the table below:
Qualifying CAT Cut-offs | Final CAT Cut-offs |
|---|---|
Referred to as IIM eligibility or shortlist cut-off, this is the minimum score required for an interview call (WAT / GD-PI round) from the IIMs. | Known as IIM call cut-offs or official IIM cut-offs, this is the minimum percentage score set by IIMs for shortlisting candidates for the WAT / GD-PI round. |
Meeting the qualifying cut-off doesn't guarantee selection for the WAT – GD/PI round. | Meeting the final cut-off doesn't assure admission into an IIM. |
Determined before the CAT result is declared. | Decided after the announcement of the CAT result. |
Generally above 90 percentile for all IIMs except IIM Ahmedabad, which has maintained an 80 percentile cut-off since 2016. | Can go as high as 99+ percentile for top IIMs and around 95+ for newer ones. |
Includes both sectional and overall cut-offs. | Includes both overall and sectional cut-offs. |
Classified into further categories. General students usually need 90 percentile and above, while reserved category students may have a cut-off below 70 percentile. | Regulated category-wise. General male students from an engineering background often have a higher final cut-off than reserved category students, females, and those from a non-engineering academic background. |
IIMs unveil their qualifying cutoffs pre-result, signifying the minimum mark required for WAT-PI shortlisting. The final cutoff is subsequently released. Refer to the table below for the qualifying CAT cutoff 2020 for each IIM:
Name of College | Qualifying CAT CutOff 2020 |
|---|---|
85 | |
85 | |
85 | |
90 | |
85 | |
90 | |
85 | |
85 | |
93 | |
93 | |
93 | |
94 | |
93 | |
80 | |
93 | |
93 | |
95 | |
93 |
While overall cutoffs suffice for IIM admission, meeting sectional cutoffs is also imperative. IIMs set specific cutoffs for each section, ensuring candidates clear these benchmarks for final selection. Explore the sectional CAT cutoff 2020 for top IIMs:
Name of IIM | QA | DILR | VARC | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IIM Ahmedabad | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
IIM Bangalore | 75 | 75 | 80 | 85 |
IIM Calcutta | 80 | 80 | 75 | 85 |
IIM Kozhikode | 75 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
IIM Shillong | 75 | 75 | 75 | 80 |
IIM Lucknow | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 |
IIM Raipur | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 |
IIM Rohtak | 70 | 70 | 70 | 95 |
IIM Kashipur | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
IIM Ranchi | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
IIM Indore | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
IIM Tiruchirappalli | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 |
IIM Udaipur | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
IIM Bodh Gaya | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
IIM Amritsar | 75 | 75 | 80 | 80 |
IIM Nagpur | 72 | 72 | 72 | 85 |
IIM Jammu | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
IIM Visakhapatnam | 80 | 80 | 85 | 90 |
IIM Sambalpur | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 |
IIM Sirmaur | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 |
The final cutoff, also known as the calling cutoff, is disclosed post-result. Candidates surpassing this benchmark are invited for interviews and the final selection, incorporating CAT score, academic background, PI performance, and other facets. The table below showcases the final CAT 2020 cutoff set by IIMs:
IIMs | Final CAT Cutoff 2020 (Percentile) |
|---|---|
IIM Ahmedabad | 100-99 |
IIM Bangalore | 100-99 |
IIM Calcutta | 99 |
IIM Lucknow | 97-98 |
IIM Indore | 97-98 |
IIM Kozhikode | 97-98 |
IIM Amritsar | 95-96 |
IIM Nagpur | 95-96 |
IIM Sambalpur | 95-96 |
IIM Trichy | 94-95 |
IIM Raipur | 94-95 |
IIM Ranchi | 94-95 |
IIM Kashipur | 94-95 |
IIM Vizag | 92-94 |
IIM Udaipur | 92-94 |
IIM Bodhgaya | 92-94 |
IIM Shillong | 90 |
IIM Sirmaur | 90 |
CAT scores are widely accepted by over 100 B-schools beyond the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Many of these institutions consistently rank high and are highly sought after by candidates for the opportunities they provide. The following table outlines some of these esteemed colleges and their respective CAT 2020 percentile requirements:
Name of the Institute | CAT 2020 Score Required |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Management Studies | 99 Percentile |
| IIT Delhi | 96+ Percentile |
| SJMSOM IIT Bombay | 98+ Percentile |
95+ Percentile | |
| MDI Gurgaon | 94+ Percentile |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research [SPJIMR, Mumbai] | 85+ Percentile |
| Xavier's Institute of Management [XIM, Bhubaneshwar] | 94+ Percentile |
| Institute of Management Technology [IMT, Ghaziabad] | 90+ Percentile |
97+ Percentile | |
| TA Pai Management Institute | 85+ Percentile |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai | 79+ Percentile |
| IFMR, Chennai | 80+ Percentile |
CAT score vs percentile analysis helps understand the score needed for a desired percentile. The table below depicts the CAT score vs percentile 2020 for VARC,LRDI, and QA:
Percentile | VARC Score (78) | LRDI Score (72) | Quant Score (78) | Total Score (228) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
99.99 | 52 | 46 | 59 | 131 |
99.5 | 46 | 38 | 49 | 115 |
99 | 43 | 35 | 43 | 101 |
98 | 40 | 33 | 37 | 91 |
95 | 32 | 24 | 30 | 76 |
90 | 28 | 20 | 24 | 63 |
85 | 24 | 18 | 18 | 56 |
80 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 49 |
The CAT cut-off percentile for each institute is determined by considering several key parameters, including:
Difficulty Level of the Exam: The complexity and challenges presented by the CAT exam play a crucial role in setting the cut-off percentiles for different institutes.
Number of Aspirants who Took the Exam: The total count of candidates who participated in the CAT exam contributes to the percentile calculation, reflecting the overall performance distribution.
Number of Aspirants who Cleared the Exam: The count of candidates who successfully cleared the CAT exam impacts the percentile requirement, influencing the competitiveness of the selection process.
Number of Seats for PGP/MBA in a Particular Institute: The availability of seats for the Post Graduate Program (PGP) or MBA in a specific institute influences the cut-off percentile, as it reflects the level of selectivity in admissions.
Ranking of the Institute: The overall ranking and reputation of the institute in the academic and business community are considered in determining the CAT cut-off percentile, as more prestigious institutions may have higher percentile requirements.
Clearing the CAT cutoff, considered one of the most challenging management entrance exams in India with over 2 lakh annual participants, demands diligent effort due to intense competition and limited seats in premier institutions like IIMs. However, with dedicated preparation, success is achievable. Here are key steps to navigate this challenge:
The process for getting into IIMs involves three main steps:
When called for the WAT/GD-PI round, candidates need to bring important documents:
The final admission offer depends on a composite score, considering various factors:
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