CAT Score vs Percentile 2026
This CAT score vs percentile table maps raw marks out of 204 to approximate percentiles. It is built from indicative recent data and will be refined after CAT 2026 results. Use it to understand where your score stands, then check sectional cut-offs.
Calculate Your CAT 2026 Score| Raw score (out of 204) | Estimated percentile |
|---|---|
| 110 | 99.9 |
| 96 | 99.5 |
| 85 | 99 |
| 64 | 95 |
| 53 | 90 |
| 47 | 85 |
| 41 | 80 |
| 26 | 60 |
Indicative, based on CAT 2025 data. Not official; normalisation may change your final percentile.
How to read the CAT marks vs percentile table
Find your raw score on the left; the percentile on the right is an estimate. Values between rows are interpolated. If your slot was tougher than average, your actual percentile may be slightly higher for the same raw score.
Score vs percentile: why the two are different
Your score is absolute: the marks you earned out of 204. Your percentile is relative: it ranks you against every other candidate. Two candidates with the same raw score in different slots can get slightly different percentiles because scores are normalised first.
Why the table shifts every year
- Paper difficulty: an easier paper pushes up the marks needed for each percentile.
- Slot difficulty: normalisation evens out differences between the three slots.
- Number of candidates and how strongly they performed.
- Section-wise difficulty: DILR has often needed the lowest raw score for a high percentile.
CAT 2026 marks structure
Maximum marks differ by section, so compare sectional scores against sectional tables, not the overall one.
| Section | Questions | Max marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 | 40 min |
| DILR | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| QA | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 min |
What percentile do you need?
Older IIMs typically shortlist General category candidates in the high 90s, while many newer IIMs and top private B-schools consider candidates from the 85–95 range. Every institute also applies sectional cut-offs and profile weights, so check our CAT cutoff page before deciding where to apply.
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
How many marks are needed for 99 percentile in CAT?
On indicative recent data, roughly the mid-80s out of 204. Check the table above and treat it as an estimate.
What score gives 90 percentile in CAT?
Roughly the low-to-mid 50s out of 204 on indicative data. Sectional cut-offs still apply for most IIMs.
What score gives 95 percentile?
Indicative data places it in the mid-to-high 60s out of 204. The exact figure changes each year.
Is the percentile based on raw or scaled score?
Official percentiles use the scaled score after normalisation, not the raw score.
Is a 100 percentile possible?
Yes. Each year a small number of candidates score 100 percentile, meaning no one scored higher.
Where can I get my exact score?
Paste your response sheet link in our CAT score calculator to get an exact section-wise score in seconds.