Introduction
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admissions into their postgraduate and fellow management programs. The CAT exam is considered one of the toughest and most competitive exams in India, with nearly 2.5 lakh candidates taking the test every year.
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of CAT exam scores, specifically focusing on the marks required to achieve 99.5 percentile on the exam. We will cover the CAT exam structure, scoring process, interpretation of percentiles versus raw marks, cut-offs for top IIMs, and tips to score high on CAT.
What is CAT?
CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into postgraduate and fellow management programs offered by the 20 IIMs across India.
The exam is conducted every year by one of the IIMs based on a policy of rotation. IIM Indore conducted CAT 2022. Around 2.2 lakh candidates apply for CAT every year.
The main purpose of CAT is to test a candidate’s quantitative, verbal, logical and analytical skills. High scorers in CAT have a higher chance of getting into the prestigious IIMs and other top B-schools in India. The exam score is valid only for admissions in the same academic year.
Some key facts about CAT:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Admission_Test
- Conducted since 1955, except in 1962, 1963, 1965 and 1980.
- Went online in 2009, with online registration beginning in 2010.
- Pattern changed from a paper-based test to computer-based in 2009.
Exam Format
The CAT exam consists of three sections: Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI). The exam pattern is as follows:
- The QA section has 22 multiple choice questions to be solved in 40 minutes.
- The VARC section has 24 multiple choice questions to be solved in 60 minutes.
- The LRDI section has 20 multiple choice questions to be solved in 40 minutes.
So in total, there are 66 multiple choice questions to be answered in 180 minutes. The questions cover various topics testing math, verbal, and reasoning skills. The exam is computer-based with questions appearing in a random order for each candidate. Marking schemes may vary for different sections.
Scoring Process
The CAT exam has three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each section has a different marking scheme:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: +3 marks for each correct answer, no negative marking
- Quantitative Ability: +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect answer
The scores obtained in each section are scaled using the equi-percentile method to calculate the overall percentile. This means that raw scores are converted into percentiles based on the relative performance of all test takers. The overall percentile is calculated by giving equal weightage to the percentiles obtained in the three sections.
For example, if a candidate scores 80 percentile in Verbal Ability, 90 percentile in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability, the overall percentile will be (80 + 90 + 75)/3 = 82 percentile.
The equi-percentile method ensures that scoring is standardized and performance in each section is given equal importance. This makes the CAT exam fair and unbiased.
The final overall percentile is used by IIMs and other institutes to shortlist candidates for admission.
Percentile Scores
The CAT exam uses percentile scores rather than raw marks to evaluate candidates’ performance. A candidate’s percentile score indicates the percentage of other candidates who have scored equal to or below that candidate. For example, if a candidate scores in the 90th percentile, it means that the candidate has performed better than 90% of the other test takers. The remaining 10% of test takers have scored above this candidate.
Percentile scores are a normalized way to compare candidates’ performance across different test administrations. Since the difficulty level and composition of test takers can vary across different sittings of the exam, using percentiles allows for a standardized evaluation.[1]
Percentile scores carry more weightage than raw marks for the CAT exam. IIMs shortlist and admit candidates based on their percentile scores. A high percentile score is imperative for getting interview calls from the top IIMs. Candidates aiming for the premier IIMs usually need to score above the 95th or even 99th percentile.[2]
Marks vs Percentiles
The CAT exam has a scoring system based on percentiles rather than raw marks. This means your percentile score indicates your performance relative to other test takers, rather than your absolute score. Understanding the relation between raw marks and percentiles is crucial to set a target score.
According to experts, the marks versus percentile mapping can vary significantly each year depending on the exam difficulty and performance of test takers. However, there are some general trends that provide an estimate of what marks may correspond to certain percentile levels (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/cat-score-vs-percentile-blogId-19573).
For instance, to score in the 99+ percentile, you typically need around 60-65 marks or more in each section out of 100 marks. In the most difficult CAT exams, even 55-50 marks may suffice for 99+ percentile. On the other hand, in easier CAT exams, you may need 70+ marks for the same 99+ percentile score.
