Online registration for CAT 2026 has officially closed, and the application form correction window is active for registered candidates. Admit cards will be available for download on November 4, 2026, ahead of the computer-based exam scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Final Chance for MBA Candidates: The exam authorities confirmed this one-week extension serves as the final opportunity for aspirants targeting IIM admissions, with the computer-based test scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Contents
- 1 CAT Results Overview & Highlights
- 2 Step-by-Step Guide to Download CAT Scorecard
- 3 Details Printed on CAT Scorecard
- 4 CAT Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- 5 CAT Normalized Score vs Expected Percentile Range
- 6 Category-Wise Expected Percentile Cutoffs
- 7 IIM Admission & Shortlisting Selection Process
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 9 Conclusion
CAT Results Overview & Highlights
| Particulars | Key Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in / manabadi.co.in |
| Result Status | Declared / Downloadable Online |
| Credentials Required | Registration User ID & Password |
| Scorecard Validity | 1 Year (Valid till December 31) |
| Accepting Colleges | 21+ IIMs and 1000+ top non-IIM B-Schools |
Step-by-Step Guide to Download CAT Scorecard
1.Visit Official Website:Access the candidate portal.
Go to the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) or use the direct result links available on educational updates portals like Manabadi.
2.Candidate Login:Enter registration details.
Click on the ‘CAT Scorecard Download’ or ‘Candidate Login’ link. Enter your registered User ID and Password, then click Login.
3.Navigate to Scorecard:Locate result tab.
On the candidate dashboard, click on the ‘CAT Scorecard’ option in the top navigation panel.
4.Download & Print PDF:Save and store safely.
Your scorecard will appear on screen. Click Download and take multiple clear printouts for upcoming IIM WAT-PI calls and college applications.
Details Printed on CAT Scorecard
- Candidate Personal Information (Name, Roll Number, Category, Photo, Signature, Gender)
- CAT Registration / Application Number
- Sectional Raw & Scaled Scores (VARC, DILR, QA)
- Sectional Percentiles (VARC, DILR, QA)
- Overall Scaled Score & Overall Percentile
- Validity Period & Official Candidate Instructions
CAT Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Total Questions | 68 Questions |
| Total Marks | 204 Marks |
| Correct Answer (MCQ & TITA) | +3 Marks |
| Incorrect MCQ Answer | -1 Mark (Negative Marking) |
| Incorrect TITA (Non-MCQ) | 0 Marks (No Negative Marking) |
CAT Normalized Score vs Expected Percentile Range
Because CAT is conducted across multiple sessions, marks undergo a statistical Normalization Process to adjust for difficulty variations across slots:
$$\text{Percentile } (P) = \left(\frac{N – R}{N}\right) \times 100$$
(Where $N$ = Total test takers, $R$ = Rank of candidate based on normalized score)
| Overall Percentile Target | Estimated Scaled Marks |
| 99.5+ Percentile | 98 – 102 Marks |
| 99.0 Percentile | 88 – 92 Marks |
| 95.0 Percentile | 62 – 66 Marks |
| 90.0 Percentile | 50 – 54 Marks |
| 80.0 Percentile | 38 – 42 Marks |
Category-Wise Expected Percentile Cutoffs
| Category | Top Old IIMs (A, B, C, L, K, I) | New & Baby IIMs | Top Non-IIMs (FMS, MDI, SPJIMR) |
| General / Open | 99+ Percentile | 85 – 92 Percentile | 95 – 98 Percentile |
| EWS | 90 – 95 Percentile | 75 – 85 Percentile | 88 – 92 Percentile |
| NC-OBC | 85 – 90 Percentile | 70 – 80 Percentile | 82 – 88 Percentile |
| SC | 75 – 85 Percentile | 60 – 70 Percentile | 70 – 75 Percentile |
| ST / PwD | 65 – 75 Percentile | 55 – 65 Percentile | 60 – 65 Percentile |
IIM Admission & Shortlisting Selection Process
Shortlisting for final seats does not depend purely on the CAT score. IIMs follow a 3-stage weighted selection system:
- Shortlisting for Interview Calls (Stage 1): Candidates clearing overall and sectional cutoffs are shortlisted using a Composite Score built from CAT percentile (40–60%), Class 10/12/Graduation marks (20–30%), and Diversity points.
- WAT & PI Evaluation (Stage 2): Shortlisted candidates undergo a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) to evaluate domain knowledge, communication, and reasoning skills.
- Final Offer Release (Stage 3): Final admission offers are published based on the aggregate weighted score of CAT performance + WAT-PI marks + Work Exper
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long is the CAT scorecard valid?
The CAT scorecard is valid for one year from the date of result declaration (typically through December 31 of the following year). You can use the score only for admission to the immediate upcoming academic session.
Q2: What should I do if I forget my CAT User ID or Password?
Go to the candidate login page on iimcat.ac.in. Click on the ‘Forgot User ID/Password’ link, enter your registered email address, and follow the instructions sent to your inbox to reset your credentials.
Q3: Is qualifying CAT sufficient to get a seat in an IIM?
No. CAT score is the preliminary screening criteria. Candidates who clear both overall and sectional cutoffs must undergo additional selection rounds, including the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), alongside profile evaluations.
Q4: Is there any age limit or attempt limit for taking the CAT exam?
No. There is no upper age limit, and candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they wish, provided they hold a recognized bachelor’s degree with minimum required percentage.
Q5: What is the difference between Scaled Score and Percentile in CAT?
- Scaled Score: Your normalized raw mark adjusted across exam slots to compensate for difficulty differences.
- Percentile: A relative ranking score showing the percentage of total test-takers who scored lower than or equal to you.
Q6: Can I apply to non-IIM management institutes using my CAT score?
Yes. Over 1,000 premier B-Schools across India—including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IIT Management Departments—accept CAT scores for their MBA/PGDM programs.
Conclusion
The declaration of the CAT results marks a critical juncture in the management admission cycle. Candidates securing competitive overall and sectional percentiles should immediately focus on preparing for the subsequent selection stages—specifically Written Ability Tests (WAT) and Personal Interviews (PI). Since final conversion depends on a composite score combining CAT performance, academic consistency, and interview delivery, candidates are advised to keep multiple B-school options active and track individual institutional call lists carefully on official portals.