CAT Marks vs Percentile 2026 helps candidates understand how their expected CAT score may translate into a percentile.
With the CAT 2026 exam scheduled for November 29, 2026, candidates can use previous-year score data to set realistic targets for the upcoming exam.
The overall CAT score has varied across years because the total marks and paper difficulty have changed. In 2025, for example, 137 marks corresponded to 99.99 percentile, 112 marks to 99.9 percentile and 85 marks to 99 percentile.
Based on the 2025 data, the expected CAT 2026 marks vs percentile range can be estimated, although the actual score required will depend on the difficulty level of the CAT 2026 paper.
Scroll down to know all about CAT score vs percentile 2026 along with relevant details.
CAT Marks vs Percentile 2026
The table below shows the previous-year overall CAT scores at different percentiles along with the expected score range for CAT 2026. Check the expected CAT marks vs percentile 2026 in the table below:
| CAT Percentile | 2025 Marks | 2024 Marks | 2023 Marks | 2022 Marks | 2021 Marks | 2020 Marks | CAT 2026 Expected Marks |
| 99.99 | 137 | 145 | 119 | 140 | 155 | 159 | 137+ |
| 99.9 | 112 | 125 | 101 | 111 | 125 | 132 | 112+ |
| 99 | 85 | 95 | 76 | 85 | 98 | 102 | 85+ |
| 98 | 75 | 85 | 66 | 74 | 88 | 92 | 75+ |
| 95 | 62 | 70 | 55 | 61 | 72 | 76 | 62+ |
| 90 | 51 | 57 | 44 | 49 | 60 | 65 | 51+ |
| 80 | 38 | 45 | 34 | 36 | 45 | 49 | 38+ |
*Expected CAT 2026 marks are based on the latest available 2025 data provided above and are not actual CAT 2026 scores.
The data shows that 85 marks corresponded to the 99 percentile in CAT 2025, while 62 marks were associated with the 95 percentile and 51 marks with the 90 percentile.
Since the CAT 2026 paper is yet to be conducted, the actual score-to-percentile relationship will depend on the difficulty and overall performance in the exam.
CAT Score vs Percentile 2026
Based on the previous-year data, 85 marks was enough for 99 percentile in CAT 2025, while candidates needed 112 marks for 99.9 percentile and 137 marks for 99.99 percentile.
At the lower percentile levels, 62 marks corresponded to 95 percentile, 51 marks to 90 percentile and 38 marks to 80 percentile.
This makes the CAT score vs percentile relationship particularly important for candidates deciding how many marks to target in CAT 2026.
CAT 2026 Marks vs Percentile: VARC
VARC has a maximum of 72 marks in the data provided for 2022 to 2025. In CAT 2025, candidates scored 54 marks at the 99.9 percentile, 43 marks at 99 percentile and 32 marks at 95 percentile.
| VARC Percentile | 2025 Marks | 2024 Marks | 2023 Marks | 2022 Marks | 2021 Marks | 2020 Marks |
| 99.9 | 54 | 53 | 53 | 49 | 56 | 53 |
| 99 | 43 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 44 | 42 |
| 95 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 34 | 32 |
| 90 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 28 | 27 |
| 85 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 24 |
| 80 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 22 |
| 70 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 17 |
For CAT 2026, the 2025 VARC scores can be used as a practical benchmark.
A score of around 43 marks or more may be considered a 99 percentile-level target based on the 2025 data, while the exact percentile will depend on the CAT 2026 paper.
CAT Marks vs Percentile 2026: DILR
DILR had a maximum of 66 marks in 2024 and 2025. The marks required for a particular percentile have fluctuated more noticeably in this section.
In CAT 2025, 41 marks corresponded to 99.9 percentile, 30 marks to 99 percentile and 21 marks to 95 percentile.
| DILR Percentile | 2025 Marks | 2024 Marks | 2023 Marks | 2022 Marks | 2021 Marks | 2020 Marks |
| 99.9 | 41 | 50 | 37 | 38 | 42 | 46 |
| 99 | 30 | 38 | 27 | 29 | 34 | 34 |
| 95 | 21 | 28 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 25 |
| 90 | 16 | 22 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 |
| 85 | 14 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 18 |
| 80 | 12 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 |
| 70 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
The difference between years shows why candidates should use DILR marks vs percentile data as a reference rather than a fixed conversion chart.
CAT Score vs Percentile 2026: QA
QA had a maximum of 66 marks in the 2021 to 2025 data, while the 2020 paper had 78 marks.
In CAT 2025, 39 marks corresponded to 99.9 percentile, 27 marks to 99 percentile and 18 marks to 95 percentile.
| QA Percentile | 2025 Marks | 2024 Marks | 2023 Marks | 2022 Marks | 2021 Marks | 2020 Marks |
| 99.9 | 39 | 46 | 35 | 46 | 48 | 60 |
| 99 | 27 | 32 | 25 | 33 | 35 | 43 |
| 95 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 29 |
| 90 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 22 |
| 85 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 19 |
| 80 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 |
| 70 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 11 |
The QA data also shows considerable variation between years. For example, the 99.9 percentile score was 39 marks in 2025 compared with 46 marks in 2024 and 60 marks in 2020.
CAT Marks vs Percentile: 2025 vs Previous Years
The overall data shows that the marks required for the same percentile have changed substantially over the years.
For 99 percentile, the required score ranged from 76 marks in 2023 to 102 marks in 2020. Similarly, the score for 95 percentile ranged from 55 marks in 2023 to 76 marks in 2020.
This variation highlights the role of the CAT paper’s difficulty and scoring pattern. The CAT 2026 marks vs percentile table will only become definitive after the exam and result data are available.
CAT 2026 Expected Marks for 99, 95 and 90 Percentile
Based on CAT 2025 data, candidates can use the following marks as initial targets:
| Target Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Marks* |
| 99.99 | 137+ |
| 99.9 | 112+ |
| 99 | 85+ |
| 98 | 75+ |
| 95 | 62+ |
| 90 | 51+ |
| 80 | 38+ |
*Expected marks are based on the 2025 figures provided and are not official CAT 2026 score-to-percentile cutoffs.
Conclusion
Since the marks corresponding to each percentile have changed across years, candidates should use these figures as expected CAT marks vs percentile benchmarks, not guaranteed scores.
For structured preparation, regular practice tests and performance analysis can help candidates identify their current score level and work towards a specific CAT percentile target.
MBA Karo’s CAT online coaching can also be considered by candidates looking for a structured preparation approach, practice and guidance while preparing for the CAT 2026 exam.
CAT 2026 Marks vs Percentile: FAQs
Q. What is the expected score for 99 percentile in CAT 2026?
A. Based on the CAT 2025 data provided, 85 marks can be used as a reference for the 99 percentile level.
Q. How many marks are required for 95 percentile in CAT 2026?
A. The 2025 data shows 62 marks at the 95 percentile level.
Q. What was the CAT score for 99.9 percentile in 2025?
A. The CAT 2025 overall score at the 99.9 percentile was 112 marks.
Q. What is the expected CAT 2026 score for 90 percentile?
A. Based on the 2025 data, candidates can use 51 marks as a reference for the 90 percentile level.
Q. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
A. The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Q. Is CAT marks vs rank the same as CAT marks vs percentile?
A. No. CAT marks are converted into a percentile based on candidates’ relative performance. Rank is determined by the candidate’s position among test-takers, so marks alone cannot provide an exact CAT 2026 rank before the result.
