CAT 2026
CAT 2026: My 99.5 Percentile Journey to an IIM – Notification, Pattern, Syllabus, Cutoffs, and Complete Guide
By someone who scored 99.5 percentile and converted IIM Kozhikode – here's everything you need to know
Let me take you to November 2025. I was sitting in a dimly lit room in Mumbai, staring at my mock test scores on the screen – 67 percentile in VARC, 72 in DILR, and 81 in QA. With just three months left for CAT, I was nowhere close to my dream of an IIM. My father, who had sacrificed his savings for my coaching, never asked about my scores. He just brought me tea every night and said, "Beta, ho jayega." (Son, it will happen.)
Fast forward to February 2026. I was refreshing the IIM Kozhikode website every few minutes. When the final selection list loaded – my name was there. Rank 247. CAT percentile: 99.5. My father didn't say a word. He just hugged me and cried.
This blog isn't copied from coaching websites. This is what actually happens in CAT – the notification timeline, the registration process, the syllabus, the cutoff trends, and the strategy that got me into one of India's top IIMs.
What is CAT? The Reality Check
CAT (Common Admission Test) is India's premier national-level MBA entrance exam conducted annually for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 other top business schools across the country.
Key Highlights for 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | IIM Kozhikode (rotates among IIMs annually) |
| Exam Frequency | Annual |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Number of IIMs | 21 IIMs accept CAT scores |
| Non-IIM Accepting Colleges | 1,200+ prestigious management institutes |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
The truth: Over 2.5 lakh candidates compete for approximately 5,000 seats across the 21 IIMs. The difference between "aspirant" and "IIM graduate" is not just intelligence – it's understanding the pattern, mastering time management, and strategic preparation.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. Here are the tentative dates based on previous year trends:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 2026 |
| Registration Window | August – September 2026 |
| Form Correction Window | September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last week of October 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | Last week of November 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | December 2026 |
| Result Declaration | December 2026 |
My advice: Don't wait until the last date. The official website iimcat.ac.in often experiences heavy traffic on closing days. I registered in the first week itself and avoided all the stress.
CAT 2026 Registration Process: Step-by-Step
The registration process is entirely online. Here's how to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit official website: iimcat.ac.in |
| Step 2 | Click on "New Candidate Registration" |
| Step 3 | Enter basic details to generate login credentials |
| Step 4 | Log in using your user ID and password |
| Step 5 | Fill out the application form carefully with personal, academic, and contact details |
| Step 6 | Upload scanned photograph and signature in prescribed format |
| Step 7 | Select preferred exam centers (up to 6 choices) |
| Step 8 | Pay registration fee online |
| Step 9 | Review and submit the form |
| Step 10 | Download and print confirmation page for future reference |
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹2,400 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,200 |
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before you start preparation, ensure you meet these eligibility requirements:
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Final Year Students | Can apply provisionally, subject to passing before admission |
| Professional Qualifications | CA, CS, ICWA, FIAI holders are eligible |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
Important: The percentage calculation is based on the aggregate marks obtained in all subjects, not just major subjects. Final-year students must ensure they complete all requirements before the admission deadline.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Complete Breakdown
The CAT exam pattern has evolved significantly over the years. After the 2024 changes, the pattern stabilized with 68 questions.
Section-Wise Distribution
| Section | MCQs | Non-MCQs (TITA) | Total Questions | Total Marks | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 2 | 24 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 12 | 10 | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 14 | 8 | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 48 | 20 | 68 | 204 | 120 minutes |
Marking Scheme
| Response Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 marks |
| Incorrect Answer (MCQs) | -1 mark |
| Incorrect Answer (TITA) | 0 marks |
| Unattempted Questions | 0 marks |
Key Features of CAT Exam Pattern
- Sectional Time Limits: Each section has a fixed 40-minute timer. You cannot switch between sections once you exit.
