CAT exam is a tough exam to crack, not only because of its syllabus but also because of its scoring process. Many candidates perform well but get a percentile lower than what they had expected. For many aspirants, the CAT scoring and normalization process is confusing. 'What is the difference between CAT score and CAT percentile?', is a question every CAT aspirant asks. We will explain that later, but first we would like to address another question that is asked more often - How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile? This question is extremely crucial for a good performance in CAT exam and every aspirant must know the answer.
You may ask why is it important to know how much score will convert into 99 percentile? Because scoring 99+ percentile in CAT is the only way you can get closer to an IIM or a top MBA college in India. The CAT cut off for admission to the top IIMs - IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode is often above 99 percentile for General category candidates. Other top B-Schools such as FMS Delhi University, SPJIMR, IMT, MDI, IIT-DoMS also have cut off range of 95-99 percentile for CAT. Thus, it is only prudent to know your target beforehand and develop a CAT preparation strategy accordingly.
How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile?
This is a tricky. There is no accurate number of questions that you can attempt to score 99+ percentile. To be able to score 99 percentile, you need to do more than just attempting a certain number of questions. CAT percentile is influenced by three things.
- CAT exam pattern and marking scheme
- Accuracy in solving the CAT questions
- CAT normalization process
Let’s look at them one by one to answer the question - How many questions to attempt in CAT 2022 to score 99 percentile?
CAT Marking Scheme
During the CAT exam preparation 2022, candidates must focus on the strategy of targetting a particular score range in the exam from the very beginning. So, get the hang of CAT marking scheme.
- Three marks are awarded for each correct attempt and one mark is deducted for every wrong answer in CAT. However, there is no penalty on leaving questions unanswered.
- Non-MCQs don't have negative marking, but they are often lengthy or tricky.
- The key here is to attempt only those questions which you are 100 per cent sure of as only 100 per cent accuracy will earn you full marks. A slight miss and you may lose the score. Experts suggest, that there is no need to attempt all the questions in the CAT question paper.
- The CAT paper pattern is never the same. CAT witnesses changes in the pattern every year, it could be distribution of questions within the section, or change in the number of MCQs and TITA type of question. Sometimes, there are trick questions too. So, there is no sure shot formula of scoring 100 or 99 percentile. It is all about how accurately you solve a question and in least time taken.
But the question, "How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile?", remains.
Experts suggest, to aim 99+ percentile, one should attempt at least 75 per cent questions accurately. Since sectional percentile and overall percentile hold individual significance in IIM admissions, it is important to maintain good accuracy in each section of the CAT exam.
Take a look at the table below indicating number of good attempts against total number of questions in CAT exam paper:
| CAT Exam Sections |
Total questions |
Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| 24 |
18 |
|
| 20 |
13 |
|
| 22 |
16 |
|
| Total |
66 |
47 |
How to Score 99+ Percentile in CAT: Focus on Time Management and Accuracy
The total time duration of CAT 2022 will be only 120 minutes, thus you need to focus more on time management during the last phase of CAT preparation. To aim higher percentile in CAT exam, you will have to ensure zero-error performance. How can you achieve zero-error performance? The only way to achieve that is by choosing the questions wisely. You must target a score of 104 (CAT raw score) to be able to enter the 99 percentile bracket.
Here's a table indicating percentile ranges corresponding to sectional and overall raw CAT scores (based on CAT 2021) to help you make a strategy to target the percentile range in CAT 2022.
| CAT Percentile |
VARC Score |
DILR Score |
QA Score |
Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.5 %ile |
45 |
33 |
48 |
104 |
| 99 %ile |
41 |
29 |
42 |
97 |
| 98 %ile |
37 |
26 |
37 |
86 |
| 95%ile |
32 |
21 |
28 |
72 |
| 90%ile |
27 |
17 |
23 |
59 |
| 85%ile |
23 |
15 |
19 |
52 |
| 80%ile |
21 |
13 |
16 |
44 |
How to Increase Speed and Accuracy in CAT Exam: Key Tips
Practice CAT sample questions: Solve a sample question and time yourself, check accuracy and time taken to solve it. Solve the question again. Check accuracy and time taken again. Time taken to solve a question in the second attempt will be less than the first time. Try, try and try again, until you achieve 100 per cent accuracy in the given time.
Sectional time limit: CAT exam has sectional time-limit for each section. Every section of CAT 2022 exam will be of 40 minutes. The arrangement is such that once 40 minutes are over, the screen will jump to the next section of the exam. Now this can prove to be a big hurdle if you don't have good speed in solving questions accurately. Do not spend too much time on a question. The moment you feel you are getting stuck, leave the question and move to next because there is no option to go back to questions left incomplete.
