# CAT Official IIM Cut-Off Percentiles, Shortlist Weights & Scaling

- **Canonical URL:** https://mocktestzone.in/cat-iim-cutoffs
- **Conducting Body:** Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) — https://iimcat.ac.in
- **Scope:** Published CAT 2026 IIM admission policies alongside official CAT 2025 minimums, shortlist weights, and 2023–2025 candidate releases.
- **Verification:** Every number links to its official source. Last checked against official notices on 10 November 2026.
- **Interactive Threshold Checker & Mock Tests:** https://mocktestzone.in/cat-iim-cutoffs · https://mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-test-series

## CAT 2026 Marking, Sectional Timer & Scaling Rules

- **Exam Duration & Sections:** 120 minutes (40 min × 3) — Fixed order: I VARC → II DILR → III QA (160 minutes for PwD) [31]
- **MCQ & TITA Marking:** +3 / -1 (MCQ) · 0 wrong for TITA — No negative marking on typed non-MCQ (TITA) questions [32]
- **CAT 2026 Question Count:** Not published by IIM, checked on 9 November 2026 — IIM CAT bulletins do not disclose total questions before exam day [31]
- **CAT 2025 Actual Paper:** 68 questions — 24 VARC · 22 DILR · 22 QA [25]

## All 21 IIMs Official Minimum CAT Percentiles & Shortlist Weights

Published CAT 2026 admission-policy minimums where released, with each remaining IIM shown from its official CAT 2025 admission policy or RTI/shortlist disclosure.

### General

| Institute | Overall %ile | VARC %ile | DILR %ile | QA %ile | Basis & Cycle | CAT Weight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 [1] | 85 [1] | 85 [1] | 85 [1] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [1] | 65% in shortlist [1] |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 [2] | 80 [2] | 75 [2] | 80 [2] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [2] | 50% in shortlist [2] |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 [3] | 80 [3] | 75 [3] | 75 [3] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used [3] | 55% in shortlist [3] |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 90 [5] | 65 [5] | 65 [5] | 65 [5] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 85 · transgender candidates: 85) [5] | 50% in final [4] |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 [6] | 80 [6] | 80 [6] | 75 [6] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [6] | 56 pts in shortlist [6] |
| IIM Indore | 90 [7] | 80 [7] | 80 [7] | 80 [7] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [7] | 55% in shortlist [7] |
| IIM Jammu | 90 [9] | 65 [9] | 65 [9] | 65 [9] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 85 · transgender candidates: 85) [9] | 42% in final [8] |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 [10] | 75 [10] | 75 [10] | 75 [10] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [10] | 50% in shortlist [10] |
| IIM Kashipur | 90 [12] | 75 [12] | 75 [12] | 75 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | 41% in final [11] |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 [13] | 85 [13] | 85 [13] | 85 [13] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [13] | 60% in shortlist [13] |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 [14] | 80 [14] | 80 [14] | 75 [14] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [14] | 60% in final [14] |
| IIM Nagpur | 95 [15] | 70 [15] | 70 [15] | 70 [15] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [15] | 45% in final [15] |
| IIM Ranchi | 95.25 [12] | 75 [12] | 75 [12] | 75 [12] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [12] | 65% in final [12] |
| IIM Rohtak | 97 [16] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [16] | 60% in final [16] |
| IIM Raipur | 90 [12] | 75 [12] | 75 [12] | 75 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | Not published by IIM Raipur, checked on 9 November 2026 |
| IIM Shillong | — | — | — | — | Not published by institute | 65% in shortlist [17] |
| IIM Sambalpur | 90 [18] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum (female candidates: 85 · candidates with work experience: 85) [18] | 40 pts in shortlist [18] |
| IIM Sirmaur | 90 [19] | 65 [19] | 65 [19] | 65 [19] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 85 · transgender candidates: 85) [19] | 35% in final [19] |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95.25 [20] | 75 [20] | 75 [20] | 75 [20] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [20] | 52% in final [20] |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 [21] | 75 [21] | 75 [21] | 75 [21] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [21] | 55% in final [21] |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 82 [22] | 70 [22] | 70 [22] | 70 [22] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [22] | 50% in shortlist [22] |