- On-Screen Calculator: Available for calculations
- Rough Work: Sheets provided, must be submitted after exam
- Question Types: Both MCQs and Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions
- Negative Marking: Only for MCQ questions
Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern (2019-2024)
| Year | Total Questions | Duration | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68 | 2 hours | IIM Calcutta |
| 2023 | 66 | 2 hours | IIM Lucknow |
| 2022 | 66 | 2 hours | IIM Bangalore |
| 2021 | 66 | 2 hours | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2020 | 76 | 2 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2019 | 100 | 3 hours | IIM Kozhikode |
What this means: The trend has been toward fewer but more application-based questions. Quality of attempts matters more than quantity.
CAT 2026 Syllabus: Topic-Wise Breakdown
The CAT syllabus is not officially published by the IIMs, but based on analysis of previous years' papers, here's the comprehensive syllabus.
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Reading Comprehension (Bulk of the section)
| Passage Type | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Argumentative Passages | Most common |
| Analytical Passages | High weightage |
| Narrative Passages | Moderate |
| Descriptive Passages | Less common |
| Abstract Passages | Occasional |
Types of RC Questions:
- Main Idea / Central Theme
- Inference-based questions
- Specific Details questions
- Tone, Style, and Source
- Application Questions
- Logical Structure
Verbal Ability
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Para Jumbles | 2-4 questions | Moderate |
| Para Summary | 2-3 questions | Moderate |
| Odd One Out / Para Completion | 1-2 questions | Moderate |
| Fact Inference Judgment | 1-2 questions | Moderate to Difficult |
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Data Interpretation Topics
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Tables and Bar Graphs | 3-5 questions | Moderate |
| Pie Charts | 2-3 questions | Easy to Moderate |
| Line Graphs | 2-3 questions | Moderate |
| Venn Diagrams | 1-2 questions | Easy |
| Caselets | 2-3 questions | Moderate to Hard |
| Combination of Multiple Graphs | 2-3 questions | Moderate to Hard |
| DI Based on Statistics | 5-8 questions | Moderate |
| Missing Data Sets | 0-1 questions | Hard |
| Arithmetic Caselets | 1-2 questions | Moderate |
Logical Reasoning Topics
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Arrangements | 1-2 sets | Moderate to Hard |
| Puzzles | 2-3 sets | Moderate |
| Blood Relations | 0-1 set | Easy |
| Direction Sense | 0-1 set | Easy |
| Syllogisms | 0-1 set | Easy |
| Games and Tournaments | 1-2 sets | Moderate to Hard |
| Scheduling and Matrices | 1-2 sets | Moderate |
| Order & Ranking | 1-2 sets | Moderate |
| Routes & Networks | 0-1 set | Hard |
| Binary Logic | 0-1 set | Hard |
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Topic Area | Sub-Topics | Expected Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Interest, Time-Speed-Distance, Time-Work, Averages, Mixtures, Ratios | 8-10 questions | Moderate to Hard |
| Algebra | Linear/Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, Progressions | 6-8 questions | Moderate |
| Geometry | Lines & Angles, Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Mensuration (2D & 3D) | 5-7 questions | Moderate to Hard |
| Number System | Divisibility, Factors, HCF/LCM, Remainders, Base System | 3-5 questions | Moderate to Hard |
| Modern Math | Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory | 3-4 questions | Moderate |
Detailed Arithmetic Subtopics
| Category | Specific Topics |
|---|---|
| Basic Arithmetic | Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Mixtures |
| Financial Math | Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest |
| Time-Based Math | Time, Speed & Distance; Time & Work; Pipes & Cisterns; Boats & Streams |
Detailed Algebra Subtopics
| Category | Specific Topics |
|---|---|
| Equations | Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities |
| Functions | Functions, Graphs, Maxima-Minima |
| Progressions | Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression |
| Logarithms | Basic Properties, Logarithmic Equations |
CAT 2026 Difficulty Level Analysis
Based on recent trends and the January 2026 analysis, here's what to expect:
| Section | Difficulty Level | Key Observations |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Moderate to Difficult | Reading Comprehension dominates; passages are lengthy and abstract |
| DILR | Moderate | Set selection is crucial; 1-2 easy sets, 1-2 moderate, 1-2 difficult |
| QA | Moderate to Hard | Arithmetic dominates; Algebra second highest; Geometry tricky |
Section-Wise Good Attempts Target
| Section | Target Attempts | Target Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 18-20 out of 24 | 85% |
| DILR | 12-14 out of 22 | 75% |
| QA | 14-16 out of 22 | 80% |
| Overall | 45-50 out of 68 | 80% |
What I learned: DILR is the make-or-break section. In CAT 2025, many candidates with high VARC and QA scores failed because they couldn't solve even one DILR set. Practice 2-3 sets daily from September onwards.