Categorize questions: Identify questions as easy, medium and difficult. Start with easy. If at any point of time you feel stuck or unconfident of the question, leave it and move on. Don’t attempt a question even if you have even one percent doubt.
Also Read: Expert Tips on How To Prepare for CAT Exam
No guess work: Some people may advise you to go by the instinct or guess the answer if you can’t solve it. Never do that. Remember there is negative marking for wrong answer; not for no answer.
Speed reading in RC: Do not speed-read the RC passages in CAT. Unlike other entrance exams, CAT RC passages are inference based and it is crucial to understand the passage deeply for hidden meanings and references. Don't do reverse reading either. It will only make you read the passage repeatedly to find the right answer. Do not do anything that is time consuming or which will make you read the questions again and again.
Also Read: Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
CAT Scaled Score and Normalization Process
- Since the CAT 2022 exam will be conducted in three sessions, the difficulty level of CAT question paper of all the sessions will vary. To ensure there that is no disparity in comparison of performances, a scaled score is calculated through CAT normalization process.
- CAT follows GATE exam’s formula of normalization process, where the normalization is based on the assumption that distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions. It takes into account all the variations in the difficulty levels of the CAT question papers across different sessions.
- The CAT percentile is referred to as the total percentage of candidates who scored less than or equal to a particular candidate. For example, if a candidate’s CAT percentile is 90, it means he/she performed better than 90 per cent of the total candidates in CAT exam that year.
CAT normalisation formula:
CAT normalisation formula
CAT Mock Tests
Take free CAT mock tests below, improve speed and accuracy. Also analyse your strength and weakness by comparing your answers with official key.
Try this CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 1Try second CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 2CAT Preparation Tips
CAT exam is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams and requires months of preparation. Shiksha has a series of CAT preparation articles candidates can refer to improve their performance in the exam. Check some CAT preparation articles below:
| CAT Preparation |
|
|---|---|
| CAT Preparation Plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
|
| CAT Preparation: Your love for reading can get you the desired result |
|
CAT Topper Interviews
Shiksha reached out to previous year's toppers of CAT exam to know their preparation strategy. Check out the interviews of CAT 2021 and 2022 toppers below:
| CAT Toppers |
CAT Topper Interviews |
|---|---|
| Chirag Gupta CAT 2021, 100 percentile |
I started preparing in March 2021. I focused mainly on giving mock tests and analysing them. I used to work on my weaknesses by watching various CAT preparation YouTube videos on various topics. Read: Chirag's full interview |
| Bir Anmol Singh CAT 2021, 99.94 percentile |
I started preparing in April 2021. I solved Arun Sharma sir's CAT books for VARC, LR, DI and Quant. I attempted as many past year CAT questions papers (timed attempt) that I could attempt, on weekends. |
| Mohit Babu CAT 2021, 99.85 percentile |
I started my preparations in April 2021. My strategy mostly involved solving the previous years' mock papers from different coaching institutes. After that, I analysed my weak areas and then focused on improving them. Read: Mohit’s full interview |
| Vinayak Prabhu CAT 2021, 99.82 percentile |
If you are dedicated, self-motivated and can stick to sincere practice then you don't need any coaching. But coaching will definitely give you a competitive edge because they will be sharing their years of experience which you can't have on your own. Read: Vinayak’s full interview |
| Mayank Kapoor CAT 2021, 99.69 percentile |
A coaching institute gives you a routine and this is a pretty big factor. Most of us have other things that we are busy with but if we have a schedule then it will nudge us to be regular with the prep. Read: Mayank’s full interview |
| Sagar Sengar CAT 2021, 99.48 percentile |
I started preparing around the end of June this year and went into the full-throttle mode by end of August. My overall strategy was to first complete the theory end to end and then practice different kinds of problems across all the sections. Read: Sagar’s full interview |
| Vinay Kotwal CAT 2021, 99.40 percentile |
Being from a mathematics background, I had a hold over the Quant section. I mainly focused on the VARC section. I referred to Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. I also used to read the newspaper daily to improve my English. Read: Vinay’s full interview |
| Ved Vineet CAT 2021, 99.40 percentile |
Along with the CAT preparation, I have limited time on weekdays. I devoted two hours on all the weekdays. However, had to stretch during the weekends; thus, 4-5 hours of preparation on the weekends helped me score well. Read: Ved’s full interview |
