What is a Good Score or Percentile in CAT 2026?

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most desired management entrance test in India. Each year, over 2 lakh applicants enroll in CAT hoping that they will gain admission to IIMs and other B-schools of repute. The question most frequently asked by students, as CAT 2026 approaches is: What is a good score or percentile in CAT 2026?

This question is significant as the meaning of a good score is relative. This is based on the institutes you are aiming, the level of competition that year, the level of difficulty of the paper, and the performance of the rest of the candidates. In this blog, we will explain in detail what a good score and percentile are in CAT 2026, discuss percentile ranges of scores, analyze cut-offs, and how applicants can gauge their preparation.

Understanding CAT Scoring and Percentile System

Before we define a “good” score, it is necessary to understand how CAT is scored. CAT consists of three sections:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

Every question normally has +3 marks in case of a correct answer and -1 mark in case of a wrong answer (MCQs). There is no negative marking in non-MCQs (TITA type). Raw scores received by candidates are standardized across slots and percentiles are calculated in order to rank the candidates against one another.

A percentile is not a percentage. A 95 percentile implies that you did better than 95 percent of the people who sat CAT. Hence, your relative performance determines your admission opportunities more than your raw marks.

What is a Good Score in CAT 2026?

The B-schools that you are targeting determine the good score in CAT 2026. In the best IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta), a percentile of 99+ (though there are also sectional cut-offs) will normally be required to be shortlisted. In newer IIMs and other leading B-schools such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai or MDI Gurgaon, a percentile of 95-98 can be said to be very good.

The table below indicates a rough correlation between the raw scores and percentiles on the basis of the analysis of the previous years.

Expected CAT 2026 Raw Score vs Percentile

This correlation may change slightly depending on the difficulty of the paper, but it gives aspirants a clear idea of what “good” means.

Read More: 3-Month CAT 2025 Prep Plan: VARC, DILR, and Quant Strategy

What percentile is required for old IIMs (A, B, C)?
For IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, the cut-off for the general category usually hovers around 99 percentile overall, with sectional cut-offs around 75–85 percentile.

What percentile is required for new and baby IIMs?
For newer IIMs like Ranchi, Trichy, or Udaipur, a 95–97 percentile overall is considered good. For baby IIMs such as IIM Jammu or IIM Nagpur, even a 90–92 percentile may be sufficient.

Do non-IIMs also accept CAT?
Yes. FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, and many others accept CAT scores. For FMS, you may need 98+ percentile, while MDI or SPJIMR may shortlist candidates at 95–97 percentile.

Sectional Cut-Offs and Their Importance

While the overall percentile is important, sectional cut-offs also play a crucial role. Even if you score 99 percentile overall, you may not get shortlisted if you fall short in one section. For example, IIM Bangalore is known for giving importance to a balanced profile, which means sectional percentiles must be cleared.

Sectional Cut-offs for Top IIMs (General Category)

These cut-offs vary depending on categories (General, OBC, SC/ST, PwD), so candidates from reserved categories may need a lower percentile.

Is 95 Percentile in CAT Good?

A 95 percentile in CAT is considered excellent, but it depends on your goals. With 95 percentile, you may not make it to IIM Ahmedabad or Bangalore, but you still have chances at many other IIMs (like IIM Udaipur, Trichy, Ranchi), as well as institutes like TAPMI, IMI Delhi, and IMT Ghaziabad.

So yes, 95 percentile is a good score — it opens doors to several respected B-schools.

How Many Marks Are Required for 99 Percentile in CAT 2026?

Based on previous years, around 120–135 marks out of 198 are usually required to reach the 99 percentile mark. However, this varies depending on the paper’s difficulty level.

Marks Required vs Percentile in Previous CATs

Role of Study Material in Achieving a Good Score

It is important to plan ahead with the proper resources. Aspirants find themselves relying on CAT exam preparation books, CAT mock test papers and CAT 25 years previous solved question papers to reinforce their preparations.

• CAT exam preparation books are useful in learning concepts, problem solving and revision of fundamentals.

• CAT mock test papers provide a real-exam experience, are faster and more accurate, and can also be used to find weak areas.

• CAT 25 years previous solved question papers are priceless in the analysis of the pattern of the exam, the trends in the difficulty, and the practice of the questions of CAT level.

The combination of these resources guarantees that aspirants do not only pursue a high percentile, but also consistency in sections.

Is 99 Percentile Guaranteed by Solving Previous Year Papers?

No, not solving previous year papers will not assure you a 99 percentile, but it will certainly help. Past year papers provide you with a clue of how questions are asked, their difficulty level and time management. But you have to supplement it with conceptual clarity, practice and lots of CAT mock test papers to make it look like the real exam environment.

The Difference Between a Good Score and a Safe Score

While a good score may be defined as 97–99 percentile, a safe score is one that ensures your shortlist from your targeted institutes. For example, a 97 percentile may be good overall, but if you specifically want IIM Ahmedabad, it may not be safe. Similarly, for baby IIMs, even a 90 percentile may be safe. Aspirants must align their definition of “good” with their career goals.

How Should Aspirants Approach CAT 2026 Preparation?

To aim for a good percentile in CAT 2026, aspirants should:

• Understand the CAT syllabus thoroughly.

• Build concepts with CAT exam preparation books.

• Solve CAT 25 years previous solved question papers to get real-exam exposure.

• Take regular CAT mock test papers to track progress.

• Analyze mocks deeply to fix weak areas.

• Maintain a balance between accuracy and speed.

Is 80 Percentile in CAT Worth It?

Yes, even an 80 percentile can earn you a place in good institutes such as BIMTECH, IFMR and some baby IIMs. But in case you are aiming at the top 10 B-schools, you might wish to retake CAT in order to get a better percentile.

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Conclusion

What then is a good score or percentile in CAT 2026? In case of best IIMs, 99+ percentile is required where in case of new IIMs and best private B-schools, 95-98 percentile is good. Even above 90 percentile can be useful according to your selection of institutes.

Finally, a good score is relative to your targets, category, and the institutes you aim to. Aspirants will have a high probability of attaining their dream percentile with focused preparation through CAT exam preparation books, practice with CAT 25 years previous solved question papers and regular practice of CAT mock test papers.