The process of getting a seat to a good management school is full of expectations and struggle. With the level of discipline that the Common Admission Test entails, the announcement of the CAT 2025 result is by far the most anticipated event. More than a figure, this mark is the entry to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other the best B-schools in the country. Whereas the exam is a potential ability and capacity to make decisions, the result phase is a patience and strategic ability test of how to go about the next stage, like the Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI).
Knowing which processes lie behind the scorecard, how percentile is calculated and the particularities of the choice is of the key importance to any aspirant. Being sure of your performance or fearing the borderline scores, it is important to have the right information. This all-encompassing guide will give you a clear cut decline to check your standing, grasp the patterns of past years, and determine your opportunity of admission. We will take you through the key timelines, the step-by-step closing on how to download your scorecard and the cut-offs of the different categories in an attempt to strategize your application strategy.
Significant Dates of CAT 2025 Result.
The initial step in the post-exam process is to keep track of the schedule. The CAT 2025 schedule proceeds at a rapid pace after the test is over. The convening IIM usually publishes the tentative answer key some days after the test to give candidates a chance to make objections. Upon the completed answer book, the official results are announced.
The following is the provisional plan on the announcement of the result and the associated activities:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | First week of December 2025 |
| Objection Window Closes | Second week of December 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Result Declaration | Third week of December 2025 |
| Scorecard Availability | Late December 2025 to Early January 2026 |
One should regularly visit the official site to keep track of any alterations in the schedule. As you had made yourself informed on the CAT 2025 Advertisement in the first notification phase, the same case also applies to be attentive now so as not to miss any deadlines of going through your scorecard download.
Installation Information on How to get your Scorecard.
Your result is easily accessed online. The scorecard is the formal document that justifies your performance, and that is necessary in the admission process in all the participating institutes. In contrast to the first registration or the period when you were to download the CAT 2025 admit card, the result login may need only your User ID and Password.
To get your result, here are the easy steps to follow:
1.Go to CAT official website
2.On the home page, find the tab named Scorecard for CAT 2025.
3.Enter your identification/ login details, User ID/ Password.
4.Click on the login button to access your dashboard.
5.Select the option of downloading the scorecard.
6.Store the PDF file as well as print numerous copies to refer to later.
Make sure to have a steady internet connection, so that there is no glitching in the process.
Comparisons between Your Score and Percentile.
A difference between the raw score and the final percentile is one of the most incomprehensible issues to students. The un-scaled score is derived by using the marking scheme (plus 3 in correct answers and minus 1 in incorrect MCQs). The percentile however shows your position upon all the other test takers. The normalization process embraced by the IIM will bring equity in the various slots that may have different levels of difficulty.
The insights of the CAT 2024 paper analysis give a good idea of where you are. Such observations usually indicate how a low raw score can be scored highly in the percentile in case of a difficult paper.
Expected Score vs. Percentile Table:
| Target Percentile | Estimated Raw Score (VARC + DILR + QA) |
|---|---|
| 99.5+ percentile | 95 to 105 |
| 99+ percentile | 84 to 92 |
| 95+ percentile | 65 to 72 |
| 90+ percentile | 50 to 60 |
| 85+ percentile | 40 to 48 |
Note: These figures are estimates and can vary based on the difficulty level of the exam.
The IIM and Non-IIM Cut-Offs to be expected.
The cut-off is the lowest percentile that is needed to receive a call to the next round of selection. It is worth mentioning that there are two kinds of cut-offs: the qualifying cut-off (released prior to results) and the final cut-off (on the basis of actual scores). The whole CAT 2025 planning approach makes a huge contribution in this area in that balancing sectional performance is as imperative as the aggregate mark.
➣Top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta): typically, they have a cut-off of between 99 and 100 percentile in the General category.
➣New IIM (Trichy, Udaipur, Ranchi): generally take admission of students with the 92-96 percentile range.
➣Baby IIMs (Bodh Gaya, Jammu): can make calls to those with percentiles ranging 85-92.
Even the best non-IIM B-schools such as FMS, SPJIMR, and MDI accept cut-offs in CAT 2025 scores that are as high as those in the top IIMs.
Influencing Factors concerning the Cut-Off.
The ultimate cut-off of any institute depends on a number of factors:
➣Test Taker: With increased participation, there is usually increased competition.
➣Difficulty Level: A challenging paper tends to reduce the level of score needed to achieve a high percentile.
➣Seat Availability: MBA/PGDMs have a certain number of seats.
➣Candidate Category: The cut-off of the SC, ST, OBC and EWS category is greatly influenced by the category of reservation.
To the individuals who could be reconsidering their method or strategizing on the next round, it can be helpful to look back upon your strategy over the past 30 days regarding CAT 2025 to see what worked and what did not.
What to Do After the Result?
After you have your scorecard, then the real work comes. The shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Tests (WAT) as well as Personal Interviews (PI). Provided that your score fits the requirements, make sure that you are highly familiar with the exact CAT 2025 registration eligibility exam pattern dates of the institutes you are submitting your application to.
In case the outcome was not what you expected, do not give up. Most of the effective leaders did not succeed at the beginning. When you need to get your passion and motivation back, you can be reminded of these 10 motivational stories of CAT exam toppers that you will have to read to get inspired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When will the outcome for the CAT 2025 be out?
Ans. The result will probably be out in the third week of December 2025, or the first week of January 2026, depending on the plans made by IIM Indore. The precise date will be made available on the official website.
Q2. What is the lifetime of CAT 2025 scores?
Ans. The scores will be valid for upto 1 year, from the date when the result is announced. The score will be valid for the academic year 2026 to 2028.
Q3. Will IDN send my scorecard to me by post?
Ans. No, IIM will not send physical copies of your scorecard via post. You must download the scorecard from the official website using your login credentials.
Q4. What is a good percentile for me to get admission into New IIMs?
Ans. For candidates in the general category, any score between 92-96 is generally considered to be a good score for interview calls from New IIMs. However, considering your academic background and work experience the common good scores can differ.
Q5. Do all MBA exams have a similar normalization process as CAT?
Ans. No, and for example, xat, nmat and snap exams have their own separate scoring and normalization process. Thus, it is also important for you to understand the pattern of each of the exams you appear for.