CAT 2024 results were released online. Students who appeared for the CAT exam may face concerns about the sectional cutoff. But worry not. In this article, Shiksha has listed down the top MBA colleges in India which give admission to the MBA programme without sectional cutoff. Read the article below to know more.
MBA colleges in India with no sectional cutoff: CAT is one of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. The CAT exam is the first stepping stone for students embarking upon the MBA journey. Every year lakhs of students appear for the CAT exam, with a dream to get into the top B-school in India. But all of them do not achieve it. But it does not mean it is the end of the road of getting into a good B-school.
Explore colleges based on CAT
CAT 2024 was conducted on November 26, 2023, by the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. The CAT response sheet was also released on the official website of CAT. Traversing the intricate aspects of the CAT exam presents challenges other than the overall CAT percentile. Many students who appeared for the exam may face concerns about sectional cutoff. But, there are many top MBA colleges in India without sectional cutoff which offer admissions into the MBA programme. In this article, Shiksha has listed down the MBA colleges in India with no sectional cutoffs.
Q: How much percentile is a good score in CAT exam?
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission to various management programs offered by top business schools in India. The percentile score in CAT exam is based on the relative performance of the test taker compared to all the other test takers.
The cutoff percentile for admission to top business schools varies from year to year and also depends on factors such as the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and the number of available seats. In general, a percentile score of 90 or above is considered a good score and can help you secure admission to some of the top business schools in India. However, to increase your chances of admission to the top-tier business schools, a percentile score of 95 or above is preferred.
Q: How much percentile is a good score in the CAT exam?
Q: How is the CAT score and percentile calculated?
Also Read: CAT result 2023 released; check live updates
What is Sectional Cutoff?
CAT is divided into three sections, i.e. Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The sectional cutoff is the minimum score decided by the institutes which is based on factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, number of applicants, available seats, etc. These cutoffs are set for each section of the CAT exam and serve as qualifying criteria for admissions to the institutes. Achieving a balanced sectional cutoff is crucial as many management colleges consider sectional cutoffs in addition to the overall percentile for admissions. Meeting the sectional cutoff will enhance the chances of the students to get into their dream B-school. Typically, a score of 70-80 percentile in VARC and DILR and 60-70 percentile in QA is good score. However, various MBA colleges in India also take other factors into consideration such as work experience, academic profile, PI performance.
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- CAT 2023 Official Answer Key, Response Sheet PDF Download
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Is the Sectional Cutoff Important?
CAT is a highly competitive exam and the sectional cutoff is important in the way that many institutes determine the minimum score needed for the students to qualify for admissions. The CAT sectional cutoff may vary from one institute and programme to another. Scoring well in all the sections is generally essential for achieving a good overall CAT percentile.
However, the importance of the CAT sectional cutoff may also vary on the college that the student is targeting. Most of the tier I colleges focus on the overall cutoff as well as the sectional cutoff, but a majority of the tier II and tier III colleges focus only on the overall cutoff. IIMs and top B-Schools publish their sectional and overall cutoff once the CAT results are announced. The CAT result 2024 has been announced on December 21, 2023. So, excelling only in one section is not enough to land a top tier B-school. Scoring well in all the three sections of the CAT exam is imperative.
Q: What is sectional cutoff in CAT exam?
Sectional cut off in CAT exam refers to the section wise percentiles required by the candidate for making it to the Personal Interview round of the IIMs or other top MBA colleges. The sectional cut offs are lower than overall cut offs of any institute. To understand better, check the table below for sectional CAT cut offs for IIM Ahmedabad:
Category | VARC percentile | DILR percentile | QA percentile | Overall percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|
General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
NC-OBC-Transgender | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
PwD (General, NC-OBC-cum-transgender, SC) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
PwD (ST) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
For sectional cut offs of all IIMs, check this article – IIM shortlist and selection criteria
Q: How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?
Q: What is the CAT cut off for IIM Lucknow?
Q: What are the qualifying CAT cutoffs for all the IIMs?
Q: Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?
Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile
List of MBA Colleges in India with No Sectional Cutoffs
The following table depicts the list of MBA colleges in India with no sectional cutoffs with their overall expected CAT cutoff 2024:
Name of the Institute |
Expected CAT Cutoff 2023 |
---|---|
96+ |
|
80+ |
|
98+ |
|
90+ |
|
24.6 |
|
23.75 |
|
70+ |
|
85+ |
|
99 |
|
93+ |
|
85+ |
|
94+ |
|
85+ |
|
85+ |
|
88+ |
Also Read:
Advantages of MBA Colleges in India With No Sectional Cutoff
Choosing MBA colleges with no sectional cutoff can be advantageous in the way that these colleges look at the overall performance of the aspirants rather than focusing on a particular section. Colleges that do not impose sectional cutoffs in entrance exams, such as the CAT for MBA programmes, offer several advantages to candidates. Here are some potential benefits:
- Flexibility in Strengths and Weaknesses: Candidates have the flexibility to emphasize on their strengths and compensate for weakness in the sections where they scored low. This gives room for a holistic assessment of a candidate’s overall abilities.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: The MBA colleges can evaluate the aspirants comprehensively considering their performance across all the sections rather than focusing solely on one section. The absence of strict sectional CAT cutoffs may lead to a fairer evaluation, preventing candidates from being eliminated based on a single suboptimal section. It allows for a more nuanced consideration of individual performances.
- Encourage Diverse Skill Sets: A lack of sectional cutoffs encourages candidates with diverse skill sets to apply to their dream college. It recognizes that different professionals may excel in various areas, promoting diversity in the student body. Candidates from non-traditional academic or professional backgrounds may find it easier to qualify, as their unique skills and experiences can be taken into account more holistically.
- Adaptability to Changing Trends: The absence of rigid sectional cutoffs allows colleges to adapt to changing trends and requirements in the business and academic environments. It enables them to stay responsive to evolving industry needs.
It is important to note that while these advantages exist, candidates should still strive for a balanced performance across all sections to enhance their chances of success in the competitive admission processes.
Read More:
With over 7 years of editorial experience, Saumya has been a writer at Shiksha for over four years. With a bachelor's degree in English literature from Delhi University, she loves to write. A true Delhiite and her l... Read Full Bio
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Mba? And is CAT is mandatory and I know about fee and when admission is going?