CAT Score 2026: How They are Calculated, Percentile Details & What is a Good Score

Overview: Why are CAT scores so important? Do CAT marks play a key role in MBA admission in top B schools? How to calculate score and percentile in CAT 2026? Read on to know the complete information!

✅The CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29th November 2026 and will be conducted by one of the IIMs.

✅With so much competition, getting a good CAT score and percentile is the only way to get admission to your dream IIM.

✅Your CAT 2026 exam score is a key factor in the MBA admissions process, often determining your eligibility for interview calls and final selection.

Download FREE Study Material for CAT 2026 by Supergrads

Scroll down to know how to calculate the CAT exam score and percentile!

What is CAT Score 2026?

The CAT score 2026 refers to the result obtained by a candidate in the Common Admission Test (CAT), which is used for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs in India, particularly at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools.

How to Calculate CAT Score 2026?

Calculating your CAT exam average scores is just a simple process. You need to follow the steps as mentioned: 

✅Correct Answers: Add +3 marks to your score for every correct answer.

✅Incorrect Answers: For every incorrect answer, subtract 1 mark. This only applies to multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

✅Unanswered Questions: There's no penalty for leaving questions unanswered.

✅Non-MCQs(TITA Questions): These questions don't have negative markings, so you won't lose marks for incorrect answers.

✅Total Score: Add the marks you earned from correct answers across all sections. This will give you your total CAT 2026 score.

Also Read | CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

CAT Scores 2026: The Marking Scheme

Understanding the CAT exam's marking scheme is essential for interpreting CAT 2026 exam scores.

✅The CAT exam 2026 is expected to be similar to CAT 2025, which consists of 68 questions from three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. These questions are asked in two formats: MCQs and non-MCQs.

✅The overall CAT 2026 score is 204.

✅You will be awarded +3 marks for each correct answer, and -1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect MCQ question.

✅No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions or non-MCQ questions.

The CAT Exam Marking Scheme is listed in the following table:

Type of Questions	CAT Marking Scheme	CAT Negative Marking Scheme
MCQ Questions	+3	-1
Non-MCQ Questions	+3	0

Also Read | CAT Exam 2026 Shift Timings

How to Calculate CAT Exam Percentile 2026?

The CAT exam percentile represents the total number of candidates who qualify for the exam. Good CAT scores and CAT percentiles are equally important as they are directly used in the admission process in the IIMs. 

To calculate your CAT percentile, you can follow these steps:

Step 1

Start by calculating the total number of candidates (N) who appeared for CAT (i.e., morning, afternoon, and evening sessions).

Step 2

Assign a rank (r) to all candidates who appeared for CAT based on the scaled scores obtained in the QA section.

If two or more candidates obtain identical scaled scores in the QA section, assign identical ranks to all those candidates.

As an illustration, suppose exactly two candidates obtain the highest scaled score in the QA section, and then both candidates are assigned a rank of 1.

Moreover, the candidate(s) obtaining the second-highest scaled score in the QA section are assigned a rank of 3.

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Step 3

Calculate the percentile score (P) of a candidate with rank (r) in the QA section as:

P= (N - r)/N x100

Where,

• P= Percentile of the candidate
• N= Total number of candidates
• R= Rank assigned to the candidate

Check: CAT 2026 Maths Syllabus

Step 4

Round off a candidate's calculated percentile score (P) up to two decimal points.

For example, all percentile scores greater than or equal to 99.99 are rounded off to 100; all scores greater than or equal to 99.985 but strictly less than 99.995 are rounded off to 99.99.

To compute the overall CAT percentile scores and the percentile scores of other sections, a methodology similar to the one described above is used.

Also Read | CAT Exam Preparation Books 2026 

How To Get Good CAT Scores In 2026: Tips And Strategies

Improving your CAT 2026 score requires a strategic approach and consistent effort. Here are detailed tips and strategies to enhance your preparation:

✅Understand the Exam Pattern

To improve your CAT exam average scores, you should first learn the format of the CAT exam. Knowing the different sections and their weightage will help you plan your study schedule.

✅Create a Study Plan

Make a good and easy-to-follow study plan covering the CAT syllabus 2026. Additionally, allocate specific time to each section to improve your CAT exam scores.

✅Utilise Quality Study Material

Keep practising with the help of the best study material for the CAT exam 2026. This will help you improve your CAT marks and percentile in 2026.

✅Take Mock Tests Regularly

Mock tests for the CAT exam are the best way to improve your speed and accuracy, thus improving your overall CAT exam score. Practising a CAT test series lets you analyse your strengths and weaknesses.

✅ Analyse Mock Test Results

This gives you a glimpse of your hard work in getting a good CAT score. Analyse your CAT mock test results thoroughly and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Read More: CAT exam fees Category-wise

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What is a Good Score in CAT 2026?

The CAT exam (Common Admission Test) is highly competitive, and your score determines which business schools (B-Schools) you can get into.

✅Top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management):

• For the top IIMs, such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta, you should aim for a score in the 99%ile or higher. This means you would need to score better than 99% of all other candidates who took the exam.

✅Other IIMs and Top B-Schools:

• For good IIMs that are not the top three, or other top colleges like XLRI, SPJIMR, or FMS, a score between the 95%ile and 98%ile is considered excellent.

✅Good Regional and Tier-2 Colleges:

• If you're aiming for colleges that are good but not as competitive as the top ones, a score between 85-94%ile can still help you get into some strong institutions.

Read More: Advantages of CAT exam

Factors that Affect Your CAT Score 2026

✅Your Category: If you're from a reserved category (like SC, ST, or OBC), the cutoff score might be lower than for general candidates.

✅Your Academic Record: Some business schools also look at your past academic performance (your grades in school or college), so it's good to maintain a strong academic record in 11th and 12th as well.

Why is the CAT Score 2026 Important?

✅The CAT exam score is more than just a number; it is a gateway to some of the best management programs in India. Institutes use this score to:

✅Shortlist candidates for Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI)

✅Evaluate analytical and logical thinking

✅Assess readiness for a rigorous MBA/PGDM curriculum

✅A high CAT score increases your chances of securing a place in top institutions and, eventually, a promising career in management.

Read more: Difference between CAT Score vs Percentile

Use SuperGrads Free Resources 2026 Strategically

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Role of CAT Score 2026 in the Admission Process

The CAT exam score serves as the cornerstone of the MBA admissions process at prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools in India.

It serves as the initial filter, shortlisting candidates for the next stages of the selection process. Without a competitive CAT percentile, even academically strong candidates may not move forward in the admission cycle.

Following the CAT exam, shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in further evaluation rounds, including the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).

The CAT score plays a decisive role in determining who gets called for these stages.

Although other factors like academic performance and work experience are taken into account, the CAT percentile typically carries the highest weight often between 40% and 60%—in the overall evaluation.

Hence, a high CAT exam score not only strengthens your application but also significantly boosts your chances of securing a seat in a top management program.

Check: CAT Total Marks and their Distribution

Conclusion 

Cracking the CAT exam requires a deep understanding of sectional, overall, and category-wise cutoffs.

Combining regular practice, in-depth analysis of past trends, and a well-crafted strategy can significantly boost your chances of sailing past the cutoffs and securing a good CAT score to a coveted spot in your dream B-school.

With these expert tips, you can unlock your full potential and achieve your MBA aspirations.

Are you a CAT aspirant? SuperGrads CAT online coaching offers comprehensive study material, mock tests, and personalised guidance to help you excel. Join our program to boost your preparation and achieve top scores for your MBA admissions.