List of Colleges Accepting CAT Score

Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Complete 2026 Guide to MBA Colleges Through CAT Score Across All Percentiles (35–100)

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the backbone of MBA admissions in India. Every year, over 2.5 lakh candidates appear for CAT, and their scores are used by 1,300+ MBA colleges accepting CAT score across the country.
From IIMs accepting CAT score at 99+ percentile to colleges accepting low CAT percentile like 35, 40, 45, 50, or 60, CAT creates opportunities for students at every score level—provided they plan smartly.
If you’re confused about CAT percentile and colleges, this guide will help you shortlist realistic, ROI-oriented MBA options, instead of chasing cutoffs blindly.

Index

1. What Does CAT Score Mean for MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score?
2. Which IIMs Accepting CAT Score and Top Colleges for 99+ Percentile?
3. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 90 Percentile: Strong Non-IIM Options
4. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 85–90 Percentile
5. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 80–85 Percentile
6. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 75–80 Percentile
7. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 70–75 Percentile
8. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 60–70 Percentile
9. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 50–60 Percentile
10. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 40–50 Percentile and Below
11. Do IITs Accepting CAT Score Exist?
12. How Reservation & Diversity Affect Colleges Accepting CAT Score
13. CAT Percentile vs Colleges – Summary Table
14. How to Maximize Converts at MBA Colleges Through CAT Score?
15. Why VerbalHub for CAT College Shortlisting & GDPI?

1. What Does a CAT Score Mean for MBA Colleges Accepting the CAT Score?

CAT does not have a pass or fail score. Instead, admissions depend on:

• CAT percentile
• Sectional cutoffs
• Academic background
• Work experience
• Gender & academic diversity
• GD, WAT, and PI performance

How Colleges That Accept CAT Scores Actually Use Them:

• IIMs accepting the CAT score use the CAT as a screening filter
• Tier-1 non-IIMs balance CAT + profile
• Tier-2 and Tier-3 colleges accepting a CAT score 60–80 percentile rely heavily on GDPI
• Colleges accepting low CAT percentile look at motivation, communication skills, and employability

This means a 76 percentile candidate with strong GDPI can outperform a 90 percentile candidate with poor interviews.

2. Which IIMs Accepting CAT Score and Top Colleges for 99+ Percentile?

Students targeting 99–100 percentile usually aim for IIMs and elite national institutes.

Typical Cutoff Range (General Category)

• 5+ → Top 3 IIMs
• 98–99 → Old IIMs
• 95–97 → New & baby IIMs

Other Elite Colleges Accepting CAT Score 90–95+ Percentile

• Average Salary: ₹25–35 LPA
• Fees: ₹15–30 lakhs
• Ideal for: Consulting, Product Management, Strategy, Finance

These institutes shortlist fewer candidates but reward strong academics and clarity of goals.

3. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 90 Percentile: Strong Non-IIM Options

Colleges accepting 90 percentile in CAT offer excellent MBA opportunities beyond the IIMs, with strong placements and national brand value. Many colleges accepting the CAT score 90 percentile, such as IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi, XIMB, and Great Lakes, shortlist candidates based on a combination of CAT score, academic profile, and interview performance. In addition, colleges accepting CAT scores 85th-90th percentile provide high-ROI options for aspirants who narrowly miss the top cutoffs but still aim for quality MBA programs through CAT.

If your score is around 90 percentile, you are still in a very powerful position.

Popular Colleges Accepting CAT 90 Percentile

• Average CTC: ₹15–20 LPA
• Programs: Marketing, Finance, Analytics, Operations
• Key factor: Interview performance

These are among the best MBA colleges through CAT score outside IIMs.

4. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 85–90 Percentile

Colleges accepting 85 percentile in CAT offer strong MBA options for candidates seeking quality education with reasonable competition and good ROI. Many colleges that accept the CAT score in this range focus not only on percentile but also on academic background, work experience, and GD-PI performance. With the right profile and interview preparation, aspirants can secure admission to reputed Tier-2 management institutes through CAT.

This range offers excellent ROI colleges with slightly lower competition.

Examples:

• Average CTC: ₹12–16 LPA
• Best for: Candidates with work experience or domain interest

Many students convert these colleges with CAT scores as low as 85 percentile through strong PI answers.

5. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 80–85 Percentile

Colleges accepting the CAT 80th percentile provide solid MBA opportunities with balanced fees and placements. Many colleges accepting the 80th percentile in CAT and colleges accepting the CAT score 80–85 percentile shortlist candidates based on overall profile, GD-PI performance, and academic consistency. Overall, colleges accepting a CAT score 80 percentile and colleges accepting 80–85th percentile in CAT are ideal for aspirants seeking good ROI and strong career growth through CAT.

This is one of the largest and most underrated segments.

Colleges Accepting CAT Score 80 - 85 Percentile

• Average CTC: ₹10–14 LPA
• Fees: ₹10–15 lakhs

These colleges accepting 80 percentile in CAT focus more on overall personality than just numbers.

6. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 75–80 Percentile

Colleges accepting 75 percentile in CAT provide good MBA opportunities for candidates aiming for reputed Tier-2 and Tier-3 institutes. Many colleges accepting the CAT 75 percentile and colleges accepting the CAT score 75 percentile focus more on overall profile, academic background, and GD-PI performance than just the CAT score, making them achievable options for serious aspirants.

