How is the CAT 2026 raw score calculated for 2027 admissions?▼
CAT 2026 follows a 66-question format with a maximum raw score of 198 marks (24 VARC, 20 DILR, 22 QA). Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) award +3 marks for every correct answer and deduct −1 mark for every incorrect answer. Non-MCQ / TITA (Type In The Answer) questions award +3 marks for correct answers and carry 0 negative marking for wrong or unattempted responses.
How can I check my CAT 2026 response sheet and answer key with this calculator?▼
Once IIM releases the official CAT response sheet on cdn.digialm.com / iimcat.ac.in, copy your candidate response sheet URL or view page source (Ctrl+U) and paste it into our scanner. The calculator automatically analyzes your MCQ/TITA attempts across VARC, DILR, and QA to compute your raw score, apply slot normalization, and forecast your 2027 MBA admission percentile.
What is the difference between CAT raw score and scaled score?▼
The raw score is the literal sum of your correct (+3) and incorrect (−1/0) marks out of 198. Because CAT is conducted across Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3 with varying difficulty levels, IIMs employ a scientific normalization formula (equating mean and standard deviation) to generate the Scaled Score. Your final percentile is calculated strictly from this scaled score.
What CAT 2026 score is required for 99+ percentile in 2027 admissions?▼
Based on historical trends across 66-question CAT exams, a raw score of roughly 82 to 94 marks out of 198 fetches a 99.0+ percentile. A score of 95 to 109 marks yields a 99.5+ percentile, and a score of 110+ marks generally secures a 99.9+ percentile, qualifying aspirants for top IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta interview shortlists.
How does the CAT normalization formula work across Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3?▼
IIMs use equipercentile equating to normalize CAT scores. The formula compares the mean and standard deviation of candidate scores in a specific slot with the master mean across all slots, with special weightage to the top 0.1% performers. Tougher slots receive upward score adjustment, while easier slots may see a slight downward calibration.
Is there sectional negative marking in CAT 2026?▼
Sectional marking is uniform across VARC, DILR, and QA: +3 for correct MCQs, −1 for wrong MCQs, +3 for correct TITA, and 0 for wrong TITA. Candidates must also meet individual sectional cut-offs (usually 70-85+ percentile per section) to qualify for IIM calls.
What are the expected CAT cut-offs for top Non-IIM B-schools like FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and IITs?▼
FMS Delhi typically requires 99.3+ percentile; SPJIMR Mumbai shortlists profile-cum-score candidates around 85-98 percentile; MDI Gurgaon requires 95-97 percentile; DMS IIT Delhi and SJMSOM IIT Bombay require 98-99 percentile; IMT Ghaziabad and IMI Delhi require 90-93 percentile; and Baby IIMs (CAP round) generally cutoff at 92-94 percentile.
Which top MBA colleges accept 80 to 90 percentile in CAT 2026?▼
Candidates scoring between 80 and 90 percentile (raw score of 42 to 64 marks) can target reputed B-schools such as FORE School of Management (Delhi), GIM Goa, TAPMI Manipal, Great Lakes (Chennai/Gurgaon), BIMTECH (Greater Noida), LBSIM (Delhi), K J Somaiya (Mumbai), and LIBA (Chennai).
How do I challenge a question in the provisional CAT answer key?▼
During the 3-day objection window post-exam, log in to iimcat.ac.in, select the Objection tab, choose the Question ID, submit your justification with supporting documentation, and pay the requisite fee (approx. INR 1,200 per question). If your challenge is accepted, the fee is refunded and the answer key is updated for all candidates.
Can I get admission into good MBA colleges with a 70 percentile in CAT?▼
Yes! High-ROI colleges accepting 70-80 CAT percentiles include Welingkar (Mumbai/Bangalore), Jaipuria Institute of Management, NDIM New Delhi, JIMS Rohini, SOIL Gurgaon, IBS Hyderabad, and ITM Navi Mumbai. Many colleges also accept alternative scores like XAT, CMAT, and MAT.