CAT Score vs Percentile - A Detailed Analysis
Overview
Cracking the CAT exam is often seen as a golden ticket to the prestigious IIMs and other top business schools in India. As the country’s critical MBA entrance test, CAT is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management on a rotating basis. IIM Lucknow handled CAT 2023, with IIM Kozhikode expected for CAT 2024.
This year, over 3.5 Lakh people have registered for the CAT exam. However, as many aspirants quickly realize, understanding the CAT score vs percentile is as crucial as acing the exam itself.
Here, we crack the complexities of CAT scores and percentiles, providing insights to shape your MBA aspirations. Learn how the CAT scoring pattern works, what a “CAT percentile” is, and how to calculate it, along with the section-wise score vs. percentile chart for LRDI, VARC, and Quant over the last 5 years. We
CAT Score Vs Percentile 2023 Slot 1 Prediction
| PERCENTILE | SCORE VA-RC | SCORE DI-LR | SCORE QA | OVERALL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
99.9%ile |
46 |
34 |
46 |
104 |
99.5%ile |
42 |
30 |
30 |
87 |
99%ile |
38 |
26 |
26 |
78 |
98%ile |
34 |
23 |
22 |
69 |
95%ile |
28 |
17 |
17 |
55 |
90%ile |
23 |
14 |
15 |
47 |
85%ile |
19 |
11 |
10 |
38 |
80%ile |
17 |
9 |
8 |
34 |
75%ile |
15 |
8 |
7 |
29 |
70%ile |
13 |
7 |
6 |
27 |
Understanding CAT Marks Vs Percentile
It is important to understand the difference between the CAT score and the CAT percentile to better comprehend the CAT 2023 score versus the percentile. Many candidates wonder what these terms truly mean.
Simply put, your CAT score represents the total marks you earn based on correct and incorrect answers. On the other hand, the CAT percentile reflects how well you performed compared to others. For instance, a 90th percentile means you scored above 90% of test-takers, a vital metric in the competitive MBA race.
- The CAT exam comprises a total of 66 questions, divided into 22 questions in Quantitative Ability (QA), 24 questions in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and 20 questions in Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI).
- The total marks for the CAT exam is 198.
- Candidates receive 3 marks for each correct response, while 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for TITA-type questions.
- The CAT score represents the total marks obtained by a candidate in the exam.
- The CAT Percentile is a relative measure indicating the percentage of candidates ranked below you.
- CAT sectional scores are the cumulative marks achieved in a single section.
- The CAT score versus percentile data illustrates how specific CAT scores correlate with respective percentiles.
Three Stages of CAT Marks Vs Percentile Conversion
The conversion of CAT scores to percentiles involves three stages. First, the CAT raw scores are calculated. Second, these raw scores are normalized to obtain a scaled score, determining the percentile. The CAT scorecard does not display your raw score; it only presents the scaled score and percentile for each section and the overall results.
- CAT Raw Score: The CAT raw score can be manually calculated using the response sheet after completing the CAT exam. Once the CAT response sheets are released, you can input the link to the sheet into our CAT score calculator to verify your raw score.
- From Raw Score to Scaled Score: The CAT exam is conducted in three slots, each potentially varying in difficulty. As a result, the raw scores undergo normalization, resulting in scaled scores.
From Scaled Score to Percentile: The candidate’s scaled score provides relative data on their performance compared to other test takers, determining their percentile ranking.
What is the CAT Scaled Score?
The CAT exam is conducted in three slots on the same day, each potentially varying in difficulty. To ensure fairness and equal competition among all candidates, scores are normalized, resulting in CAT-scaled scores. These scaled scores may differ from the initially calculated CAT scores.
What is the CAT Percentile?
The CAT percentile is a relative metric indicating the percentage of candidates who have scored equal to or below your score. For instance, achieving a 90th percentile in CAT signifies that you have outperformed 90% of the test takers.
Below are graphs depicting the CAT score versus percentile data for the past three years.
