Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Ranking, Fees, Percentile

Among the many national-level entrance tests for admission to master’s programs, one of the most prominent is CAT – the Common Admission Test. The exam is conducted by India’s premier management institutions – the IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) – with a focus on testing students’ abilities in problem-solving, analytical thinking, quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. However, what often raises questions is the score—how much CAT score is considered good, and which colleges accept CAT scores for admission to their MBA/PGDM programs? Let’s find out the answers in the content below.

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About CAT Exam & Colleges Accepting CAT Score for Admissions in MBA Programs

Up to 3 lakh students appear every year for this annual computer-based test with the aim of securing seats in India’s top management institutions. The exam is conducted by one of the IIMs in the month of November each year, and it paves the way for admission to a number of management programs offered by some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including IIMs and IITs. In fact, some foreign universities also accept CAT scores.

To make a long story short, CAT is one of the top entrance exams in the country, and its score is accepted by more than 1,500 MBA and PGDM colleges or institutions. While the CAT score alone is not sufficient, as institutions consider several other factors before granting admission, it definitely plays a crucial role in strengthening your profile for selection. Keep reading for more information in the content below.

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List of Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score for Admission in MBA and PGDM

India’s educational landscape is home to thousands of MBA and PGDM colleges. Some are of international repute, while many others are well-established and highly regarded within the country. The best part is that most of these institutions accept CAT scores for admission to their management programs.

IIT Delhi (DMS), MDI Gurgaon, and IIFT Delhi are some of the top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR that accept CAT scores, while Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) Pune, Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development (SCMHRD), and PUMBA (Department of Management Sciences, Pune University) are among the top three colleges in Pune offering admission on the basis of CAT performance. This means that for students aspiring to secure admission to top-tier (Tier 1) colleges, preparing for and achieving a high score in CAT is not optional—it is essential.

To help make the college selection process easier and faster, we have put together a list of the best colleges accepting CAT scores for admission to their full-time, two-year MBA and PGDM programs.

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Best Percentile-Wise Colleges Accepting CAT Score – Expected Cut-off 2026

It is worth noting that the admission process for any MBA or PGDM program is subject to several factors, such as CAT score, academic performance, work experience, group discussion and personal interview performance, and the institute’s cut-off criteria. Each year, different colleges offer admission based on varying cut-offs, depending on the number of seats available in the institution. Since the number of top colleges is limited, so are the seats available—higher cut-off percentiles are generally expected each year due to increasing competition. To give you a clear idea of the expected cut-offs for 2026, based on previous trends, we have compiled a percentile-wise list of the best colleges accepting CAT scores.

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Tier 2 MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score

Studying at a top MBA college and earning a master’s degree from a reputed institution is a dream shared by lakhs of students. However, due to limited seats, resources, and low CAT scores, only a few thousand students are able to turn this dream into reality. But don’t worry! Tier 2 MBA colleges offer excellent opportunities for students who may not secure admission to Tier 1 institutions. Many of these colleges provide quality education, strong industry exposure, and promising placement opportunities. Find below the list of the best Tier 2 colleges that accept CAT scores for admission to their globally recognized MBA and PGDM programs.

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Writen By:

Pawan Rawat

Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.