Introduction
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a standardized computer based test for students seeking admission into India’s top management institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) [1]. The test assesses a candidate’s aptitude skills in areas like quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. A gifted score on the CAT refers to an exceptionally high percentile rank that demonstrates outstanding aptitude and potential. Students who score in the top percentiles on the CAT exam are identified as having gifted and talented aptitude.
CAT Exam Overview
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prerequisite for admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as well as over 100 other business schools in India. The exam is conducted annually by the IIMs to screen candidates for their management programs.
The purpose of the CAT exam is to test a candidate’s quantitative ability, reading comprehension skills, data interpretation skills, and logical reasoning ability. These skills are considered essential for pursuing a management education and having a successful career in the corporate world.
The CAT exam has a multi-stage structure. It is a computer-based test consisting of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Candidates get 40 minutes for each section, for a total exam time of 2 hours.
The CAT uses a percentile scoring system. The raw scores obtained by candidates in each section are converted into percentiles. The overall percentile, calculated based on the aggregate of sectional percentiles, is used for shortlisting candidates for the next rounds at various IIMs and other B-schools. The exam is conducted in test centers spread across around 150 cities in India. It is typically held in the months of November-December each year.
Definition of a Gifted Score
The term “gifted” in the context of CAT scores refers to students who achieve exceptionally high results on the exam. According to the California Unified School District, “Gifted education services are offered to all students who score at or above the 97th percentile on a verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal assessment” (Gifted (C.A.T.S) / Gifted Overview – CUSD 80). This aligns with the common definition that students scoring in the top 3% on standardized tests like the CAT are considered gifted.
CAT4 Prep notes that “Pupils with a CAT4 score of 130 or above in one or more areas with attainment in line with or above expectations are identified as gifted and talented” (CAT4 Scores Gifted and Talented | Everything you need to know). A score of 130 puts a student in the top 2% of test takers. TestPrep-Online further explains that the 97th percentile equates to a standard score between 130-141 (About CAT4 Score Reports (2024)).
Based on these expert sources, a gifted CAT score is generally defined as any score at or above the 97th percentile, with 130 commonly used as the gifted cutoff score.
Historical Score Analysis
The CAT exam has been conducted annually since 2009 by the IIMs. Over the years, the exam format and difficulty level has evolved, leading to fluctuations in the score distributions. According to CAT 2020 Vs CAT 2021 | CAT Score Vs. Percentile, in CAT 2020, a score of 90 to 95 percentile was achieved by candidates scoring between 140 to 150 marks out of a total of 200 marks. However, in CAT 2021, the same 90 to 95 percentile was achieved in the range of 117 to 123 marks out of 150 total marks.
This indicates that while the overall scores have reduced in CAT 2021 compared to CAT 2020, the corresponding percentile ranks have remained fairly consistent. Experts attribute this reduction in scores to increased difficulty levels, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude section. However, the percentile system ensures that candidates are ranked consistently across years, accounting for year-on-year variations in exam patterns and difficulty levels.
Section-wise Analysis
When analyzing gifted scores on the CAT exam, it’s helpful to break it down by section to understand where high scorers excel. The three sections are Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation (DI), and Logical Reasoning (LR). There is also a section for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), which tests English language skills.
In QA, gifted scores tend to be quite high. According to anonymous user insights on Reddit, scoring above the 90th percentile typically requires getting 32-35 questions correct out of 34. The QA section has historically been the easiest to score well on. Even candidates with lower overall percentiles often have their QA percentile drag their score up.
The DI and LR sections are generally more difficult. For DI/LR, scores above the 90th percentile usually require getting at least 25-28 questions right out of 32. Candidates aiming for 99+ percentile scores need to get nearly all DI/LR questions correct. However, the English section is the most challenging for non-native speakers. High scorers in English often make up for poorer QA/DI/LR performance.
In summary, gifted CAT exam scorers generally dominate the QA section, while posting high marks in DI, LR, and English. Scoring above the 99th percentile requires excellent marks across all sections.
Top IIM Cutoffs
The top IIMs, namely IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta, have consistently had the highest cutoffs for CAT scores over the years. To get shortlisted for these premium institutes, candidates need to score above the 99th percentile in CAT.
As per this Quora post, scoring 99.9 percentile does not guarantee a call from IIM A, B or C if the overall profile is weak. For IIM A in particular, candidates need exceptional academic records and work experience apart from a stellar CAT score.
