Quick answer: expected percentiles for 2027
FORE School of Management, New Delhi expects shortlists for the 2027 PGDM cycle to be anchored to high overall percentiles in competitive exams. For initial orientation, aim for an overall CAT percentile of 85–90 (General All-India) or an equivalent XAT percentile around 75–85; FORE also accepts GMAT scores. These ranges reflect recent public trackers and FORE admission notices published in 2026.
Below is a concise table showing expected shortlist and final-selection percentile bands by exam and category based on available 2025–26/2026 reporting. Numbers are drawn from published FORE admission pages and secondary cutoff trackers updated in Oct–Nov 2026 and May 2026.
| Exam | Category | Expected Shortlist Percentile Range 2027 | Expected Final Selection Percentile Range 2027 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | General (AI) | 85–90 | 80–90 | Overall percentile used; FORE publishes programme-wise shortlists (Careers360 update 26 Oct 2026). |
| XAT | General (AI) | 75–85 | 70–85 | Trackers show XAT shortlists lower than CAT; FORE's XAT guidance updated May 8, 2026. |
| GMAT | All categories | Equivalent competitive score | Profile-dependent | Accepts GMAT; selection weightage includes PI and academics (Careers360 expected October 2026). |
Practical interpretation: the shortlist percentiles are where applicants commonly receive interview invites; final-selection bands are wider because FORE combines entrance scores with PI, academics and work experience. Lower-category cutoffs (OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD) are generally more favourable in practice, but explicit published percentile minima by category for 2027 are — in public FORE notices; expect profile adjustments during final selection.
update: FSM PGDM application last date reported as 15 December 2026 and shortlist/selection windows published in Oct–Nov 2026 notices (Careers360 update 26 Oct 2026). Check official programme pages for final confirmation: FORE School of Management
Cutoff table: expected percentiles by exam and category
FORE School of Management, New Delhi shortlists applicants on CAT, XAT and GMAT (CAREERS360 updated 26 Oct 2026); CMAT is not listed as an accepted exam in the recent FSM 2027 admission notes. The table below consolidates published/reported cutoffs and the commonly cited estimated percentiles for the 2026/2025 reporting periods where directly available; FORE does not publish an official public cutoff list for 2027.
| Exam | GEN | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | 85 (reported estimate, 2025–26) | 80 (secondary-source estimate) | 60 (secondary-source estimate) | 50 (secondary-source estimate) | 75 (secondary-source estimate) |
| XAT | 75–85 (reported estimate; updated 08 May 2026) | 70 (secondary-source estimate) | 55 (secondary-source estimate) | 45 (secondary-source estimate) | 70 (secondary-source estimate) |
Careers360 (updated 26 Oct 2026) confirms FORE accepts CAT/XAT/GMAT and provides programme-wise shortlist percentiles historically; the CAT 85 percentile estimate for General is consistent across third-party trackers (Shiksha updated 08 May 2026). FORE does not publish separate published female or PwD cutoffs publicly for 2027; hence those columns are omitted to preserve accuracy.
Interpretation: the listed percentiles are shortlist thresholds rather than guaranteed final-selection marks. A CAT percentile of 85 typically places a general-category applicant in the shortlist band; XAT expectations are slightly lower but variable by programme. GMAT entries are evaluated as equivalent profiles; a 650+ GMAT is commonly treated as competitive for shortlist consideration.
update: FSM PGDM application last date shown as 15 Dec 2026 in Careers360 (26 Oct 2026) — apply and upload valid test scores taken between 01 Jan 2025 and 31 Jan 2027.
