Roadmap To Achieve 99 Percentile in CAT
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is among the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India. To secure a top percentile and earn admission into prestigious business schools, aspirants need to adopt a smart and calculated approach. The CAT scoring pattern awards +3 points for correct answers and imposes a -1 penalty for incorrect ones, with integer-based questions being an exception (no negative marking).
To reach the coveted 99th percentile, two critical factors come into play: accuracy and the number of attempts. Here’s an estimated score breakdown over the past few years for the 99th percentile:
| Section | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Total | 84 | 76 | 80 |
| VARC | 39 | 40 | 41 |
| DILR | 29 | 27 | 28 |
| QA | 33 | 28 | 30 |
Section-Wise Strategies to Score 99 Percentile in CAT
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Increase Attempts While Maintaining Accuracy
- Attempts: Aim to attempt at least 75% of the questions, or 18-20 questions.
- Accuracy: Target 80% accuracy, equaling 15-16 correct answers.
Boost your score by attempting more questions while ensuring a balance with accuracy. Prioritize reading passages and questions where you feel confident.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Achieve High Accuracy with Smart Set Selection
- Attempts: Target attempting 50% of the questions, which is about 10 questions.
- Accuracy: Strive for 90% accuracy, aiming for 9-10 correct answers.
Carefully select sets you are confident about, choosing between DI or LR based on your strengths. In DILR, accuracy is critical, as one mistake in a set can impact the entire section.
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Balance Between Attempts and Accuracy
- Attempts: Aim for 60-70%, translating to 14-16 questions.
- Accuracy: Maintain an 80-85% accuracy rate, or 11-12 correct answers.
Begin with questions from chapters you are strong in. Ensure you scan the entire section to pick out any hidden easy questions, boosting your overall score.
Key Takeaways for Achieving 99 Percentile in CAT
- Leverage Your Strengths: Focus on maximizing scores in your strongest sections, while ensuring to clear the cutoff in the third section.
- Strategize for Each Section’s Challenges:
- VARC: Increase attempts while maintaining accuracy.
- DILR: Select sets wisely and prioritize accuracy.
- QA: Balance between attempts and accuracy, and always scan the section.