CAT College Preferences 2025: How Many Applications Should You Fill?

Introduction

Every CAT aspirant faces this question after the exam—“How many MBA colleges should I apply to?” The anxiety peaks during January when IIMs open their portals and non-IIMs start closing application windows. With over 2.5 lakh candidates writing CAT each year and only a fraction landing in top institutes, having a clear strategy for college preferences can literally decide your post-CAT success story.

Yet, many candidates either submit too few applications and limit their chances or apply to 20+ colleges blindly, burning both money and mental energy. Finding the perfect middle ground is what this blog is all about.

Understanding CAT College Preferences

Before diving into numbers, it’s crucial to understand what “college preferences” actually mean.

CAT acts as a gateway to over 100 MBA colleges in India, but the application processes differ across institutions. When you apply for CAT, you simultaneously express your IIM preferences in the form itself. This helps determine your eligibility for specific IIM calls once results are out.

However, non-IIM colleges that accept CAT—like SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, FMS, TAPMI, and FORE School of Management—require separate applications through their official websites.

Essentially, your CAT college preference list is a combination of:

• IIM choices selected during CAT registration.
• Additional applications to non-IIMs accepting CAT scores.

Each institute has its own cutoff criteria, weightage parameters, and deadlines. So, your application plan should cover both IIM and non-IIM options in a structured, time-bound way.

What Factors Influence the Number of Applications?

The right number of MBA applications isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule—it depends on your profile, career goals, and realistic assessment of your CAT performance. Let’s break it down.

1. Academic and Professional Profile

An engineer with a strong academic record and solid work experience can comfortably target high-cutoff IIMs and select top non-IIMs. On the other hand, a fresher or candidate with average academics may need to broaden their portfolio.

Profiles with diverse exposure—like commerce or arts graduates—should also apply smartly to schools valuing diversity over scores.

2. Expected CAT Percentile

Your projected percentile range—based on mocks or the actual exam—should guide your application number.

• 99+ percentile: You can target fewer (4–6) elite institutes like IIMs A, B, C, FMS, and SPJIMR.
• 95–98 percentile: Expand to 6–8 colleges including MDI, NMIMS, or IIM CAP participants.
• 85–94 percentile: Apply widely (8–12 colleges) including IMT, TAPMI, and XIME.
• Below 85 percentile: Broaden to 10+ colleges ensuring safety options like BIMTECH or Welingkar.

3. Budget and ROI

Tuition fees across B-schools vary significantly—from ₹2 lakh (FMS Delhi) to ₹26 lakh+ (IIM Ahmedabad). Consider your financial comfort while shortlisting. Mid-tier colleges often offer better ROI due to balanced fees and decent placements.

4. Location Preference

Location impacts exposure, internships, and post-MBA opportunities. Metro-based institutes (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) naturally attract more recruiters. However, smaller-city B-schools might offer personalized attention and lower expense pressures.

5. Specialization Interest

If you have a clear specialization—such as Marketing, Business Analytics, or Finance—filter colleges reputed in that domain. For example, MICA for Marketing or SCMHRD for HR can outperform even some IIMs depending on your career path.

Sample Categorization: Dream – Target – Safe

This segmentation ensures both optimism and practicality in your college list.

How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?

Here’s the most actionable part—translating ambition into numbers.

 High Scorers (99+ Percentile Targeters)

• Ideal applications: 4–6
• Colleges: IIM A/B/C, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, or MDI
• Why: High scorers have competitive leverage and can be selective.

Mid-Range Aspirants (90–95 Percentile)

• Ideal applications: 6–8
• Colleges: IIM CAP schools (Trichy, Ranchi, Raipur), MDI, NMIMS, XIMB, TAPMI
• Why: Balanced mix of moderate and high cutoff institutes increases certainty.

Moderate Scorers (80–89 Percentile)

• Ideal applications: 8–12
• Colleges: IMT, FORE, GIM, XIME, Welingkar, BIMTECH
• Why: Broader net ensures stable placement security.

First-Timers or Working Professionals

• Ideal applications: 7–9
• Mix of aspirational and safe options based on priorities like flexibility, location, and ROI.
• Includes distance learning or executive MBA variants if applicable.

Applying to too few institutes can risk limited calls; applying to too many can overwhelm both finances and focus. The sweet spot generally lies around 8–10 well-thought-out applications.

