Martha Divakar · December 21, 2025 Introduction
Every year, over 3 lakh students appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) with one dream in mind: getting into the top IIMs. But here’s the question most aspirants struggle with—is the CAT only about scoring 99+ percentile and entering IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta?
The reality is, while 99+ might grab headlines, B-schools across India offer excellent opportunities at 85, 90, or even 95 percentile. Your percentile is a gateway, not the full story. This blog will map different CAT percentile ranges to corresponding MBA colleges, ROI outcomes, and career trajectories. By the end, you’ll know exactly which colleges to target for your score bracket and how to plan your career roadmap wisely.
Understanding CAT Percentiles and B-School Mapping
A CAT percentile tells you how many test-takers you’ve outperformed. For instance, scoring 95 percentile means you performed better than 95% of aspirants. Each business school sets its own cutoff percentile based on:
- The number of applicants they attract.
- Their brand positioning.
- Competition for limited seats.
The mistake most aspirants make? Thinking success = old IIMs only. In truth, India has 200+ reputed business schools, and your CAT percentile helps you find the right-fit institute rather than chasing only the top tier.
CAT99+ Percentile – The Dream League
If you’re in the top 1% of CAT takers, the gates of India’s most prestigious MBA colleges swing open.
- Target Institutes: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta.
- Other options: FMS Delhi (arguably the best ROI in India), IIM Lucknow, and IIM Kozhikode.
- Fees and ROI: While IIM A/B/C charge ~₹24 Lakh, FMS Delhi charges around ₹2 L and delivers 30+ LPA average packages—ROI unmatched.
- Placement highlight: Consulting, investment banking, and strategy roles dominate with firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Goldman Sachs.
CAT97–99 Percentile – High Achievers’ Zone
Missed the top 3 IIMs? Don’t worry; this percentile band is golden.
- Target Institutes: IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore.
- Top non-IIMs: SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Bombay (SJMSOM).
- Unique advantage: Programs like SPJIMR’s value-based leadership model and MDI’s strong HR and marketing track record.
- Placement averages: ~₹23–27 LPA.
CAT95–97 Percentile – The Strong Climbers
This band is home to solid colleges with rising reputations.
- Target Institutes: New IIMs like Shillong, Trichy, Raipur, Ranchi.
- Non-IIM leaders: NITIE Mumbai (now IIM Mumbai, specializing in Operations), IMT Ghaziabad.
- Placements: ~₹18–21 LPA with niche strengths in IT, operations, and FMCG.
- Best suited for: Candidates with strong backgrounds but who fell short of 97+.
Imagine scoring 96 percentile—it may not reach IIM Lucknow, but NITIE Mumbai opens premium supply chain roles, often with global scope.
CAT90–95 Percentile – Strong Contenders
Is 90 percentile enough for an MBA dream? Absolutely.
- Target Institutes: IIM Kashipur, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam, Nagpur.
- Non-IIM picks: XIMB (Xavier Institute, Bhubaneswar), GIM Goa, TAPMI Manipal.
- Placements: Average packages of 14–17 LPA for top candidates.
- ROI considerations: With ~₹12–15 L fees, schools like XIMB provide decent RoI plus strong alumni networks.
Candidates in this percentile can enter industries like BFSI, consulting entry roles, and mid-level FMCG management—solid outcomes without needing the 99+.
CAT85–90 Percentile – Balanced Opportunities
Not every aspirant breaks into IIMs—but niche MBA colleges at this range shine brightly.
- Top B-schools: MICA Ahmedabad (Marketing Communications), IRMA Anand (Rural Management), FORE Delhi.
- Specialized edge: Unlike general MBAs, these schools offer targeted careers in advertising, development, and branding.
- Average packages: ₹12–14 LPA.
- Real-world impact: Many ad-agency leaders and social enterprise managers stem from MICA or IRMA despite starting with 87–88 percentile scores.
CAT70–85 Percentile – Decent ROI and Smart Choices
This range is often overlooked but holds good private colleges.
