CAT Score Below 85%ile in 2025? Best Plan B Options for MBA Aspirants
Abhishek Patel
03/04/2025
Table of Contents
Scoring under the 85th percentile in CAT 2024 doesn’t mean your MBA dream is over. With rising competition (2.9L+ test-takers in 2024), here’s IS your Plan B guide featuring alternative exams, emerging B-schools, and strategies to secure a quality MBA.
2025 Updates: Key Changes Affecting Low-Percentile Candidates
- New IIMs Relax Cutoffs: IIM Bodh Gaya, Jammu now accept 80-82%ile for state quotas.
- XAT/SNAP Weightage Shift:
- XAT 2025 adds Data Interpretation (DI) section (20% weightage).
- SNAP 2025 reduces GK questions (from 30 to 20).
Tier-2 B-Schools’ Rising ROI: Colleges like IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI now match IIMs’ placement stats (Avg. ₹18-22 LPA).
Top 5 Plan B Strategies for CAT 2025 (Updated)
1. Target Tier-2/3 B-Schools Accepting 75-85%ile
| College | Program | Min %ile (2025) | Avg Package (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMT Ghaziabad | PGDM | 82%ile | ₹22 LPA |
| Great Lakes Chennai | PGPM | 78%ile | ₹18 LPA |
| BIMTECH Noida | PGDM (IB) | 75%ile | ₹16 LPA |
| XIM Bhubaneswar | MBA-BM | 85%ile (XAT) | ₹20 LPA |
| MICA Ahmedabad | PGDM-C | 80%ile (MICAT) | ₹19 LPA |
📌 New Option: IIM Sirmaur (80%ile for non-engineers).
2. Crack Alternative Exams (2025 Deadlines)
| Exam | Last Date | Top Colleges | Min %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| XAT 2025 | Nov 30, 2024 | XLRI, XIMB | 85%ile |
| SNAP 2025 | Dec 12, 2024 | SIBM Pune | 80%ile |
| NMAT 2025 | Jan 15, 2025 | NMIMS, ISB | 70%ile |
| CMAT 2025 | Mar 2025 | JBIMS, SIMSREE | 75%ile |
3. Executive MBA (Work-Ex Required)
- ISB PGP (Avg GMAT: 710 | Fees: ₹42L)
- IIM Kozhikode EEP (5+ years work-ex | Avg CTC: ₹29 LPA)
4. Build a Niche Profile for CAT 2025
- Certifications: Google Analytics, CFA Level 1.
- Internships: EdTech/FinTech roles (e.g., Byju’s, Razorpay).
5. Explore Global MBA Options
- Europe: HEC Paris (GMAT 650+), ESMT Berlin.
- Asia: NUS Singapore (GRE 320+).
2025 Placement Trends in Tier-2 B-Schools
- Top Recruiters: Accenture Strategy (₹14 LPA), Deloitte (₹12 LPA).
- New Roles: AI Product Management (Avg: ₹15 LPA).
- Startup Hiring: Up 40% YOY (Zomato, Swiggy for ops roles).
Critical 2025 Deadlines
- XAT 2025: Jan 5, 2025
- SNAP 2025: Dec 15/22, 2024
- CMAT 2025: Apr 2025
- GMAT/GRE: Rolling (Apply before Round 1 deadlines).
Backup Career Paths
- Govt Jobs: RBI Grade B (₹18 LPA), SEBI (₹16 LPA).
- Freelancing: UpSkill in Digital Marketing (Avg: ₹8-12 LPA)
Also read :
Top 10 IIM Colleges in India 2025 – Ranking, Fees & Placement Insights
Is It Mandatory to Do an MBA After a BBA? – Debunking the Myths
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