CAT 2026: 65 marks expected to yield 90-93 percentile, IIM calls difficult but possible

Candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) are seeking clarity on what a raw score of 65 marks marks for their percentile and subsequent admission prospects. As of today, 12 October 2026, a raw score of 65 marks in CAT is generally expected to convert to a percentile range of approximately 90 to 93.

This expected percentile is subject to variations based on slot-specific paper difficulty and the normalisation process applied across multiple sessions of the exam. The CAT, a crucial MBA entrance examination in India, continues to attract a large number of aspirants, with CAT 2026 expected to see nearly 2.9 lakh candidates.

Understanding 65 Marks in CAT and Percentile Conversion

The CAT exam consists of 68 questions, carrying a total of 204 marks, distributed across three sections: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). Each correct response awards +3 marks, while an incorrect response in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) incurs a deduction of -1 mark. Type In The Answer (TITA) questions do not have any negative marking.

A score of 65 marks out of 204 represents approximately 32 percent of the total available marks. This score can be achieved, for instance, by attempting 25 questions, securing 23 correct answers (+69 marks) and 4 incorrect MCQ answers (-4 marks). A raw score is converted into a scaled score through equate-and-scale calculations before determining the overall percentile. The percentile, as explained by Careerlauncher.com, indicates the percentage of candidates a test-taker has performed better than.

Admission Prospects with 65 Marks

A raw score of 65 marks in the CAT exam is considered a decent, above-average score. However, according to a Q&A section from the source material, it is generally not high enough for admission to most older Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Despite this, it can open options at other well-regarded B-schools across the country.

Securing an IIM call with 65 marks is described as difficult but not impossible. IIM calls are contingent on various factors, including the candidate’s category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), academic record, work experience, diversity criteria, and each IIM’s yearly cutoff. Candidates in reserved categories or those with strong profiles may receive calls from some newer IIMs. All IIMs also apply section-based cut-offs, meaning candidates must clear individual section cut-offs in addition to the overall score.

CAT 2026 Examination Details and Normalisation

IIM Indore is expected to conduct the CAT 2026 examination on November 29 for approximately 2.9 lakh MBA aspirants. The exam is anticipated to be held across three slots in a single day. Results for CAT 2026 are expected to be released in January 2027.

The normalisation process is applied by IIMs to ensure fair comparison across exam slots, especially when there are differences in paper difficulty. This process balances difficulty differences across slots. For instance, in CAT 2025, the scaled score of approximately 85-86 translated to a 99+ percentile, and the DILR section was noted as significantly tougher compared to CAT 2024.

Further reading

• DSU 2027: Apply for UG/PG with JEE Main, CAT, COMEDK UGET scores
• CAT 2026 registrations fall to 2.84 lakh; exam on November 29
• Common Admission Test application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• MMS 2026: Apply for admission with CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/ATMA/MAH-CET scores
• SNAP 2026 registration open for Symbiosis MBA courses, apply by November 25 Applications open
• Common Admission Test: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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