CAT Cut-off 2025, 2024, and Previous Years

Every year, lakhs of MBA aspirants take the CAT exam, aiming for a seat in India’s top B-schools. But cracking CAT isn’t just about scoring high. Understanding the CAT cut-off is equally crucial. Cut-offs determine the minimum percentile needed to progress to the next admission stages, such as WAT, GD, and PI, and vary across IIMs and other MBA colleges.

This blog breaks down CAT cut-offs for 2025 and past years, including overall and sectional percentiles for top IIMs, trends over time, and tips to improve your scores. Understanding these trends enables aspirants to target the most suitable colleges and increase their chances of admission.

What is CAT Cut-off?

The IIM CAT cut-off 2025 is the minimum percentile required to qualify for the next stages of the admission process. For top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, the cut-off for General category aspirants is usually 98 percentile or above.

The CAT 2025 cut-off for IIMs serves as a key benchmark for shortlisting candidates for the WAT, GD, and PI rounds. It helps aspirants understand their standing and what it takes to secure a seat in India’s leading MBA colleges.

CAT Cut-off for IIMs (College-wise Expected)

The table below provides the category-wise IIMs cut for 2025:

IIM	IIM CAT Cut-off for General	CAT Cut-off for IIM for OBC	CAT 2025 Cut-off for IIM  for EWS	IIM CAT Cut-off for SC	CAT Cut-off for IIM for ST
CAT 2025 Cut-off for IIM Ahmedabad	80	75	80	70	60
IIM Bangalore CAT Cut-off	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Kozhikode CAT Cut-off	85	75	75	65	55
IIM Kolkata Cut-off	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Lucknow Cut-off	90	82	82	65	60
IIM Mumbai CAT Cut-off	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Indore Cut-off	90	80	90	60	50
IIM CAT Cut-off for Raipur	92	74	70	54	40
CAT Cut-off  for IIM Rohtak	95	78	90	55	30
IIM CAT Cut-off for Udaipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Kashipur CAT Cut-off	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Trichy CAT Cut-off	92	74	70	54	40
CAT 2025 Cut-off  for IIM Ranchi	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Shillong CAT Cut-off	75	75	75	60	50
IIM Visakhapatnam CAT Cut-off	80	70	72	45	35
IIM Jammu Cut-off	Male- 90 Female- 87	Male- 72 Female- 70	Male- 68 Female- 65	Male- 52 Female- 50	Male- 37 Female- 34
IIIM Nagpur Cut-off	90	76.5	80	60	40
IIM Amritsar Cut-off	85	75	85	55	40
IIM Bodh Gaya Cut-off	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Sambalpur Cut-off	74	74	70	54	40
IIM Sirmaur Cut-off	92	74	70	54	40

Also explore the CAT results.

CAT Cut-offs for Top IIMs (Sectional)

In CAT 2025, IIM Lucknow and Indore are expected to have the highest sectional cut-offs at 85 percentile with an overall 90 percentile. IIM Bangalore and Calcutta may require sectional scores of 75–80 and an overall 85 percentile, while IIM Ahmedabad is likely to set a sectional cut-off of 70 and an overall 80 percentile. Newer IIMs, such as Raipur, Udaipur, Trichy, and Ranchi, may have sectional cut-offs around 70–73, but higher overall percentiles of 91–94.

IIM	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
Ahmedabad	70	70	70	80
Bangalore	80	75	75	85
Calcutta	75	75	80	85
Lucknow	85	85	85	90
Indore	80	80	80	90
Kozhikode	75	75	75	85
Amritsar	75	75	80	90
Nagpur	72	72	72	90+
Raipur	≥70	≥70	≥70	94
Udaipur	≥70	≥70	≥70	94
Kashipur	70	70	70	92
Trichy	73	73	73	94
Ranchi	73	73	73	94
Vizag	70	70	70	82
Jammu	72	72	72	91

Check the complete CAT Toppers List here.

CAT Cut-off 2024

IIM	Qualifying CAT cut-offs 2024
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
IIM Kashipur	94
IIM Vizag	80
IIM Udaipur	93
IIM Bodhgaya	93
IIM Shillong	75
IIM Sirmaur	92
IIM Rohtak	95
IIM Nagpur	85
IIM Jammu	93

Find more about CAT Score vs Percentile.

Trends in CAT Cut-off Over the Years

CAT %ile	Marks in CAT 2023	Marks in CAT 2022	Marks in CAT 2021	Marks in CAT 2020	Marks in CAT 2019	Marks in CAT 2018	Marks in CAT 2017	Marks in CAT 2016
99.9	106	111	120	131	196	192	208	191
99.5	89	93	107	115	170	170	183	168
99	80	82.5	97	102	157	155	173	153
95	71	60	71	77	120	125	139	123
90	57	48.5	59	63	90	110	121	108
85	30	41	45.5	55	87	90	103	93
80	25	35.5	40	49	75	80	98	84
70	21	29	35	36	57	62	83	68

Also download the CAT Admit Card.

