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CAT 2025 is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by IIMs. IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT 2025 on November 30. Registration starts August 1 and ends September 13. The exam includes VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability.

Important Dates

Exam Day

Nov 30, 2025

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White Paper: Analyzing CAT Cutoff Scores for 2025 Aspirants

1. Understanding CAT Cutoff Scores

  • 1.1 Defining Cutoff Scores:
    • A cutoff score represents the minimum score or percentile required for admission to IIMs and other top B-schools through the Common Admission Test (CAT).
    • It acts as a benchmark to filter candidates for further selection stages like Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).
    • The cutoff separates candidates eligible for the next phases of the admission process.
  • 1.2 Role in Exam Qualification and Admissions:
    • Exceeding the cutoff makes a candidate eligible for the next selection phases.
    • A high CAT score is a necessary but not sufficient condition for admission.
    • Cutoff scores are crucial in shortlisting candidates for different MBA programs.

2. Types of CAT Cutoffs

  • 2.1 Qualifying Cutoffs:
    • The minimum sectional and overall percentile required to be eligible for consideration.
    • Announced by the institutes in their admission criteria.
    • Meeting this cutoff only makes candidates eligible for the interview process but doesn't guarantee final selection.
  • 2.2 Admission Cutoffs:
    • The range of scores at which actual admissions take place in specific colleges.
    • These are generally higher than qualifying cutoffs.
    • Highly variable across B-schools, depending on ranking and popularity.
  • 2.3 College-Specific Cutoffs:
    • Each B-school independently determines its cutoff scores.
    • Factors influencing these cutoffs include the number of available seats, overall candidate performance, and the B-school's admission criteria.
  • 2.4 Illustrative Examples
    • IIM Ahmedabad has a minimum qualifying CAT cutoff of 80%, while the final cutoffs were as high as 99% for general candidates.
    • For the top 6 IIMs, the CAT 2025 cutoff may reach as high as 99.99 or even 100 percentile for the general category. For newer IIMs, it might range between 95-97 percentile.

3. Factors Affecting Cutoff Variations

  • 3.1 Difficulty Level of the CAT Exam:
    • A more challenging exam typically leads to lower cutoffs.
    • The normalization process adjusts scores to account for difficulty differences across slots.
  • 3.2 Number of Candidates Appearing for the Exam:
    • Increased test-takers can raise the cutoff percentile, especially for top-tier institutes.
  • 3.3 Number of Seats Available in IIMs and Other B-schools:
    • Increased seats can lead to a decrease in the CAT cutoff. Changes in reservation policies can also affect the number of seats available for general candidates.
  • 3.4 Reservation Policies:
    • Cutoff scores differ for various categories (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD).
  • 3.5 Performance of Candidates:
    • The overall performance of candidates significantly impacts the cutoff.
  • 3.6 IIM's Shortlisting Criteria:
    • Criteria like academic performance, work experience, and diversity influence the final cutoff percentile.
  • 3.7 Other Factors:
    • College rankings and the number of candidates clearing minimum qualifying cutoffs also affect admission cutoffs.

4. Historical Cutoff Trends and Impact on Student Preparation

  • 4.1 Historical Data Analysis (2018-2024):
    • CAT cut offs remain high (99+ percentile) for top IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode, every year.
    • For General/NC-OBC category students the CAT cutoff percentile for top IIMs is around 98-100 percentile; for SC/ST/PwD category candidates the cut offs are lower.
    • For non-IIMs, the CAT cutoff is usually in the range of 94-100 percentile.
    • In Tier 2 MBA colleges, CAT cut offs are usually around 70-80 percentile and above and in Tier 3 MBA colleges the CAT cut offs are usually around 60-70 percentile and above.
    • JBIMS CAT Cutoff 2024 is expected to be 96 percentile for General category students as per the previous year cutoff trends. For the general category, the CAT cutoff percentile for JBIMS typically ranges between 98.5 and 99.9 percentile.
  • 4.2 Impact on Student Preparation:
    • Increased Competition: Higher cutoffs necessitate more rigorous preparation.
    • Strategic Preparation: Develop a strategic approach, focusing on accuracy and speed.
    • Section-wise Focus: Identify strengths and weaknesses to allocate time effectively.
    • Mock Tests and Analysis: Regular mock tests are crucial. Simulate exam conditions while taking mock tests. Analyze performance in detail after each mock test to identify weak areas.
    • Balanced Profile: Academic record, work experience, and extracurricular activities play a significant role.
  • 4.3 Preparing for CAT 2025:
    • Complete the CAT syllabus thoroughly.
    • Attempt a good number of CAT mock tests to develop speed and accuracy.
    • Dedicate time to regular revision.
    • Learn mental math for quick calculations.
    • Focus on building a strong foundation in basic mathematics.
    • Practice reading comprehension regularly.

