CAT Cutoff 2026 – IIM-wise and Sectional
Cut-offs are the minimum percentiles an institute considers for shortlisting. Meeting them does not guarantee a call, but missing them usually rules you out. Below are indicative figures, updated as IIMs publish their 2026 policies.
Calculate Your CAT 2026 ScoreExpected IIM-wise cut-offs for CAT 2026 will be published here once verified. We do not show unverified figures.
Overall vs sectional cut-offs
Most IIMs set a minimum percentile in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) as well as overall. You need to clear all of them before your composite score is considered.
Minimum vs shortlist cut-off
The minimum (qualifying) cut-off is published in the admission policy. The final shortlist cut-off is usually much higher and depends on applications received, so it is known only after shortlists are released.
Category-wise cut-offs
Reserved categories (EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, PwD) have lower minimum percentiles. Check the official policy of each IIM for exact figures.
Cut-offs beyond IIMs
Top private and government B-schools such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, IIT B-schools and others also accept CAT and publish their own cut-offs or shortlisting criteria. Explore their pages in our college directory for current details.
How to use this page
- Calculate your exact score from the response sheet.
- Estimate overall and sectional percentiles.
- Mark institutes where you clear all sectional minimums.
- Use the IIM Call Predictor and composite score guide to prioritise applications.
CAT 2026 marking scheme
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 | 40 min |
| DILR | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| QA | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 min |
+3 per correct answer · −1 per wrong MCQ · 0 per wrong TITA · 0 unattempted
Frequently asked questions
Will CAT 2026 cut-offs be higher than last year?
It depends on paper difficulty and competition. We update this page as IIMs publish their 2026 policies.
What is the CAT cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta?
These IIMs typically shortlist General category candidates in the high 90s, with sectional minimums. Check their policies for exact figures.
What is the sectional cutoff in CAT?
A minimum percentile in each of VARC, DILR and QA. It varies by IIM and category.
Are these cut-offs official?
Figures marked official come from IIM policy documents. Others are indicative and labelled as such.