CAT Normalization Process 2025: How is CAT Score Calculated; Know Composite Score Formula

CAT Normalization Process involves scaling of the raw CAT score to arrive at the CAT percentile. It is an important step in preparation of CAT result. The process is explained by the examination agency every year for transparency. Read here to know all about CAT Normalization Process 2025. 

CAT Normalization Process can be referred to as scaling and equating process of exam scores of all candidates across the three slots for percentile calculation. CAT score normalization is done to ensure that all test takers are evaluated on the same scale.

As per the official definition, CAT normalization process"shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalization across different forms, the scores shall be further normalized across different sections.”

Latest: CAT 2025 answer key soon @iimcat.ac.in - live updates

CAT 2025 exam has three slot (slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3) and three different test forms (question papers) will be administered in each one of them. As each slot may vary from each other in terms of difficulty level, score normalization in CAT 2025 will be adopted for assessment of each candidates performance on a common scale. By doing this, the examination authority will ensure that every candidates is assessed for the CAT exam evenly.  

What is Normalization in CAT?

CAT Score Normalization can be understood as a process to ensure fairness and equity in the performances of candidates across all sessions. The CAT normalization process includes adjusting location and scale differences of score distributions across different question papers. The scaled scores obtained by this process will then be converted into CAT percentiles. Candidates will be shortlisted for Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds on the basis of CAT percentile.

CAT_Scaled_Score_Calculation

CAT 2025 result cum scorecard will contain, not the raw CAT exam score but scaled scores for each of the following sections along with the percentiles:

• Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA)

What is Composite Score in CAT and How is it Calculated? 

The CAT composite score of each candidate will be arrived at by calculating their points on the basis of some parameters. These include:

• CAT score (scaled)
• Class 12 marks
• Class 10 marks
• Graduation score
• Work Experience
• Diversity (Gender)
• Diversity (Academic)

Take a look at CAT Composite Score calculator for shortlisting for WAT-PI, issued by IIM Lucknow:

CAT Normalization Process is based on GATE scoring, where the normalization is based on the assumption that distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions. The calculations are based on statistic equations.

In GATE, normalization takes into account all the variations in the difficulty levels of the question papers across different session.

Also Read:

• 100 percentile in CAT? What does it mean
• How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?

GATE Normalization Process

"The normalization is done based on the fundamental assumption that "in all multi-session GATE papers, the distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions". This assumption is justified since the number of candidates appearing in multi-session papers in GATE is large and the procedure for allocation of session to candidates is random. Further, it is also ensured that for the same multi-session paper, the number of candidates allotted in each session is of the same order of magnitude," informs the official GATE website.

Here's GATE normalization formula:

Normalized marks based on the above formula will be calculated corresponding to the raw marks obtained by the candidate in CAT 2025.

Also Read:

• CAT score vs percentile: Understand the difference
• IIM admission and selection process
• CAT 2025 slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis
• CAT 2025 slot 2 answer key PDF question paper analysis
• CAT 2025 slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis
• CAT 2025 response sheet and answer key PDF download
• CAT 2025 question paper PDF download slot 1, 2 and 3

CAT cut offs 2025

IIM CAT cut offs are usually high in the range of 98 to 100 percentile. For PI shortlisting, there is a great emphasis on Class 10 and Class 12 marks. Here’s the list of estimated CAT cut off percentiles 2025.

Read More:

• IIM eligibility criteria 2025
• Top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 60-70 percentile
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 70-80 percentile
• Colleges accepting CAT scores 85 percentile and above
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 80-90 percentile
• Colleges accepting CAT scores range 50-60 percentile