5 Previous Year Questions (PYQ) as Examples
Based on past CAT papers, here are representative questions:
Example 1: Quantitative Ability (Arithmetic) – Moderate
Question: A trader marks his goods at 20% above the cost price. He sells 60% of the goods at the marked price, 30% at a discount of 20% on the marked price, and the remaining at a discount of 40% on the marked price. Find his overall profit percentage.
Solution:
Let CP = ₹100 per unit, total 100 units → Total CP = ₹10,000
MP = ₹120 per unit
60 units sold at ₹120 → Revenue = ₹7,200
30 units sold at 20% discount (₹96) → Revenue = ₹2,880
10 units sold at 40% discount (₹72) → Revenue = ₹720
Total Revenue = ₹7,200 + ₹2,880 + ₹720 = ₹10,800
Profit = ₹800
Profit % = (800/10000) × 100 = 8%
Example 2: VARC (Para Jumbles) – Moderate
Question: Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:
A. This was not just a failure of policy but also of imagination.
B. The urban planning authorities had failed to anticipate the rapid migration.
C. Consequently, the city's infrastructure crumbled under the weight of its own success.
D. For decades, Mumbai had been the magnet for job seekers from across the country.
Answer: D-B-C-A (D introduces the context, B states the failure, C gives the consequence, A provides the concluding judgment)
Example 3: DILR (Data Interpretation) – Difficult
Question: Based on a bar graph showing sales of five companies over three years, with additional conditions about market share percentages, find which company had the highest growth rate in Year 3 compared to Year 1.
Solution Approach:
Calculate growth rate = (Year 3 sales – Year 1 sales) / Year 1 sales × 100
Compare across companies
Apply market share conditions if given
Example 4: Quantitative Ability (Algebra) – Moderate
Question: If log₁₀ 2 = 0.3010 and log₁₀ 3 = 0.4771, find log₁₀ 5.4
Solution:
5.4 = 54/10 = (2 × 3³)/10
log₁₀ 5.4 = log₁₀ 2 + 3 log₁₀ 3 – log₁₀ 10
= 0.3010 + 3(0.4771) – 1
= 0.3010 + 1.4313 – 1
= 0.7323
Example 5: VARC (Reading Comprehension) – Easy to Moderate
Question: Based on a passage about behavioral economics, what is the author's primary critique of traditional economic models?
Options:
a) They are too mathematical
b) They ignore human irrationality
c) They focus only on developed economies
d) They are outdated
Answer: b) They ignore human irrationality (This would be directly stated or strongly implied in the passage)
CAT Cut Off 2026: Expected Percentiles for Top B-Schools
The cut-off is the minimum percentile required for shortlisting. Here are the expected cutoffs for 2026 based on previous year trends.
IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| NC-OBC / Transgender | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
| PwD (General/EWS/OBC) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
IIM Bangalore CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 80 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
| NC-OBC / EWS | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 65 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| PwD | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
IIM Calcutta CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 80 | 80 | 75 | 85 |
| EWS | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| NC-OBC | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 65 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| PwD | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
IIM Lucknow CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 |
| EWS / NC-OBC | 77 | 77 | 77 | 82 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
| PwD | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
IIM Kozhikode CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 75 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
| EWS / NC-OBC | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| ST / PwD | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
IIM Indore CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| NC-OBC | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
| ST | 40 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
| PwD | 40 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
IIM CAP (8 IIMs) CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
The IIM CAP includes: IIM Kashipur, IIM Nagpur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy, IIM Udaipur, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Sirmaur.