- Top picks: KJ Somaiya, Welingkar Mumbai, BIMTECH Noida, LIBA Chennai.
- Fees vs packages: ₹8–12 L fees with ~₹8–12 LPA placements.
- Career pathways: Banking, insurance, and consulting support roles.
- Advice: At this level, researching specialization and alumni network matters more than brand name.
A candidate with 80 percentile in CAT who pursued KJ Somaiya often finds a consistent corporate career with stable ROI, even if not flashy.
Beyond Percentile – What Really Matters?
Percentile is one piece of the puzzle. B-schools also look at:
- Profile fit: 10th, 12th, graduation marks, and work experience can be decisive.
- Sectional cutoffs: IIMs expect minimum 70–80%ile section-wise; a weak QA or VARC score can screen you out.
- Program USP: Passionate about advertising? MICA > average IIM.
- Location and fees: An MBA is an investment; ROI balance is key.
ROI Comparison at Different Percentiles
| Percentile Range | Top Colleges | Avg Package (LPA) | Fees (₹ Lakhs) | ROI Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99+ | IIM A/B/C, FMS | 30+ | 20–25 (FMS 2 L) | Excellent |
| 97–99 | IIM LKI, SPJIMR, MDI | 23–27 | 20–25 | Strong |
| 95–97 | New IIMs, NITIE, IMT | 18–21 | 17–22 | Balanced |
| 90–95 | IIM Udaipur, XIMB, TAPMI | 14–17 | 12–15 | Fairly Good |
| 85–90 | MICA, IRMA, FORE | 12–14 | 10–14 | Niche-driven |
| 70–85 | KJ Somaiya, BIMTECH | 8–12 | 8–12 | Moderate |
The takeaway? ROI is not always tied to percentile. Schools like FMS or IRMA outperform even higher-percentile IIMs when seen from fees-to-package ratios.
How Career Plan B Helps
At Career Plan B, we understand how stressful the CAT percentile game can be. That’s why we go beyond just “score advice”:
- Personalized Career Counselling: We map your CAT percentile and individual profile to realistic B-school opportunities.
- Psycheintel & Career Assessment Tests: To scientifically identify career inclinations, helping you pick the right specialization (Marketing, Analytics, Finance, etc.).
- Admission & Profile Guidance: From SOP writing for MDI to preparing for IIM AWT-PI, we guide at each stage.
- Career Roadmapping: For 85–90%ilers wondering “repeat CAT or take admission?”, our expert team helps design a personalized plan B.
The focus is not only on where you can get in, but also where you will thrive for long-term career growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I get into an IIM with 90 percentile in CAT?
Yes, newer IIMs such as Kashipur, Ranchi, and Udaipur shortlist around 90–92 percentile for general category candidates.
Q2. Is 95 percentile enough for SPJIMR or MDI?
Usually not. SPJIMR and MDI cutoffs hover closer to 96–97, though candidates with exceptional profiles sometimes make it slightly below.
Q3. Which B-school gives the best ROI at 99+ percentile?
FMS Delhi, hands down. With ~₹2 L fee and 30+ LPA packages, its ROI dwarfs even IIM Ahmedabad.
Q4. Is 85 percentile worth doing an MBA?
Yes, especially with niche schools like MICA (Marketing/Media) or IRMA (Rural), where career paths are distinct and rewarding.
Q5. Should I retake the CAT after 85–90 percentile?
It depends. If your goal is IIM Calcutta or FMS, retaking CAT is smart. But if your interests align with niche or mid-tier institutes offering balanced ROI, moving ahead is equally valid.
Conclusion
Your CAT percentile is more than just a number—it’s a compass, pointing you toward different tiers of colleges. Whether it’s the prestige of IIM Ahmedabad at 99+, the specificity of MICA at 87, or the stability of Somaiya at 80, every bracket has strong opportunities if you know where to look.
Instead of obsessing over percentile ceilings, focus on institution fit, ROI, and long-term vision. The MBA journey is about choosing wisely, not just scoring high.
As you plan your career roadmap, remember: a percentile is temporary, but your choices define your future.
