he Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India’s most competitive exams for admission into top business schools. Every year, thousands of aspirants take the test to secure a place in prestigious institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). While a candidate’s CAT score is crucial, understanding how it translates into a percentile is equally important for applicants. This year, the process and expectations around CAT 2024 scores and percentiles are no different.
What is the Difference Between CAT Score and Percentile?
CAT Score refers to the total marks a candidate obtains based on the number of correct and incorrect answers in the exam. The raw score is calculated by assigning marks to each question in the exam (usually 3 marks for correct answers and negative marks for incorrect responses).
On the other hand, Percentile is a relative measure that indicates how well a candidate performed compared to others. It is derived from the percentile formula, which takes into account the total number of candidates and their respective scores. A percentile reflects the percentage of candidates who scored below a particular score, which means a higher percentile implies better performance.
For instance, a 99 percentile means you performed better than 99% of the candidates.
How to Calculate CAT Percentile?
The percentile for CAT is calculated using the following formula:
Percentile=(N−RN)×100Percentile=(NN−R)×100
Where:
- N = Total number of candidates appearing for the exam
- R = Rank of the candidate
This formula ensures that the percentile represents the candidate’s position relative to others in the exam.
Factors Affecting CAT Percentile
Several factors influence the calculation of a CAT percentile:
- Difficulty Level of the exam: If the exam is more difficult, the score distribution among candidates is likely to be more spread out.
- Raw Score: While a high raw score increases the chances of a higher percentile, the final percentile also depends on the scores of other candidates.
- Sectional Percentile: Candidates need to clear the sectional cutoffs as well. CAT consists of three sections—Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.
How to Use the Percentile to Prepare for Admission?
Understanding your CAT percentile is crucial for the next step in your MBA journey. The percentile plays a major role in determining which business schools you are eligible for. While top IIMs typically require a 99+ percentile for shortlisting, other reputed institutes may have different cutoffs based on the specialization and academic background.
Candidates should also factor in other elements such as Personal Interview (PI) and Group Discussion (GD) scores, which also play an essential role in the selection process.
