Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
CMAT 2025 Score vs Percentile
| Raw Score (out of 400) | Estimated Percentile (2025) |
|---|---|
| 295 – 305 | 99.5 % + |
| 275 – 285 | 99 % |
| 255 – 265 | 95 % |
| 235 – 245 | 90 % |
| 210 – 230 | 80–85 % (good for many mid-tier colleges) |
| 200 – 209 | 70-80 % |
Why Score ≠ Percentile — What to Understand
-
Raw score = total marks obtained (correct minus incorrect, per marking scheme).
-
Percentile = how your score ranks among all test-takers (i.e. % of candidates you scored better than).
-
Because CMAT is conducted in multiple shifts, NTA uses normalization to adjust for difficulty — this is why a raw score band might lead to a slightly different percentile each year.
-
Always check final percentile on the official scorecard before applying to colleges.
What These Numbers Mean
| Goal / College Tier | Target Raw Score | Expected Percentile Range |
|---|---|---|
| Top B-schools (e.g. Tier-1) | 295–305 | 99.5 %+ — high chance of shortlist. |
| Strong PGDM / Good Private B-schools | 255–275 | 95–99 % — solid for many options. |
| Mid-tier / Regional Colleges | 230–250 | 85–90 % — decent shot depending on profile & cutoffs |
| Safe / Back-up Colleges | 200–220 | 70–80 % — gives entry into many institutes. |
What You Should Do After CMAT 2025
-
As soon as results are out, check your final percentile — use raw score mapping only as estimate.
-
Shortlist colleges based on past trends + expected cutoffs (target 95%+ for Tier-1).
-
If your score is lower than target — apply to mid- or safe-tier B-schools.
-
Keep a buffer — aim for +5 to +10 marks above your target to account for normalization fluctuations.
-
In case your percentile is less than expected but profile is strong (work experience, SOP, extracurriculars), consider less competitive but good ROI B-schools.
Important Caveats for Candidates
-
These mappings are estimates based on recent data — actual percentile may vary.
-
NTA may release shift-wise normalization details — always refer to official scorecard for final result.
-
Cutoffs change every year depending on number of applicants, seat availability, exam difficulty.
FAQ — CMAT 2025 Score vs Percentile
Q1. Can 300 marks give me 99%+ percentile in 2025?
A: Yes — according to recent trends, 295–305 marks often map to 99.5 %+ percentile.
Q2. Is 250 marks enough for 90th percentile?
A: Likely close — 235–245 marks map to ~90 %; 250+ may get 92–95 % depending on shift normalization.
Q3. Why does same score give different percentiles in different years?
A: Because percentile depends on overall candidate performance, total applicants, and normalization across shifts. Raw score alone doesn’t guarantee percentile.
Q4. Should I aim for 99.99 percentile?
A: If you target top B-schools (Tier-1), yes — aim for 295–305+. Else 95–98 % is sufficient for many good colleges.
Comments are disabled for now