Understanding Your CAT Score and How to Boost It

If you’ve just got your CAT results, the first thing you probably did was stare at the numbers. What does a 78 percentile actually tell you? How far away is a 90? Let’s break it down in plain English so you know exactly where you stand and what you can do next.

The CAT score is not a single number – it’s a combination of three sections: Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each section is scored separately, then the raw scores are converted into percentiles. The higher your percentile, the better you performed relative to other test‑takers.

Decoding the CAT Score Breakdown

First, look at the three sectional percentiles. A 70 percentile in Quant means you beat 70% of the candidates in that part. The overall percentile is a weighted average, giving a quick snapshot of your overall rank.

Keep an eye on the “scaled score” too. CAT uses a scaling algorithm to adjust for difficulty variations across different test days. This means a 75 percentile today might be a bit different from a 75 percentile last month, but the ranking still holds.

Don’t forget the negative marking. One wrong answer costs you 0.25 marks. That’s why many top performers aim for accuracy over speed. If your raw score looks low, check how many questions you guessed.

Practical Ways to Raise Your CAT Score

Now that you know what the numbers mean, here are three simple actions you can take before the next CAT attempt.

1. Focus on your weak section. Use your sectional percentiles to spot the lagging area. If Quant is the bottleneck, spend extra time on speed‑driven topics like algebra and geometry. Practice with timed mock tests and review every mistake – not just the ones you got wrong, but also the questions you left blank.

2. Refine your guessing strategy. Because of negative marking, random guessing hurts. Instead, eliminate at least two options before you answer. If you’re left with a 50/50 guess, the expected gain is neutral, so it’s safe to answer.

3. Build stamina. The CAT lasts three hours with short breaks. Treat each practice session like the real exam: no pauses, no phone, just you and the questions. Over time, your focus will improve and you’ll make fewer careless errors.

Finally, track your progress with a simple spreadsheet: date, mock test score, sectional breakdown, and time taken. Seeing a steady upward trend is motivating and tells you which strategies work.

Remember, the CAT score is a snapshot of where you are today, not a permanent label. With the right focus, smart guessing, and consistent practice, you can push that percentile higher and open doors to the IIMs you aim for.