CAT 2022 Score vs Percentile
Overall
| CAT 2022 Percentile | Scaled Score |
|---|---|
100 %ile |
135 |
99.93 %lle |
114.5 |
99.89 %ile |
109.23 |
99.82 %ile |
104.73 |
99.81 %ile |
104.28 |
99.73 %ile |
100.09 |
99.59 %lle |
95.18 |
99.41 %ile |
90.49 |
99.25 %ile |
87.20 |
99.05 %ile |
84.33 |
98.50 %ile |
77.93 |
96.50 %ile |
65.4 |
93 %ile |
53 |
90.4 %ile |
49.2 |
88 %ile |
45.7 |
86 %ile |
42 |
80 %ile |
39-39.5 |
70 %ile |
28.5-29 |
60 %ile |
22-22.5 |
VARC
| VARC Percentile | VARC Scaled Score |
|---|---|
99.94 %ile |
52.43 |
99.73%ile |
45.57 |
99.41%ile |
41.77 |
98.12%ile |
35.42 |
97.84%ile |
34.18 |
95.35%ile |
29.12 |
93.43%ile |
26.59 |
90.80 %ile |
24.06 |
83.13%ile |
18.99 |
77.59%lle |
16.46 |
DILR
| DILR Percentile | DILR Scaled Score |
|---|---|
99.99 %ile |
48.31 |
99.98%ile |
45.98 |
99.61%ile |
34.37 |
99.41 %ile |
31.96 |
99.33%ile |
30.89 |
97.37 %ile |
22.76 |
96.67 %ile |
21.60 |
92.29 %ile |
16.95 |
89.56 %ile |
14.75 |
Quant
| Quant Percentile | Quant Scaled Score |
|---|---|
99.95 %ile |
49.38 |
99.90 %lle |
46.30 |
99.86 %ile |
44.26 |
99.45 %ile |
36.85 |
99.38 %ile |
36.07 |
97.46 %ile |
26.85 |
95.72 %lle |
23.31 |
85.97 %ile |
14.57 |
99.95 %ile |
49.38 |
99.90 %ile |
46.30 |
CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile
| Percentile | VARC Score (72) | LRDI Score (60) | Quant Score (66) | Total Score (198) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
99.95 %ile |
49 |
37 |
40 |
107 |
99 %lle |
45 |
34 |
34 |
97 |
97 %ile |
38 |
29 |
28 |
81 |
95 %ile |
34 |
24 |
24 |
72 |
90 %ile |
28 |
20 |
18 |
60 |
85 %ile |
24 |
17 |
14 |
51 |
80 %lle |
22 |
15 |
12 |
45 |
CAT 2020 Score vs Percentile
| Percentile | VARC Score (78) | LRDI Score (72) | Quant Score (78) | Total Score (228) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
99.99 %ile |
52 |
46 |
59 |
131 |
99.5 %lle |
46 |
38 |
49 |
115 |
99 %ile |
43 |
35 |
43 |
101 |
98 %ile |
40 |
33 |
37 |
91 |
95 %ile |
32 |
24 |
30 |
76 |
90 %ile |
28 |
20 |
24 |
63 |
85 %lle |
24 |
18 |
18 |
56 |
80 %lle |
22 |
16 |
16 |
49 |
CAT Score Vs. Percentile Over the Years
Below is the CAT marks versus percentile data for the past five years.
CAT Score vs %ile
Last 5 years
| %ile | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 | CAT 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max Marks |
198 |
198 |
228 |
300 |
300 |
Duration /Ques |
2hr
(66 Q) |
2hr (66Q) |
2hr (76Q) |
3hr (100 Q) |
3hr (100 Q) |
99.5 |
92 |
110 |
115 |
168 |
167 |
99 |
84 |
98 |
101 |
156 |
154 |
98 |
75 |
85 |
91 |
148 |
143 |
95 |
62 |
73 |
76 |
123 |
121 |
90 |
49 |
60 |
63 |
104 |
103 |
85 |
42 |
52 |
56 |
92 |
89 |
80 |
36 |
46 |
48 |
83 |
79 |
CAT Score Vs Percentile : Key Differences
The table provided below outlines the key differences between CAT marks and percentiles.
| Parameters | CAT Score | CAT Percentile |
|---|---|---|
Nature |
Absolute |
Reletive |
Scale |
Raw |
Standardized |
Calculation |
Cummulative scores of marks obtained in all the three sections |
Percentage of candidates who have scored less than you. |
Use |
Used to determine the percentile of the candidate |
Used for the final call and admission processes in Top B-schools |
CAT Score vs. Percentile 2023: How to Calculate the CAT Percentile?