### EWS

| Institute | Overall %ile | VARC %ile | DILR %ile | QA %ile | Basis & Cycle | CAT Weight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 [1] | 85 [1] | 85 [1] | 85 [1] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [1] | 65% in shortlist [1] |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 [2] | 77 [2] | 75 [2] | 80 [2] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [2] | 50% in shortlist [2] |
| IIM Bangalore | 75 [3] | 70 [3] | 65 [3] | 65 [3] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used [3] | 55% in shortlist [3] |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 75 [5] | 50 [5] | 50 [5] | 50 [5] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 70 · transgender candidates: 70) [5] | 50% in final [4] |
| IIM Calcutta | 75 [6] | 70 [6] | 65 [6] | 65 [6] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [6] | 56 pts in shortlist [6] |
| IIM Indore | 90 [7] | 80 [7] | 80 [7] | 80 [7] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [7] | 55% in shortlist [7] |
| IIM Jammu | 75 [9] | 50 [9] | 50 [9] | 50 [9] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 70 · transgender candidates: 70) [9] | 42% in final [8] |
| IIM Kozhikode | 75 [10] | 65 [10] | 65 [10] | 65 [10] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [10] | 50% in shortlist [10] |
| IIM Kashipur | 75 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | 41% in final [11] |
| IIM Lucknow | 82 [13] | 77 [13] | 77 [13] | 77 [13] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [13] | 60% in shortlist [13] |
| IIM Mumbai | 75 [14] | 70 [14] | 65 [14] | 65 [14] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [14] | 60% in final [14] |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 [15] | 55 [15] | 55 [15] | 55 [15] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [15] | 45% in final [15] |
| IIM Ranchi | 89 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [12] | 65% in final [12] |
| IIM Rohtak | 93 [16] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [16] | 60% in final [16] |
| IIM Raipur | 75 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | Not published by IIM Raipur, checked on 9 November 2026 |
| IIM Shillong | — | — | — | — | Not published by institute | 65% in shortlist [17] |
| IIM Sambalpur | 80 [18] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [18] | 40 pts in shortlist [18] |
| IIM Sirmaur | 75 [19] | 50 [19] | 50 [19] | 50 [19] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 70 · transgender candidates: 70) [19] | 35% in final [19] |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 89 [20] | 60 [20] | 60 [20] | 60 [20] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [20] | 52% in final [20] |
| IIM Udaipur | 81 [21] | 55 [21] | 55 [21] | 55 [21] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [21] | 55% in final [21] |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 72 [22] | 63 [22] | 63 [22] | 63 [22] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [22] | 50% in shortlist [22] |

### NC-OBC

| Institute | Overall %ile | VARC %ile | DILR %ile | QA %ile | Basis & Cycle | CAT Weight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 90 [1] | 80 [1] | 80 [1] | 80 [1] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [1] | 65% in shortlist [1] |
| IIM Amritsar | 80 [2] | 65 [2] | 60 [2] | 65 [2] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [2] | 50% in shortlist [2] |
| IIM Bangalore | 75 [3] | 70 [3] | 65 [3] | 65 [3] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used [3] | 55% in shortlist [3] |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 75 [5] | 45 [5] | 45 [5] | 45 [5] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 70 · transgender candidates: 70) [5] | 50% in final [4] |
| IIM Calcutta | 75 [6] | 70 [6] | 65 [6] | 65 [6] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [6] | 56 pts in shortlist [6] |
| IIM Indore | 80 [7] | 70 [7] | 70 [7] | 70 [7] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [7] | 55% in shortlist [7] |
| IIM Jammu | 75 [9] | 45 [9] | 45 [9] | 45 [9] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 70 · transgender candidates: 70) [9] | 42% in final [8] |
| IIM Kozhikode | 75 [10] | 65 [10] | 65 [10] | 65 [10] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [10] | 50% in shortlist [10] |
| IIM Kashipur | 75 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | 41% in final [11] |
| IIM Lucknow | 82 [13] | 77 [13] | 77 [13] | 77 [13] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [13] | 60% in shortlist [13] |
| IIM Mumbai | 75 [14] | 70 [14] | 65 [14] | 65 [14] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [14] | 60% in final [14] |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 [15] | 55 [15] | 55 [15] | 55 [15] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [15] | 45% in final [15] |
| IIM Ranchi | 88.5 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [12] | 65% in final [12] |
| IIM Rohtak | 83 [16] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [16] | 60% in final [16] |
| IIM Raipur | 75 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | 60 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | Not published by IIM Raipur, checked on 9 November 2026 |
| IIM Shillong | — | — | — | — | Not published by institute | 65% in shortlist [17] |
| IIM Sambalpur | 75 [18] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [18] | 40 pts in shortlist [18] |
| IIM Sirmaur | 75 [19] | 45 [19] | 45 [19] | 45 [19] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 70 · transgender candidates: 70) [19] | 35% in final [19] |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 88.5 [20] | 60 [20] | 60 [20] | 60 [20] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [20] | 52% in final [20] |
| IIM Udaipur | 81 [21] | 52 [21] | 52 [21] | 52 [21] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [21] | 55% in final [21] |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 72 [22] | 63 [22] | 63 [22] | 63 [22] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [22] | 50% in shortlist [22] |

