The CAT 2026 cutoff is the minimum score or percentile that students need to qualify for admission into top management institutes like IIMs and other leading B-schools. This cutoff is very important because it decides who gets shortlisted for the next admission stages, such as the WAT (Written Ability Test) and PI (Personal Interview).
For older IIMs like IIM Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow, the expected overall percentile is between 85–99, while new IIMs and other top B-schools may have cutoffs ranging from 70–99. Each IIM also gives weightage to different sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Non-IIM colleges like FMS Delhi, IIFT, and SPJIMR have slightly lower but still high expected cutoffs.
Students can estimate their chances using the score vs percentile table and by looking at previous years’ trends, which show how top percentiles and scores have changed. The cutoff depends on the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and available seats.
CAT 2026 Cutoff: Determining Factors
Several factors influence the expected CAT 2026 cutoff:
- Total number of applicants
- Difficulty level of CAT 2026
- Overall performance of candidates
- Available seats at each institute
- Last year’s cutoff trends
These factors collectively determine the percentile needed for IIM shortlisting.
CAT 2026 Cutoff: Minimum Percentile for IIMs
The CAT 2026 expected cutoff for IIMs highlights the minimum percentile required for shortlisting candidates. The table below provides an overview of overall expected percentiles along with section-wise weightage for top IIMs.
| IIM | Overall Cutoff Percentile (Expected) | Section-wise Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80–82 | VARC 70, DILR 70, QA 70 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85–87 | VARC 80, DILR 80, QA 80 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85–88 | VARC 75, DILR 75, QA 75 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | VARC 85, DILR 85, QA 85 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 | VARC 80, DILR 75, QA 75 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 | VARC 80, DILR 80, QA 75 |
| IIM Raipur | 94 | VARC 73, DILR 73, QA 73 |
CAT 2026 Cutoff: Minimum Percentile for Non-IIMs
The CAT 2026 expected cutoff for top non-IIM B-schools shows the minimum percentile likely required for admission. The table below lists leading management institutes and their anticipated overall percentile ranges for the 2026 CAT exam.
| College | Expected CAT 2026 Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| FMS Delhi | 98–99 |
| IIFT Delhi | 95–99 |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 95–99 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 95–97 |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 96 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 97–99 |
| LIBA Chennai | 70 |
| XIME Bangalore | 70 |
CAT 2026 Cutoff: Score vs Percentile
The CAT 2026 score vs percentile table helps aspirants estimate their expected percentile based on section-wise scores. It provides a clear picture of the overall score ranges corresponding to different percentile levels in the 2026 exam.
| Percentile | VARC Score | DILR Score | QA Score | Overall Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 | 50 | 46 | 46 | 118–123 |
| 99.5 | 42 | 40 | 41 | 103–108 |
| 99 | 38 | 37 | 33 | 92–95 |
| 98 | 28 | 30 | 22 | 69–72 |
| 95 | 23 | 27 | 16 | 57–59 |
| 90 | 20 | 21 | 13 | 47–49 |
| 85 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 42–44 |
CAT 2026 Cutoff: Previous Years’ Trends
The CAT 2026 previous years’ trends table highlights how scores corresponding to key percentiles have evolved over recent years. This helps aspirants estimate expected cutoffs and understand scoring patterns for top IIM admissions in 2026.
| Year | 99.9 Percentile | 99 Percentile | 95 Percentile | 90 Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 115–120 | 90–94 | 55–58 | 45–48 |
| 2023 | 106 | 80 | 71 | 57 |
| 2022 | 111 | 82.5 | 60 | 48.5 |
CAT 2026 FAQs
What is the expected overall CAT 2026 cutoff percentile for IIM Bangalore?
The expected overall CAT 2026 cutoff percentile for IIM Bangalore is 85–87, with section-wise weightage of VARC 80, DILR 80, and QA 80.
What percentile is likely required for admission to IIM Lucknow through CAT 2026?
IIM Lucknow is expected to have a 90 percentile cutoff for the general category in CAT 2026, with VARC, DILR, and QA carrying 85 percentile each.
Which section carries the highest weightage for IIM Raipur CAT 2026 cutoff?
For IIM Raipur, the VARC, DILR, and QA sections are equally weighted at 73 percentile each for the expected CAT 2026 cutoff of 94 percentile overall.
What is the expected CAT 2026 cutoff percentile for FMS Delhi?
The expected CAT 2026 cutoff percentile for FMS Delhi is 98–99 for shortlisting candidates.
How can CAT 2026 aspirants estimate their percentile based on scores?
Aspirants can use the CAT 2026 Score vs Percentile table, which maps VARC, DILR, and QA scores to overall score ranges and estimated percentile levels.
What overall percentile is expected for IIM Calcutta in CAT 2026?
The expected overall percentile for IIM Calcutta in CAT 2026 is 85–88, with VARC, DILR, and QA section-wise weightage of 75 each.
What is the expected CAT 2026 cutoff percentile for IMT Ghaziabad?
IMT Ghaziabad is expected to have a CAT 2026 cutoff percentile of 95–97 for shortlisting applicants.
How has the 99 percentile score trend changed in CAT exams over recent years?
In CAT 2025, the 99 percentile corresponded to an overall score of 92–95, while in 2024 it was 90–94, showing a slight upward trend in scores over time.
What percentile is required for non-IIM colleges like LIBA Chennai and XIME Bangalore in CAT 2026?
For LIBA Chennai and XIME Bangalore, the expected CAT 2026 cutoff percentile is 70 for shortlisting candidates.
Which factors determine the expected CAT 2026 cutoff for IIMs and other B-schools?
Key factors include total number of applicants, difficulty level of CAT 2026, overall candidate performance, seat availability, and previous year cutoff trends.