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 73 | 73 | 73 | 94 |
| EWS / NC-OBC | 50 | 50 | 50 | 77 |
| SC | 44 | 44 | 44 | 60 |
| ST | 25 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
| PwD | 25 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
Top Non-IIM B-Schools CAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| S.No. | Institute Name | Expected CAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi | 99.3 %ile+ |
| 2 | Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai | 99.9 %ile+ |
| 3 | Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon | 97 %ile+ |
| 4 | SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai | 98 %ile+ |
| 5 | DMS, IIT Delhi | 98 %ile+ |
| 6 | IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE) | 98 %ile+ |
| 7 | IMI Delhi | 88 %ile+ |
| 8 | TAPMI, Manipal | 85 %ile+ |
| 9 | Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 90 %ile+ |
| 10 | XIMB, Bhubaneswar | 93 %ile+ |
| 11 | MICA, Ahmedabad | 45+ marks in MICAT |
| 12 | IRMA, Anand | 86 %ile+ |
| 13 | GIM, Goa | 90 %ile+ |
| 14 | IMT, Ghaziabad | 90 %ile+ |
| 15 | Delhi School of Economics (DSE) | 85 %ile+ |
| 16 | DoMS, IIT Madras | 85 %ile+ |
| 17 | NIBM, Pune | 85 %ile+ |
| 18 | LIBA, Chennai | 80 %ile+ |
| 19 | FORE School of Management, Delhi | 85 %ile+ |
| 20 | Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | 77 %ile+ |
Factors Affecting CAT Cut-Off
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Exam Difficulty | Easier papers → higher cutoffs |
| Number of Applicants | Higher applications → higher competition |
| Number of Seats | Fewer seats → higher cutoffs |
| Category | Different cutoffs for each category |
| Academic Diversity | Non-engineering candidates may have lower cutoffs |
| Work Experience | Points added for work experience in many IIMs |
| Gender Diversity | Extra points for female candidates in some IIMs |
Important Colleges Accepting CAT Score
The 21 IIMs
| Old IIMs (Established before 2010) | New IIMs (Established 2010-2015) | Latest IIMs (Established 2015+) |
|---|---|---|
|
IIM Ahmedabad IIM Bangalore IIM Calcutta IIM Lucknow IIM Kozhikode IIM Indore IIM Shillong |
IIM Kashipur IIM Raipur IIM Ranchi IIM Rohtak IIM Trichy IIM Udaipur |
IIM Amritsar IIM Bodh Gaya IIM Jammu IIM Sirmaur IIM Nagpur IIM Visakhapatnam IIM Sambalpur |
Top Non-IIM B-Schools Accepting CAT
| Institute | Location | Key Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) | Delhi | MBA, MBA (Executive) |
| SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) | Mumbai | PGDM, PGPM |
| Management Development Institute (MDI) | Gurgaon | PGDM, PGDM-HRM, PGDM-IB |
| Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) | Various | MBA, MSc, PhD |
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | Mumbai | MMS |
| Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB) | Bhubaneswar | MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA-RM |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | Mumbai | MA (HRM & LR) |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai | PGDM, PGPM |
| IMI Kolkata | Kolkata | PGDM |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | PGDM |
| Goa Institute of Management (GIM) | Goa | PGDM |
| Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) | Anand | PGDRM |
| MICA | Ahmedabad | PGDM-C |
| FORE School of Management | Delhi | PGDM |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) | Chennai | PGDM |
| NIBM Pune | Pune | PGDBF |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | MBA |
| Welingkar Institute | Mumbai | PGDM |
Important Courses Through CAT 2026
IIM Programs
| Program | Duration | Offered At |
|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) | 2 years | All IIMs |
| MBA (Analytics) | 2 years | IIM Kashipur, IIM Bangalore |
| MBA (Business Analytics) | 2 years | IIM Calcutta |
| Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM) | 2 years | IIM Lucknow |
| Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management (PGP-SM) | 2 years | IIM Lucknow |
| Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) | 4-5 years | All IIMs |
Non-IIM Programs
| Program | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MBA / PGDM | 2 years | Flagship management program |
| MBA (Executive) | 1-2 years | For working professionals |
| MBA (HR) | 2 years | Specialization in Human Resources |
| MBA (Marketing) | 2 years | Specialization in Marketing |
| MBA (Finance) | 2 years | Specialization in Finance |
