Common Admission Test or CAT cutoffs will play a crucial role in the shortlisting of the candidates for admissions into the various postgraduate courses of MBA offered by various b-schools. CAT is a popular MBA entrance exam in our country that serves as a gateway to the coveted IIMs and other top B-Schools. With over 2 lakh candidates competing for about 5000 seats in the IIMs, CAT is one of the most gruelling entrance exams. It is a computer-based test that assesses a candidate's acumen in English, Mathematics,
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation. Lately, there have been some modifications in the exam's type and difficulty level. Keeping up with the varying difficulty level of questions and exam patterns, B-schools have changed their CAT cut-offs from time to time. The cut-offs for CAT 2023 will be released after the results are out in January 2024.
Right after completing the exam, students are immediately thrust into preparation mode for the subsequent rounds of the selection process. These rounds typically include the WAT/GD and PI rounds, although the specific admission procedures may vary across different colleges in terms of their level and format. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the cut-off scores for your desired B-school. This knowledge will help you effectively prepare for both the exam and the subsequent selection process. In this article, you will find valuable information about the top-ranked management institutes' projected CAT cut-offs in 2023.
NOTE: Cut-offs for CAT 2023 are expected to be along the same lines as of the cut for 2022 session.
CAT Cut-off 2023
For B-Schools admissions, CAT scores are used as a primary screening tool for shortlisting candidates.
CAT results are generally out in the month of January, and the students start receiving calls from various B-schools as per their score and profile. While some colleges give more weightage to the candidate's CAT score, others focus equally on his/her profile and CAT score. Generally, B-schools decide on their CAT cut-off after considering a wide range of factors. Listed below are some of the main factors used for determining CAT cut-off:
Major Factors behind CAT Cut-off
The following are a few of the general factors that influence the cut-offs for admissions to various B-schools.
- Difficulty level of the exam
The CAT exam pattern and difficulty level are known to undergo changes from year to year, creating new challenges for aspirants. It has been observed that a higher difficulty level often translates to lower cut-offs, as the more challenging the paper is, the lower the scores that can be anticipated. This dynamic nature of the CAT exam keeps aspirants on their toes, requiring them to constantly adapt and prepare for the uncertainties that lie ahead.
- Number of candidates appearing for CAT
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is widely regarded as one of the most popular and highly sought-after MBA entrance exams in India. Its reputation has grown exponentially in recent years, attracting a significant surge in the number of candidates vying for a coveted seat in top B-schools. As the competition intensifies, it's worth noting that the cut-off scores tend to be influenced by the sheer volume of applicants. With an increasing number of aspiring students joining the race, the cut-off marks are anticipated to witness a corresponding reduction.
- Number of seats available
The total number of seats available in a particular institute will also have an impact on the CAT cut-off. When there is a limited number of seats, the competition for those spots becomes intense, creating a higher level of competition among the aspiring candidates vying for admission. This heightened competition highlights the significance of securing a high CAT score to secure admission in the face of limited opportunities.
- Institute profile
The institute’s profile, including factors such as academic achievements, faculty expertise, infrastructure, and industry connections, plays a significant role in determining the CAT cutoff. It is observed that institutes with a strong reputation, established track record, and distinguished performance tend to have higher cutoff scores compared to lesser-known institutes. This distinction aims to ensure a competent and competitive student cohort, thereby upholding the institute's standards of excellence.
- Previous year CAT Cutoff
The previous year's cutoff list for the Common Admission Test (CAT) is an important factor in determining the cut-off marks for aspiring candidates. It provides valuable insights into the competitive landscape and helps gauge the expectations set by top-tier institutes. It is worth noting that these esteemed institutions often set progressively higher standards each year, reflecting their commitment to excellence and academic rigor.
Additionally, it's worth noting that in the past, the cut-offs for older IIMs were typically higher compared to those for newer ones. However, in recent years, certain IIMs have placed a greater emphasis on a candidate's profile rather than solely relying on the CAT score. The table below showcases the CAT cut-offs for the top colleges in 2021. For the upcoming session, we can anticipate similar cut-off figures to be set.
Tentative CAT Cut-off For IIM Admissions
| List of IIMs |
Tentative CAT Cutoff 2023 (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad |
99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore |
99-100 |
| IIM Calcutta |
99 |
| IIM Lucknow |
97+ |
| IIM Indore |
97+ |
| IIM Kozhikode |
97 to 98 |
| IIM Amritsar |
95+ |
| IIM Nagpur |
95+ |
| IIM Sambalpur |
95+ |
| IIM Trichy |
94 |
| IIM Raipur |
94 |
| IIM Ranchi |
94 |
| IIM Kashipur |
94 |
| IIM Vizag |
92 |
| IIM Udaipur |
92 |
| IIM Bodhgaya |
92 |
| IIM Shillong |
90 |
| IIM Sirmaur |
95 |
| IIM Rohtak |
95 |
CAT Cut Off for Top MBA Colleges (Non-IIM)
| List of B-Schools |
Tentative CAT Cutoff (Percentile) |
| FMS, Delhi |
98.20 Percentile |
| DMS, IIT Delhi |
98+ Percentile |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) Chennai |
90+ Percentile |
| SJMSOM, IIT Bombay |
99+ Percentile |
| Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad |
90+ Percentile |
| MDI Gurgaon |
95+ Percentile |
| IMI, New Delhi |
90+ Percentile |
| National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) Mumbai |
95+ Percentile |
| SPJIMR |
85+ Percentile |
| XIMB |
90+ Percentile |
| Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras |
95+ Percentile |
| T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) Manipal |
85+ Percentile |
| Shiv Nadar University Greater Noida |
60-70 Percentile |
Tentative CAT Cut-off For Non-IIM Admissions
In addition to the prestigious IIMs, I would like to share the tentative CAT cutoffs for other renowned MBA colleges that you might find interesting. These include IMT Ghaziabad, SP Jain, TAPMI, MICA, IIT Bombay, and IPU MBA, who have released their cutoffs for the upcoming academic session. You can find further details below. Feel free to explore and plan your MBA aspirations accordingly!
For the upcoming session, the cut-offs are expected to be on similar lines. Apart from the overall CAT cut-off, most of the B-schools also have sectional cut-off criteria for admission to their MBA programs. Additionally, the overall CAT cut-off varies from one management course to another in a few colleges. For more information, you can check out the official websites of the respective colleges.
Section-wise CAT Cut off 2023 (Tentative)
| CAT Percentile |
CAT VARC |
CAT DILR |
CAT QA |
Overall Score |
| 99.9%ile |
40 |
37 |
42 |
113 |
| 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 |