Historical trend: 2023–2026 cutoff Overview
FORE School of Management, New Delhi shortlisting and final closing percentiles for PGDM admissions have been consistently high; published trackers and admission reports show a stable band that informs 2027 expectations. The table below reproduces reported General-category shortlisting and final closing percentiles for the last four admission cycles where public records exist.
| Year | Exam | Reported Shortlist Percentile (GEN) | Reported Final Closing Percentile (GEN) | Source | Source Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CAT | 85 | 85 | FORE cutoff trackers | 2026 (reported historical) |
| 2024 | CAT | 85 | 85 | FORE cutoff trackers | 2026 (reported historical) |
| 2025 | CAT / XAT | 85 | 85 | FORE cutoff trackers | 2026 |
| 2026 | XAT | 75–85 | 75–85 | FORE cutoff trackers (updated May 8, 2026) | 2026 |
Interpretation: The verified records used by public cutoff aggregators show FORE New Delhi operating around the high-80s CAT percentile for General-category shortlists in earlier cycles, with XAT-based shortlists in 2026 reported lower for some specialised programmes (mid-70s to mid-80s). This historical stability—an overall shortlisting band near 85 percentile for CAT with occasional programme-level XAT cutoffs down to 65–75 reported for specialised PGDMs—supports expecting similar overall thresholds for 2027, adjusted for applicant pool and exam-specific performance.
FORE does not publish official public cutoffs; the table reproduces reported shortlist and closing percentiles assembled from public cutoff trackers and recent admission articles (latest update May 8, 2026). Use them only as historical reference when planning applications for 2027.
For a focused forecast and more granular year-wise analysis, see the related in-site forecast: FORE Cutoff 2027: Expected CAT/GMAT Percentile & Previous Year Trends.
Shortlist vs final selection: what changes and why
FORE School of Management, New Delhi shortlists candidates on entrance exam percentiles (CAT/XAT/GMAT) and then applies a broader weighted profile for final selection; shortlist thresholds are higher than final selection closing percentiles because subsequent rounds use PI, academics and work experience.
Below is a concise table showing typical ranges and sectional expectations observed in recent cycles and reported in public admission trackers for FORE.
| Stage | Typical Percentile Band (GEN) | Sectional Expectation | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shortlist (PI call) | 85–90 | Balanced overall; no published sectional cutoffs | Institute invites candidates who meet an overall percentile threshold for profile review |
| Final selection (offer) | 80–88 | Sectional weakness can be offset by PI, academics, WEX | Final offers reflect composite score: test + PI + profile |
Practical interpretation: FORE’s publicly available trackers and admission pages (updated Oct–Nov 2026) show an overall shortlist requirement around 85 percentile for the General category and closing offers that can fall a few percentile points lower once interviews and profile weights are applied. FORE does not publish sectional cutoffs; public summaries note that overall percentile is the decisive filter at shortlisting.
eligibility: Applicants must have appeared in CAT 2026/XAT 2027/GMAT within the specified validity window and meet programme eligibility before shortlisting (official admissions notices updated Oct 2026).
Sectional expectations: VARC, DILR, QA notes
FORE School of Management, New Delhi does not publish separate sectional cutoffs; the institute relies primarily on an overall percentile for shortlisting. Public trackers and FORE-focused admissions summaries that cover 2025–2026 report that FORE uses overall CAT/XAT/GMAT percentiles as the primary filter while interview/WAT performance and profile components decide the final offer. The practical effect is that strong sectional performance can help in tie situations but does not replace a competitive overall percentile.
Below is a concise table summarising realistic sectional percentile bands for candidates who typically make the FORE shortlist, and the role sections play during tie-breaks and profile assessment.
| Section | Expected Shortlist Range (percentile) | Sectional Tie-breaker Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC (Verbal) | 75–92 | Moderate: used when overall percentiles are close | Strong VARC helps in WAT and PI; FORE emphasises communication skills in interviews |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 70–90 | Moderate–High: valued for analytical roles and to separate close profiles | Higher DILR favours applicants to finance/analytics tracks; trackers cite DILR as a differentiator |
| QA (Quantitative Ability) | 75–92 | High: often decisive for profile advantage in technical/finance shortlists | QA strength is numerically important where batch composition or specialisation demand is considered |
Interpretation: meeting the overall expected percentile range (85+ general band reported for recent cycles) remains essential; section percentiles shown above reflect the observed profiles of candidates who received shortlists in 2024–2026 cycles, as reported in admissions trackers and FORE admission summaries updated in 2026. Strong sectionals help when overall percentiles are borderline and influence final profile scoring during PI/WAT evaluation.
caution: FORE does not officially publish sectional cutoffs; the sectional bands above are derived from published tracker summaries and FORE admission notices updated in 2026 and should be used for planning, not as formal thresholds.