| MBA (Operations) | 2 years | Specialization in Operations |
| MBA (Business Analytics) | 2 years | Data-driven management program |
Preparation Strategy: Target Scores
Section-Wise Targets for 99+ Percentile
| Section | Target Score (out of section total) | Target Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| VARC (72 marks) | 55+ | 85% |
| DILR (66 marks) | 45+ | 75% |
| QA (66 marks) | 50+ | 80% |
| Overall (204 marks) | 150+ | 80% |
My 6-Month Study Plan
Months 1-2: Foundation (June – July 2026)
- Complete entire syllabus – all topics in QA, VARC, DILR
- Build strong basics in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry
- Start reading The Hindu/Guardian editorial daily for RC practice
- Make chapter-wise notes for all formulas and concepts
Months 3-4: Practice (August – September 2026)
- Solve topic-wise questions
- Start sectional tests
- Practice 2-3 DILR sets daily
- Focus on speed – 40 minutes per section is strict
Months 5-6: Mocks & Revision (October – November 2026)
- Take full-length mocks every 2-3 days
- Analyze every mistake in an error notebook
- Revise all formulas and shortcuts
- Take 15-20 mocks before the final exam
Daily Routine During Peak Preparation
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 – 7:30 AM | Newspaper reading + RC practice |
| 7:30 – 10:00 AM | Quantitative Ability practice |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Break |
| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | DILR sets practice |
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Lunch + rest |
| 3:00 – 5:00 PM | VARC practice (para jumbles, summary, odd one out) |
| 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Mock test analysis |
| 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Dinner + break |
| 9:00 – 10:30 PM | Weak areas revision |
| 10:30 PM | Sleep |
Resources That Work
| Section | Best Resources |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | Arun Sharma (Quant), Rodha YouTube channel, IMS material |
| VARC | Daily newspaper editorials, RC 100 by Arun Sharma, Gejo's VARC book |
| DILR | Arun Sharma (LR & DI), Nishit Sinha, Previous year papers |
| Mocks | IMS, TIME, CL, Unacademy, Career Launcher test series |
| Previous Year Papers | CAT 2017-2025 papers with solutions (available on Career Launcher) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring sectional time limits – In my first mock, I spent 50 minutes on QA and rushed through VARC. Each section has 40 minutes – respect the timer.
- Not analyzing mocks – Taking 30 mocks without analysis is useless. Spend 2-3 hours analyzing each mock.
- Skipping DILR practice – DILR is the most unpredictable section. Practice 2-3 sets daily from September onwards.
- Over-relying on shortcuts – Shortcuts are good, but concepts are better. Build fundamentals first.
- Neglecting reading habit – VARC requires daily reading. Start reading editorials 6 months before the exam.
Why CAT is Worth It
The CAT score is your ticket to India's top business schools. The average placement package at old IIMs is ₹30-35 lakhs per annum. Top consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain), investment banks (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley), and tech giants (Amazon, Google, Microsoft) recruit from these campuses.
But more than that – it's the IIM experience. The case competitions, the international exchange programs, the alumni network, the campus life. It's your father telling everyone with pride, "Mera beta IIM mein padhta hai." (My son studies at IIM.)
What is a "Good" Score in CAT 2026?
| Goal | Target Percentile | Target Marks (out of 204) |
|---|---|---|
| Old IIMs (A/B/C/L/K/I) | 99+ percentile | 150+ |
| New IIMs (CAP) | 94-98 percentile | 120-140 |
| Top Non-IIMs (FMS, SPJIMR, MDI) | 97-99 percentile | 140-150 |
| IIFT, XIMB, TISS | 95-97 percentile | 130-140 |
| Good Private B-Schools | 85-90 percentile | 100-110 |
Final Words of Advice
- Consistency matters more than intensity – Study 4-5 hours daily rather than 10 hours on weekends.
- DILR is the game-changer – Most candidates struggle here. Practice 2-3 sets daily.
- VARC needs daily reading – No shortcuts. Read editorials every single day.
- QA is about fundamentals – Master Arithmetic first, then move to Algebra and Geometry.
- Mocks are for learning, not judging – Don't get demotivated by low scores. Analyze, learn, improve.
- Health matters – Sleep 7-8 hours, eat well, exercise. Your brain needs fuel.