Whatever decision you make, ensure that it is not under anyone’s influence. The ultimate outcome of a management course is to fulfil your interest, ensure you have a good performance record.
Every competitive exam score is not only dependent on your individual performance but also on how other candidates perform. All these factors contribute to the overall percentile calculation.
Therefore, it is important to understand the fact that a low score in Common Admission Test (CAT) or any other competitive/entrance exams does not always mean that your performance was bad.
Here are 3 things you could that will help you move forward without feeling guilty about a CAT score lower than your expectations.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Take the next step immediately
It is important to make your next move as soon as you realise that your performance has not been on par with your expectations. The first that you need to take is to focus on other upcoming competitive exams such as MAT, XAT among others while you wait for your actual result.
Understand your priorities
Always ask yourself a question, “Why do I need an MBA/PGDM?”. Everyone has different reasons why they want to study this course. While some are looking at a handsome salary, some are looking for career growth and then there are some who want to be entrepreneurs. Everyone has a different plan and it is important to understand that need to join an MBA programme. Depending on this need, one can decide which college they want to join and how their CAT score can influence their priorities.
Time to invest
If you are determined to get a seat in top management colleges and can take another year gap, prepare for next year’s CAT or any competitive exams. Start your preparation right away. Work on the mistakes that you made this year and take steps towards resolving these.
On the other hand, if you are a person who is not willing to sacrifice another year, you can strategically bring up five attributes that you look in an MBA/PGDM programme. This can be placements, infrastructure, location, exposure and fees, etc., and shortlist colleges that fulfil these attributes. This is a great method by which you can find the right college.
Whatever decision you make, ensure that it is not under anyone’s influence. The ultimate outcome of a management course is to fulfil your interest, ensure you have a good performance record.
About the Author:
Arun S., an MBA - Healthcare Management student at Manipal Institute of Management, interested in Marketing & Business Strategy predominantly in Healthcare sector.
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Student Forum
Answered 4 days ago
Yes. IIMB does require the CAT exam, but the rest of the top B-schools in Bangalore also take in candidates through the state-level CET, ie, the Karnataka PGCET exam, or through MAT or CMAT.
Top B-schools in Bangalore without CAT | Cutoffs Required |
|---|---|
26690 | |
29592 |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
IIM Calcutta has only mentioned accepting GMAT score for admission into EMBA courses.
However, CAT is commonly accepted by other similar institutes for both MBA and MBAEx courses. Thus, candidates are advised to ask admission desk for confirmation on this question.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
It is not possible to determine a candidate's admission in IIM Calcutta MBA course through CAT score alone. In Stage 1, a score 85% in CAT will be enough for a general category candidate to be selected for PI+WAT admission stage.
Final admission cutoffs are based on many factors other than CAT score.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, IIM Calcutta cannot get into MBA courses without appearing CAT first. CAT is a mandatory entrance exam and it is conducted every year for admissions into all MBA courses offered by this institute.
However, candidates who are applying for MBAEx course will be required to appear in GMAT for admissi
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT score for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at this university.
You would need to first appear for the CAT entrance exam, and then get shortlisted for the PI and or GD rounds to be considered for a seat. Since the CAT cutoff is not released publicly, the closest esti
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The Vishwakarma University CAT cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM course for the All India quota.
For the General AI category, the estimated Vishwakarma University MBA cutoff 2025 was 50. Students who gained this percentile are then eligible to enter the second round of admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The National Institute of Bank Management Cutoff 2026 for General AI category in CAT exam is 80.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT exam result for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at AIMS Institutes, Bangalore.
The college accepts the CAT, XAT and MAT exam results for admission to the management programme. Students have to first attain the qualifying cutoff percentiles and then sit in the select
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates applying for admission in MBA at IIM Raipur should have qualified the CAT exam. Check below the application fee of CAT:
- INR 2,300 for general category students
- INR 1,150 for SC/ST/PwD students
R
Contributor-Level 10

