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98 Percentile in CAT 2026: Scoring a 98 percentile in the CAT (Common Admission Test) is a dream for many MBA aspirants. This score places candidates in the top 2% of test-takers, significantly increasing the chances of admission to premier institutes like the IIMs and other top B-schools in India. However, achieving this percentile requires a clear understanding of the score dynamics and preparation strategy.
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In this article, we break down the approximate marks required to secure a 98 percentile in CAT 2026, the factors influencing percentile calculation, and tips to achieve this target.
The CAT exam comprises three sections:
Each section is scored out of 68 marks, making the total score 204. However, the scaled score (adjusted based on difficulty levels) determines the percentile.
While the exact marks needed for a 98 percentile vary each year due to factors like exam difficulty and performance of candidates, historical data provides a rough estimate:
VARC: 35-40
DILR: 30-35
QA: 35-40
These figures are indicative and can shift based on the normalisation process and varying levels of competitiveness.
Several factors play a role in determining how many marks correspond to a 98 percentile:
Securing a 98 percentile in CAT requires a combination of smart preparation, focused practice, and a clear understanding of scoring patterns. By aiming for a score of 105-115, you can significantly boost your chances of joining a top-tier MBA program.
Stay committed, analyse your performance, and align your efforts with past trends to make your CAT 2026 journey a success.
Check out the following tables, which mention the CAT 2026 section-wise scores that all candidates must target (slot-wise).
CAT 2026 Slot 1 | ||||
Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
99 | 39-40 | 31-32 | 30-31 | 90 |
95 | 31-32 | 24-25 | 23-24 | 66 |
90 | 25-26 | 19-21 | 17-18 | 56-57 |
85 | 22-23 | 16-18 | 14-15 | 45-46 |
80 | 20-21 | 13-14 | 12-13 | 40-41 |
70 | 16-17 | 11-12 | 10-11 | 35-36 |
CAT 2026 Slot 2 | ||||
Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
99 | 41-42 | 27-28 | 28-29 | 87 |
95 | 33-34 | 22-23 | 22-23 | 63 |
90 | 26-27 | 18-19 | 16-17 | 55-56 |
85 | 23-24 | 15-17 | 13-14 | 44-45 |
80 | 21-22 | 12-14 | 11-12 | 39-40 |
70 | 17-18 | 11-12 | 10-11 | 35-36 |
CAT 2026 Slot 3 | ||||
Percentile | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
99 | 42-43 | 28-29 | 30-32 | 93 |
95 | 34-35 | 23-24 | 24-25 | 68 |
90 | 27-28 | 19-20 | 17-18 | 58-60 |
85 | 24-25 | 16-17 | 14-15 | 46-48 |
80 | 22-23 | 13-14 | 12-13 | 42-44 |
70 | 18-19 | 12-13 | 11-12 | 37-38 |
Some of the top MBA colleges that will typically accept a 98 percentile in the CAT 2026 exam are as follows:
| IIM Indore | IIM Kozhikode |
| IIM Lucknow | IIT Roorkee |
| IIT Bombay | IIT Delhi |
| FMS Delhi | MDI Gurgaon |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | FORE School of Management |
| IIM Raipur | IIM Rohtak |
| IIM Trichy | IIFT Delhi |
| IMT Ghaziabad | IIM Kashipur |
A 98 percentile opens doors to top B-schools such as:
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These institutes often shortlist candidates with a strong CAT score coupled with an excellent academic and co-curricular profile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
With 55 marks in CAT 2026, candidates can expect a 95 percentile.
Focus on understanding concepts, practice extensively, analyze mock test performance, and maintain a consistent study routine.
Yes, regular mock tests help improve time management, accuracy, and familiarity with the exam pattern, which are key to scoring 98 percentile.
On average, 2-3 hours of consistent daily study over 6-8 months, combined with mock tests and analysis, can help achieve this target.
Absolutely! With the right preparation and strategy, candidates from all academic backgrounds can achieve a 98 percentile.
A tougher exam generally reduces the marks needed for higher percentiles, as scaling adjusts for the difficulty level.
Candidates with a 98 percentile can get calls from IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, and sometimes IIM Calcutta or Bangalore, depending on their profiles.
Percentile in CAT is calculated based on the scaled score, considering the relative performance of all candidates and normalization for difficulty across slots.
No, admission to IIMs depends on other factors such as academic profile, work experience, and performance in the interview and WAT rounds.
Yes, balanced performance across VARC, DILR, and QA is crucial as each section contributes equally to the overall percentile.
On Question asked by student community
Hey there,
For NIT Hamirpur MBA, the General-category CAT cutoff is not a fixed official percentile. NIT Hamirpur's 2026–27 admission process gives CAT a 10/10 weightage in the test component, followed by an interview; it accepts CAT, CMAT and MAT.
As a practical target, 80+ percentile is worth considering, while
If by B-category you mean management/private quota MBBS seats, the cutoff is very different from government-quota MBBS.
In Tamil Nadu, management-quota MBBS seats are available in self-financing/private medical colleges through the state counselling process. The closing rank varies significantly between colleges and counselling rounds. The 2025 counselling data shows that
Hello Student,
With a CAT 2025 percentile of 98.25, you have a good chance of receiving calls from several IIMs, particularly newer IIMs. However, IIM Ahmedabad , Bangalore , Calcutta , and Lucknow generally require higher percentiles for General-category candidates. Calls also depend on sectional percentiles, academics, work experience, and
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, you can access CAT preparation resources, including mock tests, practice questions, previous-year papers, and study material. Explore the CAT preparation resources and test series using the link below:
https://www.careers360.com/mba/download/ebooks-and-sample-papers?exam=45
Hope this Helps!
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