### SC

| Institute | Overall %ile | VARC %ile | DILR %ile | QA %ile | Basis & Cycle | CAT Weight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85 [1] | 75 [1] | 75 [1] | 75 [1] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [1] | 65% in shortlist [1] |
| IIM Amritsar | 55 [2] | 52 [2] | 50 [2] | 55 [2] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [2] | 50% in shortlist [2] |
| IIM Bangalore | 70 [3] | 65 [3] | 60 [3] | 60 [3] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used [3] | 55% in shortlist [3] |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 60 [5] | 40 [5] | 40 [5] | 40 [5] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 55 · transgender candidates: 55) [5] | 50% in final [4] |
| IIM Calcutta | 70 [6] | 65 [6] | 60 [6] | 60 [6] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [6] | 56 pts in shortlist [6] |
| IIM Indore | 60 [7] | 55 [7] | 55 [7] | 55 [7] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [7] | 55% in shortlist [7] |
| IIM Jammu | 60 [9] | 40 [9] | 40 [9] | 40 [9] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 55 · transgender candidates: 55) [9] | 42% in final [8] |
| IIM Kozhikode | 65 [10] | 55 [10] | 55 [10] | 55 [10] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [10] | 50% in shortlist [10] |
| IIM Kashipur | 50 [12] | 45 [12] | 45 [12] | 45 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | 41% in final [11] |
| IIM Lucknow | 65 [13] | 55 [13] | 55 [13] | 55 [13] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [13] | 60% in shortlist [13] |
| IIM Mumbai | 70 [14] | 65 [14] | 60 [14] | 60 [14] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [14] | 60% in final [14] |
| IIM Nagpur | 65 [15] | 40 [15] | 40 [15] | 40 [15] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [15] | 45% in final [15] |
| IIM Ranchi | 75 [12] | 45 [12] | 45 [12] | 45 [12] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [12] | 65% in final [12] |
| IIM Rohtak | 60 [16] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [16] | 60% in final [16] |
| IIM Raipur | 50 [12] | 45 [12] | 45 [12] | 45 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | Not published by IIM Raipur, checked on 9 November 2026 |
| IIM Shillong | — | — | — | — | Not published by institute | 65% in shortlist [17] |
| IIM Sambalpur | 55 [18] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [18] | 40 pts in shortlist [18] |
| IIM Sirmaur | 60 [19] | 40 [19] | 40 [19] | 40 [19] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 55 · transgender candidates: 55) [19] | 35% in final [19] |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 75 [20] | 45 [20] | 45 [20] | 45 [20] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [20] | 52% in final [20] |
| IIM Udaipur | 66 [21] | 45 [21] | 45 [21] | 45 [21] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [21] | 55% in final [21] |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 50 [22] | 40 [22] | 40 [22] | 40 [22] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [22] | 50% in shortlist [22] |

### ST

| Institute | Overall %ile | VARC %ile | DILR %ile | QA %ile | Basis & Cycle | CAT Weight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 75 [1] | 65 [1] | 65 [1] | 65 [1] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [1] | 65% in shortlist [1] |
| IIM Amritsar | 40 [2] | 37 [2] | 35 [2] | 40 [2] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [2] | 50% in shortlist [2] |
| IIM Bangalore | 65 [3] | 55 [3] | 55 [3] | 55 [3] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used [3] | 55% in shortlist [3] |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 38 [5] | 25 [5] | 30 [5] | 30 [5] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 35 · transgender candidates: 35) [5] | 50% in final [4] |
| IIM Calcutta | 65 [6] | 55 [6] | 55 [6] | 55 [6] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [6] | 56 pts in shortlist [6] |
| IIM Indore | 45 [7] | 40 [7] | 40 [7] | 40 [7] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [7] | 55% in shortlist [7] |
| IIM Jammu | 38 [9] | 25 [9] | 30 [9] | 30 [9] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 35 · transgender candidates: 35) [9] | 42% in final [8] |
| IIM Kozhikode | 55 [10] | 45 [10] | 45 [10] | 45 [10] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [10] | 50% in shortlist [10] |
| IIM Kashipur | 30 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | 41% in final [11] |
| IIM Lucknow | 60 [13] | 50 [13] | 50 [13] | 50 [13] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [13] | 60% in shortlist [13] |
| IIM Mumbai | 65 [14] | 55 [14] | 55 [14] | 55 [14] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [14] | 60% in final [14] |
| IIM Nagpur | 40 [15] | 30 [15] | 30 [15] | 30 [15] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [15] | 45% in final [15] |
| IIM Ranchi | 44 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [12] | 65% in final [12] |
| IIM Rohtak | 50 [16] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [16] | 60% in final [16] |
| IIM Raipur | 30 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | Not published by IIM Raipur, checked on 9 November 2026 |
| IIM Shillong | — | — | — | — | Not published by institute | 65% in shortlist [17] |
| IIM Sambalpur | 40 [18] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [18] | 40 pts in shortlist [18] |
| IIM Sirmaur | 38 [19] | 25 [19] | 30 [19] | 30 [19] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 35 · transgender candidates: 35) [19] | 35% in final [19] |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 44 [20] | 25 [20] | 25 [20] | 25 [20] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [20] | 52% in final [20] |
| IIM Udaipur | 42 [21] | 25 [21] | 25 [21] | 30 [21] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [21] | 55% in final [21] |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 40 [22] | 30 [22] | 30 [22] | 30 [22] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [22] | 50% in shortlist [22] |