Before examining the CAT score versus percentile for 2023, candidates must grasp the mathematical basis of CAT percentiles. Like those in other examinations, these percentiles indicate the number of individuals who scored lower than you on the test. Essentially, the CAT marks versus percentile analysis assists in determining your performance relative to other candidates. Below is the formula for calculating CAT percentiles in 2023:
Example Calculation: If a total of 300,000 students participated in the CAT exam and you secured a rank of 6,000, your CAT percentile can be determined using the following formula:
Your CAT percentile = [1 – { 6000/300,000 }] * 100 = 98 Percentile
- What percentile is 40 marks in CAT?
Achieving 40 marks in the CAT typically aligns with a percentile below 50. Historically, a score of approximately 40 marks falls within the 45th to 50th percentile range, though this can vary.
- What is the 95 percentile in the CAT score?
Attaining the 95th percentile in the CAT typically requires a score between 110 and 120 marks. However, this range may vary based on the exam’s difficulty and the candidates’ overall performance.
- What score is 90 percentile in CAT?
A score of around 90 marks generally aligns with the 90th percentile, indicating that you performed better than 90% of the test-takers.
- What score is the 70 percentile in CAT?
A score between 60 and 70 marks is generally required to reach the 70th percentile. However, this can fluctuate depending on the specific year and exam conditions.
- What is the difference between CAT marks and percentile?
CAT marks refer to a candidate’s raw scores in the exam, determined by the number of correct and incorrect responses. In contrast, the percentile represents a relative ranking, indicating the percentage of examinees who scored below a specific candidate.
- How can I improve my CAT percentile?
To enhance your CAT percentile, emphasize reinforcing your conceptual understanding, engage in consistent practice with mock tests, analyze your performance to pinpoint areas for improvement, and manage your time effectively during the exam. Regular revision, particularly as the CAT exam draws near, is crucial.
- How do sectional scores determine my overall CAT percentile?
Sectional scores are significant as many prestigious B-schools require candidates to meet sectional and overall cut-offs. Excelling in all sections is essential to achieving a high overall percentile and fulfilling the criteria of top business schools.
- How does the normalization process impact my CAT score?
The normalization process recalibrates your raw score to account for differences in difficulty levels across test slots. This ensures fairness, preventing candidates in more accessible slots from having an undue advantage over those in more challenging ones.
- Does a higher CAT score guarantee a higher percentile?
A higher CAT score typically corresponds to a higher percentile as it signifies better performance compared to peers. However, due to the varying difficulty levels across exam slots and the normalization process applied, two candidates with similar scores might achieve slightly different percentiles.
- What is considered a good CAT score and percentile?
A good CAT score and percentile depend on the specific criteria of the business schools you aim to apply to. Generally, a percentile above 90 is deemed competitive for most prestigious institutions. At the same time, some top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading B-schools may require a percentile in the mid-90s or higher.
- Can two candidates with the same score have different percentiles?
Yes, two candidates with the same raw score can have different percentiles due to the normalization process and the relative ranking among their peers. This process takes into account the performance of candidates across different slots with varying difficulty levels.
- How important is the CAT percentile for admissions?
The CAT percentile is crucial for admissions to leading B-schools as it forms a significant component of the selection process. While a high percentile increases the likelihood of securing an interview call, many schools also consider other factors like academic records, work experience, and admission interviews.
- Is there a fixed CAT score for a particular percentile every year?
No, there is no fixed CAT score for a specific percentile every year due to the fluctuating difficulty levels of the exam and the performance distribution of all candidates. Each year’s score-to-percentile mapping is unique, depending on these factors.
- What is the minimum CAT percentile required for IIMs?
Minimum CAT percentile requirements for IIMs vary across each institute and its programs. Typically, older IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta require percentiles above 95. In comparison, newer or less competitive IIMs may have lower cut-offs. Each IIM releases its own cut-off criteria in their admission policy documents annually.
- Does sectional percentile matter in CAT?
Yes, sectional percentiles matter, as many IIMs and top B-schools require candidates to meet both overall and sectional cut-off percentiles. This ensures a balanced competency across all areas tested in the exam.
- Can I predict my CAT percentile based on my score?
While you can estimate your CAT percentile using previous years’ scores versus percentile data, it is important to remember that these are approximations. The actual percentile may vary based on that year’s exam dynamics, normalization process, and overall performance levels of all candidates.
Final Words
Understanding CAT scores vs percentiles is a powerful tool in every aspirant’s arsenal. It not only aids in exam preparation but also informs strategic decisions during the MBA application process. With the right insights and preparation, you can unlock the doors to your dream B-school. For personalized guidance and resources, consider contacting Tarkashastra, India’s leading institute for MBA preparation.
