CAT Cut-off 2025 & Past: Sectional and Overall IIM Cut-off

CAT 2025 Cut Off

Below is the expected CAT 2025 cut-off for all IIMs in India:

Old IIMs Cut-off

Old IIMs	CAT 2025 Cut-Off
IIM Ahmedabad	80
IIM Bangalore	85
IIM Calcutta	85
IIM Lucknow	90
IIM Indore	90
IIM Kozhikode	85

New IIMs Cut-off

New IIMs	CAT 2025 Cut-Off
IIM Udaipur	92
IIM Ranchi	92
IIM Trichy	92
IIM Raipur	92
IIM Kashipur	92
IIM Visakhapatnam	80
IIM Nagpur	90
IIM Amritsar	85

Baby IIMs Cut-off

Baby IIMs	CAT 2025 Cut-Off
IIM Jammu	90 (Male) / 87 (Female)
IIM Bodh Gaya	92
IIM Sambalpur	74
IIM Sirmaur	92

Upcoming CAT Exams:

• CAT 2026
• CAT 2027

CAT Sectional Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 sectional cut-off:

IIM	VARC	DILR	QA
IIM Ahmedabad	70	70	70
IIM Bangalore	80	75	75
IIM Lucknow	85	85	85
IIM Calcutta	≥80	≥80	≥75
IIM Indore	80	80	80
IIM Kozhikode	75	75	75
IIM Amritsar	75	75	80
IIM Nagpur	72	72	72
IIM Bodh Gaya	70	70	70
IIM Kashipur	70	70	70
IIM Jammu	70	70	70
IIM Raipur	≥70	≥70	≥70
IIM Ranchi	80	80	80

Sectional cut-offs are crucial for ensuring balanced performance across all sections. IIM Lucknow sets the toughest benchmark with 85 percentile required in each section. 

Bangalore, Calcutta, and Indore also maintain high sectional filters. New and baby IIMs have uniform and moderate sectional thresholds, typically around 70 percentile, giving aspirants breathing room if one section is slightly weaker.

More important resources for CAT exam:

CAT Eligibility Criteria	CAT Result
CAT Exam Syllabus	CAT VARC Syllabus
CAT DILR Syllabus	CAT Quant Syllabus
CAT Exam Analysis	CAT Exam Pattern
Best Books for CAT Exam	CAT Admit Card
CAT Practice Questions	CAT Quant Questions
CAT VARC Questions	CAT Verbal Ability Questions
CAT Reading Comprehension Questions	CAT Answer Key

What is CAT Cut Off?

The CAT cut off is the minimum percentile you must score to be considered for shortlisting by an IIM. Each institute sets its own overall and sectional cut-offs based on factors such as the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, and its internal admission policy. 

The cut-off is not the same as the final admission percentile; this is only the first filter used to decide who gets a WAT–PI call. 

Top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta keep significantly higher cut-offs than new and baby IIMs, and category-wise cut-offs are considerably lower for reserved categories.

CAT Cut-off 2025 (Category-Wise)

Check the CAT 2025 cut-off for General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS:

IIM	General	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
IIM Ahmedabad	80	75	80	70	60
IIM Bangalore	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Kozhikode	85	75	75	65	55
IIM Calcutta	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Lucknow	90	82	82	65	60
IIM Mumbai	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Indore	90	80	90	60	50
IIM Raipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Rohtak	95	78	90	55	30
IIM Udaipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Kashipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Trichy	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Ranchi	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Shillong	75	75	75	60	50
IIM Visakhapatnam	80	70	72	45	35
IIM Jammu	90(M)/87(F)	72(M)/70(F)	68(M)/65(F)	52(M)/50(F)	37(M)/34(F)
IIM Nagpur	90	76.5	80	60	40
IIM Amritsar	85	75	85	55	40
IIM Bodh Gaya	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Sambalpur	74	74	70	54	40
IIM Sirmaur	92	74	70	54	40

IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 cut-off for IIM Ahmedabad:

Category	Overall Percentile	Sectional (VARC/DILR/QA)
General / EWS	95	85
NC-OBC	90	80
SC	85	75
ST	75	65
PwD	85	75

IIM Ahmedabad remains one of the most competitive IIMs, demanding an overall cutoff of 95 percentile for General/EWS candidates with strong 85 sectional percentile requirements. 

