CAT Exam Score 2024: Marking Scheme, Formula and Tips to Improve Score

Overview: Why are CAT exam scores so important? Do CAT marks play a key role in MBA admission in top B schools? How to calculate CAT score and percentile? Read on to know the complete information!

• Common Admission Test is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management. The 2024 CAT exam is going to take place on 24 November 2024. 
• Your CAT 2024 exam score is a key factor in the MBA admissions process, often determining your eligibility for interview calls and final selection.

Scroll down to know how to calculate the CAT exam score and percentile!

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Also Read | CAT 2024 Registration Begins: Apply Before 13 September 2024

CAT Exam Scores 2024: The Marking Scheme

Knowing the CAT exam's marking scheme is important for understanding the 2024 CAT exam scores.

• The CAT exam 2024 consists of 66 questions from three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. These questions are asked in two formats: MCQs and non-MCQs.
• The overall mark of the CAT exam 2024 is 198.
• You will be awarded +3 marks for each correct answer, and -1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect MCQ question.
• No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions or for non-MCQ questions.

The CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2024 is listed in the following table:

Type of Questions	CAT Marking Scheme	CAT Negative Marking Scheme
MCQ Questions	3	-1
Non-MCQ Questions	3	0

Also Read | CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

How to Calculate CAT Exam Scores 2024?

Calculating your CAT exam average scores is just a simple process. You need to follow the steps as mentioned: 

• Correct Answers: Add 3 marks to your score for every correct answer.
• Incorrect Answers: For every incorrect answer, subtract 1 mark. This only applies to multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• Unanswered Questions: There's no penalty for leaving questions unanswered.
• Non-MCQs: These questions don't have negative marking so you won't lose marks for incorrect answers.
• Total Score: Add up the marks you earned from correct answers across all sections. This will give you your total CAT score.

Also Read | CAT Exam 2024 Shift Timings

How to Calculate CAT Exam Percentile 2024?

The CAT exam percentile represents the total number of candidates who qualify for the exam. Good CAT exam scores and CAT percentile are equally important as they are directly used in the admission process in the IIMs. 

To calculate your CAT percentile, you can follow these steps:

Step 1

Start by calculating the total number of candidates (N) who appeared for CAT (i.e., morning, afternoon, and evening sessions).

Step 2

Assign a rank (r) to all candidates who appeared for CAT based on the scaled scores obtained in the QA section.

If two or more candidates obtain identical scaled scores in the QA section, assign identical ranks to all those candidates.

As an illustration, suppose exactly two candidates obtain the highest scaled score in the QA section, and then both candidates are assigned a rank of 1.

Moreover, the candidate(s) obtaining the second highest scaled score in the QA section are assigned a rank of 3.

Step 3

Calculate the percentile score (P) of a candidate with rank (r) in the QA section as:

P= (N - r)/N x100

Where,

• P= Percentile of the candidate
• N= Total number of the candidates
• R= Rank assigned to the candidate

Step 4

Round off a candidate's calculated percentile score (P) up to two decimal points.

For example, all percentile scores greater than or equal to 99.995 are rounded off to 100; all scores greater than or equal to 99.985 but strictly less than 99.995 are rounded off to 99.99.

A methodology similar to the one described above is used to compute the overall CAT percentile scores and the percentile scores of other sections.

Also Read | CAT Exam Preparation Books 2024 

How To Get Good CAT Exam Scores In 2024: Tips And Strategies

Improving your CAT score requires a strategic approach and consistent effort. Here are detailed tips and strategies to enhance your preparation:

#1: Understand the Exam Pattern

To improve your CAT exam average scores, you should first learn the format of the CAT exam. Knowing the different sections and their weightage will help you plan your study schedule.

#2: Create a Study Plan

Make a good and easy-to-follow study plan covering the CAT syllabus 2024. Also, invest specific time in each section to improve your CAT exam good scores.

#3: Utilise Quality Study Material

Keep practising with the help of the best study material for the CAT exam 2024. This will help you improve your CAT marks and percentile 2024.

#4: Take Mock Tests Regularly

Mock tests for the CAT exam are the best way to improve your speed and accuracy, thus improving your overall CAT exam score. Practising a CAT test series lets you analyse your strengths and weaknesses.

#5: Analyse Mock Test Results

This gives you a glimpse of your hard work for getting a good CAT exam score. Analyse your mock test result profoundly and try to figure out your strong and weak areas. 

Conclusion 

Cracking the CAT exam requires a deep understanding of sectional, overall, and category-wise cutoffs. Combining regular practice, in-depth analysis of past trends, and a well-crafted strategy can significantly boost your chances of sailing past the cutoffs and securing a good CAT exam score to a coveted spot in your dream B-school. With these expert tips, you can unlock your full potential and achieve your MBA aspirations.

Are you a CAT aspirant? SuperGrads CAT online coaching offers comprehensive study material, mock tests, and personalized guidance to help you excel. Join our program to boost your preparation and achieve top scores for your MBA admissions.

Also check: How to get good CAT exam score in 2024