Category & gender differences in cutoffs
FORE School of Management, New Delhi shortlists and selects candidates using overall percentiles and a composite profile; reserved-category applicants and female candidates are assessed against different effective percentile thresholds during shortlisting and final selection. Publicly reported centre-aggregated trackers and FORE admission notices indicate that cutoff percentiles are lower for OBC, SC, ST and EWS groups compared with the General (All India) category, and that some female-specific relaxation applies in the selection matrix where noted.
Below is a concise table summarising the commonly reported practical ranges used by trackers and FORE-related admission summaries for the 2026 cycle; these ranges inform expectations for the 2027 shortlisting and final selection stages.
| Category | Expected Shortlist Percentile Range | Expected Final Selection Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (All India) | 85–92 | 90–96 | Trackers report overall CAT/XAT cutoff around 85 as shortlist floor (2025–26 reporting). |
| OBC (NCL) | 75–84 | 80–90 | Third-party summaries show typical reservation-based relaxations of ~8–10 percentile below General at shortlist stage (2025–26 reporting). |
| SC / ST | 60–75 | 65–82 | Trackers and public admissions summaries list substantially lower shortlist thresholds for SC/ST (2023–26 trend data). |
| EWS | 75–83 | 80–88 | Similar to OBC in reported practical shortlisting behaviour (2025–26 reporting). |
| Female applicants (all categories) | Varies | Varies | FORE uses gender considerations in composite evaluation; explicit public percentiles for female-only relaxation are not published (2026 sources). |
These ranges are drawn from the latest available admission trackers and FORE-related admission articles updated in Oct–Nov 2026. In practice, FORE converts percentile bands into a composite merit list that includes academic profile, work experience and PI performance; category relaxations mainly affect the shortlist percentile floor while final selection depends on the overall composite score.
FORE does not publish formal public cutoffs by gender; reported relaxations come from admissions summaries and third-party trackers updated in Oct–Nov 2026.
Application & selection timeline for 2027
FORE School of Management, New Delhi opens applications for the PGDM 2027 intake and proceeds through shortlisting, PI/WAT and final result stages on a published timetable. The institute's official admissions page and recent reporting show the last date to apply, shortlisting, selection events and final result windows for the 2027 cycle; some dates are published while others are listed as expected in official communications.
Below table summarises the events and dates that are published or reported for the 2027 cycle.
| Event | Expected/Published Date | Stage Description |
|---|---|---|
| Application last date | December 15, 2026 | Published deadline for submission of FORE PGDM 2027 application forms (self-sponsored). Source: Careers360 update 26 Oct 2026. |
| Shortlisting (PGDM) | Second week of January 2027 | Shortlist notification based on CAT 2026 / XAT 2027 / GMAT scores; reported timeline. Source: Careers360 update 26 Oct 2026. |
| Selection (PI/WAT) | Third week of January 2027 | Personal interview and related selection exercises for shortlisted candidates; Careers360 lists this as the selection window. Source: Careers360 update expected October 2026. |
| Final result | Third week of March 2027 | Publication of final selection list and offered seats. Source: Careers360 update expected October 2026. |
Interpretation: candidates must submit applications by 15 December 2026 to be considered in the normal shortlisting round that uses CAT/XAT/GMAT scores; shortlisting and PI/WAT follow in January 2027 and final offers are expected in March 2027. Applicants who miss the deadline may be considered only under later/spot rounds if announced by the institute.
deadline: The official FSM application last date of December 15, 2026 is published and should be observed for 2027 PGDM intake applications (Careers360, 26 Oct 2026).
For step-by-step application instructions consult the FORE School Admission 2027: Complete Guide to Eligibility & Process.
Interpreting percentiles, score conversion and tie-breakers
Percentiles are a normalized rank; FORE School of Management, New Delhi uses the reported CAT/XAT percentile for shortlisting and final evaluation rather than raw marks. For planning, convert raw CAT marks to percentiles cautiously: published CAT score-to-percentile mapping changes each year with difficulty and candidate performance, so exact conversions are not public for 2026/2027. Therefore this section summarises typical approximate CAT raw-score bands linked to percentiles from recent public analysis (2025–26) and explains FORE's tie-break and profile rules.
