Understanding CAT 2023 Score and Percentile Distribution: A Comprehensive Guide

The Consortium of India for Management Admission (CIMA) conducts the Common Admission Test (CAT) annually to assess candidates for management programs. In this article, we will explore the score and percentile distribution patterns for CAT 2023. Our analysis draws insights from scorecards published by various coaching institutes, offering a fair understanding of the distribution and helping you set realistic goals.

Score vs Percentile Distribution

Below are some key insights into the score and percentile distribution for CAT 2023. As referenced in the provided image, the marks required for each section to achieve specific percentiles are as follows:

Percentile Targets and Required Marks

Consistently pushing yourself is key to achieving your goals. If you are currently scoring at the 90th percentile, aim to improve to the 95th percentile, and further strive for the 99th percentile. Here’s a breakdown of the required marks for different percentile targets:

80th Percentile: 4/4/4 90th Percentile: 7/7/7 99th Percentile: 13/13/13

It's important to note that these values depend on the difficulty level of the exam, which varies each year, consequently affecting the percentile distribution.

Exam Details and Comparison

Exam Date: November 26, 2023

The CAT 2023 was conducted over three slots, and Slot 3 was slightly longer than the other two. Here’s how to approach the results for Slot 3:

Slot 3 Candidates: Take a chill pill; your overall cut-off scores will be lower than those from Slot 1 and Slot 2.

Total Registration: 330,000 students

Paper Rating: Moderate to Difficult

Exam Conducting Institute: IIM Lucknow

Scores for Specific Percentiles

Breaking down the scores required for various percentiles, here are the ranges for performances:

99.5th Percentile: 95–102 99th Percentile: 78–85 95th Percentile: 57–64 90th Percentile: 48–55

Target Questions for Each Section

For the different sections of the CAT, here are the ideal number of questions one should aim to answer correctly:

Vernacular and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 12–14 questions Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 8–9 questions Quantitative Ability (Quant): 9–10 questions

Exam Analysis and Tips

Both VARC and DILR sections were rated as moderate to difficult, while the Quantitative Ability section was significantly difficult. With this in mind, focus on your weaker areas and practice consistently. The hard part is now over, but prepare for Phase 2 with renewed dedication.

Conclusion and Motivation

I hope this guide has provided valuable insights to help you understand the CAT 2023 scores and percentiles. Always strive to push your boundaries and aim for higher percentiles. If you need any further guidance, feel free to contact me on LinkedIn or Twitter for one-on-one mentoring.

Good luck with your future endeavors!