Scoring 120 marks in CAT 2026 is expected to translate to a percentile between 90 and 93 for General category students, based on trends from CAT 2022, 2023, and 2024.
CAT 2026 carries a total of 198 marks across 66 questions (3 marks for each correct answer, −1 for wrong MCQ answers). Reaching 120 marks — roughly 60.6% of the total — reflects a well-rounded performance. Your final percentile depends on overall exam difficulty and the scores of all test-takers that year. The figures below are projections based on historical patterns and will be confirmed once official CAT 2026 results are declared.
- CAT 2026 total marks: 198 (66 questions × 3 marks each).
- 120 marks = approximately 60.6% of the maximum score.
- Expected overall percentile for 120 marks: 90–93 (General category).
- OBC-NCL students with the same score may receive a category percentile of 88–91 due to normalization dynamics.
- More than 20 reputed B-schools, including several IIM campuses, accept students at 90+ overall percentile.
| Direct Link to CAT 2026 Official Website — iimcat.ac.in (Active) |
CAT 2026 Score Structure: What 120 Marks Means
CAT 2026 is divided into three sections. Understanding how your 120 marks are distributed helps you evaluate sectional strength and prepare for section-wise cutoffs at your target colleges.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 60 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 66 |
| Total | 66 | 198 |
A total of 120 marks out of 198 means you have answered roughly 40 questions correctly (assuming no negative marks). This score typically requires strong performance in at least two sections, with near-average performance in the third.
CAT 2026 Marks vs Expected Percentile Table
The table below shows the expected overall percentile for different score ranges, based on CAT 2022–2024 trends. These are projections; actual percentiles will be available after CAT 2026 results are declared in January 2027.
| Score Range (out of 198) | Expected Percentile — General Category |
|---|---|
| 170–198 | 99.5–100 |
| 155–169 | 99–99.5 |
| 140–154 | 97–99 |
| 125–139 | 94–97 |
| 115–124 (Your Range) | 90–93 |
| 100–114 | 85–90 |
| 85–99 | 78–85 |
| 70–84 | 70–78 |
120 marks places you firmly in the 90–93 percentile band for the General category. CAT uses a normalization process across multiple exam sessions, so the percentile is not a direct linear conversion of raw marks — it reflects your relative performance against all test-takers nationwide.
Top B-Schools to Target at 90–93 Percentile
A CAT 2026 score of 120 marks and an expected percentile of 90–93 opens doors to several IIM campuses and reputed private B-schools. The colleges below typically shortlist students at this percentile for WAT-PI rounds, based on 2023 and 2024 admission data.
| B-School | Expected Minimum Overall Percentile (General) | Key Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | Strict sectional cutoffs; work experience is an advantage |
| IIM Kozhikode | 90 | Holistic profile evaluation including diversity factors |
| IIM Indore | 90 | Strong academic record across Class 10, 12, and graduation helps |
| IIM Shillong | 90 | Good for diverse regional and professional backgrounds |
| IIM Trichy | 88 | Strong South India placement network; good ROI |
| IIM Udaipur | 88 | International exposure; growing placement record |
| IIM Rohtak | 85 | North India industry connections |
| IIM Kashipur | 85 | Core sector and manufacturing industry focus |
| IIM Ranchi | 85 | Strong HRM and SHRM specialisation |
| IIM Raipur | 85 | Infrastructure and technology sector orientation |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 | Newer campus with improving placement trajectory |
| MDI Gurgaon | 92 | Borderline at 120 marks; strong overall profile essential |
| NITIE Mumbai (NITM) | 90 | Operations and supply chain specialisation; highly regarded |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 88 | Strong PGDM placements; NCR location advantage |
| XIMB Bhubaneswar | 90 | Strong alumni network; PGDM Finance is highly regarded |
| FORE School of Management | 88 | Delhi-based; strong corporate exposure and internship network |
| Great Lakes Chennai or Gurgaon | 85 | One-year PGPM best suited for working professionals |
| TAPMI Manipal | 85 | Finance and marketing strengths; Manipal University ecosystem |
| KJ Somaiya Mumbai | 85 | Mumbai placement market access; good ROI |
Students with strong academics (above 70% consistently), relevant work experience, or demonstrated leadership have a higher probability of converting shortlists at 90–93 percentile. Profile components beyond the CAT score significantly affect final selection at most of these institutions.
