CAT 2025 Result Analysis LIVE: What Percentile Is Safe for Calls from Top IIMs?

What Percentile Is Considered Safe for Old IIMs?

This year, 12 candidates have scored a 100 percentile. For IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, a percentile of 99.5 and above is generally considered safe only for candidates with a strong academic record and, in many cases, work experience. In previous years, even candidates with 99+ percentile scores have not received interview calls due to low marks in Class 10, Class 12, or graduation.

Candidates in the 98-99 percentile range have a good chance at IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore, especially those who benefit from academic or gender diversity criteria.

Why a High CAT Percentile Does Not Guarantee an IIM Call

Each IIM follows its own shortlisting formula. Besides the overall CAT percentile, several other factors play a crucial role:

1. Sectional percentile cut-offs
2. Academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation
3. Work experience and its relevance
4. Category-wise and diversity-related weightage
5. Candidates with similar percentiles often receive very different shortlisting results.

Options for Candidates Scoring Between 90 and 95 Percentile

Candidates whose scores fall between the 90th and 95th percentile should not underestimate their chances. The newer and smaller IIMs regularly shortlist candidates in this range. In addition, several well-known non-IIM institutions such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI New Delhi, TAPMI, and KJ Somaiya also consider candidates in this percentile bracket, based on their profile and selection criteria.

What candidates should do next

Candidates are advised to carefully track the shortlisting criteria of different IIMs, apply to the right combination of IIM and non-IIM institutions, and begin preparing for the WAT-PI stage without waiting for the call announcements.