CAT Sectional Cutoff 2026: Check for Top B-Schools, IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR and MDI
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• Updated on 13 Nov, 2026, 1:59 PM, • 59 minutes ago by Sahil Negi
CAT 2026 aspirants can check expected sectional cutoffs for IIMs and leading B-schools, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon and SPJIMR. The article covers VARC, DILR, QA and overall percentile benchmarks, admission shortlisting criteria and the difference between qualifying cutoffs and final selection.
The CAT sectional cutoff 2026 is an important admission requirement for MBA aspirants targeting IIMs and other top business schools for the 2027–29 academic session. Candidates must meet the minimum percentile in all three CAT sections—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA)—along with the overall CAT cutoff to become eligible for further admission rounds.
CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026, by IIM Indore. Since the examination has not taken place yet, the final admission cutoffs are not available. However, candidates can refer to the expected CAT 2026 sectional cutoff and previous admission criteria to understand the percentile requirements for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon and other leading B-schools.
CAT Sectional Cutoff 2026 for Top B-Schools in India
The expected CAT cutoff varies by institute, programme and candidate category. The following table provides indicative qualifying percentile benchmarks for selected IIMs and SPJIMR. These figures are based on published admission criteria and recent cutoff trends, not final CAT 2026 admission decisions.
Note: These are indicative minimum qualifying benchmarks, not guaranteed interview-call percentiles. Actual shortlisting cutoffs can be higher and may change with the applicant pool and the institute's admission policy. Candidates should check the latest admission criteria for their chosen programme.
CAT 2026 Sectional Cutoff for VARC, DILR and QA
CAT has three separately timed sections. Candidates must perform well in each section because an institute may reject an application if the candidate fails to meet even one sectional requirement.
The three sections assess different abilities:
A candidate targeting IIMs should avoid focusing only on the overall CAT percentile. A high overall score may not be sufficient if the candidate falls below the required percentile in VARC, DILR or QA.
CAT Sectional Cutoff 2026 FAQs
What is the expected CAT sectional cutoff 2026 for IIM Ahmedabad?
The indicative minimum cutoff for General and EWS candidates is 85 percentile in each section and 95 percentile overall. The requirements vary by category and the actual interview-call cutoff may be higher.
What CAT percentile is required for FMS Delhi in 2026?
FMS Delhi does not use a simple fixed sectional percentile cutoff in the same way as several IIMs. It uses a weighted CAT score for shortlisting, with VARC carrying 40% and DILR and QA carrying 30% each within the CAT component.
What is the expected CAT 2026 cutoff for MDI Gurgaon?
The expected overall CAT percentile for MDI Gurgaon is around 90–94.5 for its flagship PGDM programmes, based on recent admission trends. The final requirement depends on the institute's admission criteria.
What is the expected sectional cutoff for SPJIMR Mumbai?
The indicative qualifying requirement for SPJIMR's flagship PGDM programme is around 75 percentile in VARC, DILR and QA, with an overall CAT percentile of around 85–86. Profile-based shortlisting also plays an important role.
Does a high overall CAT percentile guarantee an IIM admission call?
No. Candidates must meet the institute's sectional and overall requirements and may also be evaluated on academics, work experience, diversity factors and other admission criteria.
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