Introduction
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s premier MBA entrance exam. It tests a candidate’s aptitude in three key areas – Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The exam is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to screen candidates for admission into their business administration and management programs.
The main purpose of the CAT is to evaluate a candidate’s overall aptitude for management education. The exam tests logical thinking and problem solving abilities which are critical skills required to succeed in an MBA program. The CAT score is accepted by numerous other business schools in addition to the IIMs.
The CAT uses a percentile based scoring system. The highest score is 100 percentile and the lowest score is 1 percentile. This means a candidate’s score reflects how they performed relative to other test takers. A score higher than 70 percentile is generally considered good.
Sections of the CAT
The CAT exam consists of three sections that test a candidate’s abilities in different domains:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
This section tests a candidate’s command over the English language as well as reading comprehension skills. It includes questions on topics like grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, reading comprehension passages, inference drawing, etc. (Source)
Quantitative Ability
The quantitative ability section tests a candidate’s mathematical skills through questions on numbers, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, etc. Questions are designed to test conceptual understanding and quantitative reasoning ability. (Source)
Logical Reasoning
This section evaluates a candidate’s ability to reason logically and analytically. It may include questions based on puzzles, visual representation, series, relations, arrangements, syllogisms, etc. Questions test the ability to critically analyze data, identify patterns, and apply logic. (Source)
Scoring Methodology
The CAT uses a scaled scoring methodology to calculate a test-taker’s total score. This means that each test item is weighted and contributes a certain number of points to the total score. Rather than simply adding up the number of correct responses, the CAT applies computerized adaptive algorithms that take into account item difficulty and test-taker ability.
After completing the CAT, a scaled score between 100-300 is reported. This scaled score represents a test-taker’s overall performance and is converted from the raw point totals. The raw point totals are not revealed to the test-taker. A scaled score of 200 is set as the minimum passing score for the CAT.
The CAT also provides percentile ranks, which indicate how a test-taker performed relative to others who have completed the exam. For example, a percentile rank of 60 means the test-taker scored better than 60% of examinees. A high percentile rank indicates stronger overall performance. However, the passing standard remains achieving the minimum scaled score threshold.
Understanding the CAT’s scaled scoring methodology provides context for interpreting the meaning of specific scores. The scaled scores and percentile ranks reflect an adaptive scoring process that takes into account the difficulty of items administered during an individual’s unique test session.
What a 120 CAT Score Means
A CAT score of 120 places a student’s performance in the top percentiles. The CAT exam is scored on a scale of 100-300, with most test takers scoring between 140-180. Achieving a score of 120 puts a student in the top 5% of all test takers.
A 120 CAT score demonstrates exceptional cognitive abilities and academic potential. Students with this score have superior skills in areas like reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and data interpretation. Their high level of intelligence allows them to quickly understand complex concepts and solve difficult problems.
Scoring a 120 on the CAT indicates the student is extremely gifted. Their learning capabilities and information processing skills are highly advanced compared to peers. A student with this score has the potential to excel in challenging academic programs and pursue intellectually demanding careers.
In summary, a CAT score of 120 represents outstanding talent and top-tier academic abilities. It is an indicator of remarkable intellectual potential that only a small fraction of test takers demonstrate.
120 Score by Section
Since CAT is an aptitude test with 3 sections, it’s helpful to break down what a total score of 120 typically means by section. Each of the 3 sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) – are scored separately.
A well-balanced 120 CAT score will likely comprise of the following sectional score ranges (Mumsnet, 2021):
- VARC: 34-38
- DILR: 32-36
- QA: 50-55
While the sections are weighted equally towards the total score, QA has the highest raw score potential. So a balanced 120 score requires a higher QA sectional score compared to VARC and DILR (Testprep-online, 2024).
Understanding sectional strengths and weaknesses is crucial. A candidate with the same total score but widely varying sectional scores will have different overall performance interpretations and improvement strategies compared to a balanced scorer.
College Admission Prospects
A CAT score of 120 is considered quite good and will make you competitive for admission at many top business schools in India, especially the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). According to experts, a score above 120 puts you in the top 10% of test takers, scoring better than 90% of other CAT exam takers (source).
For the older IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow, a score of 120 may get you shortlisted but you will likely need a higher score in the range of 140-150 to have a good chance of final admission. The newer IIMs like IIM Udaipur, IIM Jammu and IIM Bodh Gaya have slightly lower cutoffs so a 120 score makes you more competitive there.
