Section Wise Cutoff In CAT 2026: Iims, Top B-Schools & Admission Percentiles
Section Wise Cutoff In CAT: For General category candidates, top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta typically require qualifying sectional cutoffs around 70-85 percentile, with an overall percentile often exceeding 98-99.5. The Section Wise Cutoff In CAT is the minimum percentile score required in each of the three sections—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA)—to qualify for further admission rounds at IIMs and other top B-schools. While the CAT 2026 cutoff is yet to be officially released, expected figures for the 2025 admission cycle provide a strong indication of the competitive landscape. Newer IIMs and other prominent MBA colleges generally have slightly more lenient sectional cutoffs, often ranging from 70-75 percentile, but still demand a strong overall performance.
CAT 2026 Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 schedule outlines key dates for aspirants, from notification release to the examination day.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 |
| Application Start | First week of August 2026 |
| Application Close | Third week of September 2026 |
| Correction Window | September 25-27, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | First/Second week of November 2026 |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | Third/Fourth week of December 2026 |
CAT 2025 Section-wise Qualifying Cutoff for Top IIMs: VARC, DILR & QA Percentiles (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The table below presents the expected section-wise qualifying cutoffs for top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for the 2025 admission cycle, crucial for shortlisting candidates for further rounds.
| IIM | VARC Percentile | DILR Percentile | QA Percentile | Overall Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 80 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 80 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 80 | 75 | 80 | 85 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 75 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
CAT 2025 Category-wise Overall Cutoff for IIMs: General, OBC, SC, ST & EWS Percentiles (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The overall cutoff percentiles for IIM admissions in 2025 vary significantly across different candidate categories.
| Category | Overall Percentile (Range) |
|---|---|
| General | 95-99+ |
| NC-OBC | 75-85 |
| EWS | 70-80 |
| SC | 55-70 |
| ST | 50-65 |
CAT Overall Cutoff Trends: 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 Percentiles
Analyzing the overall CAT cutoff trends over the past three years provides insights into the consistent competitiveness for IIM admissions.
| Category | 2023 Percentile (Range) | 2024 Percentile (Range) | 2025 Percentile (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (Top IIMs) | 98-100 | 98-100 | 98-100 |
| NC-OBC (Top IIMs) | 75-80 | 75-80 | 75-80 |
| SC (Top IIMs) | 55-70 | 70-85 | 55-70 |
| ST (Top IIMs) | 50-65 | 60-70 | 50-65 |
CAT 2026 Counselling Schedule: WAT-PI & Final Selection Dates
The CAT 2026 counselling process involves multiple stages, including shortlisting, Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), and final selection by individual IIMs.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| IIM Shortlisting (WAT-PI calls) | January 2027 |
| WAT-PI Rounds | January – April 2027 |
| Final Admission List | May 2027 |
| Classes Begin | June – July 2027 |
FAQs
Q? When will the CAT 2026 cutoff be officially released?
A. The official CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to be released by individual IIMs in January 2027, following the declaration of the CAT 2026 results in December 2026.
Q? What is a good sectional percentile in CAT for top IIMs?
A. For top IIMs, a good sectional percentile typically ranges from 70-85 in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) for the General category, alongside a high overall percentile.
Q? Do all IIMs have the same section wise cutoff in CAT?
A. No, each IIM sets its own section wise cutoff in CAT, which can vary based on factors like the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and specific program requirements.
Q? How important is the section wise cutoff in CAT for admission?
A. Clearing the section wise cutoff in CAT is critical, as failing to meet the minimum percentile in even one section can lead to disqualification from the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds, even with a high overall percentile.
Q? What are the expected overall CAT 2026 cutoffs for reserved categories?
A. For reserved categories (NC-OBC, EWS, SC, ST), the overall CAT 2026 cutoffs are expected to be significantly lower than the General category, typically ranging from 50-85 percentile depending on the category and IIM.
