CAT Normalization Process 2025: How is CAT Score Calculated; Composite Score Formula & Process
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
Exam On - 30 Nov '25
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 or the scaling and equating process for CAT exam score is an important step in result preparation. This is the process through which every candidate's performance is evaluated for CAT percentile calculation. The CAT normalization process is announced the at the time of declaration of the CAT exam schedule. According to the information bulletin, the CAT normalization process "shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalisation across different forms, the scores shall be further normalised across different sections.”
CAT 2025 exam will be conducted on November 30, 2025. The exam will be conducted in three slot and three different test forms (question papers) will be administered in every slot (slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3). As there could be differences in the difficulty level of the three the test forms, 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 2024
What is Normalization in CAT?
CAT Score Normalisation 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.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
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)
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 normalisation 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.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
17 Oct '25 - 25 Nov '25
25 Nov '25 - 27 Nov '25
13 Oct '25 - 28 Nov '25
28 Nov '25 - 6 Dec '25
3 Dec '25 - 6 Dec '25
23 Oct '25 - 7 Dec '25
30 Sep '25 - 10 Dec '25
1 Aug '25 - 16 Dec '25
1 Jul '25 - 19 Dec '25
9 Oct '25 - 9 Jan '26
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 2022.
Also Read:
CAT cut offs 2024
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 for last year for reference.
| 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 |
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.
Read More:
- IIM eligibility criteria 2025
- 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
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.
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
25 Nov '25 - 27 Nov '25 | XAT 2026 form correction 2 |
10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25 | XAT 2026 Exam registration |
28 Nov '25 - 6 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 admit card session 1... |
6 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 1 |
28 Oct '25 - 16 Dec '25 | NMAT 2025 Admit Card Issuance |
1 Aug '25 - 16 Dec '25 | NMAT 2025 Rescheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
23 Oct '25 - 7 Dec '25 | MAT PBT Registration 2025 (Dec... |
23 Oct '25 - 15 Dec '25 | MAT CBT Registration 2025 (Dec... |
1 Jul '25 - 19 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Registration |
5 Nov '25 - 27 Dec '25 | IBSAT Slot Booking 2025 |
26 Nov '25 - 28 Nov '25 | CMAT 2026 form correction |
17 Oct '25 - 24 Nov '25 | CMAT 2026 registration and app... |
16 Apr '26 - 18 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
Jan '26 | Publication of TANCET notifica... |
Jan '26 | TANCET registration window |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
The Sri Balaji University CAT Cutoff 2025 is not out yet. However, according to the CAT Cutoff 2024, the minimum percentile required for admission to MBA courses at Sri Balaji University is 50 for the General AI category students. For more information, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 4 days ago
The Vishwakarma University CAT Cutoff 2024 for the General AI students was 50 for admission to various MBA programmes. The CAT exam is the accepting exam for MBA courses and various other PG courses. Students can click here for a more detailed cutoff information about Vishwakarma University 2024.
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Fore School of Management Cutoff 2025 has been released for admission to PGDM course on the basis of CAT and XAT Cutoff 2025. For the General AI category, the overall CAT Cutoff 2025 was 85, same as the XAT Cutoff 2025. For more details about cutoffs for the General AI quota, see the table below:
| CAT Cutoff 2025 | XAT Cutoff 2025 | Course/ Specialisation Name |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 85 | PGDM |
| 75 | 75 | PGDM in International Business |
| 75 | 75 | PGDM in Financial Management |
| 65 | 65 | PGDM in Big Data Analysis |
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Bennett University CAT Cutoff 2025 has not been released yet. However, according to the CAT Cutoff 2024, the overall cutoff was 24 for students belonging to the General AI quota. For the OBC AI candidates, the CAT overall cutoff was also the same at 24. For more information about CAT Cutoff 2025 and
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Hi...
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 5 days ago
Hi.
- Per
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 5 days ago
Hi.
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 5 days ago
GIBS Business School, therefore, accepts 'all national-level entrance examination' scores that include the major management exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, and in some cases State CET exams for admissions to PGDM and MBA programs. These scores will determine a candidate's eligibility for
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
Hi.
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 3 weeks ago
Getting into the MBA programme of NIT Trichy with a 300 SC CAT rank is somewhat uncertain. As the recent data sets suggest, NIT Trichy's CAT cutoff for SC category admission stands around 65th percentile. A 300 SC rank could be borderline depending on how many SC candidates apply and the quality of
A
Contributor-Level 8
For PwD candidates, facilities in CAT exam include, relaxation of marks in graduation. The minimum score required by PwD candidate in graduation for appearing in CAT exam is 45 per cent aggregate. Apart from that, such candidates are provided scribe service at the exam centre. To avail the service such candidates have to fill the relevant form during registration process.