How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026: CAT exam 99 Percentile Preparation Strategy

Overview: If you are also preparing for the CAT, you must aim to score 99 percentile in the entrance test. However, the question of how to score 99 percentile in CAT still needs to be answered. You require a strategic study plan, consistent effort, and effective study techniques to achieve this. 

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Cracking the Common Admission Test (CAT) with a 99 percentile score is a dream for many MBA aspirants. This prestigious exam, which serves as a gateway to elite business schools in India, demands not just hard work but also smart strategies.

Here's a well-guided article with the finest tips for scoring 99 and answering the question, "How much to score in CAT for 99 percentile?"

Also Read: CAT 2026 Registration Updates!

How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026? Step-by-Step Strategy

Here are the key tips for scoring 99 percentile and CAT exam 99 percentile preparation strategy

1. Understand the CAT Exam Pattern 

The first step to getting answers to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to familiarise yourself with the paper pattern or exam format. Before preparing for the CAT exam, it’s important to understand the CAT exam pattern. The test consists of three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Download Now CAT Previous Year Papers to Score 99%ile

Each CAT exam section tests different skills, and knowing the format will help you tailor your preparation accordingly.

S.No	Sections for CAT Exam Preparation	Total No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
1.	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	72	40 min
2.	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	22	60	40 min
3.	Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	66	40 min
4.	Total	68	204	120 (2 hours)

Refer | Practice CAT Trigonometry Questions with Solutions

2. Learn and Understand the Marking Scheme

The second step to getting answers to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to understand the CAT exam marking scheme so that you can avoid negative marking by not attempting even a single wrong-answered question.

The CAT exam marking scheme incorporates negative marking specifically for multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and not for TITA questions.

Below are the essential details about the marking scheme:

• Total Marks for CAT 2026: 204 marks 
• Marks for Correct Answer: + 3 marks.
• Negative Marking in CAT Exam: -1 mark will be deducted for every wrong MCQ answer.
• Unanswered Questions: No marks will be deducted for skipped questions.

3. Create a Realistic Daily Study Plan

The third way to get answers to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to make sure that you have a proper, strategic, and effective daily study plan.

• Assess your current level by taking a mock test to understand your strengths and weaknesses.
• Dedicate enough time to making your CAT exam study plan by identifying which sections need more attention.
• Set goals and break down your preparation into monthly, weekly, and daily targets.
• Ensure your goals are measurable and achievable.
• Dedicate more time to weaker areas while maintaining your strengths.
• Balance your preparation across all three sections.

Learn More | How to Start Preparing for CAT?

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4. Focus on the Fundamentals of Each Section

The fourth way to find a solution to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to have a strong base in all three sections.

• To strengthen your Quantitative Aptitude basics, focus on important topics first and solve questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems.
• Reading is a must to improve VARC. Develop a habit of reading daily. Focus on diverse genres like fiction, nonfiction, newspapers, and journals. Practice reading comprehension passages and verbal ability questions on a daily basis.
• Enhance your logical reasoning and data interpretation skills through regular practice by solving various types of questions on puzzles and case studies, thereby developing your analytical thinking.

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5. CAT Exam Day Strategy

Your final approach plays a decisive role in how to score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026

• Begin with your strongest section for a confidence boost.
• Manage time closely without rushing.
• Remember, percentile rankings are relative, so focus on accuracy over attempts.

How many questions to attempt in CAT 2026 to get 99 percentile

Scoring 99 percentile in CAT 2026 typically requires around 95 to105 marks, though this can vary slightly each year based on difficulty levels. This usually means attempting 30 to 40 questions with high accuracy, depending on your strengths across the three sections. Prioritizing accuracy over attempts is key, as negative marking can significantly impact your score.

Section-Wise Study Plans You Can Follow

Cracking 99 percentile in CAT demands more than random preparation—it requires a well-structured, personalised study plan. Your study calendar should adapt to your strengths and weaknesses, giving more attention to sections or topics you find challenging. For example, allocate 40% of your time to your toughest section while strengthening your strong areas with focused revision.

Break down your preparation month-wise with specific targets—like dedicating the first two months to building concepts, the next two months to rigorous problem-solving, and the final months to regular mock tests and analysis. 

Weekly plans help track daily progress without burnout. For instance, Mondays to Thursdays can focus on sectional practice, Fridays on revising concepts, and weekends on full-length mocks.

How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026: Section-wise Micro-Strategies

Each section in CAT requires its own strategy:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Improve by daily reading (editorials, quality blogs) and practising unseen passages. Focus on vocabulary, inference questions, and time-bound comprehension.
   
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Train yourself to recognise question types and develop shortcuts. Practice puzzles, charts, and graphs daily to improve speed and accuracy.
   
• Quantitative Ability (QA):  Prioritise clearing fundamental concepts thoroughly first. Focus on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Regularly solve CAT previous years’ QA questions and strengthen your mental math. Spend extra time on your weak topics while maintaining the stronger ones with revision exercises.