### PwD / DAP

| Institute | Overall %ile | VARC %ile | DILR %ile | QA %ile | Basis & Cycle | CAT Weight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85 (General-PwD policy minimum (lower for EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST-PwD)) [1] | 75 [1] | 75 [1] | 75 [1] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [1] | 65% in shortlist [1] |
| IIM Amritsar | 40 [2] | 37 [2] | 35 [2] | 40 [2] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [2] | 50% in shortlist [2] |
| IIM Bangalore | 60 [3] | 50 [3] | 50 [3] | 50 [3] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used [3] | 55% in shortlist [3] |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 38 [5] | 25 [5] | 30 [5] | 30 [5] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 35 · transgender candidates: 35) [5] | 50% in final [4] |
| IIM Calcutta | 55 [6] | 45 [6] | 45 [6] | 45 [6] | CAT 2026 · Announced minimum [6] | 56 pts in shortlist [6] |
| IIM Indore | 45 [7] | 40 [7] | 40 [7] | 40 [7] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [7] | 55% in shortlist [7] |
| IIM Jammu | 38 [9] | 25 [9] | 30 [9] | 30 [9] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 35 · transgender candidates: 35) [9] | 42% in final [8] |
| IIM Kozhikode | 55 [10] | 45 [10] | 45 [10] | 45 [10] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [10] | 50% in shortlist [10] |
| IIM Kashipur | 30 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | 41% in final [11] |
| IIM Lucknow | 60 [13] | 50 [13] | 50 [13] | 50 [13] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [13] | 60% in shortlist [13] |
| IIM Mumbai | 55 [14] | 45 [14] | 45 [14] | 45 [14] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [14] | 60% in final [14] |
| IIM Nagpur | 40 [15] | 25 [15] | 25 [15] | 25 [15] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [15] | 45% in final [15] |
| IIM Ranchi | 30 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [12] | 65% in final [12] |
| IIM Rohtak | 87 (General-PwD policy minimum (lower for EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST-PwD)) [16] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [16] | 60% in final [16] |
| IIM Raipur | 30 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | 25 [12] | CAT 2025 · Registration floor [12] | Not published by IIM Raipur, checked on 9 November 2026 |
| IIM Shillong | — | — | — | — | Not published by institute | 65% in shortlist [17] |
| IIM Sambalpur | 40 [18] | — | — | — | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [18] | 40 pts in shortlist [18] |
| IIM Sirmaur | 38 [19] | 25 [19] | 30 [19] | 30 [19] | CAT 2025 · Cut-off used (female candidates: 35 · transgender candidates: 35) [19] | 35% in final [19] |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 30 [20] | 25 [20] | 25 [20] | 25 [20] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [20] | 52% in final [20] |
| IIM Udaipur | 42 [21] | 25 [21] | 25 [21] | 30 [21] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [21] | 55% in final [21] |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 40 [22] | 30 [22] | 30 [22] | 30 [22] | CAT 2025 · Announced minimum [22] | 50% in shortlist [22] |

> Note: Announced minimums are eligibility floors to enter an IIM’s shortlisting pool; actual composite-score calls depend on academics, work experience, diversity weights, and candidate pool.
> Note: Institutes marked "Registration floor" publish only the minimum CAT percentile needed to register for their CAP/SAP or institute portal, without publishing the final shortlist percentile.

## Official CAT Candidate Volume, Attendance & 100-Percentilers (2023 → 2025)

Figures published in official IIM CAT post-exam and result media releases, ordered oldest to newest.

| Metric | CAT 2023 | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Registered candidates | 3,28,000 [23] | 3,29,000 [24] | 2,95,000 [25] |
| Appeared candidates | 2,88,000 [23] | 2,93,000 [24] | 2,58,000 [25] |
| Attendance percentage | 88% [23] | 89% [24] | 86% [25] |
| Test cities | 167 [23] | 170 [24] | 170 [25] |
| 100 percentile scorers | 14 [26] | 14 [27] | 12 [28] |
| 99.99 percentile scorers | 29 [26] | 29 [27] | 26 [28] |
| 99.98 percentile scorers | 29 [26] | 30 [27] | 26 [28] |
| Answer-key objections received | 85 [26] | 405 [29] | 187 [30] |
| Objections accepted across shifts | 2 [26] | 0 [29] | 1 [30] |

> Note: CAT 2026 registration, attendance, and top-scorer counts are marked Not published by IIM until the official CAT 2026 media releases are issued.

