📌Introduction: Is the 60–70 Percentile in CAT Really Low?
Every year, over two lakh aspirants appear for the CAT (Common Admission Test) with the dream of entering top IIMs and reputed B-schools. While media narratives often glorify 99+ percentiles, the reality is that a large number of capable students score between 60–70 percentiles. Unfortunately, this range is frequently misunderstood and unfairly labelled as “low.”
If you are among those who scored 60–70 percentile in CAT, let us be clear:
👉 Your MBA dream is NOT over.
👉 Direct MBA admission is very much possible.
👉 You still have access to reputed colleges, strong placements, and long-term career growth.
📊What Does 60–70 Percentile Actually Mean?
A CAT percentile of 60–70 means you have performed better than 60–70% of test takers nationwide. With over 2 lakh aspirants, this is not a small achievement.
However, top IIMs usually shortlist candidates above the 90–95 percentile, leaving many aspirants uncertain. This gap is where private universities, autonomous institutes, and Tier-2 B-schools play a crucial role.
⚠️Why Good Candidates End Up in This Range
Many strong candidates score 60–70 percentile due to:
- ❌ Weak performance in one section (especially Quant or VARC)
- ❌ Poor exam-day strategy or time management
- ❌ First-time CAT attempt
- ❌ Strong academic or work profile but average aptitude scores
✅ Can You Get MBA Admission with 60–70 Percentile in CAT?
✔️The Short Answer: YES
Several reputed B-schools in India:
- Accept CAT scores from 60 percentile onwards
- Offer direct MBA admission via management quota or institute-level seats
- Conduct profile-based selection, not percentile-centric admission
These colleges focus on:
🌟Academic consistency
🌟Communication skills
🌟Work experience
🌟Interview performance
🌟Overall personality
🔁Admission Routes for CAT 60–70 Percentile Candidates
📌 1. Management Quota Seats
Many private and autonomous B-schools reserve a percentage of seats as management quota.
Key features:
- Lower CAT cut-off (often 50–70 percentile)
- Direct personal interview
- Faster admission process
- Slightly higher fees (but strong ROI)
🧾2. Profile-Based Selection
Institutes consider:
- Graduation marks
- Work experience
- Diversity (academic, gender, professional)
- SOP and interview performance
A candidate with average CAT but a strong profile often outperforms a high-percentile candidate with weak interpersonal skills.
🏛 3. Private Universities & Autonomous Institutions
Private universities have:
- Flexible cut-offs
- Holistic admission process
- Strong industry-linked curriculum
- Excellent campus infrastructure
🏫Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Cut off Percentile – 70-80
In the 70-80 percentile range in CAT, there are still plenty of good MBA colleges that offer quality education and decent placement opportunities. While these institutions may have slightly lower cutoffs compared to the top-tier B-schools, many of them are well-regarded for their focused programs, industry tie-ups, and regional reputation
| 🏫 B-School | 💰 Program Fee (in Lakhs) | 📈 Avg. Placement (in lakhs) | 📌 Admission Status |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | Rs.14.00 lakhs | Rs. 11.10 LPA | Open |
| ICFAI Business School (IBS) Hyderabad | Rs. 7.01 lakhs | Rs. 9.71 LPA | Open |
| IFMR GSB, KREA University | Rs. 15.00 lakhs | Rs. 13.06 LPA | Open |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon | Rs.15.75 lakhs | Rs. 11.70 LPA | Open |
| Woxsen University Hyderabad | Rs. 14.40 lakhs | Rs. 9.09 LPA | Open |
| MDI Murshidabad | Rs. 11.69 lakhs | Rs. 11.76 LPA | Open |
| JAGSOM Bangalore | Rs.14.90 lakhs | Rs.10.58 LPA | Open |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida | Rs. 15.75 Lakhs | Rs. 11.29 LPA | Open |
| XIME Bangalore | Rs. 12.50 lakhs | Rs. 10.75 LPA | Open |
| CIMP Patna | Rs. 7.65 lakhs | Rs. 7.00 LPA | Open |
| Rajagiri Business School Kochi | Rs. 7.50 lakhs | Rs. 8.00 LPA | Open |
| IMI Kolkata | Rs. 9.90 lakhs | Rs. 12.48 LPA | Open |
| IMT Nagpur | Rs.14.27 lakhs | Rs.11.00 LPA | Open |
| Indus Business Academy – IBA Bangalore | Rs. 10.32 lakhs | Rs. 7.96 LPA | Open |
| KIIT School of Management Bhubaneswar | Rs. 8.70 lakhs | Rs. 9.50 LPA | Open |
| SIES School of Business Studies, Navi Mumbai | Rs. 10.00 lakhs | Rs. 9.10 LPA | Open |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management Lucknow | Rs.14.75 lakhs | Rs.11.29 LPA | Open |
| IMI Bhubaneswar | Rs.12.99 lakhs | Rs.12.02 LPA | Open |
| VIT Business School (VIT) Vellore | Rs. 7.02 lakhs | Rs. 9.68 LPA | Open |
| Amrita School of Business Coimbatore | Rs. 11.10 lakhs | Rs. 8.98 LPA | Open |
| Thiagarajar School of Management (TSM) Madurai | Rs. 12.00 Lakhs | Rs. 8.44 LPA | Open |
🏫Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Cut off Percentile – 60-70
A good number of MBA colleges accepting the CAT percentile in the range of 60-70 offer several MBA/PGDM programs and award greater weightage to the profile of the applicants than only to the CAT exam score. Some of them are highly ranked and good MBA colleges with consistent placements.