Below is a brief table with approximate CAT raw-score ranges mapped to percentiles based on recent public conversion trends (published analyses up to Oct 2026). These are indicative only.
| Percentile | Approximate CAT Raw Score Range (Estimated) | Conversion Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 95–99 | 75–100+ | Top-percentile band; score spread varies by slot and year. |
| 85–94 | 50–74 | Typical shortlisting band for FORE New Delhi in recent cycles. |
| 75–84 | 35–49 | Borderline for shortlist; strong profile may compensate. |
| 60–74 | 20–34 | Unlikely to get an ALL-INDIA shortlist at FORE; consider XAT/GMAT or profile-strength. |
Interpretation: use percentiles published by test authorities; raw-score bands above are illustrative and derived from public CAT analysis (2025–26) not from FORE official notice.
FORE's tie-break and final-merit factors weigh composite profile: entrance percentile, academic record, work experience, performance in PI/WAT and reservation category. CAREERS360 and FORE admission notices (updated Oct 2026) list final selection as composite of test score, PI, academics and experience.
Caution: The raw-score ranges above are illustrative estimates based on public CAT analyses up to Oct 2026; use official percentiles from the test agency for applications.
Data sources, methodology and disclaimer
This section lists the public sources used to project FORE School of Management, New Delhi cutoffs for the 2027 admission cycle and explains how expectations were derived; all non-published values are clearly labelled.
Primary evidence was drawn from recent institutional and aggregator reports that publish FORE shortlisting and historical cutoff indicators. The FORE-related cutoff commentary and percentile ranges cited in this article are supported by a published FORE cutoff Overview updated 08 May 2026 (aggregated cutoff page) and a campus admission notice and analysis updated 26 Oct 2026. Where those sources reported a specific year (2024–2026), that year is preserved in the historical trend section.
Estimates for 2027 shortlisting percentiles were derived by trend extrapolation from the 2023–2026 published ranges and by cross-checking selection-stage details (shortlist timing, interview window and weightages) reported in the FORE admission notice updated on 26 Oct 2026. Any figure in the article that forecasts 2027 behaviour is explicitly labelled Estimated next to the percentile or range and is based on: (a) the latest published cutoff percentiles for FORE (2023–2026), (b) reported programme intake and seat reservations where available, and (c) observed industry patterns for profile-weighted shortlists at similarly ranked Delhi PGDM programmes.
Methodology steps (concise):
- Collect published percentile indicators and dates from the supplied FORE cutoff aggregator (updated 08 May 2026) and the FORE admission article (updated 26 Oct 2026).
- Construct year-on-year cutoff trend (2023–2026) from those verified entries.
- Project 2027 shortlisting percentiles by adjusting the recent trend for reported intake and selection-stage timing; label results Estimated.
FORE does not publish an official public cutoff PDF for each year; the percentiles here identified as Estimated are projections based on the cited 2026 and earlier publications and should be confirmed against the official FSM admissions portal at the time of shortlisting.
Disclaimer: This article does not substitute FORE School of Management, New Delhi official notices. Verified publication dates are quoted above; any 2027 admissions dates and cutoffs that appear elsewhere in the article and are not marked Estimated are reproduced from the cited sources with their original years.
Practical pointers — improving admission odds beyond percentile
FORE School of Management, New Delhi applicants can raise selection probability by managing application choices, exam strategy and dossier presentation rather than relying on a single percentile. Prioritise actions that directly influence shortlisting and PI evaluation: multiple eligible exams, timely application, accurate profile data and targeted document evidence.
Action Required: If you plan to apply for the 2027 cycle, finalise and submit the FSM application by the published last date December 15, 2026 and confirm which entrance score (CAT 2026/XAT 2027/GMAT) you will use.
Submit all valid entrance scores that meet FSM eligibility windows (scores taken between expected January 2025 and expected January 2027); this widens shortlisting probability because FSM accepts CAT, XAT or GMAT for PGDM entry. Use the application form to declare your strongest exam and upload scorecard PDFs to avoid processing delays.
