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CAT Cut off 2024 for IIMs and Top MBA Colleges, Previous Years Cut Off

CAT Cut Off 2024 for IIMs & top MBA colleges in India is provided here. Learn about the minimum score requirements for admission, factors affecting cut offs.
authorImageShivani Kumari28 Mar, 2025
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CAT Cut off 2024

CAT Cut off 2024 for admission to the MBA 2025 batch  at IIMs is between 95-100 percentile. For General and NC-OBC category students, the CAT cut-off percentile for top IIMs is estimated to be about 98-100 percentile . For SC/ST/PwD category candidates, the cut-offs will be lower. For non-IIMs , the CAT 2024 cut-off is between the 94-100 percentile. Institutes will decide admission cut-offs based on the overall performance of candidates in the 2024 exam .

IIMs and top MBA colleges like FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, and MICA release the qualifying CAT cut-offs for WAT-PI shortlisting before the exam to help candidates understand the eligibility requirements. IIM Ahmedabad ,   IIM Bangalore , and IIM Lucknow have already published their qualifying CAT cut-offs for 2025 , which are the same as the previous year.

CAT Cut off 2024 Overview

To get admission to any IIM or top MBA college in India , the minimum CAT cut-off is 90 percentile . The CAT cut-offs stay high (99+ percentile) for top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow , and IIM Kozhikode each year. For Tier 2 MBA colleges , CAT cut-offs are around 70-80 percentile or higher, and for Tier 3 MBA colleges , they are generally 60-70 percentile and above. CAT 2024 cut-offs will be to be similar for these colleges.
 
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key CAT 2024 Slot 3 Answer Key CAT 2024 Slot 1 Answer Key CAT 2024 Response Sheet

CAT 2024 Cut-Off Highlight

 Based on expert analysis of CAT 2024 Slot 1, an overall score of 102 is estimated to translate into 99.9 percentile. Here is the required CAT 2024 cut-off based on the difficulty level of the exam listed below:

CAT 2024 Percentile vs Score Breakdown

CAT Percentile VARC Score DILR Score QA Score Overall Score
99.9 %ile 48 36 48 106
99.5 %ile 44 32 32 89
99 %ile 40 28 28 80
98 %ile 36 25 24 71
95 %ile 30 19 19 57
90 %ile 25 16 15 49
85 %ile 21 13 12 40
80 %ile 19 11 10 36
75 %ile 17 10 9 31
70 %ile 15 9 8 29
 

Importance of CAT 2024 Cut Off

Meeting the minimum CAT cut-off is required for candidates to be considered for MBA admission . Candidates also need to meet the sectional cut-offs in CAT to be selected for the WAT-PI (Written Ability Test and Personal Interview) round in MBA colleges. For top IIMs, CAT cut-offs are usually between 98 to 100 percentile for General category students, while for reserved categories, they are slightly lower, around 95 to 98 percentile .
  • In top MBA colleges like FMS, MDI, and SPJIMR, the CAT cut-offs range from 90 to 99 percentile.
  • There are two types of CAT cut-offs for IIM admission: the qualifying cut-off and the final cut-off.
  • The qualifying cut-off is announced before the CAT results, while the final cut-off is shared when candidates are shortlisted for PI.
  • IIMs do not release final cut-offs publicly; only candidates who take the CAT exam can view these through their account.
Other institutes that accept CAT scores also set minimum cut-offs to shortlist candidates for admission. In the CAT application form , candidates must select their preferred IIM and course to be considered for WAT-PI shortlisting .

Also Read: CAT Score Vs Percentile 2024

Factors Determining CAT Cut-Off 2024

The CAT cut-off percentile for 2024 at each institute will be decided based on several factors. Here are some key factors that affect IIM cut-offs by category:
  • Difficulty level of the CAT exam
  • Number of candidates who took the exam
  • Number of candidates who passed the exam
  • Previous years' trends in CAT cut-offs
  • Number of seats available in each institute
  • All India ranking of the institute
Colleges with high CAT cut-offs over the years generally don’t see a big drop. For instance, in top-rated colleges like the IIMs, cut-offs have always been 99+ percentile. In colleges like SPJIMR, MDI, and FMS, cut-offs are usually between 95-97 percentile. For Tier 2 colleges, CAT cut-offs are typically in the 70-80 percentile range.

