How are CAT Scores Calculated?

CAT Score simply refers to the score obtained by the candidate out of the total 198 marks. This year, there were only 66 questions carrying 3 marks each. As per CAT 2022 marking scheme, 3 marks are awarded for every correct answer and 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. There are no negative marks for unattempted questions. All the scores in all three sections are summed up and a total score is calculated.

• VARC section: 24 questions (72 marks)
• DILR section: 20 questions (60 marks)
• QA section: 22 questions (66 marks)

---

What is CAT Percentile?

Before getting into the CAT score vs percentile, let us understand briefly what percentile exactly means. A percentile is defined as a measure that indicates the percentage of students below a candidate in the merit list.

• For example, if you get 80 percentile, it refers to your place in the merit list where about 80 percent of candidates competing with you in the test have scored less than you. Hence, the aspirants securing 80 percentile or above refer to the top 20 percent of the total test-takers in the merit list. 
• So, if the total number of candidates that take the test is 2 lakhs, approximately 40,000 candidates (20 percent) would come under the percentile range of 80 to 100. The percentile secured in the CAT exam is indicative of your position and does not tell the marks that you have scored in the test.

Click Here to Check Eligible Colleges using CAT College Predictor

How to Calculate CAT Percentile?

In order to understand how to calculate CAT Percentile, Here VARC is just taken as an example for the calculation of the percentile.

• The first step is calculating the total number of candidates (N). Here, N refers to the total of students in both morning and afternoon sessions of CAT exam.
• Rank (r) is the allotted rank to the candidate based on the scaled score that he has got in VARC section to all the candidates who appeared for the exam. If two or more candidates get the same marks in VARC section, then the same ranks will be allotted to the candidates.
• The percentile score of a candidate (P) will be calculated with the rank (r) in the VARC section as:

P= [(N-r)/N] X 100

A similar methodology is used for the calculation of the percentile scores of other sections and overall CAT percentile calculation.

What are Scaled Scores in CAT?

• CAT scoring is a complex process that includes scaling and normalization. Based on the scaled scores, the merit list of candidates is prepared since the exam is held in two slots.
• CAT normalization process ensures equity and fairness in the performance of students across sessions.
• The exam is held in two sessions, 9 AM to 12 PM (Forenoon session) and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (Afternoon session). The question papers, for obvious reasons, slightly vary from each other. Thus, the scaled score makes sure that the performance which is evaluated, is fair for all. The scaled score which is calculated might be slightly more or less than the raw score

Must Read:

• IIM Visakhapatnam Shortlist & Admission Criteria
• IIM Trichy Shortlist & Admission Criteria
• IIM Ranchi Shortlist & Admission Criteria

---

CAT Score Normalization Process

• CAT normalization process is done by adjusting scale and location difference of score distribution across both the question papers (forenoon and afternoon). The scaled scores obtained by this process will be converted into CAT percentiles. 
• After this, the candidates will be shortlisted for further rounds like Writing Ability Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview. To ensure fairness and complete equity in the performance of the aspirants in both the sessions, their scores go through CAT normalization process and then finally arrive at individual overall percentile and percentiles in different sections.
• The below-mentioned steps are followed to calculate the scaled score of each section through the normalization process. Take a look at the example of how the scaled scores are calculated.

Step I: Mean and Standard Deviation for Morning Slot 

• Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) is calculated of the raw scores in the VARC section for all the candidates who appear in the morning shift of CAT.
• Mean = M1 and SD = S1
• Hence, G1 = M1 + S1

Step II: Mean and Standard Deviation for Afternoon Slot 

• Similarly, mean and SD of the candidates appearing in the afternoon slot is calculated of the raw scores in the VARC section.
• Mean = M2 and SD = S2
• Hence, G2 = M2 + S2

Step III: Overall Mean Calculation 

• Now, calculate the mean and SD for all the candidates who appeared for both morning and afternoon shifts of the raw scores in the VARC section.
• Mean = M and SD = S
• Hence, G = M + S

Step IV: Raw Score Morning Slot

• Now calculate the mean raw score in the VARC section of the top 0.1% candidates who appeared in the morning slot. Denote this by M1 0.1

Step V: Raw Score Afternoon Slot

• Similarly, for the candidates in the afternoon slot, calculate the mean raw score in the VARC section of the top 0.1% candidates. Denote this by M2 0.1

Step VI: Overall Raw Score

• For the top 0.1% of candidates who appeared for CAT exam for both shifts, calculate the mean raw score in the VARC section. Denote this by M 0.1
• Similarly, this technique will be followed to get the scaled score of all the sections.
• Hence, Total Scaled Score = Sum of scaled scores of VARC, DILR, and QA

Must Read News

• Top MBA Colleges with Low Fees in India Accepting CAT Score

---

CAT Score vs Percentile: Composite Score Calculation

The composite score of the candidates is arrived at by calculating their score after considering several parameters. These include

• Overall CAT score (scaled)
• Class 12th Marks
• Class 10th Marks
• Graduation Marks
• Work Experience
• Gender Diversity
• Academic Diversity

A lot of colleges give different weightage to different factors for the calculation of composite scores. All the top IIMs and other B-Schools have different criteria and based on that the final merit list is generated and the candidates are called for GD and PI rounds. Some other top B-schools like SP Jain also consider the overall profile of the students and then release the calls. The composite score is calculated by each institute individually and some criteria will be discussed later in this article.

---

Admission Criteria for Top IIMs based on CAT Score

The selection process for top IIMs involves a preliminary screening based on CAT scores, class 10th and 12th marks, graduation, work experience, gender etc. All these factors play a crucial role in the selection of the candidate for the next round of WAT, GD and PI. The composite score is generated on the basis of all these factors and a merit list is prepared. The score calculations of some of the top IIMs are below

Must Read Benefits of Non-Engineers and Female Candidates in CAT