Selection Process

Stage 1: CAT Exam Overview

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It serves as a gateway for MBA admissions into the IIMs and other top B-schools in India. CAT scores are accepted by numerous prestigious institutions. The exam is typically held annually, usually in November. Key aspects include:

  1. Eligibility: A bachelor's degree with a minimum percentage or equivalent qualification is required.
  2. Registration: The CAT registration process is online, involving filling out an application form and paying the required fee. Keep an eye on official notifications for registration dates.
  3. Admit Card: The CAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam center. It is released online, and candidates must download and print it.
  4. Exam Pattern: CAT consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The exam is time-bound, with sectional time limits.
  5. Syllabus: The CAT syllabus includes topics from English Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Mathematics. Focused preparation is essential.
  6. Preparation: Effective CAT preparation involves understanding the syllabus, practicing with mock tests and previous year question papers, and developing time management skills.
  7. Answer Key: After the exam, the official CAT answer key is released. Candidates can use it to estimate their scores.
  8. Results: CAT results are declared online. Candidates can check their scores and percentile on the official website.
  9. Cutoff: Each IIM and B-school has its own CAT cutoff. Candidates meeting the cutoff are called for further selection rounds.
  10. Percentile Predictor: Use CAT percentile predictor tools to estimate your percentile based on your expected score.

Stage 2: Registration Process

The CAT registration process is a crucial first step for aspirants. Here's a detailed breakdown:

  1. Online Registration: CAT registration is exclusively online through the official IIM CAT website.
  2. Notification: Keep an eye on the official CAT notification for the start and end dates of registration.
  3. Application Form: Fill out the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and contact details.
  4. Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of required documents, such as photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable).
  5. Fee Payment: Pay the CAT registration fee online through credit/debit card, net banking, or other available modes.
  6. Confirmation: After successful payment, a confirmation message is displayed, and a registration number is generated. Keep this number safe for future reference.
  7. Review: Before final submission, review all the details entered in the application form to avoid errors.
  8. Admit Card Download: After registration, download the CAT admit card when it is released. The admit card contains details of the exam center, date, and time.

Stage 3: Exam Day Guide

On the day of the CAT exam, it's essential to be well-prepared and follow all instructions carefully:

  1. Admit Card: Carry a printed copy of your CAT admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the exam center.
  2. Reporting Time: Reach the exam center well before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
  3. Exam Center: Familiarize yourself with the location of the exam center beforehand to avoid last-minute delays. Check CAT exam centre details online.
  4. Instructions: Listen carefully to the instructions given by the invigilators before the exam begins.
  5. Time Management: Manage your time effectively during the exam, keeping track of the sectional time limits.
  6. Answering Questions: Attempt questions strategically, focusing on accuracy and speed.
  7. Rough Work: Use the provided rough sheets for calculations and problem-solving.
  8. Prohibited Items: Do not carry any prohibited items, such as electronic devices, calculators, or study material, into the exam hall.
  9. Following Rules: Adhere to all the rules and regulations of the exam.
  10. Stay Calm: Remain calm and focused throughout the exam.

Stage 4: Post-Exam Analysis

After the CAT exam, analyzing your performance is crucial for understanding your strengths and weaknesses:

  1. Answer Key: Check the official CAT answer key to estimate your score.
  2. Score Calculation: Calculate your approximate score based on the answer key and marking scheme.
  3. Paper Analysis: Review the CAT paper analysis to understand the difficulty level and types of questions asked.
  4. Percentile Prediction: Use CAT percentile predictor tools to get an estimate of your percentile.
  5. Cutoff Analysis: Analyze the CAT cutoff scores of different IIMs and B-schools to assess your chances of getting a call.
  6. Results: Wait for the official CAT results to be declared.
  7. Selection Process: If you meet the cutoff, prepare for the subsequent selection rounds, such as Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).
  8. Counselling: Participate in counselling sessions to understand the admission process of different institutes.
  9. Preparation Tips: Review CAT preparation tips to improve your strategy for future attempts, if needed.
  10. Community: Engage with the CAT community for discussions and insights.
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