Introduction
CAT cut-offs are not admissions decisions.
They are filters — and different institutes use them differently.
Indicative Overall Cut-Off Ranges (General Category)
Institute Type | Typical Percentile Range |
IIM A/B/C | 99–99.7 |
IIM L/I/K | 97–99 |
Older IIMs | 95–97 |
New IIMs | 85–95 |
Top Private B-Schools | 80–95 |
Actual calls depend on profile, academics, and diversity factors.
Sectional Cut-Offs: The Silent Eliminator
Many strong candidates miss calls due to:
- Weak Quant or VARC percentile
- Ignoring sectional requirements
Always evaluate sectional percentiles first.
Strategic Advice
- Don’t self-reject
- Apply where your profile + percentile combination makes sense
- Institutions increasingly value consistency and readiness, not just peak scores
Reality Check
A 90-percentiler with strong clarity often outperforms a 98-percentiler who chooses poorly.