## 5 Validated Sample Questions with Setter-Trap Warnings & In-Test AI Hints (+3.00 correct · -1.00 negative (MCQs) · 40 min sectional lock)

Strictly sampled from standalone topic drills on [MockTestZone](https://www.mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-tests) — never from ranked full mocks or 30-day series slots.

### Q1. [Quantitative Ability (QA) — Arithmetic — Time, Work & Alternating Efficiency] (+3.00 / -1.00 · Target 75s · MEDIUM)

Pipes A and B can fill an empty cistern in 12 hours and 15 hours respectively, while Pipe C can empty the full cistern in 20 hours. If all three pipes are opened together for the first 6 hours and Pipe C is then closed, how many MORE hours will Pipes A and B take together to fill the remaining part of the cistern?

- **(A)** 1 hour 20 minutes *(Correct Answer)*
- **(B)** 7 hours 20 minutes *(Common Setter Trap)*
- **(C)** 4 hours
- **(D)** 1 hour 12 minutes

- **In-Test AI Hint · Level 1 Nudge (Concept Nudge (No Spoiler)):** Take Total Capacity = LCM(12, 15, 20) = 60 units. Re-read the final question phrase carefully: does it ask for total time or additional time after hour 6?
- **Setter-Trap Warning (Why Option B Traps Aspirants — Total Time vs "How Many MORE Hours" Stem Trap):** In CAT QA, solving the math right and still losing 4 net marks (+3 lost, -1 penalty) happens when you miss the word "MORE". 60 - 36 = 24 units left; at 9 units/hr, extra time is 24/9 = 4/3 hrs (1 hr 20 min), not 6 + 4/3.
- **Correct Answer (A) & Fast Exam-Hall Shortcut:** LCM(12,15,20) = 60 units. Rates: A = +5, B = +4, C = -3 (Net = +6/hr). In 6 hrs: 36 filled, 24 left. C closes ⇒ A+B = +9/hr ⇒ 24/9 = 4/3 hrs = 1 hr 20 min.
- **Practice Full Timed Mock Free:** https://www.mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-tests

### Q2. [Quantitative Ability (QA) — Algebra — Logarithms & AM-GM Domain Constraints] (+3.00 / -1.00 · Target 90s · HARD)

For real numbers x > 1 and y > 1, what is the minimum possible value of log_x(y²) + log_y(x⁸)?

- **(A)** 4
- **(B)** 8 *(Correct Answer)*
- **(C)** 10 *(Common Setter Trap)*
- **(D)** 6

- **In-Test AI Hint · Level 1 Nudge (Concept Nudge (No Spoiler)):** Pull out the exponents using log(a^k) = k·log(a), then set t = log_x(y). Since x > 1 and y > 1, t > 0.
- **Setter-Trap Warning (Why Option C Traps Aspirants — Symmetric Plug-In (x = y ⇒ 10) Trap):** Many test-takers plug in x = y = 2 to get 2 + 8 = 10 and pick Option C. But the expression is 2t + 8/t, which reaches its minimum when 2t = 8/t ⇒ t = 2 (i.e., y = x²), giving 4 + 4 = 8.
- **Correct Answer (B) & Fast Exam-Hall Shortcut:** Rewrite as 2·log_x(y) + 8·log_y(x) = 2t + 8/t (with t > 0). By AM-GM: 2t + 8/t ≥ 2√(2t · 8/t) = 2√16 = 8.
- **Practice Full Timed Mock Free:** https://www.mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-tests

### Q3. [Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) — Critical Reasoning — Flaw in Causal Argument] (+3.00 / -1.00 · Target 70s · MEDIUM)

Argument: "Municipalities that installed smart LED streetlamps over the past three years reported a 22% drop in nighttime traffic collisions. Clearly, the narrower spectral glare of smart LEDs directly improves driver reaction times at night."

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the author’s conclusion?

- **(A)** Smart LED streetlamps consume 45% less electricity than high-pressure sodium lamps.
- **(B)** Every municipality that qualified for the smart LED grant was required by the same mandate to redesign high-risk intersections and add automated speed cameras. *(Correct Answer)*
- **(C)** Some rural highways without any streetlamps saw no change in nighttime collision rates during the same three-year period.
- **(D)** Laboratory tests show that driver pupil constriction differs by less than 4% between sodium lamps and smart LEDs. *(Common Setter Trap)*

- **In-Test AI Hint · Level 1 Nudge (Concept Nudge (No Spoiler)):** The author leaps from a city-level correlation (LED rollout → fewer crashes) to a single cause (spectral glare). Look for a confounding change bundled with the rollout.
- **Setter-Trap Warning (Why Option D Traps Aspirants — Scientific-Jargon Distractor Trap):** CAT VARC setters craft one option with clinical terminology ("pupil constriction differs by < 4%") to lure test-takers away from the classic confounding variable in Option B (intersection redesign + speed cameras).
- **Correct Answer (B) & Fast Exam-Hall Shortcut:** Causal pattern: X (LEDs) correlated with Y (22% drop). Best weakener introduces Z (mandated speed cameras & intersection redesigns) that occurred alongside X and causes Y.
- **Practice Full Timed Mock Free:** https://www.mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-tests