An analysis published on InsideIIM states that IIM Lucknow and IIM Indore also have cutoffs upwards of 90 percentile for general category candidates. However, the top IIMs of Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta remain the toughest to crack.
The exact cutoffs vary slightly year-on-year, but consistently remain above 99 percentile. Competition has also intensified with the number of CAT test takers increasing exponentially. Candidates aiming for the premium IIM tags need nothing short of a perfect test taking strategy and rigorous preparation.
Non-IIM Cutoffs
While the IIMs have some of the highest CAT cutoffs, there are many other top B-schools in India that also accept CAT scores. Many of these have slightly lower cutoffs compared to the IIMs.
For example, per this Quora post, institutes like MDI Gurgaon and the newer IIMs may offer calls at a percentile below IIM ABC cutoffs. Other leading schools like FMS Delhi, XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai, and more also have cutoffs in the 90+ percentile range.
While the exact cutoff varies year-to-year, most top B-schools have cutoffs between 90-99 percentile. Scoring above 95 percentile significantly increases your chances at the best non-IIM programs.
Some non-engineering applicants may have better luck, as this article discusses. With lesser competition, cutoffs at B-schools are generally lower for non-engineers.
In summary, while IIM ABC require 98+ percentile, applicants with 90+ percentile have good prospects at leading non-IIM institutes.
Profile-based Analysis
CAT scores vary significantly based on a candidate’s academic and professional background. According to discussions on Reddit, engineers and other quantitative backgrounds tend to score higher on the quant section, with averages around the 90th percentile. However, their verbal scores are often lower. Liberal arts majors and humanities backgrounds tend to excel in verbal but struggle more in quant. Work experience also plays a role. According to a 2020 analysis, candidates with over 3 years of work experience scored 10-15 percentile points higher on average compared to fresh graduates.
Overall, a well-rounded profile with strong academics, some work experience, and a mix of quantitative and verbal skills produces the highest scores. Candidates who excel in both quant and verbal sections, with percentiles above 90, tend to have exceptional academic records from top institutions along with work experience at leading companies. However, high scores ultimately depend more on one’s aptitude and preparation than any single profile component.
Preparation Tips for Scoring in the Gifted Range
Scoring in the gifted range (99+ percentile) on the CAT exam requires diligent preparation and strategic planning. Here are some tips to help maximize your chances of achieving this high score:
Dedicate at least 6 months of intense and focused preparation. Trying to cram everything into a few weeks is not advisable for gifted-level scores. Pace yourself and stick to a study schedule.
Thoroughly understand the exam pattern and weightage given to different sections. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension usually comprise the highest weightage, so master your vocabulary, grammar, and reading skills.
Practice, practice, practice. Solve thousands of questions from past exams and mock tests, especially for Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. Analyze where you need improvement.
Don’t neglect your strong sections while working on weaknesses. Aiming for perfection across all three sections is key.
Improve conceptual clarity and adopt shortcut techniques. For math, understand formulas and logic rather than relying on guesswork.
Take mocks under timed conditions and analyze your performance to identify blind spots. Work on speed and accuracy.
Stay motivated through the ups and downs. Consistency and hard work are vital. Remind yourself of why you started this journey.
Get enough rest before the exam. Arrive early, stay calm, and have confidence in your preparation.
Conclusion
In summary, a gifted CAT score generally falls in the top 5% of test takers nationally. According to the TestPrep-Online source, scores of 126 or above on any individual section, or 120 or above on any two combined sections, indicate exceptional aptitude and achievement (TestPrep-Online). Historically, consistently high scores on the quantitative and verbal sections tend to be strong indicators of success in the rigorous IIM admissions process. While a high score does not guarantee admission, it can make a candidate more competitive. Overall, the CAT aims to identify the most promising candidates who demonstrate excellence across verbal, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills.
The key takeaways are to aim for total scores of 300+ and sectional scores of 120+ to be considered gifted. However, it is also important to have a well-rounded profile with academic excellence, work experience, and strong recommendations. With thorough preparation using reputable study materials, motivated test takers can work to maximize their potential on this challenging exam. By mastering all three sections and focusing on accuracy as well as speed, aspiring IIM students can put themselves in a strong position to earn a gifted CAT score.