CAT Colleges Cutoff 2026
CAT Colleges Cutoff 2026: Top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta are expected to maintain a 99+ percentile for the General category, with newer IIMs typically accepting scores in the 85-95 percentile range for 2025 admissions — with 2026 figures awaited. The CAT Colleges Cutoff is the minimum percentile score required for admission to MBA and PGDM programs at IIMs and other top B-schools, with the 2025 cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad (Gujarat) for the General category being 95 percentile. The official 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release, following the CAT 2026 exam scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Exam & Application Dates 2026
The table below outlines the expected key dates for the CAT 2026 examination and application process.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 26 |
| Application Start | August 1 |
| Application Close | September 20 |
| Correction Window | September 24-27 |
| Admit Card Release | November 12 |
| Exam Date | November 29 |
| Result Announcement | December 24 (tentative) |
CAT Colleges Cutoff: IIM-wise Overall Percentile 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The following table presents the expected overall CAT percentile cutoffs for various IIMs for the General category for 2025 admissions.
| IIM | Overall Percentile (General Category) |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Udaipur | 92 |
| IIM Nagpur | 90 |
CAT Colleges Cutoff: Category-wise Cutoff 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The table below details the expected category-wise CAT percentile cutoffs for admission to select IIMs for the 2025 academic year.
| IIM | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 75 | 70 | 60 | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 75 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 82 | 70 | 60 | 82 |
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CAT Colleges Cutoff: Year-on-Year Trend (2023-2025)
The table illustrates the consistent overall percentile trends for top IIMs and newer IIMs over the past three years for the General category.
| IIM Category | 2023 Percentile | 2024 Percentile | 2025 Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (General) | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore (General) | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ |
| IIM Calcutta (General) | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ |
| Newer IIMs (General) | 90-95 | 90-95 | 90-95 |
FAQs
Q: When will the CAT 2026 cutoff be released?
A: The official CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to be released in January 2027, after the CAT 2026 exam results are declared in December 2026.
Q: What is considered a good CAT percentile for IIMs?
A: For top-tier IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, a percentile of 99+ is generally considered good for the General category, while newer IIMs may accept 85-95 percentile.
Q: Do IIMs have sectional cutoffs?
A: Yes, most IIMs implement sectional cutoffs in addition to the overall CAT percentile, meaning candidates must meet minimum percentiles in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) to be shortlisted.
Q: What factors influence CAT cutoffs?
A: CAT cutoffs are influenced by the exam’s difficulty level, the total number of test-takers, the number of available seats, and the specific admission policies of each institute.
Q: Are CAT cutoffs different for reserved categories?
A: Yes, CAT cutoffs are significantly lower for reserved categories such as OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD compared to the General category, offering relaxed eligibility criteria.
Q: What is the CAT selection process after clearing the cutoff?
A: After clearing the CAT cutoff, candidates are typically shortlisted for further rounds, which include a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), followed by a composite score calculation for final admission.