IIM Preferences vs. Non-IIM Applications

IIMs and the CAP Process

For IIM hopefuls, the Common Admission Process (CAP) is crucial. Post-CAT, mid-tier IIMs such as Ranchi, Trichy, Raipur, Nagpur, Bodh Gaya, Jammu, and Kashipur conduct a combined WAT‑PI round. Candidates must rank their IIM preferences carefully—the order affects call conversions but not the initial shortlist.

Top IIMs (A, B, C, L, I, K) manage selections independently. You don’t need separate forms for IIMs; your CAT registration handles it.

Non-IIM Colleges

Reputed B-schools outside the IIM umbrella require separate forms:

• SPJIMR Mumbai (profile-based shortlisting)
• MDI Gurgaon (CAT cutoff 94+ percentile)
• IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, FORE, Great Lakes
• FMS Delhi (public institution with high ROI)

Each has unique deadlines—many close before CAT results. Hence, start applying by November-December 2025.

Common Mistakes While Filling College Preferences

Many students unknowingly sabotage their chances. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Copying others’ lists: Everyone’s profile and percentile expectation are unique.
• Chasing only big names: Prestige matters, but fit matters more.
• Ignoring ROI: A ₹25‑lakh fee demands proportional career return potential.
• Missing deadlines: Top institutes like SPJIMR and MDI often close early.
• Neglecting specialization fit: A college strong in HR may not suit a marketing aspirant.

Quick checklist:

•  Know your percentile range
•  Research average cutoffs and fees
•  Verify deadlines
•  Categorize Dream–Target–Safe
•  Apply within your budget

Smart MBA Application Strategy for CAT 2025

A structured approach turns chaos into clarity. Here’s how to plan yours:

Step 1. Analyze mock test percentile trends to estimate your CAT range.
Step 2. Shortlist 20–25 potential institutes initially.
Step 3. Research each one—ROI, placements, batch size, recruiters.
Step 4. Narrow to 8–12 relevant applications.
Step 5. Ensure variety across IIMs and non-IIMs.
Step 6. Add backup exams like XAT, NMAT, and SNAP to widen opportunities.

This disciplined pipeline ensures you don’t miss critical deadlines and maintain focus for interviews post-results.

How Career Plan B Helps

Career Plan B offers structured, expert-driven support for students confused between choices. Here’s how it helps you make informed decisions:

• Personalized Career Counselling: Experienced mentors evaluate your academic record, percentile, and goals to design a college shortlist that fits your profile.
• Psycheintel and Career Assessment Tests: Unique tools that map your strengths, aptitudes, and career inclinations—ensuring alignment between your MBA specialization and long-term goals.
• Admission and Academic Profile Guidance: Detailed assistance with SOPs, interview preparation, and application sequencing.
• Career Roadmapping: Post-admission support to help you define clear professional targets even before B-school begins.

In short, Career Plan B ensures your efforts translate into tangible results—not scattered applications.

Have any doubts?
📞 Contact our expert counsellor today and get all your questions answered!

FAQs

1. How many colleges should I apply to after CAT?
   Most aspirants benefit from applying to 8–10 well-researched colleges covering dream, target, and safe categories.
2. Do I need to apply separately for IIMs?
   No, all IIM preferences are captured during CAT registration. However, non-IIMs accepting CAT require their own application forms.
3. Which non-IIMs are worth applying for around the 90 percentile range?
   Colleges like MDI Gurgaon, NMIMS Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, XIMB, and TAPMI are strong contenders.
4. What if I don’t get calls from my top preferences?
   Keep secondary applications ready (SNAP, NMAT, or XAT colleges). Many reputed B-schools accept these scores.
5. Can I change my IIM preference order later?
   No, once submitted in CAT registration, preferences remain fixed. Ensure you finalize them after careful thought.

Conclusion

Filling your CAT college preferences isn’t just a formality—it’s a strategic exercise that shapes your MBA future. Whether you aim for premier IIMs or top private colleges, balance is the secret. Over-application burns resources, while under-application limits scope. A carefully chosen list of 8–10 institutes aligned with your percentile, goals, and budget will give you the best odds of success.

Now is the time to act—start shortlisting, organize your deadlines, and if you’re unsure where to begin, connect with Career Plan B for expert guidance and a customized career roadmap. Your future B-school seat might just be one smart decision away.