Qualifying CAT Cut Off 2024 vs Final CAT Cut Off 2024

Here’s a required table comparing the Qualifying CAT Cut-Off 2024 and the Final CAT Cut-Off 2024 :
Qualifying CAT Cut Off 2024 vs Final CAT Cut Off 2024
Aspect Qualifying CAT Cut-Off Final CAT Cut-Off
Definition Minimum score needed to be eligible for PI shortlist (WAT/GD-PI) at IIMs. Minimum score needed for selection to WAT/GD-PI round.
Other Names Also known as IIM eligibility cut-off or IIM shortlist cut-off. Also known as IIM call cut-off.
Selection Guarantee Meeting the qualifying cut-off does not guarantee selection for the WAT/GD-PI round. Meeting the final cut-off does not guarantee admission.
Timing of Announcement Announced before CAT results. Decided after CAT results are announced.
Official Announcement Announced in each IIM’s admission criteria notification for that year. Not officially announced by any IIM or other top MBA institutes.
Typical Percentile Range Usually above 90 percentile for most IIMs, except for some like IIM Ahmedabad (often around 85 percentile ). Typically as high as 99.99 percentile for top IIMs; around 95+ percentile for newer IIMs.
Sectional and Overall Cut-Offs Includes both sectional and overall cut-offs . Includes both sectional and overall cut-offs.
Category-Based Differences Varies by category: high (around 90 percentile ) for General ; lower (around 70 or below) for reserved categories. Also category-based; higher for General male engineering students compared to reserved, female, and non-engineering candidates.
Also Read: CAT 2024 percentile predictor

Sectional-Wise IIM CAT Cut off 2024

The cutoff for the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 is an important detail for candidates aiming to join these top institutions. The cutoffs differ based on categories and sections, highlighting the competitive nature of the exam. Here is an overview of the sectional cutoffs for IIMs in 2024.
  • General Category Candidates: For general category candidates, the cutoffs will be much higher, often reaching the 99th percentile for top IIMs like Ahmedabad and Bangalore.
  • Reserved Categories: Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories can expect lower cutoffs, usually around the 70th percentile or higher , depending on the specific IIM.
The sectional cut off for each subject is as follows:
Sectional wise IIM CAT Cut off 2024
Section General Category (Percentile) OBC Category (Percentile) SC/ST/PwD Category (Percentile)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 95-99 90-95 70-80
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 95-99 90-95 70-80
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) 95-99 90-95 70-80

IIM Final CAT Cut Offs 2024

Here are the estimated CAT 2024 cut-off percentiles for General category students for admission to the top 21 IIMs. These are the final cut-offs, which will be used to shortlist candidates for the interview round. Please note that while the CAT cut-offs for General category students are usually high (98-100 percentile) each year, reserved category students benefit from a significant relaxation in the minimum required percentile.
IIM Final CAT Cut Offs 2024
IIMs CAT Cut Off 2024 (percentile)
IIM Ahmedabad 99-100
IIM Bangalore 99-100
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 Rohtak 92-94
IIM Udaipur 92-94
IIM Bodhgaya 92-94
IIM Shillong 90
IIM Sirmaur 90
IIM Jammu 90
IIM Mumbai 90

CAT Cut Off 2024 for IIM Admission

The CAT 2024 cut-offs for MBA admission to IIMs will be between 95 and 100 percentile for General candidates. For the top 6 IIMs, the cut-offs could be as high as 99.99 or 100 percentile. For newer IIMs, the cut-offs will be between 95 and 97 percentile.

