CAT Normalization Explained
CAT is held in three slots with different papers. Normalisation makes scores comparable across slots, so no candidate gains or loses because of the slot they sat. Here is how raw score becomes scaled score and then percentile.
Calculate Your CAT 2026 ScoreSlot 1
To be updated after the exam on 29 November 2026.
Slot 2
To be updated after the exam on 29 November 2026.
Slot 3
To be updated after the exam on 29 November 2026.
Step 1: Raw score
Each correct answer earns +3. A wrong MCQ costs −1. A wrong TITA (type-in-the-answer) question and an unattempted question both score 0.
Your raw score is calculated separately for VARC, DILR and QA.
| Response | MCQ | TITA |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | +3 | +3 |
| Wrong | −1 | 0 |
| Not attempted | 0 | 0 |
Step 2: Scaled score
IIMs adjust raw scores in each slot using that slot's score distribution (typically its average and spread, especially among top performers). A tougher slot's raw scores are scaled up relative to an easier slot.
Step 3: Percentile
Percentiles are calculated from scaled scores across all candidates. Your percentile is the share of candidates who scored below you.
A simple example
Suppose the top performers in Slot 1 scored noticeably lower than those in Slot 2 because the Slot 1 paper was harder. After normalisation, a raw 60 in Slot 1 may sit closer to a raw 64 in Slot 2. The numbers are illustrative only; actual adjustments are computed by the IIMs.
What normalisation means for you
- Don't panic if your slot felt tough: the scaling accounts for it.
- Don't compare raw scores with friends from other slots directly.
- Use slot-aware tools like our percentile predictor for estimates.
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
Can normalisation reduce my score?
Your scaled score can be lower or higher than your raw score depending on how your slot compared with others.
Is normalisation done section-wise?
Yes. Each section is normalised separately, then sectional and overall percentiles are calculated.
Does IIM publish the normalisation formula?
The general method is described in official CAT notices, but slot-wise parameters are not published in advance.
Which slot is best for a high percentile?
None. Normalisation is designed to remove any advantage from the slot you were assigned.
