CAT Percentile: A Comprehensive guide

CAT (Common Admission Test) holds a very special place, especially among the aspirants who wants to pursue management degree in India. Achieving a good percentile is very important to get admission into the top-notch business schools. CAT Percentile is a standardized measure that indicates the relative performance of a candidate in comparison to other test-takers. It is not the same as percentage marks. The CAT sylabus is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

This article will cover the basics of CAT percentile, like what exactly is CAT percentile, how it is calculated and how important it is to score well.

How is CAT percentile calculated?

The percentile for CAT is calculated using a formula that considers various factors like the number of candidates who appeared for the exam. Factors like candidate’s raw score, the average score of all candidates.

The percentile score (P) of a candidate with rank (r) is calculated as follows:

Significance of CAT percentile

CAT percentile plays a pivotal role in the selection process of top business schools. It isnot just a number, it reflects your aptitude, readiness, and competitive spirit. A high CAT percentile increases your chances of securing a seat into prestigious institutes. It is often the first criteria in shortlisting candidates for further rounds of selection, which include Written Ability Tests (WAT), Group Discussions (GD), and Personal Interviews (PI). One best way to increase the percentile is by appearing for as many mock tests as possible. This will help you in rectifying your mistakes.

Many candidates often think that only with a good percentile they can get into the prestigious colleges. Whereas, the truth is business schools considers all the factors like academic records, extracurricular activities, and performance in further selection rounds. Thus, just a good percentile is not going to guarantee you a seat into the reputed colleges.

In the competitive world of management education, a high percentile can be your ticket to success. Normally, a percentile above 95 is considered as a good percentile. It is a overall reflection of your hard work, dedication, and potential.

Also Read: How to fill CAT form

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a CAT percentile?

It is a measure indicating your performance compared to other candidates in the exam.

2. Is a high overall percentile enough for admission?

While a high overall percentile is beneficial, sectional percentiles and other selection criteria also matters.

3. Are CAT percentiles the same as percentage marks?

No, CAT percentiles are a relative measure, unlike percentage marks.