How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026 with The Mocks

Believe me, practising mock tests and analysing them is extremely important to score 99 percentile in the CAT exam. Mocks are your best ally in CAT prep, but only if used correctly. Attempt full-length mocks in exam-like conditions weekly or biweekly at first, then increase frequency closer to the exam.

After giving the mock test, spare your time to analyse it correctly. You can follow the steps like:

• Identify question types where you consistently lose marks.
• Pinpoint errors due to rushing or conceptual misunderstanding.
• Develop an error log and revisit these weak areas with focused study.
• Refine your time management during subsequent mocks based on this analysis.

By iterating this process, your performance will steadily improve, building confidence and skills needed for the actual exam.

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How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026: The Conceptual Clarity

Before jumping into solving tons of questions, invest quality time in conceptual understanding.

Rote memorisation won’t get you through the tricky questions the CAT throws at you. For instance, thoroughly understand percentage concepts in Quant, logical structures in LR, and grammar rules in VARC.

Use topic-wise videos and books that explain the basics in simple language. Clear concepts make practising easier and boost accuracy.

How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2026 Exam Day Strategies

Exam day nerves can shake the best-prepared candidate. Here’s how to stay calm and confident:

• Time management: Allocate time strictly per section; don’t panic over difficult questions. Skip and come back if time permits.
• Positive mindset: Trust your preparation. Use deep breathing or mindfulness exercises before starting.
• Question selection: Attempt questions you’re confident in first to secure marks early and build momentum.
• Avoid negative marking: Do not guess blindly—answer only if reasonably sure.

Visualise success the night before and get a good night’s sleep. Small habits like arriving early, carrying all required ID and stationery, and staying hydrated help ease stress.

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Why is It Important to Score 99 Percentile in the CAT 2026?

• Achieving a high score in CAT exam 2026 is important for admission to top business schools, but it's not the only factor.
• Many candidates who score well in the CAT still need to secure a place in IIMs due to a low percentile.
• This percentile represents your performance relative to other test-takers, and it's calculated through a normalisation process.
• The CAT percentile is a crucial metric that indicates how a candidate has performed compared to their competitors.
• Most B-schools set their CAT percentile cutoffs to select the most deserving candidates for admission.
• Therefore, aiming for the 99th percentile in CAT 2026 is essential to increase your chances of securing a seat in a top college.

Check | CAT Exam 2026 Detailed Syllabus

How Many Questions in DILR CAT to Score 99 Percentile​?

To hit a 99 percentile in the DILR section of CAT, you’ll want to correctly solve about 18 to 22 questions. It’s really important to focus on accuracy—so try to stick to sets you’re confident about and avoid random guessing. Doing lots of mock tests will definitely help you get faster and smarter with your choices.

Learn About Scores Required for CAT 99 Percentile [Slot Wise]

One essential way to get the solution to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to measure the CAT score vs Percentile.

The following tables show the CAT percentile metric and the scores required overall and in each section for all CAT 2023 slots.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2024 Slot 1

S.No	CAT Percentile	CAT VARC Score	CAT DILR Score	CAT QA Score	Overall CAT Score
1.	100	42-44	29-30	30-32	100-102
2.	99+	40	25-27	25-28	80
3.	95+	28-30	18-20	20-22	55
4.	90+	22-24	15-17	15-17	45-48
5.	85+	20-22	13-14	45640	39-41
6.	80+	18-20	45608	45577	35-37

Also Read: Supergrads CAT Toppers List

CAT Score vs Percentile 2024 Slot 2

S.No	CAT Percentile	CAT VARC Score	CAT DILR Score	CAT QA Score	Overall CAT Score
1.	100	43-44	25-27	29-30	98-100
2.	99+	40-42	22-23	27-28	82-83
3.	95+	30-33	18-20	20-22	57-58
4.	90+	24-26	14-15	15-17	46-48
5.	85+	20-22	45639	45640	40-43
6.	80+	18-20	45576	45577	36-39

Read More: Supergrads CAT Toppers Interview

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CAT Score vs Percentile 2024 Slot 3

CAT Percentile	CAT VARC Score	CAT DILR Score	CAT QA Score	Overall CAT Score
100	42-23	27-28	32-34	98-100
99+	38-40	23-24	27-28	78-80
95+	28-30	18-20	18-20	57-58
90+	24-25	15-17	15-17	46-48
85+	20-22	45640	45640	40-41
80+	18-20	45576	45576	36-37

Learn More | How To Calculate Percentage In CAT Exam?

From the above tables, observing the score and percentile from last year, you must understand that "How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT," achieving a 99 percentile in CAT might seem challenging, but not overly complicated.

Experts at Supergrads recommend that candidates approach the exam strategically, targeting a minimum CAT exam score of 100 out of 204. To employ this approach effectively, candidates should select questions that are easier to solve and yield higher marks.

Read more: Detailed plan on how to get good CAT score

Conclusion 

Achieving a 99th percentile score in CAT requires dedication, systematic preparation, and resilience. Each aspirant's journey is unique, but these strategies can significantly boost your chances of becoming a top scorer.
Understanding your learning style and adapting these techniques to fit your needs is crucial. With the right approach and mindset, scoring high in CAT is within reach. 

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