### Q4. [Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) — Games & Tournaments — Seeded Knockout Upset Counting] (+3.00 / -1.00 · Target 85s · MEDIUM)

In a 16-player single-elimination knockout tennis tournament with an open draw (Seeds 1 to 16 may be placed in any initial bracket slots, no ties), an "upset" occurs whenever a numerically higher seed-number defeats a lower seed-number (e.g., Seed 9 beats Seed 4). If Seed 6 wins the tournament title and Seed 1 reaches the Semi-Finals before losing, what is the MINIMUM possible number of upsets in the entire 15-match tournament?

- **(A)** 1 *(Common Setter Trap)*
- **(B)** 2 *(Correct Answer)*
- **(C)** 3
- **(D)** 4

- **In-Test AI Hint · Level 1 Nudge (Concept Nudge (No Spoiler)):** Seeds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are all seeded ahead of Seed 6 and must all be eliminated. To minimize upsets, let Seed 1 and Seed 2 eliminate Seeds 3, 4, and 5 in normal (non-upset) matches!
- **Setter-Trap Warning (Why Option A Traps Aspirants — Single-Upset Tunnel Vision Trap):** Since Seed 1 loses in the Semi-Final (not the Final), Seed 1 cannot eliminate Seed 2 in the Final. Thus both Seed 1’s half and Seed 2’s half must produce a finalist, requiring at least 2 upsets to eliminate all five seeds ranked above 6.
- **Correct Answer (B) & Fast Exam-Hall Shortcut:** Put {1,3,4,5} in Q1 (won by Seed 1, 0 upsets) and {6,7,8,9} in Q2 (won by Seed 6, 0 upsets). SF1: Seed 6 beats Seed 1 (Upset #1). Put Seed 2 with {10..16} in Half 2 (won by Seed 2, 0 upsets). Final: Seed 6 beats Seed 2 (Upset #2). Minimum = 2.
- **Practice Full Timed Mock Free:** https://www.mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-tests

### Q5. [Quantitative Ability (QA) — Number System — Factors of N² That Are Less Than N] (+3.00 / -1.00 · Target 60s · MEDIUM)

Let N = 2³ × 3² × 5¹. How many positive divisors of N² are strictly less than N but do NOT divide N?

- **(A)** 29 *(Correct Answer)*
- **(B)** 52 *(Common Setter Trap)*
- **(C)** 28
- **(D)** 81

- **In-Test AI Hint · Level 1 Nudge (Concept Nudge (No Spoiler)):** Every divisor d < N of N² pairs uniquely with N²/d > N. Find how many divisors of N² are < N, then remove those that already divide N (and are < N).
- **Setter-Trap Warning (Why Option B Traps Aspirants — Half-Formula Stop Trap (52 vs 29) + Off-by-One Trap (28)):** d(N) = 4 × 3 × 2 = 24, and d(N²) = 7 × 5 × 3 = 105. Divisors of N² less than N = (105 - 1)/2 = 52. Proper divisors of N less than N = 24 - 1 = 23. Answer = 52 - 23 = 29.
- **Correct Answer (A) & Fast Exam-Hall Shortcut:** Direct formula: [(d(N²) - 1) / 2] - [d(N) - 1] = [(105 - 1)/2] - [24 - 1] = 52 - 23 = 29.
- **Practice Full Timed Mock Free:** https://www.mocktestzone.in/cat-mock-tests

## Official Normalisation & Scoring Rules (Verbatim)

### Multi-session normalisation and sectional equating [33]

> "In order to ensure fairness and equity in comparison of performances of candidates across different test sessions, the scores of candidates shall be subjected to a process of Normalisation. The Normalisation process shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalisation across different forms, the scores shall be further normalised across different sections. The Scaled Scores obtained by this process shall be converted into percentiles for purposes of shortlisting."
> — *CAT 2025: normalisation, scoring and equating process* (p.1)

### CAT percentile calculation and rounding [34]

> "Step 1: Calculate the total number of candidates (N) who appeared for CAT (i.e. including morning, afternoon and evening sessions). Step 2: Assign a rank (r), based on the scaled scores obtained in the QA section, to all candidates who appeared for CAT. In the case of two or more candidates obtaining identical scaled scores in the QA section, assign identical ranks to all those candidates."
> — *CAT 2025: scaled score calculation* (p.3, Percentile Score Calculation Steps 1 to 3)

## Official Timeline & Release Dates

- **CAT 2026 — CAT 2026 examination date (3 sessions):** 29 November 2026 *(Confirmed)* [31]
- **CAT 2026 — CAT 2026 result window:** 24 December 2026 *(Estimated from past years)*
- **CAT 2025 — CAT 2025 exam to scorecard release:** 30 November 2025 → 24 December 2025 *(Confirmed)* [28]

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between an IIM announced minimum percentile and an applied shortlist cut-off?