Students searching for:

• Colleges accepting 75 percentile in CAT
• CAT 76 percentile colleges
• Have multiple credible options.

Examples:

• Average CTC: ₹8–11 LPA
• Best for: Freshers & marketing roles

7. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 70–75 Percentile

Colleges accepting 70–80 percentiles in CAT offer practical MBA options with decent placements and reasonable fees. Many colleges accepting the CAT 70 percentile and colleges accepting the CAT score 70 percentile emphasise GD-PI performance, academic consistency, and skill readiness rather than percentile alone. Overall, colleges accepting low CAT scores provide aspirants with meaningful opportunities to build a management career through focused preparation and the right college choice.

This range is ideal for candidates who:

• Missed a high percentile
• Want structured MBA exposure
• Are you okay with regional placements initially

Colleges Accepting 70 Percentile in CAT

• Average CTC: ₹7–10 LPA

Many colleges accepting CAT score 70 to 80 percentile rely heavily on GDPI performance.

8. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 60–70 Percentile

Colleges accepting 60–70 percentiles in CAT open up accessible MBA pathways for candidates aiming to build strong managerial foundations. Many colleges accepting a CAT score 60–70 percentile, including colleges accepting a 60 percentile in CAT and colleges accepting a CAT score 60 percentile, focus heavily on GD-PI performance, academic background, and skill potential. Overall, colleges who accept CAT scores in this range provide practical, career-oriented MBA options with balanced fees and placements.

Yes, MBA colleges accepting a CAT score 60 percentile exist and can be career-building.

Colleges Accepting CAT Score 60 70 Percentile

• Average CTC: ₹6–9 LPA
• Fees: ₹6–12 lakhs

These colleges are ideal if you focus on skills, internships, and certifications during MBA.

9. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 50–60 Percentile

Colleges accepting 60 percentile in CAT, along with colleges accepting 55 percentile in CAT and colleges accepting 50 percentile in CAT, provide viable MBA options for candidates with moderate CAT scores. These colleges focus more on overall profile, communication skills, and GD-PI performance rather than percentile alone, making them suitable for aspirants seeking practical and career-oriented management education.

Students often search:

colleges accepting the CAT score 50 percentile or colleges accepting the CAT 50 percentile

Examples:

• Average CTC: ₹5–8 LPA
• Admissions: Profile-based, GDPI-heavy

10. Colleges Accepting CAT Score 40–50 Percentile and Below

Colleges accepting 45th percentile in CAT and colleges accepting 40th percentile in CAT, including colleges accepting a CAT score 40 percentile, offer admission opportunities to candidates with low CAT scores. These institutes, which are among the colleges accepting low CAT scores, focus more on candidate profiles, communication skills, and interview performance. Overall, colleges who accept CAT score at this level provide a pathway to pursue an MBA through focused preparation and skill development rather than percentile alone.

Yes, colleges accepting the CAT score 40 percentile, 45 percentile, even 35 percentile do exist.

Typically Include:

• Regional private colleges
• State university MBA programs
• Direct or management quota admissions

Average CTC: ₹4–7 LPA

Best for: Career reset + experience building

These colleges accepting low CAT percentile work best when paired with:

• Strong communication skills
• Certifications (Digital Marketing, Analytics, HR tools)

11. Do IITs Accepting CAT Scores Exist?

There are many colleges that accept the CAT score across India, ranging from IIMs and IITs to reputed private and university-affiliated B-schools. Some IITs accepting CAT scores include institutes that offer management programs with a strong focus on technology and analytics. Overall, the list of colleges accepting the CAT score is extensive, giving aspirants multiple MBA options across different percentiles, specialisations, and career goals.

Yes, but cutoffs are high.

IITs Accepting CAT Score

These are excellent for tech + management careers.

12. How Reservation & Diversity Affect Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

Cutoffs vary significantly:

• OBC: 5–10 percentile relaxation
• SC/ST: 15–30 percentile relaxation
• Female candidates: Diversity points
• Non-engineering background: Advantage in many colleges

This means colleges accepting a CAT score 65 percentile for one category may require 75+ for another.

13. CAT Percentile vs Colleges – Summary Table

Common Mistakes Students Make While Applying to Colleges Accepting the CAT Score

• Applying only to “brand names”
• Ignoring GDPI preparation
• Overlooking ROI and batch size
• Missing application deadlines
• Not applying to enough colleges

Smart aspirants apply to 20–40 colleges accepting the CAT score across tiers.

14. How to Maximise Converts at MBA Colleges Through CAT Score?

• Apply early (Round 1 advantage)
• Prepare structured PI answers
• Practice current affairs & SOP
• Keep XAT, CMAT, SNAP as backup
• Take mock GDPI seriously

15. Why VerbalHub for CAT College Shortlisting & GDPI?

At VerbalHub, we work with students across 35–99+ percentile ranges and help with:

• CAT percentile-wise college mapping
• Realistic shortlisting (not emotional)
• Mock GD, PI & WAT with expert feedback
• Profile improvement for low CAT percentile candidates

Your CAT score decides the interview call.

• Your preparation decides the final admission.
• Book free CAT counselling at verbalhub.com