| 🏫 B-School | 🎯CAT Cut off |
| Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida | 60-70 |
| New Delhi Institute of Management – NDIM New Delhi | 60-70 |
| Jindal Global Business School | 60-70 |
| Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad | 60-70 |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research – CIMR Mumbai | 60-70 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida | 60-70 |
| NTPC School of Business – NSB Noida | 60-70 |
| Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management – VJIM Hyderabad | 60-70 |
| Praxis Business School | 60-70 |
| Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar | 60-70 |
| Jaipuria Jaipur: Jaipuria Institute of Management | 60-70 |
| Delhi School of Business | 60-70 |
| EDII Ahmedabad | 60-70 |
| IIMS Pune: International Institute of Management Studies | 60-70 |
| IPE Hyderabad: Institute of Public Enterprise | 60-70 |
| JIMS Rohini Delhi | 60-70 |
| PSGIM Coimbatore | 60-70 |
⭐Advantages of Choosing Direct MBA Admission
| ✅ Advantage | 📖 Explanation |
| ⏳No Wasted Academic Year | Instead of repeating CAT and losing a year, you can begin your MBA immediately and move ahead in your career timeline. |
| 🛠 Skill-Focused Education | Many private and autonomous colleges focus on practical learning through case studies, industry projects, certifications, and soft-skill training to make students job-ready. |
| 💰Better ROI for Mid-Percentiles | Rather than waiting for uncertain IIM calls, students gain real corporate exposure and skills, ensuring better returns on time and investment. |
| 🚀Equal Career Opportunities | Once placed, professional growth depends on performance, skills, and results—not on your CAT percentile or the admission route. |
❌Common Myths About MBA with Low CAT Percentile
✅Myth 1: “Only IIMs Guarantee Success”
Reality: Many non-IIM alumni hold CXO and leadership roles.
✅Myth 2: “Low CAT Means Poor Career”
Reality: MBA success depends on skills, network, and performance.
✅Myth 3: “Management Quota Is Illegal”
Reality: It is legal, transparent, and regulated when done through approved institutions.
🔁Should You Repeat CAT or Take Direct Admission?
🔄 Repeat CAT If:
- ✔️You are confident of improving to 90+
- ✔️You can afford another year
- ✔️No immediate career pressure
🎓 Choose Direct MBA Admission If:
- ✔️You want immediate career progression
- ✔️You value practical exposure
- ✔️You have financial & time constraints
- ✔️You want assured admission in a reputed institute
🔍Final Words: Turn Your CAT 60–70 Percentile into an Advantage
A CAT score of 60–70 percentile does not define your potential. Thousands of successful managers, entrepreneurs, consultants, and leaders entered MBA programs through alternative routes and built remarkable careers.
What truly matters is:
- Choosing the right college
- Selecting the right specialization
- Developing real-world skills
- Leveraging internships and placements
If approached strategically, Direct MBA admission with a 60–70 percentile CAT score can be the smartest career decision you make.
📝Also Read:
- ✨Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score Direct Admission
- ✨Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score Management Quota
- ✨MBA Colleges for Low Percentile/ CAT 2025 Direct Admission
- ✨Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score for Direct Admission
- ✨Management Quota MBA Admission if Expecting Low CAT Score
- ✨MBA Direct Admission in Narsee Monjee Mumbai Management Quota
- ✨Top Colleges Mumbai Management Quota Direct Admission
- ✨Narsee Monjee MBA Direct Admission
- ✨MDI Gurgaon Management Quota Admission Fees 2026-2028