An announced minimum (such as 95 overall for IIM Ahmedabad General or 85 overall for IIM Calcutta General in their 2026 policies) is the eligibility floor printed in the IIM admission policy to enter the shortlisting pool. An applied cut-off is the lowest percentile that actually received a WAT-PI shortlist call in a completed cycle.

### Why do both overall and sectional CAT percentiles matter for IIM calls?

Almost every IIM checks four gates simultaneously: VARC percentile, DILR percentile, QA percentile, and Overall percentile. Falling below even one sectional minimum disqualifies a candidate from that IIM’s shortlist pool regardless of how high the overall percentile is.

### How many candidates appeared in CAT 2025 and how are CAT percentiles calculated?

According to the official CAT 2025 result media release, 2,58,000 candidates appeared across the three sessions. Raw scores in each section are equated across sessions into scaled scores, summed for the overall scaled score, and converted into percentiles rounded to two decimal places.

### Is there negative marking on TITA (non-MCQ) questions in CAT 2026?

No. Under the official CAT 2026 marking rules, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) award +3 marks for a correct answer and deduct 1 mark (-1) for a wrong answer, whereas typed non-MCQ (TITA) questions award +3 marks for a correct answer and carry 0 negative marks.

## Free Full-Length Mock Tests with Built-In AI Coach

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## Official Sources Cited

1. **IIM Ahmedabad: admission policy for PGP 2027-29 (CAT 2026)** — [Official document](https://www.iima.ac.in/sites/default/files/2026-09/AdmissionProcedure_PGP_1109_2026.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `7729da58bc6bcaed…`)*
2. **IIM Amritsar: MBA admission web page (CAT 2025)** — [Official document](https://iimamritsar.ac.in/academics/mba/admission) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `f06ae1dc6184a3dc…`)*
3. **IIM Bangalore: PGP 2027-29 admission procedure** — [Official document](https://www.iimb.ac.in/sites/default/files/inline-files/PGP-admissions-process_2027.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `1cca1815a663ce9e…`)*
4. **IIM Bodh Gaya: MBA admission policy 2026-28** — [Official document](https://iimbg.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IIMBG_MBA_Admission-Policy_2026-28.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `a5cdf0f5080892fd…`)*
5. **IIM Bodh Gaya: EOI percentile cut-offs for CAP 2026** — [Official document](https://iimbg.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/EOI-Percentile-Cut-offs-for-CAP-2026_IIM-Bodh-Gaya.pdf) *(read 10 November 2026, sha256 `ac892064ed2cd41a…`)*
6. **IIM Calcutta: admission procedure for domestic candidates, web page (CAT 2026)** — [Official document](https://www.iimcal.ac.in/programs/pgp/admission/admission-policy/admission-procedure-for-domestic-candidates) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `ab0485dced3c4903…`)*
7. **IIM Indore: PGP 2026-28 admissions procedure** — [Official document](https://iimidr.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Admissions-Procedure-PGP-2026-28-Batch.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `af2497d536d7694b…`)*
8. **IIM Jammu: MBA admission policy web page (CAT 2025)** — [Official document](https://www.iimj.ac.in/programs/post-graduate-program-pgp/admission-policy.php) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `031b2959a4b19926…`)*
9. **CAP 2026 (IIM Bodh Gaya, Jammu and Sirmaur): cut-off percentile for PI** — [Official document](https://cap2026.iimj.ac.in/public/uploads/document/CAP-2026-cut-off_policy_MBA.pdf) · [Archive copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260407011200id_/https://cap2026.iimj.ac.in/public/uploads/document/CAP-2026-cut-off_policy_MBA.pdf) *(read 10 November 2026, sha256 `416116a513987c56…`)*
10. **IIM Kozhikode: PGP admissions policy and procedure, 2026-28 batch** — [Official document](https://iimk.ac.in/uploads/programsmenu/PGP%20Admissions%20Policy%2026-28_20251209102809.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `d699bfad2d154879…`)*
11. **IIM Kashipur: MBA admission policy 2026-28** — [Official document](https://www.iimkashipur.ac.in/admin/pdf/173372323875.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `67645173acdb7132…`)*
12. **IIM Ranchi: common admission criteria for MBA programmes, 2026** — [Official document](https://iimranchi.ac.in/media/2026/04/Admission-Criteria-2026.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `02a63b48d4617f0f…`)*
13. **IIM Lucknow: admission policy for MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM, 2026-28** — [Official document](https://www.iiml.ac.in/sites/default/files/2025-07/IIML%20Admission%20Policy%20Batch%202026-2028.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `3a3d9f18e436ba5e…`)*