CAT 2025 Cut-off for Non-IIM Top B-schools (Expected)

Institute	Cut-off 2025(Percentile)
JBIMS Mumbai	98
FMS	98
IIT Delhi	90-92
IIM Mumbai	95+
MDI Gurgaon	95
IIT Madras	95+
IMT Ghaziabad	70-85
SPJIMR	85+ (profile-based calls)

Why Are CAT Cut-offs 2025 Important for MBA Aspirants?

• CAT cut-offs 2025 set the baseline for MBA aspirants, defining the minimum percentile required to qualify for the admission process.
• Eligibility for subsequent rounds, such as GD, WAT, and PI, depends on meeting these percentile requirements through a strong CAT performance.
• Understanding cut-offs helps aspirants target colleges, allowing them to align their scores with suitable MBA colleges.
• Higher cut-offs indicate tougher competition, reflecting the demand for specific MBA programs.
• Sectional cut-offs add another layer, requiring consistent performance across all sections of the CAT.
• Crossing this benchmark marks the first hurdle, moving aspirants closer to their dream B-schools.

Read more about CAT 2025 Answer Key

Factors Affecting the IIM Cut-off

The CAT cut-off for IIMs and other top MBA colleges changes every year, largely due to rising competition. Knowing these factors helps aspirants set realistic targets and stay prepared for the admission race.

• CAT Exam Difficulty Level: The difficulty of the exam directly impacts the cut-off. A tougher paper usually lowers the cut-off, while an easier one pushes it higher.
• Number of Candidates Appearing: When more candidates take the exam, competition intensifies, and the cut-off often rises.
• Number of Seats Available: The limited number of seats in IIMs and other institutes accepting CAT scores naturally drives the cut-off upward.
• Scoring Pattern: Changes in the marking scheme or exam design also play a role. A stricter pattern may push the cut-off higher.
• Reservation Policy: Reservation policies at different institutes influence category-wise cut-offs. Institutes with lenient policies may have slightly lower cut-offs compared to others.

What After Qualifying the IIM CAT Cut-off 2025?

• Shortlisting: IIMs shortlist candidates based on CAT scores, academic records, work experience, and diversity factors.
• WAT/GD/CD Rounds: Selected candidates take part in a Written Ability Test, Group Discussion, or Case Discussion to showcase analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Personal Interview (PI): A one-on-one panel interview assesses personality, awareness, career goals, and suitability for the MBA program.
• Final Selection: A composite score, including CAT score, WAT/GD/CD, PI, academics, and work experience, determines admission offers.
• Offer & Acceptance: Successful candidates receive admission letters and confirm seats by paying the required fees within the deadline.

How To Improve Your Scores To Match IIM CAT Cut-off?

• Identify Priority Topics: Focus on sections that need the most attention. Utilize past CAT question papers, question banks, and section-wise weightage to plan your preparation effectively.
• Take Online Sectional Tests: Regular test series and sectional tests help analyze strengths and weaknesses. Free CAT mocks and topic tests enable aspirants to track their performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Plan Your Schedule: Create a structured plan covering all sections. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps manage time efficiently and ensures balanced preparation.
• Segregate Time for Each Section: Allocate sufficient time to every section since each has its own sectional cut-off. Avoid over-focusing on one section at the expense of others.
• Attend Video Lectures: Watch expert-led QA and Reasoning lectures regularly. Daily or alternate-day lectures maximize exposure and strengthen concepts before the exam.
• Practice Mock Tests: Attempt full-length CAT mock tests and analyze the results to monitor your progress. Stay updated with syllabus changes, exam notifications, and pattern shifts to stay ahead.
• Connect with Peers and Faculty: Interact with trainers, alumni, and peers. Networking provides guidance, motivation, and insights to improve preparation and perform confidently.

Top CAT Coaching & Preparation Resources:

CAT Coaching in India	CAT Coaching in Jaipur
CAT Coaching in Jodhpur	Online vs Offline CAT Coaching

CAT Qualifying Cut-off vs CAT Final Cut-off

IIM candidates should be aware of the distinction between the two types of CAT cut-offs: Qualifying CAT cut-off and Final CAT cut-off. Below we have listed the differences between the two:

Feature	CAT Qualifying Cut-off	CAT Final Cut-off
Purpose	Minimum score to be eligible for WAT/GD-PI	Minimum score to be shortlisted for WAT/GD-PI
Selection Guarantee	Does not ensure an interview call	Does not guarantee admission
Announcement	Fixed before CAT results	Determined after CAT results
Percentile	Usually above 90 for all IIMs	99+ for top IIMs, 95+ for newer IIMs
Sections	Includes sectional and overall cut-offs	Includes sectional and overall percentiles
Category-wise Variation	SC fixed, OBC/General higher	Varies by category, gender, and background

FAQs About CAT Cut-off