| Sareen Shah CAT 2021, 99.35 percentile |
I knew that Quant and DILR was my strong point. Had to attempt the most there. VARC was unpredictable and hence focused majorly on RCs rather than other questions. Read: Sareen’s full interview |
| Shreshth Khare CAT 2021, 99.28 percentile |
I began preparing in August. I joined the All India Test series offered by TIME and IMS. My strategy was to take the mock in the designated window and analyze it thoroughly. |
| Kshitiz Singhal CAT 2020, 99.99 percentile |
My suggestion for the aspirants is to work on your fundamentals, speed and accuracy. Read: Kshitiz’s full interview |
| Ekansh Agarwal CAT 2020, 99.98 percentile |
I would say that mock tests are the most important part of CAT preparation. Attempt as many mock tests as possible. Read: Ekansh’s full interview |
| Naval Mittal CAT 2020, 99.97 percentile |
Solve as many types of questions you can from each section. Secondly, focus on your accuracy. Read: Naval’s full interview |
| Swarnadeep Ghosh CAT 2020, 99.92 percentile |
Attempt all kinds of mock tests, difficult and easy. Maximise your strengths and do not stress about the weaker areas. |
| Sabyasachi Mishra CAT 2020, 99.90 percentile |
Focus more on concepts more than the mock tests. I would say that mocks do not matter much. What you learn from the mock tests is what matters. |
| Ravi Prinshu CAT 2020, 99.78 percentile |
Be self-disciplined and take mock tests regularly and decide your preparation strategy accordingly by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Read: Ravi’s full interview |
| Aruneet Dutta CAT 2020, 99.52 percentile |
You have to decide your own preparation and test-taking strategy through trial and error method. You are the best person to decide which preparation method works best for you. Read: Aruneet’s full interview |
| Deepanshu Arora CAT 2020, 99.49 percentile |
Take as many mock tests as possible and analyse your performance. This would improve your exposure to the various question types. |
| Gahana Agarwal CAT 2020, 99.30 percentile |
It is necessary to keep yourself motivated by any means possible through the entire preparation phase and not to let mocks scores and percentiles affect your mindset. Read: Gahana’s full interview |
| Arijit Kumar CAT 2020, 99.10 percentile |
Work on your strengths. Refer to the CAT preparation books like Arun Sharma and take ample mock tests and practice varieties of question types. Read: Arjit’s full interview |
Important FAQs on CAT Preparation
Q: Who is conducting CAT 2022 exam?
Q: Will there be any change in CAT exam pattern this year?
Q: Is it easy to score 99+ percentile in CAT?
Q: Is it easy to score well in Quants but tough to score well in VARC?
Q: Which section of CAT usually has tricky questions?
Q: How many questions should I attempt to score 99+ percentile?
- VARC: 18 questions
- DILR: 13 questions
- QA: 17 questions
Q: What is the sequence of CAT question paper? Can I choose the order of sections for solving question?
Q: What is the sectional break-up of CAT question paper?
Q: How much time is allotted for each section of CAT?
Q: Is the CAT question paper of slot 1 different from slot 2 and slot 3?
Q: How many mock tests should I practice to score 99+ percentile?
Q: What is the best way to tackle DILR questions?
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Comments
At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto...At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto 20000 in CMAT or 230 and above score in NMAT then LPU NEST is exempted.
D
Which colleges can I get with 75 %ile in CAT?
At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto...At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto 20000 in CMAT or 230 and above score in NMAT then LPU NEST is exempted.
Here are the colleges you can get with 75 percentile:Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal78+ PercentileIndian School of Mines, Dhanbad75 PercentileAmrita School of Business, Coimbatore75 PercentileJaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow & Jaipur75 PercentileBirla Institute of Techn...Here are the colleges you can get with 75 percentile:
Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal
78+ Percentile
Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
75 Percentile
Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore
75 Percentile
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow & Jaipur
75 Percentile
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
75 Percentile
Kirloskar Institute of Advanced Management Studies, Harihar & Pune
75 Percentile
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textile Management, Coimbatore
75 Percentile
Vel Tech Dr. RR & Dr. SR University, Chennai
75 Percentile
Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur
75 Percentile
Christ University, Bangalore
75 Percentile
FMS, Manav Rachna University, Faridabad
75 Percentile
IBS Business School, Hyderabad
75 Percentile
National Institute of Technology, Warangal
75 Percentile
BIMTECH, Greater Noida
75 Percentile
SOIL Gurgaon - SOIL Institute of Management
70 Percentile (Minimum)
h
While filling CAT 2022 form, I followed the best of 5 marking pattern for SSC which is not correct. Can I fill the form again?