14. **IIM Mumbai: MBA admission policy, batch 2026-28** — [Official document](https://iimmumbai.ac.in/admissions/assets/admission-policy-2026-MBA.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `02a06a05dda955e9…`)*
15. **IIM Nagpur: admissions policy web page (CAT 2025)** — [Official document](https://www.iimnagpur.ac.in/admissions/mba/admissions-policy/) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `d42e3f73864e98cf…`)*
16. **IIM Rohtak: PGP admission policy 2026-28** — [Official document](https://www.iimrohtak.ac.in/panel/assets/images/admission-policy/pgpadmissionpolicy2026-28.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `bdac3b00af3953a2…`)*
17. **IIM Shillong: PGP 2026-28 admissions process** — [Official document](https://www.iimshillong.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PGP-2026-28-Admission-Process.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `d0e519c088ed5f8a…`)*
18. **IIM Sambalpur: MBA 2026-28 admission policy** — [Official document](https://iimsambalpur.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MBA-2026-28-Admission-Policy-1.pdf) *(read 10 November 2026, sha256 `98d7e02564a912fe…`)*
19. **IIM Sirmaur: MBA admission policy 2026, web page** — [Official document](https://admissions.iimsirmaur.ac.in/mba-admissions-policy-2026) *(read 10 November 2026, sha256 `bacc9cd44810ace0…`)*
20. **IIM Tiruchirappalli: PGPM admissions web page (CAT 2025)** — [Official document](https://www.iimtrichy.ac.in/en/pgpm-admin-criteria) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `d75b1173a911090d…`)*
21. **IIM Udaipur: two-year MBA admissions web page (CAT 2025)** — [Official document](https://mba.iimu.ac.in/admissions/) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `f795772318aa3493…`)*
22. **IIM Visakhapatnam: admission process and criteria web page (CAT 2025)** — [Official document](https://www.iimv.ac.in/programs/pgp/admissions/pgp-adms-adm-prcs-crtra) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `df8b31ab8ffda53e…`)*
23. **CAT 2023 media release, 27 November 2023** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/ASM/WebPortal/12/PDF/CAT_2023_Media_Release_27th_Nov_2023.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `85209c7891b36f37…`)*
24. **CAT 2024 media release, 25 November 2024 (updated 27 November 2024)** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/CAT24/CAT_2024_Media_Release_25_Nov_2024_V1.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `190d5c749ad68570…`)*
25. **CAT 2025 media release, 1 December 2025** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/image/CAT2025/CAT_2025_Media_Release_01_Dec_2025.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `10bf00577cb58c03…`)*
26. **CAT 2023 media release, 21 December 2023 (results)** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/ASM/WebPortal/12/PDF/Media_Release_CAT_2023_21st_Dec_2023.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `e4060dcd2f0b0b36…`)*
27. **CAT 2024 media release, 19 December 2024 (results), iimcat.ac.in copy** — [Official document](https://iimcat.ac.in/per/g06/pub/32842/ASM/WebPortal/1/PDF/2024_CATMedia_Release_19Th_Dec2024.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `e7bc8b0bc311f0a8…`)*
28. **CAT 2025 media release, 24 December 2025 (results)** — [Official document](https://g03.tcsion.com/per/g03/pub/726/EForms/image/ImageDocUpload/71161/3/2401853200.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `832ca0ee9ffe9db5…`)*
29. **CAT 2024 media release, 16 December 2024 (final answer keys)** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/CAT24/CAT_2024_Media_Release_16_Dec_2024_V1.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `825fd1e34109e4f5…`)*
30. **CAT 2025 media release, 17 December 2025 (final answer keys)** — [Official document](https://g03.tcsion.com/per/g03/pub/726/EForms/image/ImageDocUpload/71161/3/1101798724.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `879ffceeb7d369dd…`)*
31. **CAT 2026 press release, 26 July 2026** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/image/CAT2026/CAT_2026_Press_Release_26-07-2026.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `5768dafaf8d9304c…`)*
32. **CAT 2026 website: FAQ** — [Official document](https://iimcat.ac.in/per/g06/pub/32842/ASM/WebPortal/1/1/XML/faq.xml) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `01136b0f32a22277…`)*
33. **CAT 2025: normalisation, scoring and equating process** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/image/CAT2025/Scoring_Equating_Process_2025.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `151677d79ba4c434…`)*
34. **CAT 2025: scaled score calculation** — [Official document](https://g03.tcsion.com/per/g03/pub/726/EForms/image/ImageDocUpload/71161/2/8901440706.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `36360b0809d38343…`)*
35. **CAT 2025 press release, 30 July 2025** — [Official document](https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/image/CAT2025/CAT_2025_Press_Release.pdf) *(read 9 November 2026, sha256 `78531c45e490ad74…`)*