While it is difficult to predict the exact marks to percentile conversion, aiming for at least 60 marks in every section is a reasonable target for achieving 99+ percentile. Checking the latest CAT exam analysis and prior years’ trends can also help estimate the score needed for your desired percentile.
Percentiles for Top IIMs
The top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta are the most prestigious and competitive to get into. Their cutoff percentiles over the years provide a good benchmark for the scores needed to get shortlisted.
For IIM Ahmedabad, the cutoff percentile has consistently remained above 99 percentile. As per this source, the cutoff percentile for the PGP program at IIM A was 99.08 for General category students in 2021. The previous year it was 99.26.
IIM Bangalore also maintains high cutoff percentiles near 99. As per this data, the cutoff percentile for General category was 98.83 in 2021. The previous year it was 99.30.
For IIM Calcutta, cutoffs have been around 98-99 percentile. The cutoff for General category in 2021 was 98.46 as per this source. In 2020, it was 98.75 percentile.
So aiming for 99+ percentile is a safe benchmark for the top IIMs. Within that, 99.5+ percentile scores maximize your chances.
Score for 99.5 Percentile
The score required to achieve 99.5 percentile in CAT has fluctuated over the last few years. Here’s an analysis of the marks needed for 99.5 percentile based on previous CAT exams:
In CAT 2021, a score of 224 was needed to achieve 99.5 percentile out of 300 marks (Source). The highest score was 99.99 percentile with 186 marks.
For CAT 2020, a score of 192 was needed for 99.5 percentile out of 300 marks as per (Source). The highest score was 100 percentile with 203 marks.
In CAT 2019, 198 marks out of 300 were required for 99.5 percentile as evidenced by (Source). The top score was 100 percentile with 226 marks.
Based on this data, it is clear that a score of around 190-225 out of 300 marks is generally needed to secure 99.5 percentile or higher in CAT. However, the exact marks will vary each year depending on the paper difficulty and performance of other test takers.
Tips to Score High in CAT
Scoring high in CAT requires thorough preparation and strategic planning. Here are some tips to help maximize your CAT score:
- Start preparing early – Begin your CAT prep at least 4-6 months in advance. This will give you enough time to work on all sections.
- Have a structured study plan – Make a realistic daily/weekly schedule for your CAT preparation. Allocate time for each section depending on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Focus on your problem areas – Identify your weak areas in Quant, DI, LR, VA and devote more time to improve them. Solving previous CAT papers will help you know your focus areas.
- Practice mock tests – Take regular mock tests to analyze your performance and work on your weak zones. Strive to improve your accuracy and speed.
- Work on speed and accuracy – Both speed and accuracy are vital for CAT. Try timed practice tests to improve your pacing.
- Learn shortcuts and tricks – Learn useful tips and shortcuts to solve questions quickly during the exam. Master important formulas, principles and concepts.
- Take breaks – Don’t overexert yourself. Take regular breaks during your study schedule to remain fresh and focused.
- Eat healthy, stay active – Follow a balanced routine with a nutritious diet, exercise, sleep etc. This enhances your mental performance.
- Stay motivated – Keep reminding yourself of your goals and stay motivated, especially during difficult periods.
With robust preparation, strategic planning and rigorous practice, it is possible to obtain a high percentile in CAT. Stay determined and keep improving!
Conclusion
The CAT exam is crucial for getting admissions into the top IIMs and other premier B-schools in India. While the exam has a high level of competition, with diligent preparation and a strategic approach, it is possible to score in the 99th percentile bracket.
It is important to note that percentiles matter more than raw marks in CAT. A score that corresponds to 99.5+ percentile reflects exceptional performance among all test takers. Each year the marks threshold for 99.5 percentile varies depending on the exam difficulty and performance of the test cohort.
By having a clear target percentile, strong motivation, and a well-planned study strategy focused on accuracy and speed, an aspirant can successfully secure a high CAT percentile for admission into their desired IIM or institution.