CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for General Category at IIMs

If you are a General category student aiming for an IIM, your CAT 2025 percentile matters a lot. The tricky part? Figuring out what score actually keeps you safe. The CAT cutoffs can look intimidating, but let's break it down clearly so you can plan your preparation without stressing too much.

Even if you clear the minimum CAT 2025 cutoff, it doesn’t always guarantee a shortlist. Your 10th marks, 12th marks, graduation score, work experience, and sectional scores also play a major role. So a safe percentile simply means a level where you have a strong chance of getting shortlisted for the next round. Let us explore the CAT 2025 safe percentile for general category at IIMs!
Also Read: What is a 'Safe Target Percentile' for CAT 2025?

IIM-Wise CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for General Category

What CAT 2025 percentile do you actually need to be safe for selection? It varies a lot depending on which IIM you are targeting. The older IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta have sky-high cutoffs, while some of the newer ones are a bit more accessible. Below is an IIM-wise breakdown of safe CAT percentiles for General category students.

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Other Factors Considered for IIM Selection

Sometimes even a 99 percentile candidate doesn’t get shortlisted because of profile issues. Here is what IIMs also check. apart from your CAT score

Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2025: Cutoff, Score & Percentile Calculator

Tips to Improve Your CAT Percentile for Top IIMs

A good CAT percentile is the first step towards your admission at the top IIMs. Here is what you can do to strengthen your CAT preparation profile and boost your chances of converting that call.

• Prioritize sectional strength first
• Practice CAT previous year papers religiously
• Focus hardest on DILR, the biggest rank booster
• Mock analysis > mock count (improve mistakes)

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If you are aiming for an IIM seat in the General category, a 95 percentile in CAT isn’t enough anymore. The real “safe” zone starts from 97+, and for the iconic top 3 IIMs, 99.5+ is where you want to be.