🏫 Overview: The CAT exam 2025 is scheduled for 30th November 2025. Admission to the best CAT exam colleges begins after the results are announced. Read on to learn the complete list of CAT exam-accepting colleges!
- The Common Admission Test is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams conducted by one of the country’s IIMs.
- As soon as the CAT 2025 exam results are announced, students continuously search for the top CAT colleges list that accept CAT scores.
- More than 1400+ B schools accept the CAT 2025 score card and percentile.
🏛️ 1. Quick overview — can you get an MBA with a low CAT score?
Yes — many private and state university MBA programmes offer alternative entry routes (management quota, institute-level selection, profile-based shortlisting, or accepting other exams such as MAT/CMAT/NMAT/SNAP). “Low CAT” commonly refers to percentiles well below the typical cut-offs for top IIMs and top non-IIMs (e.g., below the 70–80 percentile range).
For many private universities and autonomous institutes, a combination of profile, work experience, interview/GD performance, or payment under a management quota can secure admission despite a low CAT percentile. However, the prestige, fee structure, and placement packages typically differ from those of high-cutoff institutions. Contact Ace Guru Education Services or Visit our website- mba-guru.com or you can send us email at – queries@ace-guru.comCall @ 9742479101 Ankit Mishra, and 9742886036 Anis.
🧑🎓 Best MBA Colleges in India Without CAT
| MBA Colleges/ Institutes | MBA Exam Score Accepted |
| SIBM, Pune | SNAP |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | XAT |
| Xavier University, Bhubaneshwar | XAT, X-GMT |
| Indian School of Business, Hyderabad | GMAT |
| Amity University | XAT/GMAT/MAT/CAT/NMAT |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi | GMAT |
| JBIMS, Mumbai | MAH-CET/ MAT/GMAT |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research | XAT and CAT |
| NMIMS School of Business Management, Mumbai | NMAT |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | XAT/GMAT/CAT |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai | TISSNET |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | XAT/CAT/GMAT |
| BITS, Pilani | BITSAT/GMAT/CAT |
| IFIM Business School | KMAT |
| Indira Institute of Management, Pune | MAH-CET/ATMA/MAT |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | JMI Entrance Test |
| Institute of Rural Management, Anand | IRMASAT/XAT/CAT |
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🏢2. What exactly is “direct admission” / “management quota”?
✅Direct admission/management quota: Seats reserved by private institutes that can be filled by candidates through institute procedures — often involving a direct application, payment schedules, and an in-house assessment or interview instead of strictly following national exam cutoffs. These seats are legal and common in many private/affiliated colleges, but rules (seat counts, fees, disclosures) must be checked with each institute.
✅Profile-based entry: Institutes may shortlist candidates based on their academic record, work experience, group discussions, and personal interviews, rather than relying solely on raw CAT percentiles.
✅Other entrance scores: Some colleges accept alternate tests (MAT/CMAT/NMAT/SNAP) with lower cutoffs than CAT; for those without a strong CAT percentile, these tests are useful additional routes.
3. How to define “low CAT” for your target list
Low for top IIMs/non-IIMs: <70 percentile is typically considered low for top institutes. Many mid-tier and private colleges have expected cutoffs in the 50–70 percentile window, and some colleges consider candidates below that for management seats.
Practical approach: Identify colleges whose official or historically reported shortlists show cutoffs near or below your percentile — and separately identify institutions that openly publish management quota or institute-level admissions. Use both data and direct contact with admissions teams.
📝4. Colleges that commonly offer direct admission / accept low CAT percentiles (representative list)
Important: policies and availability of management quota/direct admission seats change year to year. Verify seat matrix, fee schedule, and official admission circular on the institute’s website or by calling the admission office before committing. The list below groups institutes by how frequently they appear in current direct-admission/low-CAT lists and by reputation.
✅Tier A — Well-known private universities & autonomous colleges that often have profile/direct pathways
- Amity University (multiple campuses) — Amity runs its own admission cycles and accepts alternate scores/profile-based offers; direct/management seats are available at many campuses.
- Christ (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore — Strong placement record; offers institute-level admissions and management quota options at times; profile/GDPI weightage is used.
- Alliance University / Alliance School of Business (Bengaluru) — Private university with a track record of management quota and profile-based admissions.
✅Tier B — Respected private and autonomous B-schools where low CAT / alternate routes are possible
- Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore — Multiple programmes; sometimes accepts direct admission or lower percentiles for certain seats.
