CAT Normalization Process 2026: How is CAT Score Calculated, Composite Score Formula

CAT Normalization Process 2026 will be applied for evaluating the performance of all candidates on the same scale. Since the CAT exam is conducted in three slots, the result reflects every candidate's relative performance. Read here to know all about CAT Normalization Process 2026.

CAT normalization process 2026

CAT Normalization Process can be referred to as the 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.”

CAT 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 2026 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.

Also Read: CAT Admit Card

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 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)

Why is CAT Normalization Process Done?

As mentioned above, normalization of CAT score is important in order to evaluate each candidate on the same scale. The key reasons are:

• CAT is a competitive exam and more than one candidate can score the same marks
• Evaluation of candidate's performance on relative scale helps in ensuring all test takers are judged for their performance among peers and not merely on marks scored
• CAT score normalization removes the chances of a candidate getting a advantage or disadvantage due to difference in question paper sets across the exam slots

Also Read:

• CAT syllabus
• CAT pattern
• CAT books for preparation
• CAT previous year question paper
• CAT preparation

CAT Raw Score Calculation Formula

CAT raw score is calculated on the basis of the following marking scheme:

• +3 for every correct answer
• -1 for every incorrect answer
• 0 for unanswered questions and incorrect TITA questions

Check Out:

CAT Normalization Formula

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, normalisation takes into account all the variations in the difficulty levels of the question papers across different session.

Also Read:

• 100 percentile in CAT? What does it mean
• How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?

CAT Score vs Percentile 2026 (Expected)

Since CAT scores are normalized for calculation of percentiles. All the score accepting colleges select candidates on the basis of theit CAT percentile and not the score. So, it is critical to understand how much CAT score will convert into how much percentile. Check the below table for CAT score vs percentile calculation for exam.

Also Read:

• IIM eligibility criteria 2027
• IIM admission and selection process
• Top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 60-70 percentile
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 70-80 percentile
• Colleges accepting CAT scores 85 percentile and above
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 80-90 percentile
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 50-60 percentile

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 cut offs 2026

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.

Read More:

• 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