Apart from the IIMs, a CAT score of 120 is also decent for getting shortlisted at other top MBA colleges such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIFT Delhi, NMIMS Mumbai and the IITs. However, again you would need to score higher in the final admission stages to successfully get admission.
With a rigorous preparation strategy focused on accuracy and speed, it is quite possible to improve your CAT score from 120 to the 140-150 range needed for the top IIMs. Strong academic profile, work experience and performance in GD/PI rounds also matter besides just your CAT score.
Exam Preparation Tips
Aiming for a CAT score of 120 requires diligent preparation and focus. Here are some key exam preparation tips:
Focus Areas: Concentrate your preparation on improving verbal ability, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude as these are the three sections of CAT. Improve your vocabulary, practice logic puzzles, and solve quant problems from past papers. Mastering the core concepts and types of questions in each section is crucial. [1]
Mock Tests: Take as many mock tests as possible, especially closer to the exam date. Analyze where you need improvement based on mock test performance. Mock tests not only help with time management but also to gauge preparedness. Aim for at least 30+ mock tests. [2]
Time Management: The key to maximizing your CAT score is effective time management. Don’t spend too long on any single question. Build speed and accuracy through practice to make the most of the limited exam duration. Learn shortcuts and tricks to solve questions quickly.
CAT Toppers’ Approaches
CAT toppers with scores around 120 typically have very strategic and focused approaches to prepare for the exam. According to CAT expert Anupa Kujur (source), high scorers analyze their performance after every mock test to identify weak areas. They focus more time on topics and question types where they need improvement. Toppers also work extensively on test taking strategies and time management.
Many CAT 120+ scorers like Rajat Jadon (source) follow a well-planned 120 day study schedule leading up to the exam. This involves solving previous CAT papers, taking sectional and full mock tests on a weekly basis, and consistently analyzing mistakes. They emphasize building speed and accuracy. Toppers recommend solving as many questions as possible across different topics to develop exam temperament.
According to CAT preparation experts (source), having strong fundamentals in quantitative ability, logical reasoning and verbal ability is key for 120+ scorers. Toppers focus on mastering basic concepts before moving to advanced questions. They solve questions from reputed CAT preparatory books and analyze answer keys in depth. Getting coaching from experienced faculties also helps in building a strong CAT foundation.
Future Opportunities
Achieving a high CAT score like 120 opens up a range of promising career opportunities. According to the University of Oxford’s Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) guidelines, 120 CATS points is equivalent to a postgraduate diploma taught at the master’s level (https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/cats-points). This demonstrates an advanced level of knowledge and skills that can qualify students for skilled jobs and management positions.
Specific career paths where a 120 CAT score would be advantageous include jobs in education such as teaching, academic counseling, education administration, and education policy. A high CAT score also indicates strong analytical and problem solving abilities, qualifying candidates for careers in engineering, technology, business consulting, finance, and research. Leadership and people management roles in various industries are other options. According to recruitment data, starting salaries for these positions range from ₹6-12 lakh per annum for graduates from premier institutes.
With additional qualifications and experience, salaries can increase to ₹15-25 lakh per annum for managerial roles and ₹50 lakh+ for senior executive positions in reputed companies. The CAT exam is a gateway to obtaining admissions in top MBA institutes in India. Graduating from a leading B-school can accelerate career growth and earnings potential in the long run.
Conclusion
In summary, a CAT score of 120 indicates moderately strong overall performance on India’s premier management school entrance exam. While slightly below the average score, it’s still a competitive result that can lead to admission at many quality institutions. With some targeted preparation and test-taking strategies, there is ample room to boost one’s score further on a future attempt. The key is focusing efforts on the sections and question types that need the most improvement. While CAT performance is important, it’s just one component evaluated by business schools, along with academics, essays, interviews and work experience. Applicants can highlight other strengths to offset a lower exam score. With perseverance and a strategic approach, a 120 on CAT is a surmountable hurdle for determined MBA aspirants seeking to get into a good b-school program.
In conclusion, while a score of 120 on CAT may seem disappointing to some initially, it does not preclude students from gaining admission to quality management institutes, especially with thoughtful exam preparation and a well-rounded application. With diligence and self-belief, CAT takers can aim to incrementally raise their scores on future attempts. More importantly, they should remember that CAT is not the sole basis for selection, and focus on showcasing their best attributes across academics, work experience and the overall application.