How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2024: Toppers Tips

Overview: If you are also preparing for the CAT, you must aim to score 99 percentile in the entrance test. However, the question of how to score 99 percentile in CAT still needs to be answered. You require a strategic study plan, consistent effort, and effective study techniques to achieve this. 

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Cracking the Common Admission Test (CAT) with a 99 percentile score is a dream for many MBA aspirants. This prestigious exam, which serves as a gateway to elite business schools in India, demands not just hard work but also smart strategies.

Here's a well-guided article with the finest tips for scoring 99 and answering the question, "How much to score in CAT for 99 percentile?"

How to Score 99 Percentile in CAT?

Here are the key tips for scoring 99 percentile in the Common Admission Test: 

1. Understand the CAT Exam Pattern 

The first step to getting answers to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to familiarise yourself with the paper pattern or exam format. Before preparing for the CAT exam, it’s important to understand the CAT exam pattern. The test consists of three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each CAT exam section tests different skills, and knowing the format will help you tailor your preparation accordingly.

Sections for CAT Exam Preparation	Total No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	20	60	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	66	40 min
Total	66	198	120 (2 hours)

Refer | CAT Exam Sample Questions

2. Learn and Understand the Marking Scheme

The second step to getting answers to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to understand the CAT exam marking scheme so that you can avoid negative marking by not attempting even a single wrong-answered question.

The CAT exam marking scheme incorporates negative marking specifically for multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and not for TITA questions.

Below are the essential details about the marking scheme:

• Total Marks for CAT 2024: 198 marks 
• Marks for Correct Answer: + 3 marks.
• Negative Marking in CAT Exam: -1 mark will be deducted for every wrong MCQ answer.
• Unanswered Questions: No marks will be deducted for skipped questions.

Download Free VARC Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

3. Create a Realistic Daily Study Plan

The third way to get answers to how to score 99th percentile in CAT is to make sure that you have a proper, strategic, and effective daily study plan.

• Assess your current level by taking a mock test to understand your strengths and weaknesses.
• Dedicate enough time to making your CAT exam study plan by identifying which sections need more attention.
• Set goals and break down your preparation into monthly, weekly, and daily targets.
• Ensure your goals are measurable and achievable.
• Dedicate more time to weaker areas while maintaining your strengths.
• Balance your preparation across all the three sections.

Learn More | How to Start Preparing for CAT?

4. Focus on the Fundamentals of Each Section

The fourth way to find a solution to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to have a strong base in all three sections.

• To Strengthen your Quantitative Aptitude basics, focus on important topics first and solve questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems.
• Reading is a must to improve VARC. Develop a habit of reading daily. Focus on diverse genres like fiction, nonfiction, newspapers, and journals. Practice reading comprehension passages and verbal ability questions daily.
• Improve your logical reasoning and data interpretation skills through regular practice by solving different types questions on puzzles and caselets to build your analytical thinking.

Download Free QA Preparation Tips by Supergrads

Why is it important to score in the 99th percentile in the CAT?

• Achieving a high score in CAT exam 2024 is important for admission to top business schools, but it's not the only factor.
• Many candidates who score well in the CAT still need to get into IIMs due to a low percentile.
• This percentile represents your performance relative to other test-takers, and it's calculated through a normalization process.
• The CAT percentile is a crucial metric that indicates how a candidate has performed compared to their competitors.
• Most B-schools set their CAT percentile cutoffs to select the most deserving candidates for admission.
• Therefore, aiming for a 99 percentile in CAT 2024 is essential to increase your chances of securing a seat in a top college.

Check | CAT Exam 2024 Detailed Syllabus

Download Free QA Section Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

Learn About Scores Required for CAT 99 Percentile

One essential way to get the solution to how to score 99 percentile in CAT is to measure the CAT score vs Percentile.

The following are the tables that show the CAT percentile metric and the scores required overall and in each section in CAT 2023 for all slots.

CAT Score vs Percentile 2023 Slot 1

CAT Percentile	CAT VARC Score	CAT DILR Score	CAT QA Score	Overall CAT Score
100	42-44	29-30	30-32	100-102
99+	40	25-27	25-28	80
95+	28-30	18-20	20-22	55
90+	22-24	15-17	15-17	45-48
85+	20-22	13-14	45640	39-41
80+	18-20	45608	45577	35-37

CAT Score vs Percentile 2023 Slot 2

CAT Percentile	CAT VARC Score	CAT DILR Score	CAT QA Score	Overall CAT Score
100	43-44	25-27	29-30	98-100
99+	40-42	22-23	27-28	82-83
95+	30-33	18-20	20-22	57-58
90+	24-26	14-15	15-17	46-48
85+	20-22	45639	45640	40-43
80+	18-20	45576	45577	36-39

CAT Score vs Percentile 2023 Slot 3

CAT Percentile	CAT VARC Score	CAT DILR Score	CAT QA Score	Overall CAT Score
100	42-23	27-28	32-34	98-100
99+	38-40	23-24	27-28	78-80
95+	28-30	18-20	18-20	57-58
90+	24-25	15-17	15-17	46-48
85+	20-22	45640	45640	40-41
80+	18-20	45576	45576	36-37

Learn More | How To Calculate Percentage In CAT Exam?

From the above tables, observing the score and percentile from last year, you must understand that achieving a 99 percentile in CAT might seem challenging but not overly complicated.

Experts at Supergrads recommend that candidates approach the exam strategically, targeting a minimum CAT exam score of 100 out of 198. To employ this approach effectively, candidates should select questions that are easier to solve and yield higher marks.

Downalod Free QA Sample Questions for CAT Exam

Conclusion 

Getting a solution to how to score 99 percentile in CAT requires dedication, systematic preparation, and resilience. Each aspirant's journey is unique, but these strategies can significantly boost your chances of becoming a top scorer.
Understanding your learning style and adapting these techniques to fit your needs is crucial. With the right approach and mindset, scoring high in CAT is within reach. 

Check | Supercharge your CAT Exam Preparation with SuperGrads CAT Online Coaching