We should avoid common mistakes while filling the CAT form are:1. Not having the required documents: when applying for CAT not having your documents ready can significantly increase of chances of error. 2. Entering personal details incorrectly: Another common mistake candidates usually make it wh...We should avoid common mistakes while filling the CAT form are:
1. Not having the required documents: when applying for CAT not having your documents ready can significantly increase of chances of error.
2. Entering personal details incorrectly: Another common mistake candidates usually make it while entering their personal details.
3. Uploading unclear photograph and signature: uploading your photograph is the last step of entering your personal details in the CAT application form.
No, you cannot fill the form again. You should always read the instructions carefully before filling any form.
S
I have heard that UGC has given regulations for CAT eligibility that the colleges can accept CAT eligibility for the past two years. Is it?
An entry to the MBA world requires the candidates to appear for entrance exams of which the most popular is the CAT or Common Admission Test. The CAT Score allows the candidate to be eligible for most of the best B-Schools in India including the IIMs which hold the CAT Exam. The CAT exam eligibil...An entry to the MBA world requires the candidates to appear for entrance exams of which the most popular is the CAT or Common Admission Test. The CAT Score allows the candidate to be eligible for most of the best B-Schools in India including the IIMs which hold the CAT Exam. The CAT exam eligibility has remained more or less the same in the past years. As per the CAT notification for CAT the same criteria will be followed without any changes. Aspirants should review the criteria, given below in detail, to check if they are eligible for the exam before they begin preparing. They should understand the factors and requirements to appear for CAT 2022 to avoid disqualification at any stage of the admission process. Moreover, candidates should also identify the eligibility criteria for the B-schools separately along with the difference in the eligibility requirements for CAT and the IIM.
The CAT score card is valid for a period of one year only. After which candidates will have to take the following years' CAT exam for admissions in respective institutes. Most of the Institutions/Universities in India accept the CAT score for admissions.
R
What percentile should I score in CAT exam to get MDI Gurgaon under defence quota?
Going by my own experience and of others who have a similar profile as yours, you can expect a call from MDI at about 96.5 -97 percentile. A few people from my batch had received calls at a lower percentile as well but that again varies from year to year. So all in all, 97 percentile would be a s...Going by my own experience and of others who have a similar profile as yours, you can expect a call from MDI at about 96.5 -97 percentile. A few people from my batch had received calls at a lower percentile as well but that again varies from year to year. So all in all, 97 percentile would be a safe bet.
The MDI Gurgaon is the best college which has defence quota. The percentile which is required by MDI Gurgaon under defence quota is expected as 94 percentile. It is also the best college for defence.
A
How to start preparing with CAT and IIFT?
To start first start with your basics remember these 4 to 5 points 1) read 1 hour every day
2. Do sudoku and basics of dilr
3. Do quant from ncert if your basics are weak if it is strong then do past year paper or previous year mock
5. Give ample amount of mock and sectional test thanks.
S
I am applying for CAT 2022 and also had applied for CAT last year. Do I need to re-register or should use last year's credentials?
Yes, you have to apply for the CAT form again from the beginning even if you have registered last year also. Since exam score is valid for only one year.
P
I have a gap year in my engineering. What should I fill in the duration of course in CAT form? Should I fill 4 or 5 years?
It will still be counted as 4 years.
S
I'm under waiting list at a rank of 64 CS and 14 (IT) in ETH category in CUSAT CAT 2022. Is there a chance to get admission with these?
Authorities have prepared the rank list of CUSAT CAT 2022 on the basis of the percentile index. Percentile index is calculated by using the given formula- [ (n+1-p)/n)]x S x 100Here, n denotes the number of candidates appearing for the exam in a particular subject, p denotes the position accordin...Authorities have prepared the rank list of CUSAT CAT 2022 on the basis of the percentile index. Percentile index is calculated by using the given formula- [ (n+1-p)/n)]x S x 100
Here, n denotes the number of candidates appearing for the exam in a particular subject, p denotes the position according to the CUSAT CAT score and S denotes the actual score of the candidate. Once the percentile index is calculated, the authorities will integrate the Percentile Indices to calculate the relative position of a candidate in the CUSAT CAT rank list 2022 for a particular engineering programme.
P
I have scored 71% in 10th,64% in 12th and in UG, 70%. I belong to SC category. Can I get into FMS or not with 90 %ile in CAT?
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D
Which college can I get with 75 percent marks in CAT?
Reply to Devanshu Nath