- XIME Bangalore / XIME Kochi — Accepts multiple tests (CAT/MAT/CMAT) and has management-seat routes.
- MS Ramaiah (Bangalore) — Known to have institute-level admissions and to consider profiles for management seats.
✅Tier C — Regional private colleges & universities are frequently listed for low-CAT direct admission
- NDIM (New Delhi) — Accepts multiple test scores, has institute seats, and management quota options.
- Christ University (other campuses/departments) — repeated because of campus-specific processes.
- Various private colleges and universities: — Ample private colleges across India advertise direct admission routes (city-wise lists exist on admission consultancies). Examples quoted in recent summaries include colleges in Bangalore, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and other major metropolitan areas.
📝Eligibility Criteria to Get Direct Admission for MBA without CAT 2025
The eligibility criteria for direct admission to non-CAT colleges are similar nationwide. The mandatory factor is to qualify for graduation from any UGC-recognized university or equivalent. However, the acceptance marks for an unreserved and reserved category may differ.
Additionally, the candidate’s merit will be judged based on the scores of the previous examination. The individual college will publish the merit list and counselling dates. However, some of the qualifying metrics are as follows:
- Candidates from general/ unreserved categories must score at least 50-60% in their aggregate.
- Reserved category candidates must score at least 45% in their graduation.
- Candidates in their final year of graduation may apply, but their average score should be fit for applying.
5. Typical cutoffs & fee expectations (broad ranges)
These are indicative ranges — actual numbers vary by campus, specialisation (Finance / Marketing / HR), and year.
Expected CAT percentile for “lower-cutoff” colleges: 40–70 percentile for regular seats in many private B-schools; management seats may be available even lower, depending on the institute’s policy.
Fees (approx.): ₹2–16 Lakh total programme fees depending on institute tier and campus (private universities often charge higher fees; branded institutes/metros cost more). Direct/management seats frequently carry higher fees than merit seats — ask for a written fee breakup and refund policy.
🎯7. How to evaluate a college BEFORE you accept a direct admission seat (checklist)
| No. | Evaluation Criteria | What to Check / Ask the Institute |
| 1 | Official Seat Matrix & Management Seats | Request the institute’s official circular showing total seats and the number of management / institute-level seats available. |
| 2 | Fees & Payment Schedule | Obtain a written fee breakup covering tuition fees, hostel charges, caution deposit, alumni fees, exam fees, etc. Confirm if management seats carry any surcharge. |
| 3 | Refund & Cancellation Policy | Ask for the official refund and cancellation policy in writing, especially important if you plan to change colleges later. |
| 4 | Placements (Past 3 Years) | Request batch-wise placement reports and verify average & median salary, highest package, percentage of students placed, and top recruiters. Cross-check with publicly available reports if possible. |
| 5 | Accreditations & Approvals | Verify AICTE approval, UGC recognition or Deemed University status, along with NAAC and NBA accreditations (if applicable). |
| 6 | Curriculum & Faculty Profile | Check course structure, specialisations offered, and whether faculty members are full-time, visiting, or adjunct. Look for strong industry exposure. |
| 7 | Infrastructure & Alumni Network | Evaluate campus facilities, classrooms, libraries, hostels, and the strength of the alumni network, which can influence placements and internships. |
| 8 | Alternate Pathways | Ask if it’s possible to shift from management quota to merit seats later (if scores improve) or transfer credits to other programmes. |
| 9 | Student & Alumni Feedback | Speak directly with current students and alumni to understand teaching quality, workload, internship opportunities, and career support. |
| 10 | Written Confirmation of Promises | Ensure all commitments related to placements, stipends, scholarships, or facilities are provided in written, official documents. |
✔️Conclusion
CAT exam colleges: The CAT Exam is a competitive and rigorous test designed to evaluate a student’s potential for admission into one of India’s top B-schools.
To gain admission into these top colleges accepting CAT scores, you need to understand the structure of the exam and how the CAT score vs percentile works, as this relationship determines your eligibility for different colleges. Preparing adequately to maximize both your score and percentile will increase your chances of getting into one of these CAT top colleges.
Contact Ace Guru Education Services or Visit our website- mba-guru.com or you can send us email at – queries@ace-guru.comCall @ 9742479101 Ankit Mishra, and 9742886036 Anis.
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