CAT Cut-off 2026: IIM and Non-IIM Percentile Cut-offs

The CAT cut-off is the minimum percentile a candidate needs to be considered for shortlisting by an IIM or another B-school. There is no single CAT cut-off. Each IIM sets its own overall and sectional percentiles in its admission policy, and final calls usually go to candidates well above those minimums.

This guide covers the IIM cut-offs from the latest admission cycle (2026–28, based on CAT 2025), category-wise cut-offs for IIM Ahmedabad, indicative cut-offs for top non-IIM colleges, and the factors that decide the CAT 2026 cut-off.

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Types of CAT Cut-offs

Clearing the minimum cut-off makes you eligible to be considered. It does not guarantee an interview call.

IIM Minimum CAT Cut-offs (General Category)

These are the minimums reported for 2026–28 admissions, based on CAT 2025. Confirm the figures in each IIM's official admission policy, which may change for 2027–29.

IIM Ahmedabad Category-wise CAT Cut-off

For 2026–28 admissions, IIM Ahmedabad raised its minimum cut-offs sharply. The general category overall minimum went up from 80 to 95 percentile, and each sectional minimum from 70 to 85.

Candidates must also score more than zero raw marks in every section.

How IIMs Use Cut-offs in Shortlisting

The minimum cut-off is only the first filter. IIM Ahmedabad's 2026–28 process is a good example. After the CAT cut-off, it also checks:

• A minimum average of Class 10 and 12 marks, set separately for each stream

• A graduation score of at least the 80th percentile within the candidate's academic discipline

• An Application Rating based on academics, work experience and other factors

Other IIMs use similar composite scores, each with its own weights. A candidate with a lower CAT percentile but a strong academic record can sometimes get a call ahead of someone with a higher percentile.

What Percentile Is Needed for an IIM Call?

In practice, final interview calls go to candidates well above the published minimums. For general category candidates with an average academic profile:

• IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta: calls usually go to candidates in the 99+ percentile range.

• IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode and Mumbai: calls typically need a high 90s percentile.

• Newer IIMs: calls are often possible in the low to mid 90s.

These ranges are based on past trends reported by coaching institutes and vary with academic scores, work experience, gender and academic diversity.

CAT Cut-off for Top Non-IIM Colleges

Many non-IIM institutes use CAT scores. Reported general category cut-offs from CAT 2025 were:

These figures are indicative and change every year. Each institute publishes its own shortlisting criteria.

Factors That Decide the CAT 2026 Cut-off

• Difficulty of the paper: A tougher paper lowers raw scores, but percentiles adjust because they compare candidates with each other.

• Number of candidates: More test-takers increase competition for the same seats.

• Seats available: More seats, such as those at new IIMs like IIM Guwahati, can ease cut-offs slightly.

• Category: Reserved categories have lower minimum cut-offs.

• Sectional performance: A high overall percentile does not help if you miss one sectional cut-off.

• Academic profile and work experience: IIMs combine CAT with Class 10, 12 and graduation marks, and some give weight to work experience.

How to Use CAT Cut-offs in Your Preparation

• Set a target overall percentile and a minimum for each section, based on the IIMs you want.

• Track your sectional percentiles in every mock test, not just your overall score.

• Work on your weakest section first. Most IIMs reject candidates who miss even one sectional cut-off.

• Practise with CAT-pattern full-length mocks and sectional tests on Testkart to see how close you are to your target.

The CAT cut-off depends on the institute, your category and your overall profile. For 2026–28, IIM Ahmedabad set the highest minimum at 95 percentile for general candidates, while IIMs Bangalore, Calcutta and Kozhikode required 85. Aim well above these minimums, clear every sectional cut-off, and check each IIM's updated policy after the CAT 2026 result in January 2027.