SC/ST and OBC candidates receive meaningful relaxation, but even then, the bar stays relatively high compared to newer IIMs. Ahmedabad’s emphasis on sectional and overall balance makes it crucial for aspirants to perform consistently across all three CAT sections.

IIM Bangalore CAT Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 cut off for IIM Bangalore:

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General	80	75	75	85
EWS	70	65	65	75
NC-OBC	70	65	65	75
SC	65	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PwD	50	50	50	60

IIM Bangalore’s cut-offs are slightly lower than Ahmedabad’s but still require strong sectionals, especially in VARC. The overall cut-off of 85 percentile for General candidates reflects Bangalore’s preference for academic profile and work experience beyond just CAT percentiles. 

Reserved categories benefit from lower thresholds, but performing well across all three sections remains essential.

IIM Calcutta CAT Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 cut-off for IIM Calcutta:

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General	80	80	75	85
NC-OBC	70	65	65	75
EWS	70	65	65	75
SC	65	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PwD	45	45	45	55

Practice with CAT PYQs:

CAT Previous Year Papers	CAT 2025 Question Paper
CAT 2024 Question Paper	CAT 2023 Question Paper
CAT 2022 Question Paper	CAT 2021 Question Paper
CAT 2020 Question Paper	CAT 2019 Question Paper

IIM Lucknow CAT Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 cut-off for IIM Lucknow:

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Aggregate
General	85	85	85	90
EWS	77	77	77	82
NC-OBC	77	77	77	82
SC	55	55	55	70
ST	50	50	50	65
PwD	50	50	50	65

IIM Kozhikode CAT Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 cut-off for IIM Kozhikode:

Category	CAT Percentile	Sectional Percentile
General	85	75
NC-OBC/EWS	75	65
SC	65	55
ST/PwD	55	45

IIM Indore CAT Cut Off 2025

Check the CAT 2025 cut-off for IIM Indore:

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General	80	80	80	90
EWS	80	80	80	90
NC-OBC	70	70	70	80
SC	55	55	55	60
ST	40	40	40	45
PwD	40	40	40	45

CAT 2025 Cut Off for Top Non-IIM B-Schools

B-School	Expected CAT Cut-Off 2025
JBIMS Mumbai	98
FMS Delhi	98
IIT Delhi	90–92
IIM Mumbai	95+
MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off	95
IIT Madras	95+
IMT Ghaziabad	70–85
SPJIMR Mumbai	85+ (Profile-Based Calls)

Non-IIM institutes like JBIMS, FMS, MDI, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, and SPJIMR are among the strongest alternatives to IIMs. JBIMS and FMS have cut-offs equivalent to top IIMs, often demanding 98 percentile. 

MDI Gurgaon and IITs require 95+, while IMT and SPJIMR provide mid-range opportunities for 70–90 percentile scorers. These institutes offer excellent placements even when compared with mid-ranked IIMs.

CAT Cut Off 2024

Check the previous year CAT cut-off:

IIM	CAT 2024 Cut-Off
IIM Ahmedabad	85
IIM Bangalore	85
IIM Calcutta	85
IIM Lucknow	90
IIM Indore	90
IIM Kozhikode	85
IIM Amritsar	90
IIM Nagpur	85
IIM Sambalpur	93
IIM Trichy	93
IIM Raipur	93
IIM Ranchi	90

How CAT Cutoff is Calculated?

1. Normalisation of Scores Across Exam Slots

CAT is conducted in three different exam slots, and each slot has slight difficulty variations. To ensure fairness, raw scores are statistically normalised so that candidates from a tougher slot are not disadvantaged. This normalisation step aligns performance across all slots before cut-offs are applied.

2. Conversion of Scaled Scores Into Percentiles

Once normalised scores are generated, CAT converts them into percentiles separately for VARC, DILR, QA, and the overall score. 

Percentile represents how many candidates scored below you. These percentiles—not raw marks—form the basis for calculating cut-offs.

3. IIMs Apply Sectional Cut-Off Filters First

Each IIM sets minimum section-wise percentiles for VARC, DILR, and QA. Even if you score very high overall, missing a sectional cut-off disqualifies you from shortlisting. Sectional filters ensure balanced performance across all three test areas.

