Foreign MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: A Complete Guide for Indian Aspirants (40–95+ Percentile)
If you are searching for foreign MBA colleges accepting CAT scores or trying to understand which MBA colleges accept CAT scores at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percentiles, you are not alone. More than 3 lakhs students try their luck through the CAT exam, but above 95th percentile achievers convert top IIMs. The good news? CAT is not an all-or-nothing exam—both in India and abroad. This blog is your most comprehensive guide to: International colleges accepting CAT scores, MBA colleges accepting low CAT scores, and top MBA colleges accepting 85–90 percentile in CAT. Moreover, it is going to brief about Colleges that do NOT accept CAT, Smart strategies for low CAT scorers, and When CAT alone is enough—and when it isn’t. Additionally, you will read about Why CAT Is More Powerful Than You Think and CAT is not just for IIMs.
Note: Over the years, CAT has gained global recognition, especially among international B-schools that value:
- Quantitative rigor
- Competitive exam performance
- Indian academic benchmarking
Unlike the myth that “only GMAT works abroad”, several reputed global institutions now accept CAT scores directly from Indian applicants, especially for MBA, MiM, and Global Management programs.
Index
1. Foreign MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score (Officially)
2. Is CAT Enough for an MBA Abroad?
3. Top MBA Colleges Accepting 80–90 Percentile in CAT (India + Abroad)
4. MBA Colleges Accepting 40, 50, 60 Percentile in CAT: Is It Possible?
5. Top MBA Colleges are not Accepting CAT Score
6. CAT Score vs Likely College Type (Quick Summary Table)
7. Pro Tips for Low CAT Scorers (40–60 Percentile)
8. Final Thoughts: CAT Is a Tool, Not a Verdict
1. Foreign MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score (Officially)
While most international universities prefer GMAT or GRE, the following prestigious global business schools accept CAT scores—making them excellent options for Indian aspirants.
International Colleges Accepting CAT Score
| Business School | Location | Popular Programs | Expected CAT Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP Jain School of Global Management | Dubai, Singapore, Sydney | Global MBA, MGB | 85+ |
| ESSEC Business School | France, Singapore | Master in Management (MiM) | 90+ |
| HEC Paris | France Master in Management | 95+ | |
| ESCP Business School | Europe (Multi-campus) | MBA / MiM | 90+ |
| EDHEC Business School | France MiM | Global MBA | 85+ |
| Asian Institute of Management | Philippines | MBA | 75+ |
| University of Western Australia | Australia | MBA | 80+ |
Key Insight:
For international colleges accepting CAT score, your profile matters as much as your percentile—academic consistency, work experience, SOP, and interviews play a decisive role.
At VerbalHub, students targeting such global programs are guided on how to compensate a slightly lower CAT percentile with profile storytelling and interview strength—a factor most aspirants underestimate.
2. Is CAT Enough for an MBA Abroad?

Short answer: CAT is necessary but not the final key to an MBA.
What Else Do You Need?
English Proficiency (Mandatory)
- IELTS / TOEFL is required by most foreign universities
- CAT does not replace language tests
- Especially mandatory for Australia, France, Singapore
Work Experience (Often Required)
- Most foreign MBA programs require 2–3 years of work experience
- Freshers should target MiM programs, not MBAs
MiM vs MBA (Critical Distinction)
- MBA abroad → for experienced professionals
- MiM abroad → ideal for freshers / 2 years experience
Schools like ESSEC, HEC Paris, and EDHEC are far more open to CAT scores for MiM programs.
3. Top MBA Colleges Accepting between 80–90 Percentile in CAT (India + Abroad)
The 80–90 percentile range is a sweet spot—high enough for quality institutes, but often ignored due to IIM obsession.
India: MBA Colleges Accepting between 80–90 Percentile in CAT
| 1. FORE School of Management (Delhi) |
| 2. GIM Goa |
| 3. TAPMI Manipal |
| 4. KJ Somaiya Mumbai |
| 5. BIMTECH Greater Noida |
These are the top MBA colleges accepting 85th percentile in CAT, even though these are in the category of MBA colleges accepting 80th percentile in CAT.
International Option
SP Jain Global (profile-based calls even at 80–85 percentile)
These colleges offer:
- Strong alumni network
- Good placements
- Better ROI than many Tier-3 institutes
This is one of the foreign colleges accepting the CAT score, and one of the top MBA colleges not accepting the CAT score.
4. MBA Colleges Accepting 40, 50, 60 Percentile in CAT: Is It Possible?

