CAT Normalization Process 2025: How is CAT Score Calculated; Know Composite Score Formula
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
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CAT Normalization Process involves scaling of the raw CAT score to arrive at the CAT percentile. It is an important step in preparation of CAT result. The process is explained by the examination agency every year for transparency. Read here to know all about CAT Normalization Process 2025.
CAT Normalization Process can be referred to as scaling and equating process of exam scores of all candidates across the three slots for percentile calculation. CAT score normalization is done to ensure that all test takers are evaluated on the same scale.
As per the official definition, CAT normalization process"shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalization across different forms, the scores shall be further normalized across different sections.”
Latest: CAT 2025 answer key soon @iimcat.ac.in - live updates
CAT 2025 exam has three slot (slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3) and three different test forms (question papers) will be administered in each one of them. As each slot may vary from each other in terms of difficulty level, score normalization in CAT 2025 will be adopted for assessment of each candidates performance on a common scale. By doing this, the examination authority will ensure that every candidates is assessed for the CAT exam evenly.
- What is Normalization in CAT?
- What is Composite Score in CAT and How is it Calculated?
- GATE Normalization Process
- CAT cut offs 2025
What is Normalization in CAT?
CAT Score Normalization can be understood as a process to ensure fairness and equity in the performances of candidates across all sessions. The CAT normalization process includes adjusting location and scale differences of score distributions across different question papers. The scaled scores obtained by this process will then be converted into CAT percentiles. Candidates will be shortlisted for Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds on the basis of CAT percentile.
CAT 2025 result cum scorecard will contain, not the raw CAT exam score but scaled scores for each of the following sections along with the percentiles:
- Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA)
On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
- Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
What is Composite Score in CAT and How is it Calculated?
The CAT composite score of each candidate will be arrived at by calculating their points on the basis of some parameters. These include:
- CAT score (scaled)
- Class 12 marks
- Class 10 marks
- Graduation score
- Work Experience
- Diversity (Gender)
- Diversity (Academic)
Take a look at CAT Composite Score calculator for shortlisting for WAT-PI, issued by IIM Lucknow:
CAT Normalization Process is based on GATE scoring, where the normalization is based on the assumption that distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions. The calculations are based on statistic equations.
In GATE, normalization takes into account all the variations in the difficulty levels of the question papers across different session.
Also Read:
GATE Normalization Process
"The normalization is done based on the fundamental assumption that "in all multi-session GATE papers, the distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions". This assumption is justified since the number of candidates appearing in multi-session papers in GATE is large and the procedure for allocation of session to candidates is random. Further, it is also ensured that for the same multi-session paper, the number of candidates allotted in each session is of the same order of magnitude," informs the official GATE website.
Here's GATE normalization formula:
Normalized marks based on the above formula will be calculated corresponding to the raw marks obtained by the candidate in CAT 2025.
Also Read:
- CAT score vs percentile: Understand the difference
- IIM admission and selection process
- CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2025 slot 2 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2025 slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis
- CAT 2025 response sheet and answer key PDF download
- CAT 2025 question paper PDF download slot 1, 2 and 3
Yes, CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.
CAT exam slot timings will be -
- First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
- Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
- Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
A total of 2.58 Lacs candidates appeared for CAT 2025. Check below gender wise break up.
Category | Number of registrations | Number of test takers |
|---|---|---|
Female | 1.10 lakh | 0.97 lakh |
Male | 1.85 lakh | 1.61 lakh |
Transgender | 9 | 9 |
CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026. Official announcement of the exam and registration schedule will be announced in the last week of July 2026.
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CAT cut offs 2025
IIM CAT cut offs are usually high in the range of 98 to 100 percentile. For PI shortlisting, there is a great emphasis on Class 10 and Class 12 marks. Here’s the list of estimated CAT cut off percentiles 2025.
| IIMs |
CAT cut offs (percentile) |
|---|---|
| 99-100 |
|
| 99-100 |
|
| 99 |
|
| 97-98 |
|
| 97-98 |
|
| 97-98 |
|
| 95-96 |
|
| 95-96 |
|
| 95-96 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 90 |
|
| 90 |
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- Colleges accepting CAT scores range 60-70 percentile
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Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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Student Forum
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 16 hours ago
Candidates have to wait for IIM Ranchi MBA CAT cutoff. Those who clear it become eligible for further scanning process. The candidates may have to visit the website and provide CATID (application sequence number), date of birth, and registered email as per CAT application. The waiting status appears
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 16 hours ago
IIM Ranchi MBA aspirants need to have a valid CAT score. The entrance test is expected to be held on Nov 29, 2026. Candidates taking the exam will be able to download admit cards online. It is generally released online in the first or second week of November. Candidates should stay updated with adm
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 16 hours ago
IIM Ranchi offer admission to its MBA courses based on CAT scores only. The candidates have to take this test and secure a valid percentile. IIMs release its cutoff based on which candidates are called for further selection rounds. There may not be any other provision for admission to the PG level c
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The students who wants to get admission into the MBA course must obtain minimum 50% in their UG degree. They have to appear for any one of the national level entrance exams for MBA course admissions such as CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, MAH-CET and ATMA exam. The minimum cutoff required in CAT exam is 50%. I
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Students may get admission in IIM Bangalore with 95 percentile in CAT. But this is not enough to get a seat. The admission chances also depend on student's overall profile. This includes academic scores + performance in the selection rounds. Students can check the cutoff trends to know better.
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Contributor-Level 10
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IM selection criteria includes Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Academic record and work experience are also taken into consideration for final selection.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
To get 99 percentile and above, candidates must attempt 40-45 out of 68 questions in CAT, with maximum accuracy.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Yes, six months are enough to prepare for CAT exam, if you can dedicate 8-10 hours to it daily. In the first three months complete the syllabus. In the last three months practice mock tests and do revision.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Students may get admission in IIM Kozhikode with 95 percentile in CAT. But this is not enough to get a seat. The admission chances also depend on student's overall profile. This includes academic scores + performance in the selection rounds. Students can check the cutoff trends to know better.
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Contributor-Level 10
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.