Sequence your applications: use a profile map to decide which PGDM programmes at FORE to prioritise (PGDM, PGDM-IB, PGDM-FM), since programme-wise seat intake differs and selection thresholds vary by programme. For applicants with work experience, highlight specific roles and measurable outcomes in the CV section; FORE includes work experience in final evaluation.
Polish PI-stage materials: prepare a crisp one-page achievement Overview and academic transcript copies. FORE’s selection weight includes PI performance; clear, evidence-backed answers about internships, projects and quantifiable results improve final conversion even if your percentile is borderline relative to shortlist thresholds.
Also Read: College Shortlister
Use a realistic self-assessment before applying: upload a calibrated profile report and choose programme priorities based on assessed fit to avoid wasting application slots. Also Read: Profile Analyzer
Important Points
FORE School of Management, New Delhi shortlists and admits candidates using CAT, XAT and GMAT
Expected overall shortlisting percentiles for 2027 are centred near the high-80s for CAT and XAT for the General All-India category; public trackers show an estimated CAT cutoff around 85–90 percentile in recent cycles (Shiksha update 8 May 2026 and Careers360 26 Oct 2026). Also consult the official FSM admissions portal for application payment and programme-wise details. Take the next step: Start your MBA journey today by exploring shortlisted colleges and checking how your profile maps to FORE and similar programmes — use the College Shortlister, run a detailed scan with the Profile Analyzer, and compare projected returns with the MBA ROI Calculator. Compare these colleges alongside FORE School of Management Cutoff 2027 before you finalise your shortlist. The expected CAT shortlist percentile for the General All‑India category in 2027 is around 85–90. This estimate aligns with recent published trackers and FORE’s historical shortlisting behaviour (2023–2026). FORE accepts XAT and GMAT along with CAT for PGDM shortlisting in 2027. CMAT is not listed among primary exams for FORE’s core PGDM shortlisting in the available admissions notices. Final selection percentiles are generally 5–12 percentile points lower than the shortlist threshold because PI/WAT, academics and work experience are weighted during final merit calculation. FORE does not enforce strict sectional cutoffs for shortlisting; the institute primarily uses the overall percentile for initial shortlists and reviews sectional balance during interview and final scoring. FORE resolves ties using its published selection rules: academic records and past performance (graduation marks), followed by performance in PI/WAT and work experience as tie‑breakers in the final merit list. important dates for the 2027 cycle include the application deadline (reported as December 15, 2026), shortlisting in the second week of January 2027 and selection rounds in the third week of January 2027, with final results expected by March 2027. FORE School of Management, New Delhi typically shortlists General All‑India candidates around the 85–90 CAT percentile for PGDM intake; XAT and GMAT are accepted alternatives. Shortlisting is driven by overall percentile while final admission depends on PI/WAT, academics and work experience, which usually brings admitted percentiles down by several points compared with the initial shortlist. MBA Compass is an MBA discovery and decision platform published by B School Buzz focused on helping Indian students and working professionals make informed postgraduate management choices. The site provides tools to shortlist colleges, compare programmes and estimate return on investment, plus diagnostics such as profile analysis and real‑time mock tests. Content is research‑led: course pages, placement summaries and verified fee breakdowns help users compare alternatives. MBA Compass also provides a financial‑decision lens: consolidated tuition and living‑cost estimates, placement‑linked package projections and an ROI calculator designed to show breakeven timelines and long‑term wealth impact. Users can run their profile through shortlister and ROI tools to prioritise applications. Useful tools: MBA Compass, College Shortlister, Profile Analyzer, MBA ROI Calculator. FSM PGDM last date to apply December 15, 2026 and shortlisting begins in the second week of January 2027 (Careers360, 26 Oct 2026).
Important Points
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expected CAT percentile for FORE School of Management, New Delhi in 2027?
Does FORE accept XAT and CMAT scores for 2027 admissions?
How much lower is the final selection cutoff compared with the shortlist percentile at FORE?
Are sectional cutoffs enforced by FORE School of Management for PGDM shortlisting?
How does FORE treat tie‑breakers when candidates have identical percentiles?
What dates matter for FORE PGDM application and shortlist in the 2027 cycle?
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