CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based entrance exam that is conducted every year in India by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to various management programs offered by these institutes.
- The cutoff scores vary for different institutes and programs and are based on several factors such as the number of applicants, the difficulty level of the exam, and the availability of seats.
- Generally, the cutoff scores for the top IIMs are quite high, and candidates need to score above 95 percentile to have a good chance of getting shortlisted for the selection process.
- However, the cutoff scores for other management institutes can be lower and may range between 70 to 90 percentile.
- It is important to note that the cutoff scores are not the only criterion for admission and institutes also consider other factors such as academic background, work experience, and performance in the selection process, such as group discussion, personal interview, and written ability test
CAT Cut off 2023 Highlights
CAT 2023 Cut Off for IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India will be announced after the exam and results are declared.
- The actual cut-off marks for CAT 2023 will be decided by each IIM and published on their official website.
- CAT Cut Off for IIMs will include both overall and sectional cutoffs. To have a good chance of getting selected into IIMs or other top MBA colleges in India, candidates should aim to achieve a minimum of 90 percentile in the exam. Below are the highlights of CAT Cut off 2023-
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam | CAT 2023 |
| Exam Date | November 2023 |
| Cut Off Announcement | After the exam and result |
| Types of Cut Off | Qualifying Cut Off and Final Cut Off |
| Expected Minimum Cut Off | 90 percentile |
| Expected Cut Off for Top IIMs | 99+ percentile |
| Expected Cut Off for Tier 2 Colleges | 80-85 percentile |
CAT Cut off 2023 Release Date
The CAT 2023 Cut Off will be the minimum score required by candidates to be eligible for admission to top MBA colleges in India, including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The actual CAT 2023 Cut Off will be determined by each IIM and announced on their official website after the exam and results are declared. Below is the table for tentative exam dates for CAT 2023-
| Dates | Tentative Exam Dates |
| Dec 2023 | CAT 2023 answer key |
| Dec 2023 | CAT 2023 result announcement |
CAT Cut Off 2023 Determining Factors
To determine the CAT 2023 Cut Off percentile for each institute, several factors that affect the admission process are taken into consideration. These factors play a crucial role in deciding the IIM cut-off 2022 category-wise.
- One of the key factors that affect the cut-off is the difficulty level of the CAT exam.
- If the exam is more difficult, the cut-off percentile may be lower, and vice versa.
- The number of aspirants who appeared for the exam and the number of aspirants who cleared the exam also play a crucial role in determining the cut-off percentile.
- The number of seats available in a particular institute is another important factor that affects the cut-off.
- Institutes with fewer seats may have a higher cut-off percentile than institutes with more seats.
- Additionally, the all-India ranking of the institute can also impact the cut off percentile, with top-ranked institutes having a higher cut-off percentile than lower-ranked institutes.
CAT Cut Off 2023 Expected
The expected CAT Cut Off for IIM admission in 2023 is anticipated to be between 95 to 100 percentile for general applicants. These estimates are based on the previous year’s cut-off trends and the CAT qualifying cutoffs for 2023 are subject to change. It is important to note that meeting the qualifying cutoff is the minimum requirement to be considered for admission and does not guarantee admission to the institute. The table below outlines the CAT qualifying cutoffs for 2023 as per the IIM admission standards of past years-
| Institute | CAT Cut Off 2023 [Expected] |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 |
| FMS, Delhi | 98-99 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97-98 |
| IIM Indore | 97-98 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97-98 |
| MDI, Gurgaon | 97-99 |
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 96 |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | 95-99 |
| IIM Amritsar | 95-96 |
| IIM Nagpur | 95-96 |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | 95-97 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 95-96 |
| IIM Trichy | 94-95 |
| IIM Rohtak | 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 |
| XIM, Bhubaneshwar | 91 |
| IIM Shillong | 90 |
| IMI, New Delhi | 90 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 90 |
| IIM Jammu | 89-90 |
| K J Somaiya, Mumbai | 86 |
| GIM Goa | 85 |
| FORE, New Delhi | 85 |
| TAPMI, Manipal | 80 |
| IFMR, Chennai | 80 |
| IRMA, Anand | 80 |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | 80 |
| LIBA, Chennai | 70 |
| XIME, Bangalore | 70 |
CAT Cut Off 2022
It’s important to note that the CAT cut-offs for General category students are typically very high (ranging from 90-100 percentile) every year. However, there is usually some relaxation in the minimum percentile required for students belonging to reserved categories. Below is the list of CAT Cut off for the year 2022 –
| Institute | CAT Cut Off (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99-100 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 |
| FMS, Delhi | 98-99 |
| MDI, Gurgaon | 97-99 |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | 95-99 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97-98 |
| IIM Indore | 97-98 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97-98 |
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 96 |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | 95-97 |
| 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 |
| XIM, Bhubaneshwar | 91 |
| FORE, New Delhi | 85 |
| GIM Goa | 85 |
| K J Somaiya, Mumbai | 86 |
| IMI, New Delhi | 90 |
| IFMR, Chennai | 80 |
| IRMA, Anand | 80 |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | 80 |
| LIBA, Chennai | 70 |
CAT Cut Off Percentile vs CAT Score
Aspiring candidates aiming to get admission must understand the key differences between the two crucial cut-offs of the CAT exam, which are the Cut Off Percentile and CAT Score. These cut-offs hold great importance in determining the eligibility of the candidates for the admission process. The following table highlights the contrasting features of the two types of cut offs-
| Metric | CAT Cut Off Percentile | CAT Score |
| Definition | The minimum percentile score required to qualify for admission to a particular institute | The actual marks obtained by a candidate in the CAT exam |
| Calculation | Determined based on several factors such as difficulty level of exam, number of aspirants who appeared and cleared, number of seats in the institute, and All India ranking of the institute | Total marks obtained by a candidate in the CAT exam, where each correct answer is awarded 3 marks and each incorrect answer carries a penalty of -1 |
| Significance | Determines eligibility for admission to a particular institute | Provides an indication of the level of performance in the exam |
| Variation | Different for each institute and category | Same for all candidates |
| Range | Typically between 90-100 percentile for general category students | Ranges from 0-300 marks |
| Importance | A critical factor in the selection process for admission to top B-schools in India | One of the key parameters used to evaluate a candidate’s performance in the CAT exam |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques – What is CAT cut off?
