95 Percentile in CAT But Not Shortlisted by IIMs: What Next?

Achieving 95 percentile in the Common Admission Test (CAT) is no less than a big success. In fact, it reflects that you are one of the top 5% of the millions of people who took this highly competitive exam. Nevertheless, attaining 95 percentile in CAT does not always imply that the candidate will be on the list of the top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for sure. Institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Kozhikode often have cutoff scores close to 99 marks or even higher, so it can be difficult to achieve even with 95 percentile.

If you are among those who scored 95 percentile in CAT but have not been shortlisted by the IIMs you wanted to join, then this blog is going to help you know that your situation is not so bad as you think. However, it is not the end of the world. A lot of alternatives, tactics, and subsequent moves are open to you to create a fruitful management profession. This write-up will tell you what to do if this is your predicament and how to get more out of your CAT result.

Understanding Why 95 Percentile May Not Get You Shortlisted

The IIMs conduct a multi-stage selection process. The first stage is the shortlisting for Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) on the basis of CAT score, academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors.

The top IIMs set very high cutoffs, which are mostly above 98 percentile, especially for general category candidates. Besides, they also take into account section-wise scores and academic diversity. 

Hence, even with an overall CAT percentile of 95, factors like lower sectional scores, a not-so-brilliant academic background, and category limitations may disallow you to cut. The new or baby IIMs have lower cutoffs and can pick candidates in the 90-95 percentile range. However, the older IIMs are more competitive.

Explore Newer IIMs and Other Top MBA/PGDM Colleges

The top 6 IIMs are known for having very tight cutoffs, but in contrast, the admission criteria in many newer IIMs are not so tough. The newer IIMs, such as IIM Nagpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Amritsar, and IIM Jammu, usually accept candidates with CAT percentiles ranging from 90 to 95. These institutes provide quality education and decent placement opportunities.

In addition to the IIMs, there is a large number of prestigious private and government business schools that have admission requirements to the CAT scores within the 90-95 percentile range. Most of these colleges have developed institutional relationships with industry giants, and consequently, the students receive a good placement package. Some of these schools are:

Explore Other Options if Not Shortlisted

Trying out other MBA entrance exams can be a wise move if your CAT score has not led to shortlisting at the top IIMs. Getting ready for and scoring well in these tests can create more opportunities for you and increase the likelihood of getting into famous colleges. A few alternatives that are quite popular are:

XAT: The test that XLRI and other institutes take into consideration.

NMAT by GMAC: The score is considered for admission at NMIMS and several other institutes.

CMAT: Many government and private B-schools have their admission process based on this exam.

MAT: The exam for which most colleges accept the scores for MBA admissions.

GMAT: The test is particularly helpful if you want to study abroad or in any Indian institution that accepts GMAT scores.

Profile Strengthen Beyond Your CAT Scores

The admission process is gradually taking into account the overall candidate profile. Your academic record should be strengthened by getting a good score in your undergraduate course. Also, invest time in gaining practical experience that may include work, internships, or other similar activities. Get involved in leadership programs, volunteer for community service, participate in sports, cultural or any other activities.

Firstly, get yourself updated with current affairs. Secondly, keep improving your communication skills. Thirdly, get several mock interviews done to help you practice WAT, GD, and PI rounds. In fact, a well-rounded profile can be the reason for a lower CAT percentile to be neglected.

Plan for Next Year: Possibly Repeat Your Preparation

If you want to be admitted to one of the best IIMs, then you can plan to take the CAT exam next year as well. Take the score of the present exam as a base and aim to upgrade it. Figure out what parts of data interpretation, verbal skills, and logical thinking have been the weak areas and work on them regularly. Doing mock tests against the clock will help you increase the speed as well as the accuracy. Moreover, enrolling in a coaching center or using online study resources can make the difficult topics easier for you. Be regular and disciplined in your preparation, as a lot of students can score higher on the second attempt.

Explore MBA Abroad or Other Programs

Trying to get into IIMs in India and facing difficulties? Well then, you might want to consider studying abroad. The USA, UK, Canada, and Australia are among the countries that provide MBA programs, which could be more open to your qualifications and also take GMAT scores. Moreover, non-traditional management programs such as PGPM, Executive MBA, or professional certificates may also help to unlock new career routes.

Financial and Career Considerations

It is very important to select a good college that will provide you with a good ROI (Return on Investment). Several private PGDM schools in Mumbai offer great industry exposure and decent placement packages, which are only a small part of the IIM fees. These colleges are S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), WeSchool, SIESCOMS, VBS, and so on. New companies, consulting firms, and mid-sized businesses are the kind of places where you can often find exciting roles that allow you to create a strong profile even if you did not attend an IIM.

Tips for Candidates with 95 Percentile CAT but not IIM Shortlisted

• Newer IIMs and top private B-schools accepting 90-95 percentile can be your target.

• Trying out different exams like XAT, NMAT, and CMAT to increase the number of options is another idea.

• Strengthen your overall profile with good academics and relevant work experience.

• Get ready thoroughly for the interview rounds (WAT, GD, PI).

• If you really want to get into the top legacy IIMs, then consider a CAT retake.

• Having an MBA abroad for international experience and more job opportunities.

• Look for private PGDM colleges with good placements and affordable fees.

• Don’t lose hope, check out all the alternatives, and see if they fit your goals.

Final Words

Don't be disappointed if you have scored 95 percentile in CAT but have not been shortlisted by the top IIMs. A 95th percentile is still a very good score that provides you with a wide choice of new IIMs and the well-established private business schools in India. Work on your profile by working, getting good grades, and preparing well for the interview and group discussion. You may submit applications to other well-known MBA and PGDM colleges that allow admissions based on scores of this range. 

Moreover, you can make yourself eligible for more entrances like XAT, NMAT, or CMAT to increase your chances. The best thing is that if you still want to get into a top legacy IIM, maybe next year you can plan out your CAT preparations with more focus and a better strategy. However, it is worth noting that your career will be more dependent on your commitment, skills, and work experience than your CAT score alone. So keep up your good spirits and act prudently by exploring all paths.