Category-wise Percentile for 120 Marks
CAT percentile is computed for all test-takers across sessions. For shortlisting, each IIM applies separate overall and sectional cutoffs by category. The table below shows expected minimum overall percentile cutoffs that most IIMs apply at the initial screening stage, based on 2023–2024 admission patterns.
| Category | Approx. Minimum Overall Percentile | Eligibility at 120 Marks (90–93 Percentile)? |
|---|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 90–92 | Yes (borderline; a strong overall profile is recommended) |
| OBC-NCL | 80–85 | Yes (comfortably eligible at most IIMs) |
| SC | 60–70 | Yes (well above the cutoff at all IIMs) |
| ST | 50–60 | Yes (well above the cutoff at all IIMs) |
| PwD | 45–55 | Yes (well above the cutoff at all IIMs) |
Each IIM also enforces sectional percentile cutoffs by category. For General category students, the typical sectional threshold is 80–85 percentile per section at IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore. Reserved category students face lower sectional thresholds, typically 60–75 percentile per section. Scoring 120 marks with a balanced distribution across all three sections maximises your eligibility across categories.
Sectional Cutoffs: Why Section-wise Scores Matter
All IIMs and most top B-schools apply section-wise cutoffs in addition to the overall percentile threshold. A heavily skewed distribution — say, 80 marks in VARC and only 20 each in DILR and QA — can result in rejection even with a 90+ overall percentile because of a weak section falling below the cutoff.
| Section | Sectional Cutoff Percentile — IIM L, K, I (General) | Sectional Cutoff Percentile — New IIMs (General) |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 85–90 | 75–80 |
| DILR | 85–90 | 75–80 |
| QA | 85–90 | 75–80 |
To score 120 marks overall while also clearing sectional cutoffs, aim for a balanced distribution: roughly 40–45 marks in VARC, 35–40 marks in DILR, and 35–40 marks in QA. Identify your weakest section in mock tests now and direct focused preparation there before the CAT 2026 exam.
CAT 2026 120 Marks FAQs
Ques. Is 120 marks a good score in CAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, 120 marks in CAT 2026 is a competitive score. It is expected to fetch a percentile of 90–93 for General category students, making you eligible for shortlists from IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong, and several newer IIM campuses, as well as reputed private B-schools like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, and FORE.
Ques. Which IIMs can I get with 120 marks in CAT 2026?
Ans. With 120 marks and an expected percentile of 90–93, you are likely to receive shortlist calls from IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong, Trichy, Udaipur, Rohtak, Kashipur, Ranchi, Raipur, and Nagpur, subject to meeting their sectional cutoffs and overall profile requirements.
Ques. What is the expected percentile for 120 marks in CAT 2026?
Ans. Based on CAT 2022–2024 trends, 120 marks out of 198 is expected to correspond to approximately 90–93 percentile for General category students. The exact figure will be available after CAT 2026 results are declared, as it depends on overall exam difficulty and the performance of all test-takers.
Ques. Can I get into IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta with 120 marks in CAT 2026?
Ans. No. IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta typically require an overall percentile of 99 or above, along with exceptional sectional scores and academic profile. A score of 120 marks translating to 90–93 percentile falls significantly below their cutoffs for General category students.
Ques. Does category affect B-school chances with 120 marks in CAT 2026?
Ans. Yes. Reserved category students (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD) face lower overall and sectional cutoffs at all IIMs. For OBC-NCL students, 120 marks places them comfortably above the expected cutoff at most IIMs. For SC and ST students, this score is well above the minimum required percentile at virtually all IIM campuses.
Ques. What is the total marks in CAT 2026?
Ans. CAT 2026 has a total of 198 marks. The exam consists of 66 questions across three sections: VARC (24 questions, 72 marks), DILR (20 questions, 60 marks), and QA (22 questions, 66 marks). Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and each wrong MCQ response carries a penalty of −1 mark. TITA (Type in the Answer) questions carry no negative marks.
Comments