The CAT cut-off for NITIE Mumbai, which is now IIM Mumbai, will be around 94 percentile. Below is a table showing the cut-offs for CAT 2024. The cut-offs for 2025 will be the same.
CAT Cut Off 2024 for IIM Admission
IIM Qualifying CAT cut offs
IIM Ahmedabad 85
IIM Bangalore 85
IIM Calcutta 85
IIM Lucknow 90
IIM Indore 90
IIM Kozhikode 85
IIM Amritsar 90
IIM Nagpur 85
IIM Sambalpur 93
IIM Trichy 93
IIM Raipur 93
IIM Ranchi 90
IIM Kashipur 94
IIM Vizag 80
IIM Udaipur 93
IIM Bodhgaya 93
IIM Shillong 75
IIM Sirmaur 92
IIM Rohtak 95
IIM Nagpur 85
IIM Jammu 93

CAT Cut Off 2024 for Top MBA Colleges (Non-IIM)

The CAT cut offs for top MBA colleges are lower than the top IIMs but still high at 95 percentile and above. There are some top ranked MBA colleges that have CAT cut offs in 70-80 percentiles too. Presented below are the CAT 2024 cut off percentiles for General category students for admission to some of the top MBA colleges (non-IIM) in 2025.
CAT Cut Off 2024 for Top MBA Colleges (Non-IIM)
Top MBA College CAT Cut Offs 2024 (percentile)
FMS, Delhi 98-99
IIFT Delhi 95-99
SPJIMR, Mumbai 95-99
IMT, Ghaziabad 95-97
JBIMS, Mumbai 96
MDI, Gurgaon 97-99
IMI, New Delhi 90
XIM, Bhubaneshwar 91
GIM Goa 85
K J Somaiya, Mumbai 86
TAPMI, Manipal 80
FORE, New Delhi 85
IFMR, Chennai 80
IRMA, Anand 80
MICA, Ahmedabad 80
LIBA, Chennai 70
XIME, Bangalore 70

CAT 2024 Score vs Percentile

To get into MBA courses, B-Schools look at your CAT percentile, which shows your rank in the exam. To calculate the CAT percentile, your raw CAT score is converted using a formula. This ensures that everyone's performance is compared fairly, even if they took the exam on different days with different difficulty levels.
  • A high CAT score may not always lead to a high percentile if many other candidates score the same or higher.
  • However, an estimate can be made based on the number of people who took the test and the difficulty level of the exam that year.
Check the table below for an estimate of CAT scores versus CAT percentiles (courtesy IMS India).
CAT 2024 Score vs Percentile
CAT Percentile CAT VARC CAT DILR CAT QA Overall Score
99.5 %ile 44 36 39 101
99 %ile 41 31 36 91
98 %ile 35 28 31 80
95%ile 29 22 24 66
90%ile 24 18 17 53
85%ile 20 15 14 45
80%ile 17 13 11 40

CAT Cut Off 2024 for IIM Admission and Selection Criteria

After the CAT 2024 results are declared, IIMs will begin the MBA/PGP admission process. Candidates who meet the required CAT cut-off will be eligible to apply for the WAT/GD-PI round. The IIM selection process includes checking the CAT score, the WAT/GD-PI round, and final selection. Most IIMs hold the WAT, GD, and PI rounds from February to April, and admission offers are sent to successful candidates in May.

When invited for the WAT/GD-PI round, candidates must bring the following documents:
  • Original and self-attested copies of marksheets for Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation.
  • Original and self-attested copies of caste/class or disability certificates, if applicable (for SC, ST, NC-OBC, and PwD candidates).
  • Candidates appearing for the final year of their bachelor's degree must provide a certificate from their university/institution confirming that they have secured at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates) based on their latest grades/marks.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Analysis CAT 2024 Slot 2 Analysis CAT Exam Analysis 2024 CAT 2024 Slot 3 Analysis

