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CAT 2026 IIM Profile & Percentile Predictor
Enter your scores AND academic profile to see your exact IIM shortlist chances, required percentile for each IIM, and what to improve.
Have you given a CAT mock yet? (Helps us give accurate results)
VARC
Verbal & Reading Comprehension
Max: 72 marks
DILR
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
Max: 60 marks
QA
Quantitative Aptitude
Max: 60 marks
Academic Profile (for IIM Shortlist Chances)
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Predicted Overall Percentile
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⚠️ Estimated based on CAT 2024-2025 trends. Actual percentile may vary ±5-8 points depending on paper difficulty and normalization across slots.
VARC
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DILR
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QA
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🏛️ Colleges you can target
📈 What to focus on next
Want a personalised plan to hit your target?
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How CAT Percentile is Calculated
CAT percentile is not your raw score — it's your relative performance compared to all test takers. A 99 percentile means you scored better than 99% of all candidates who appeared for CAT that year.
The official CAT percentile is calculated using a normalization process across different slots and sessions. This predictor uses historical score-to-percentile data from CAT 2019-2024 to give you an accurate estimate based on your mock performance.
CAT 2026 Score vs Percentile — Reference Table
| Total Score (out of 192) | Expected Percentile | Target Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| 155+ | 99.5+ | IIM A, B, C |
| 140-154 | 99-99.5 | IIM L, K, I, FMS Delhi |
| 125-139 | 97-99 | IIM Kozhikode, MDI, SPJIMR |
| 110-124 | 94-97 | New IIMs, IIFT, SIBM |
| 95-109 | 90-94 | IMT, Great Lakes, XIMB |
| 80-94 | 85-90 | Tier 2 B-schools |
| Below 80 | Below 85 | State colleges, private B-schools |
IIM Cutoffs by Category — CAT 2026
Category plays a significant role in IIM shortlisting. Here are the approximate CAT percentile cutoffs for major IIMs across categories:
| IIM | General | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99 | 97 | 90 | 85 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99 | 97 | 90 | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 | 97 | 90 | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97 | 92 | 85 | 75 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 95 | 88 | 80 | 70 |
| FMS Delhi | 99 | 95 | 88 | 80 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95 | 90 | 82 | 72 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this CAT percentile predictor?
This predictor is based on historical CAT score-to-percentile data from 2019-2024. It gives you a reliable estimate within ±2 percentile points for most score ranges. Actual CAT percentile depends on the difficulty of your specific slot and the performance of all candidates in that year.
Can I use mock test scores for this predictor?
Yes — but note that mock tests from different institutes have varying difficulty levels. SimCAT (IMS) and AIMCAT (CL) are closest to actual CAT difficulty. If you're using easier mocks your actual CAT percentile might be lower than predicted.
What percentile do I need for IIM ABC?
For IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta you typically need 99+ percentile in the general category. Each IIM also has sectional cutoffs — usually 85-90 percentile in each section individually. Academics and work experience also play a role in the shortlisting process.
How is VARC scored in CAT 2026?
VARC has 24 questions with a maximum of 72 marks (3 marks per correct answer, -1 for wrong MCQ answers). TITA questions have no negative marking. The section covers Reading Comprehension (16 questions) and Verbal Ability (8 questions).
Is 6 months enough to improve my CAT percentile?
Yes — 6 months of structured preparation is sufficient to significantly improve your CAT percentile. The key is identifying your specific weak areas early and targeting them systematically rather than studying all sections equally. Use the Marg AI mentor to get a personalised plan based on your current scores.