What to Focus On If You Score Below 90 in CAT

Introduction

Every year, more than two lakh aspirants appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT), hoping for that dream 99+ percentile. Yet, statistics show that over 85% of test-takers fall below 90 percentile. If you’re one of them, take a deep breath — this is not the end of your MBA journey.

Scoring below 90 percentile in CAT doesn’t mean you lack potential or preparation. It simply reflects how competitive the exam has become. Many aspirants who once fell in this range have later secured admissions in top private B-schools, built strong careers, and proved that success depends on direction, not just numbers.

In this blog, we’ll explore what you should focus on after a low CAT score — from understanding your percentile to choosing alternate exams, colleges, and building a robust Career Plan B.

Understand What Your CAT Score Really Means

Before making your next move, it’s important to interpret your CAT performance correctly. A 85 percentile could mean you’ve outperformed thousands, even if it’s not enough for the older IIMs. CAT is a relative test — your percentile reflects your position among peers, not your aptitude or managerial potential.

The key is to understand the practical college options your percentile opens up.

Shift Focus from Percentile to Profile

At this stage, what matters most is your profile, not just your percentile. B-schools today assess candidates holistically — they look for strong academic records, leadership experience, career clarity, and communication skills.

A low percentile can be compensated with a strong personal profile that demonstrates initiative and capability.

Ask yourself:

• Do you have internship or work experience highlighting relevant skills?
• Have you engaged in extracurriculars, projects, or volunteering?
• Does your resume reflect growth and potential beyond academics?

Top colleges like SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, and GLIM Chennai value balanced profiles over pure percentiles.

Here’s a simple checklist to start improving your profile immediately:

• Update and optimize your LinkedIn profile.
• Enroll in industry-recognized certifications (Digital Marketing, Finance Analytics).
• Join NGOs or startups for short-term project exposure.
• Network with alumni on platforms like InsideIIM or Pagalguy for insights.

The more you strengthen your personal story, the better your chances — regardless of percentile.

Explore MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores Below 90

Plenty of quality MBA and PGDM colleges accept students with CAT scores below 90 percentile and still offer excellent ROI. Let’s divide them by percentile bands for clarity.

85–89 Percentile:

• KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
• TAPMI, Manipal
• Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai/Gurgaon)
• IMT Ghaziabad

75–84 Percentile:

• BIMTECH, Noida
• IFMR Graduate School of Business (Sri City)
• Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai
• LBSIM, Delhi

60–74 Percentile:

• Alliance University, Bangalore
• Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore
• JIMS Rohini, Delhi
• Christ University, Bengaluru

While choosing among these, focus on faculty strength, student mix, placement data, and specialization scope. Many of these institutions report average placements between ₹7–12 LPA, making them solid ROI options.

Internal resource link opportunity: [Top MBA Colleges for CAT Score 70–90 Percentile].

Diversify: Try Other MBA Entrance Exams

Did you know more than 50% of Indian MBA aspirants crack top B-schools not through CAT, but via other exams? If CAT didn’t go well, diversifying your plan is smart and strategic.

Here are major alternatives with unique advantages:

These exams vary in difficulty and pattern. For instance, XAT emphasizes decision-making and logic, NMAT focuses on precision and flexibility, and SNAP rewards speed and conceptual clarity.

Choosing to attempt one or more exams gives you multiple chances to secure admission. It’s about resilience, not repetition.

Evaluate Whether to Retake CAT Next Year

Now comes the big question — should you reattempt CAT next year?

Retaking the exam can be advantageous if your preparation this year was rushed or incomplete. A second attempt often brings better understanding, confidence, and familiarity with the pattern.

Consider retaking CAT if:

1. You started preparing late or skipped sectional practice.
2. Your mock scores improved over time, showing potential for growth.
3. You didn’t invest enough in mock analysis and adaptive strategy.

A disciplined reattempt plan can work wonders.

3-Step Retake Strategy:

1. Reassess Weaknesses: Review your performance and identify low-scoring areas.
2. Revise Materials & Mocks: Use high-quality mocks from platforms like Career Launcher or IMS.
3. Start Early: Begin preparation by April-May with weekly milestones and monthly reviews.

Remember, CAT is not unpredictable — it rewards consistency.

Fortify Your Career Plan B

A smart student doesn’t stop at Plan A. Creating a Career Plan B ensures stability and continuous growth.

If your CAT score doesn’t align with your goals this year, redirect your focus to alternate MBA streams or skill-driven programs.

Options include:

• Executive MBA or Online PGDMs from reputed institutes.
• Specialized courses in Business Analytics, Finance, HR, or Digital Marketing.
• Professional certifications like CFA, CIMA, or Data Science for managerial roles.

Plan B is not giving up — it’s strategic repositioning. It helps you gain experience before your next CAT or build career maturity before entering B-school.

Internal resource suggestion: [MBA Alternatives Beyond CAT].

How Career Plan B Helps

At this turning point, guidance matters. Career Plan B specializes in helping students who feel uncertain after MBA entrance exams like CAT.

Here’s how Career Plan B can support your journey:

• Personalized Career Counselling: Helps identify your strengths and best-fit MBA exams or institutes.
• Psychometric & Career Assessment Tests (Psycheintel): Scientifically evaluate your aptitude, interests, and personality.
• Admission Guidance: From college shortlisting to profile-building and SOP preparation.
• Career Roadmapping: Create a 2-year plan covering exams, college targets, and professional development.

Instead of viewing a low score as a setback, Career Plan B helps you see it as a starting point for wiser, informed decisions.

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

FAQs

Q1. Can I still get into a good college with a CAT score below 90?
Yes. Colleges like TAPMI, KJ Somaiya, and Great Lakes have strong placement records and accept CAT scores below 90 percentile.

Q2. Should I focus on SNAP or XAT after a low CAT score?
Absolutely. SNAP is more speed-based while XAT emphasizes reasoning and decision-making. Both offer chances for top-tier MBA programs.

Q3. Is it worth retaking the CAT next year?
If your prep lacked structure or consistency this year, a retake can be beneficial. Many candidates improve their percentile significantly in the second attempt.

Q4. Are newer IIMs possible at this percentile range?
Typically, new IIMs require 88–90 percentile with good academic diversity, so you might stand a chance depending on your profile.

Q5. What is the ROI of colleges between 75–85 percentile?
Institutions like BIMTECH and IMT Ghaziabad offer average placements around ₹10–12 LPA, ensuring decent ROI for their program fees.

Conclusion

A CAT score below 90 percentile can feel disappointing, but it doesn’t define your journey. The management world values persistence, adaptability, and clarity far more than percentile points.

Your focus now should be on leveraging your profile, exploring alternate exams, and building a sustainable career roadmap. Many successful managers today weren’t 99-percentilers — they were strategic planners who refused to stop trying.

Use this moment as a redirection, not a roadblock. Whether through XAT, SNAP, or Career Plan B’s guided counselling, your path to an excellent MBA and career success is still wide open.