CAT Previous Years Cut-Off Marks

Taking into consideration the previous year's CAT cutoff is essential for gaining a reasonable understanding of the CAT score and its corresponding threshold.
CAT Previous Years Cut-Off Marks
Year Institute General Cut-Off Percentile OBC Cut-Off Percentile SC Cut-Off Percentile ST Cut-Off Percentile EWS Cut-Off Percentile
2023 IIM Ahmedabad 99.68 97.71 78.95 72.79 97.71
IIM Bangalore 99.89 96.08 83.38 78.93 95.48
IIM Calcutta 99.71 97.87 91.44 77.90 99.03
2022 IIM Ahmedabad 99.5 97 78 73 95.48
IIM Bangalore 99 95 82 75 97
IIM Calcutta 99 94 80 75 95
2021 IIM Ahmedabad 99 96 76 79 95.48
IIM Bangalore 98 92 75 ~90*
IIM Calcutta 98 94 ~80* ~79*
2020 IIM Ahmedabad 98 ~90* 82 ~90*
IIM Bangalore 97 ~90* ~80* ~98*
IIM Calcutta 97 ~90* ~80* ~90*
2019* IIM Ahmedabad* ~98* ~95* ~75* ~70* ~90*
IIM Bangalore* ~97* ~92* ~74* ~68* ~85*
IIM Calcutta* ~96* ~90* ~72* ~65* ~80*
2018 IIM Ahmedabad 80 75 70 60 70
IIM Bangalore 85 80 75 70 70
IIM Calcutta 90 85 80 75 75
2017 IIM Ahmedabad 100 100 99.82 ~70* ~70*
IIM Bangalore 90.73 81.47 75.24 73 ~70*

CAT Result 2024 Announced Now: Non-IIMs to Consider CAT Score 2024

Along with the IIMs, 86 non-IIM institutions will also accept CAT 2024 scores for admission to their management programs. The Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, announced the CAT 2024 results on Thursday evening. Aspiring management students can check their scorecards by logging into the official CAT website using their application credentials.
  • Out of 3.29 lakh registered candidates, 2.93 lakh appeared for the exam. Engineering students and male candidates dominated the top performance ranks. Among the 14 candidates who scored a perfect 100 percentile, 13 were engineers, and 13 were males, with only one female in the group.
In addition, 29 candidates achieved a 99.99 percentile, including 25 engineers and four from non-engineering backgrounds. This group consisted of 27 males and two females. Another 30 candidates scored a 99.98 percentile. The demographic data of the 3.29 lakh registered candidates showed 67.53% from the General category, 16.91% NC-OBC, 8.51% SC, 2.25% ST, 4.80% EWS, and 0.44% PwD. Of the 2.93 lakh who appeared for the exam, 67.20% were from the General category. Qualify for MBA exams with a high score by initiating strategic preparation with PW MBA Online Coaching . Join now to get expert guidance, 24/7 doubt resolution, daily practice papers, and video lectures.

CAT Cut Off 2024 FAQs

What is the CAT cut off for 2024?

CAT cut-off for 2024 will be different for each college. For the top IIMs, the cut-offs will be between 99 and 100 percentile. Newer IIMs might have cut-offs from 95 to 97 percentile. Other well-known MBA colleges usually have cut-offs starting at 95 percentile, while tier 2 and tier 3 colleges may have lower cut-offs, around 70 to 80 percentile and 60 to 70 percentile, respectively.

How are CAT cut offs determined?

CAT cut-offs are decided based on factors like how difficult the exam is, how many people take the exam, and how well candidates perform. Other things like the number of seats available in each program, the college's ranking, and past trends also affect the cut-off.

What is the difference between qualifying and final cut offs?

The qualifying cut-off is the minimum score you need to be considered for admission, usually above 90 percentile for IIMs. The final cut-off is the score required to actually get an offer for admission. Final cut-offs can be higher than qualifying cut-offs, especially depending on the competition and available seats.

When will the CAT 2024 exam take place?

The CAT 2024 exam held on November 24, 2024. Registration will close on the same day, and there are no plans to delay the exam.

Can I edit my CAT application after submitting it?

Once you have paid for the CAT 2024 application, you cannot make any changes to your form. It is important to check all your details carefully before submitting the application to avoid problems later on.

What is the CAT cut off for OBC in 2024?

CAT cutoff for OBC candidates in 2024 is estimated to be between 70 to 80 percentile for IIM admissions, with some of the top IIMs potentially requiring scores closer to 75-80 percentile.
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