CAT 2020 Cutoff - Check Category-wise (General, OBC, SC, ST) Qualifying Cutoff Score

Updated By Shivangi Ahirwar on 22 Aug, 2024 16:39

CAT 2025 cutoffs for MBA admissions in some of the top institutes such as IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, and TISS will be provided here. Old IIMs and top colleges will have 98-99+ cutoffs while new and baby IIMs will have between 85-99+ cutoffs. Section-wise cutoffs will also be provided. The results will be declared by IIM Kozhikode in December 2025. Continue reading for complete cutoff details for General, EWS, SC, ST, OBC categories, and others.

Tell us your CAT score & access the list of colleges you may qualify for!

Predict My College

CAT Cutoff 2020

The CAT cutoff 2020 for admission to IIMs and other top MBA colleges is set at a minimum of 90 percentile, with prominent IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Kozhikode maintaining cut-offs exceeding 99 percentile. Tier 3 colleges typically have cut-offs at 60 percentile and above, while Tier 2 institutions fall within the range of 70 to 80 percentile. It's crucial to check these cut-offs before applying for MBA programs.

IIMs and leading MBA schools such as FMS, IMT, SPJIMR, and MICA release preliminary cut-offs for WAT-PI shortlisting well before the result declaration. The final CAT cut-offs are announced post-result or at the beginning of PI shortlisting, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about these criteria for MBA admission. Candidates can find further details with regard to the CAT cutoff 2020 below.

Also Read:

Start Free Mock Test Now

Get real time exam experience with full length mock test and get detailed analysis.

Attempt now

Qualifying CAT 2020 Cut off Vs Final Cut off

Understanding the difference between the Qualifying CAT Cut-off and the Final CAT Cut-off is crucial for students aspiring to secure admission to IIMs. The Qualifying Cut-off is the minimum CAT score required to advance to the WAT/GD-PI round, while the Final CAT Cut-off is the higher minimum percentile set by IIMs for selecting candidates for the WAT/GD-PI process. Both the qualifying and final CAT cutoff vary each year, so candidates must take a look at the CAT cutoff 2023CAT cutoff 2022, and CAT cutoff 2021 to understand the cutoff pattern well. It's important to note that the Final Cut-off is always higher than the Qualifying Cut-off. Candidates can view the key differences between Qualifying and Sectional cutoff in the table below:

Qualifying CAT Cut-offs

Final CAT Cut-offs

Referred to as IIM eligibility or shortlist cut-off, this is the minimum score required for an interview call (WAT / GD-PI round) from the IIMs.

Known as IIM call cut-offs or official IIM cut-offs, this is the minimum percentage score set by IIMs for shortlisting candidates for the WAT / GD-PI round.

Meeting the qualifying cut-off doesn't guarantee selection for the WAT – GD/PI round.

Meeting the final cut-off doesn't assure admission into an IIM.

Determined before the CAT result is declared.

Decided after the announcement of the CAT result.

Generally above 90 percentile for all IIMs except IIM Ahmedabad, which has maintained an 80 percentile cut-off since 2016.

Can go as high as 99+ percentile for top IIMs and around 95+ for newer ones.

Includes both sectional and overall cut-offs.

Includes both overall and sectional cut-offs.

Classified into further categories. General students usually need 90 percentile and above, while reserved category students may have a cut-off below 70 percentile.

Regulated category-wise. General male students from an engineering background often have a higher final cut-off than reserved category students, females, and those from a non-engineering academic background.

Qualifying CAT Cutoff 2020 for IIMs

IIMs unveil their qualifying cutoffs pre-result, signifying the minimum mark required for WAT-PI shortlisting. The final cutoff is subsequently released. Refer to the table below for the qualifying CAT cutoff 2020 for each IIM:

Sectional CAT Cut Off 2020 for IIMs

While overall cutoffs suffice for IIM admission, meeting sectional cutoffs is also imperative. IIMs set specific cutoffs for each section, ensuring candidates clear these benchmarks for final selection. Explore the sectional CAT cutoff 2020 for top IIMs:

Name of IIM

QA

DILR

VARC

Overall

IIM Ahmedabad

70

70

70

80

IIM Bangalore

75

75

80

85

IIM Calcutta

80

80

75

85

IIM Kozhikode

75

75

75

85

IIM Shillong

75

75

75

80

IIM Lucknow

85

85

85

90

IIM Raipur

80

80

80

95

IIM Rohtak

70

70

70

95

IIM Kashipur

80

80

80

90

IIM Ranchi

80

80

80

90

IIM Indore

80

80

80

90

IIM Tiruchirappalli

80

80

80

95

IIM Udaipur

80

80

80

90

IIM Bodh Gaya

80

80

80

90

IIM Amritsar

75

75

80

80

IIM Nagpur

72

72

72

85

IIM Jammu

80

80

80

90

IIM Visakhapatnam

80

80

85

90

IIM Sambalpur

80

80

80

95

IIM Sirmaur

80

80

80

95

Top Management Colleges :

Final CAT 2020 Cutoff for IIMs

The final cutoff, also known as the calling cutoff, is disclosed post-result. Candidates surpassing this benchmark are invited for interviews and the final selection, incorporating CAT score, academic background, PI performance, and other facets. The table below showcases the final CAT 2020 cutoff set by IIMs:

IIMs

Final CAT Cutoff 2020 (Percentile)

IIM Ahmedabad

100-99

IIM Bangalore

100-99

IIM Calcutta

99

IIM Lucknow

97-98

IIM Indore

97-98

IIM Kozhikode

97-98

IIM Amritsar

95-96

IIM Nagpur

95-96

IIM Sambalpur

95-96

IIM Trichy

94-95

IIM Raipur

94-95

IIM Ranchi

94-95

IIM Kashipur

94-95

IIM Vizag

92-94

IIM Udaipur

92-94

IIM Bodhgaya

92-94

IIM Shillong

90

IIM Sirmaur

90

CAT Cutoff 2020 for Top B-schools

CAT scores are widely accepted by over 100 B-schools beyond the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Many of these institutions consistently rank high and are highly sought after by candidates for the opportunities they provide. The following table outlines some of these esteemed colleges and their respective CAT 2020 percentile requirements:

CAT Score vs Percentile 2020

CAT score vs percentile analysis helps understand the score needed for a desired percentile. The table below depicts the CAT score vs percentile 2020 for VARC,LRDI, and QA:

Percentile

VARC Score (78)

LRDI Score (72)

Quant Score (78)

Total Score (228)

99.99

52

46

59

131

99.5

46

38

49

115

99

43

35

43

101

98

40

33

37

91

95

32

24

30

76

90

28

20

24

63

85

24

18

18

56

80

22

16

16

49

Factors Affecting CAT 2020 Cutoff

The CAT cut-off percentile for each institute is determined by considering several key parameters, including:

  • Difficulty Level of the Exam: The complexity and challenges presented by the CAT exam play a crucial role in setting the cut-off percentiles for different institutes.

  • Number of Aspirants who Took the Exam: The total count of candidates who participated in the CAT exam contributes to the percentile calculation, reflecting the overall performance distribution.

  • Number of Aspirants who Cleared the Exam: The count of candidates who successfully cleared the CAT exam impacts the percentile requirement, influencing the competitiveness of the selection process.

  • Number of Seats for PGP/MBA in a Particular Institute: The availability of seats for the Post Graduate Program (PGP) or MBA in a specific institute influences the cut-off percentile, as it reflects the level of selectivity in admissions.

  • Ranking of the Institute: The overall ranking and reputation of the institute in the academic and business community are considered in determining the CAT cut-off percentile, as more prestigious institutions may have higher percentile requirements.

Ways to Clear CAT Cutoff 2020

Clearing the CAT cutoff, considered one of the most challenging management entrance exams in India with over 2 lakh annual participants, demands diligent effort due to intense competition and limited seats in premier institutions like IIMs. However, with dedicated preparation, success is achievable. Here are key steps to navigate this challenge:

  • Effective Preparation: Utilize test series and sectional tests to pinpoint and address weak areas. These tools offer an insightful analysis of performance at each stage, aiding focused improvement.
  • Structured Schedule: Establish a disciplined schedule that comprehensively covers all major areas, considering individual strengths and weaknesses. Time management is crucial, especially with limited time before the CAT exam.
  • Time Allocation: Divide time effectively for each section over a month, ensuring equal attention to every area. Strategic planning enhances proficiency across all components of the exam.
  • Topic Prioritization: Identify and prioritize topics based on individual needs. Leverage previous year's CAT question papers, dedicated question banks, and an understanding of section weightage to streamline preparation.
  • Video Lectures: Attend a variety of video lectures during the preparation period. This approach provides extensive exposure to the exam content, contributing to a comprehensive understanding and increasing the likelihood of success.
  • Mock Tests: Regularly practice tests to gauge progress and identify areas requiring additional effort. Analyzing mock exam results is essential for refining strategies and enhancing performance.
  • Stay Informed: Stay updated with previous exam analyses and the latest notifications, including any changes in exam dates, syllabus, paper patterns, and ranking schemes. Being well-informed contributes to a holistic and effective preparation strategy.

CAT IIM Admission and Selection Process

The process for getting into IIMs involves three main steps:

  • CAT Score Screening: Initially, candidates are selected based on their scores in the CAT exam.
  • WAT/GD-PI Round: Those who qualify then participate in the WAT/GD-PI round, usually held in February and March. This is like a discussion and interview session.
  • Final Selection: Successful candidates receive admission offers in April and May.

When called for the WAT/GD-PI round, candidates need to bring important documents:

  • Original and photocopies of mark sheets for class 10, class 12, and Graduation.
  • Caste/class/disability certificates for specific candidates.
  • For those still in their final year of a bachelor's degree, a certificate signed by the university or institution confirming at least 50 per cent marks (45 per cent for some categories) is required.

The final admission offer depends on a composite score, considering various factors:

  • CAT score, both overall and in each section.
  • Performance in the WAT/GD-PI round.
  • Marks from class 10, class 12, and Graduation.
  • Gender diversity, with extra points for female/transgender candidates.
  • Academic diversity, with extra points for candidates from non-Engineering backgrounds.
  • Work experience, with extra points for those with relevant executive or managerial experience.

Colleges you can apply

Want to know more about CAT

Still have questions about CAT Cut Off ? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Related News

Related Articles

Top