Yes—but strategy matters more than score here.
These are some MBA colleges accepting the 40th percentile in CAT. However, it varies year to year also, thus the same are MBA colleges accepting 50th percentile in CAT and even higher.
| 1. NDIM New Delhi |
| 2. Jaipuria Institute of Management (Noida / Lucknow) |
| 3. IBS Hyderabad (ICFAI) |
| 4. Amrita School of Business |
| 5. UPES Dehradun |
These are MBA colleges accepting 60th percentile in CAT or ranging from 40th to 60th evaluate:
- Graduation marks
- Interview performance
- Profile fit
- Domain interest
Let’s go to the low side of MBA colleges accepting low CAT scores or colleges accepting the 45th percentile in CAT 2025.
| 1. Amity University |
| 2. LPU |
| 3. Chandigarh University |
| 4. JIMS |
These are Tier-3 / private universities—suitable if your goal is an MBA degree, not elite placements.
Pro Tip:
Students scoring 45–60 percentile in CAT often convert better colleges through MAT, CMAT, or profile-based admissions—a strategy regularly advised at VerbalHub.
5. Top MBA Colleges are not Accepting the CAT Score

Many top institutes completely ignore CAT and rely on other exams.
| College | Exam Accepted |
|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT |
| NMIMS Mumbai | NMAT |
| SIBM Pune / SCMHRD | SNAP |
| TISS Mumbai (HR) | CUET PG |
If CAT didn’t go well, you still have elite alternatives.
6. CAT Score vs Likely College Type (Quick Summary Table)
| CAT Percentile | College Tier | Potential Options |
|---|---|---|
| 95–100 | Tier 1 (India + Global) | IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, HEC Paris |
| 85–95 | Tier 1 Private / IITs | MDI, IIT Delhi, ESSEC, SP Jain |
| 75–85 | Tier 2 Premium | GIM, TAPMI, Univ. of Western Australia |
| 60–75 | Tier 2 Standard | BIMTECH, IBS, Asian Inst. of Mgmt |
| Below 60 | Tier 3 / Private | UPES, Amity, JIMS |
Remember: MBA colleges accepting the 90th percentile in CAT will be tier 1, which means a megacity. MBA colleges accepting the 85th percentile in CAT will be a combination of megacities and big cities. MBA colleges accepting the 75th percentile in CAT will be a mix of big cities and towns. MBA colleges accepting 70 percentile in CAT are the towns.
7. Pro Tips for Low CAT Scorers (40–60 Percentile)

I. Don’t Panic
- Many successful professionals did not graduate from IIMs.
II. Focus on Specialized MBAs
Programs in:
- Digital Marketing
- Data Analytics
- Healthcare Management
- Business Analytics
Often have lower CAT cutoffs but strong industry demand.
III. The “Profile Edge”
- For international colleges accepting CAT score, work experience can override a low percentile, especially in schools like the Asian Institute of Management.
- This is where expert profile positioning and interview prep—a core focus area at VerbalHub—becomes decisive.
8. Final Thoughts: CAT Is a Tool, Not a Verdict
CAT does not define your potential—it opens different doors at different percentiles.
- MBA colleges accepting 90 percentile in CAT mean Global & Tier-1 India
- MBA colleges accepting 85 percentile in CAT means still Global & Tier-1 India
- Top MBA colleges accepting 85th percentile in CAT mean Premium private & global programs
- MBA colleges accepting 80th percentile in CAT mean Premium private & global programs
- Top MBA colleges accepting low CAT scores between 60–80th percentile mean Solid ROI colleges
- MBA colleges that accept the CAT score between 40–60th mean Strategic alternatives & specialized MBAs
The key is knowing where to apply and how to convert.
- MAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, international MiMs, and profile-based admissions often rescue one bad CAT attempt—if used intelligently.
- This is where structured guidance, realistic shortlisting, and interview mastery matter far more than chasing cutoffs.
How VerbalHub Fits In (Naturally)
Many CAT aspirants struggle not because of score, but because of a poor strategy. At VerbalHub, aspirants are guided to:
- Match the CAT percentile with the right-fit colleges
- Explore foreign MBA / MiM options
- Strengthen interviews, SOPs, and profile narratives
- Convert offers instead of collecting rejections
Take Away:
CAT gives you a number.
The right strategy gives you admission.
Thus List of MBA colleges accepting CAT scores is not everything, and the CAT score for MBA colleges is not the final verdict of a career.
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