4. IIMs Apply Overall Percentile Cut-Off Next

After verifying sectional percentiles, IIMs compare your overall percentile to their qualifying cut-off. Old IIMs typically demand 85–95 percentile, while new/baby IIMs range between 74–92. Only candidates meeting both sectional and overall percentiles progress to the next screening stage.

5. IIMs Shortlist Using Composite Parameters

Cut-off calculation is not purely percentile-based. Each IIM applies a composite score formula that includes CAT percentile, academic scores, gender diversity, academic diversity, and sometimes work experience. This composite process determines the final shortlisting cut-off beyond the qualifying minimum.

Factors Affecting CAT Cut Off 2025

1. Difficulty Level of CAT Paper

If the exam is tougher than usual, normalised scaled scores shift, resulting in a lower cut-off. If the paper is easier, the overall and sectional cut-offs rise because more candidates score higher. Difficulty level is always the strongest influencer of cut-off trends.

2. Number of Candidates Appearing for CAT

Higher participation increases competition, which pushes cut-offs up, especially for top IIMs. If fewer candidates appear, the competition pool becomes smaller, and cut-offs may fall slightly. Over the past few years, CAT has seen a rising number of test-takers.

3. Number of Seats in IIMs

Seat availability directly affects cut-offs. New IIMs with larger intakes may have lower cut-offs, while old IIMs with limited seats maintain higher thresholds. Any increase in seat capacity can reduce cut-off pressure for some categories.

4. Category-Wise Reservation

Different cut-offs exist for General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD categories. The availability of reserved seats and category competition strength strongly influence cut-offs. Categories with higher seat allocation tend to have lower qualifying thresholds.

5. IIM Admission Policy Changes

Each IIM updates its selection criteria almost every year. A higher weightage for academics or work experience can reduce reliance on CAT percentile, indirectly impacting shortlisting cut-offs. Changes in WAT–PI weightage also shift cut-off expectations.

6. Overall Applicant Profile Quality

If more candidates with strong profiles (excellent academics, work experience, or diversity backgrounds) apply, cut-offs rise. Applicant profile strength affects old IIMs more because of their emphasis on academic consistency.

How to Improve Your Chances Even With a Moderate CAT Score?

Even if your CAT score is below top IIM cut-off levels, you still have several strong paths to secure excellent MBA admissions:

1. Apply Strategically to New and Baby IIMs

Many new-generation IIMs shortlist students in the 74–92 percentile range. With a balanced sectional performance, you can still secure WAT–PI calls despite a moderate overall percentile.

2. Target Top Non-IIM Schools

Institutes like IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, XIMB, FORE, and others accept CAT percentiles between 70–90, offering strong placements and industry exposure comparable to several IIMs.

3. Build a Strong Profile for PI/WAT

A moderate CAT score can be compensated with excellent interview skills, clarity of goals, strong academics, good communication, internships, and projects. Many B-schools give 30–60% weightage to PI rounds.

4. Use Category Relaxations Wisely

If you belong to SC, ST, OBC, or PwD categories, cut-offs are significantly lower. Even a 60–70 percentile can qualify you for several IIMs depending on category relaxations.

5. Leverage Academic and Gender Diversity

Female aspirants and candidates from non-engineering backgrounds benefit from diversity points in multiple IIMs. This boosts shortlisting chances at moderate percentiles.

6. Apply to Sector-Specific MBA Programs

IITs and some IIMs offer programs in Analytics, Operations, HR, and Business Economics that have lower cut-offs but excellent specialisation-driven placements.

7. Prepare for PI/WAT Early

The earlier you start preparing for interviews, the stronger your final composite score becomes. Many candidates with moderate CAT scores convert new IIMs and top non-IIMs through exceptional PI performance.

Past Year CAT Scores vs Percentile

Check the CAT score vs percentile:

CAT Percentile	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
99.9	106	111	120	131	196
99.5	89	93	107	115	170
99	80	82.5	97	102	157
95	71	60	71	77	120
90	57	48.5	59	63	90
85	30	41	45.5	55	87
80	25	35.5	40	49	75
70	21	29	35	36	57

 

India’s Top CAT/MBA Prep Programs:

• CAT Online Coaching
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Best Offline Coaching Programs for CAT:

CAT Coaching in Jaipur	CAT Coaching in Nagpur
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