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CAT percentile is calculated using a candidate's rank among all test takers after the CAT normalisation process. The CAT percentile formula uses the total number of candidates and the rank assigned based on the scaled score. Candidates can also use a CAT percentile calculator to estimate their probable percentile before the official result. The CAT result will be declared in the form of a percentile. The CAT 2026 result will be declared by IIM Indore in online mode in the first week of January. Before the declaration of the result, candidates can estimate their probable percentile by using our CAT percentile calculator tool. Candidates who took CAT 2026 may like to know how to calculate the CAT percentile and get familiar with the cutoffs of IIMs and other MBA colleges.
This Story also Contains
- What is the CAT Percentile Predictor?
- What is the CAT 2026 Percentile?
- CAT Score Calculator: Explained with an example
- How to Calculate CAT Percentile 2026?
- CAT Result 2026
- CAT Cutoff 2026
The CAT percentile predictor helps calculate the CAT percentile and provides a detailed analysis of the CAT score to determine the chances of admission at top B-schools. Read this article to know more about the CAT percentile predictor and how to calculate the CAT percentile and score.
What is the CAT Percentile Predictor?
The CAT percentile calculator is an online tool created exclusively by Careers360 that helps you measure your performance in the CAT exam and calculate percentiles, both sectional and overall. The CAT 2026 percentile predictor tool is easy to use, gives you quick results and accurate predictions, and is preferred by over 70,000+ MBA aspirants.
The CAT percentile predictor can also provide an indicative assessment of admission chances at participating IIMs and other B-schools based on factors such as CAT percentile and candidate profile. Candidates can estimate their scores with the help of the CAT answer key. They can use those CAT scores to calculate their CAT percentile with the help of a CAT percentile calculator.
So read on and use the percentile calculator for CAT 2026 for accurate results. You can also try our best CAT score-to-percentile calculator for free below.
Try Careers360's CAT Percentile Predictor Free Tool
What is the CAT 2026 Percentile?
The CAT 2026 percentile is a relative score that indicates candidates' CAT 2026 exam rank. The CAT exam percentile is a measure of categorising a candidate based on the rest of the CAT takers below. A 99 percentile means the candidate has performed better than approximately 99% of the candidates who appeared for CAT, while around 1% of candidates have performed better.
CAT Score Calculator: Explained with an example
In simple terms, the CAT percentile refers to the number of students who have scored below him/her. Before finding out the CAT percentile 2026, the candidates should know their expected rank. Also, students need to know the CAT score vs the percentile difference.
For example, if there are a total of 2,27,835 students who appeared in the CAT exam. Now that you scored a rank of 4000, your CAT percentile will be:
- Your CAT percentile = [1 - { 4000/2,27,835 }] * 100 = 98.24 percentile
The above percentile means that 98 per cent of the students writing the CAT exam will have a CAT score below yours. In addition to this, the percentile is only calculated up to three decimal places, and then it is rounded off to the next closest decimal number.
Estimated percentile
Can be calculated/predicted using available score/rank data.
Official CAT percentile
Is determined by the CAT conducting authority and reported on the official scorecard.
CAT Percentile Predictor 2026: Normalisation of Score
The first step after the CAT 2026 exam is the CAT normalization process. Why is it needed? This is necessary so that there is no incongruity. The parameters on which CAT normalization is done are location, sessions, and the difficulty level of different exam papers.
All these criteria are equalized while scaling the raw score attained by the student. Considering all these criteria, a normalised score is attained, which is then used for the CAT MBA percentile calculator. The CAT-scaled scores for each of the three sections and the total scores, along with the percentile, will be published on the scorecard.
How to Calculate CAT Percentile 2026?
The steps below sketch the procedure for how to calculate the percentile in CAT for a sectional as well as an overall paper through the CAT percentile predictor or the percentile calculator CAT 2026. Here, the QA section is chosen as an example. By following the process below, you can easily know how the CAT percentile is calculated.
Step 1: The total number of candidates who appeared
First of all, note down the total number of candidates (say, N) who appeared for the paper in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Step 2: Assigning rank based on the scaled score
After the normalisation process, a scaled score is obtained for each section and the overall scaled score. Based on the scaled score, you will be assigned a rank (r). If two or more candidates have attained the same marks in any section, they will be assigned the same rank for that section.
Step 3: Formula to calculate the IIM call predictor
The formula for computing the IIM percentile calculator for CAT is given by
where
- P = Percentile of a candidate
- N = Total number of candidates
- r = Rank assigned to a candidate
Past 10 years CAT Question Papers with Solutions
Ace CAT with confidence! Download the Past 10 Years' CAT Question Papers with detailed answers to understand exam trends, improve accuracy, and maximize your percentile.
Download EbookStep 4: Round off
Round off the calculated CAT 2026 percentile score of a candidate up to two decimal places. A similar strategy is followed for calculating the CAT 2026 percentile score for the other two sections, i.e., DILR and VARC in CAT 2026.
Check the expected CAT 2026 percentile based on the CAT score in the table below:
CAT Percentile | Overall CAT Score (expected) |
|---|---|
99+ | 98-102 |
95+ | 80-82 |
90+ | 72-75 |
85+ | 59-61 |
80+ | 46-48 |
CAT Response Sheet Percentile Calculator
Candidates who want to know their CAT percentile before the declaration of CAT results can download individual CAT response sheets. They can also use the percentile predictor for CAT 2026. By doing this, candidates can get their probable CAT score and percentile.
CAT Result 2026
CAT 2026 results will be announced on the official website of CAT by IIM Indore. The CAT result will mention the name along with the biometrically scanned photograph and details of the candidates, like the sectional cutoff, the marks scored, and the overall CAT 2026 percentile based on their performance in the exam.
The scaled scores for each section, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), are mentioned. Also, the total scores along with the CAT percentiles shall be stated on the scorecard. Candidates who qualify will have to apply to their choice of college for admission based on their CAT scores.
The IIMs will shortlist and call the candidate based on the IIM admission criteria. The candidate has to convert the call by clearing the GD/PI and WAT processes to finally procure a seat in the top B-schools.
CAT Cutoff 2026
IIMs and other MBA colleges will start releasing their cutoffs on their official websites. The CAT cutoff is nothing but the minimum CAT 2026 percentile a candidate needs to attain to qualify for the next round of the selection process. CAT cutoff 2026 depends on various factors, such as the difficulty level of the exam, the total number of candidates who appeared, the number of seats, etc.
To get shortlisted for the selection process: WAT-GD/PI, candidates appearing for the CAT 2026 exam must qualify for the sectional as well as the overall cutoff. According to the past year's trends, the CAT cutoff for top B-school category colleges like old IIMs and top B-schools such as FMS (University of Delhi), SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, etc. goes over the 99 percentile. Baby IIMs, including IIM Sambalpur, IIM Trichy, IIM Kashipur, IIM Ranchi, etc., have a cutoff of 90 percentile and above.
Final Selection for Admission
There is no single composite-score formula applicable to all IIMs. Each IIM publishes its own admission criteria, which may consider CAT performance, academic profile, work experience, diversity and performance in subsequent selection rounds.
Composite Scores
Parameters | Weightage |
CAT score | 40 |
Class 10 score | 20 |
Class 12 score | 10 |
Work experience | 08 |
Graduation score | 20 |
Gender diversity | 02 |
Total | 100 |
NOTE: Candidates can use the CAT percentile predictor tool by Careers360 for more accurate details.
B-Schools Accepting CAT Scores - Location-wise
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the validity of CAT 2026?
A:
The CAT 2026 Result is valid till December 31, 2027.
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