Ans – CAT cut off is the minimum score or percentile required to qualify for admission to a management program in the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-Schools in India. It is the first criteria used by the institutes to shortlist candidates for further rounds of selection.
Ques – How is CAT cut off calculated?
Ans – CAT cut off is calculated based on various factors such as the number of applicants, number of available seats, difficulty level of the exam, etc. Each institute uses its own formula to calculate the cut off, which can be based on the percentile or the score of the candidates.
Ques – When will CAT Cut Off 2023 be released?
Ans – As per previous trends, it is expected that the CAT 2023 cutoffs will also be declared in January 2024. It is important to note that only registered candidates will be able to access the cut-off scores using their login credentials provided at the time of registration. The cut-off scores will be available on the official website of the IIMs, which conduct the CAT exam. Aspirants who have appeared for the test will need to visit the website to check if they meet the cut-off score criteria for the desired institute.
Ques – What is CAT cut off score?
Ans – CAT cut off score refers to the minimum score that a candidate must achieve in the CAT exam to be considered for admission to a management program in IIMs or other B-Schools. The cut off score varies from institute to institute and depends on various factors such as the number of applicants, number of available seats, difficulty level of the exam, etc.
Ques – What is CAT cut off for IIMs?
Ans – CAT cut off for IIMs varies from institute to institute and depends on various factors such as the number of applicants, number of available seats, difficulty level of the exam, etc. However, generally, the cut off percentile for IIMs ranges between 90-100 for General category candidates, while for reserved category candidates, it can be lower.
Ques – What is the importance of CAT cut off?
Ans – CAT cut off is the first criteria used by the institutes to shortlist candidates for further rounds of selection. It is important because it determines whether a candidate is eligible for admission to a management program in IIMs or other top B-Schools in India. Candidates who do not meet the cut off criteria are not considered for admission, irrespective of their performance in other selection rounds.
Ques – Who decides on the IIM CAT 2023 cut off?
Ans – The decision on the IIM CAT 2023 cut off is made independently by each of the IIMs. They take into account several factors while setting the cutoff, including the previous year’s cutoff, the number of seats available, and the level of difficulty of the exam. The cutoff scores for each IIM are usually different, which means that candidates need to check the cutoff for each institute they are interested in separately. The IIMs try to ensure that only the best candidates are selected, which is why they set the cutoff scores at a high level. It is important for candidates to prepare well for the exam to increase their chances of meeting the cutoff and securing admission into their desired IIM.
Ques – Is CAT cut off the only criteria for selection?
Ans – No, CAT cut off is not the only criteria for selection. Institutes also consider other factors such as academic performance, work experience, diversity, etc. before making a final selection. CAT cut off is just the first step in the selection process.
Ques – Can CAT cut off change every year?
Ans – Yes, CAT cut off can change every year depending on various factors such as the number of applicants, number of available seats, difficulty level of the exam, etc. Institutes can also change their selection criteria based on their requirements, which can lead to changes in the cut off.
Ques – What happens if a student fails to meet the IIM CAT 2023 Cutoff?
Ans – In case a student fails to meet the IIM CAT 2023 cutoff, they need not worry as there are several other MBA Business schools that accept CAT scores. Students can explore other options such as GRG School of Management Studies located in Coimbatore, International Institute of Business Studies situated in Kolkata and Vanguard Business School in Bangalore. These colleges are popular among students and accept low CAT percentiles. Although IIMs are prestigious institutions, they are not the only ones offering quality management programs. Several other Bschools provide excellent education and exposure to students, helping them build a successful career in the management field.