CAT 2025 Number of Correct Answers Needed for 97 Percentile

Achieving a 97 percentile in CAT 2025 requires clarity about the expected raw score, ideal accuracy level, and the number of correct attempts needed across sections. Since CAT 2025, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, will follow the established pattern of 198 marks, aspirants must understand how raw marks convert into percentiles. Over the past few years, the score range for the 97 percentile has shown minor variations depending on exam difficulty, slot normalization, and performance distribution. This article explains the CAT 2025 number of correct answers needed for 97 percentile, along with expected score trends, accuracy strategy, and sectional planning to help candidates set realistic targets. All information is based on consistent trends observed from previous exam cycles and current expectations for CAT 2025.

97 Percentile Marks For CAT 2025: Expected Raw Score Range

It is important to understand the expected range of raw scores as an aspirant aiming to achieve high percentile scores. The estimate of 97 percentile score of CAT 2025 is based on historical data, the level of difficulty (moderate) of the sections is assumed to be moderate across the sections. The scoring system is such that, the response of the correct answer is awarded 3 marks and the response of a wrong MCQ is awarded 1 mark, which means that accuracy is an important factor in improving the percentile. According to the current trends, students with a score of 70-73 during the past few years have always obtained a percentage of nearly 97 percentile. The following table indicates the raw marks and attempts needed to score 97 percentile in CAT 2025.

Expected CAT 2025 Score and Attempts for 97 Percentile

The table helps candidates understand the score window they should aim for to be within the 97 percentile. These numbers are aggregated from previous-year normalisations and adjusted for a typical difficulty level.

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CAT 2025 Number of Correct Answers Needed for 97 Percentile

Applicants usually inquire how many questions should be answered correctly in order to be safe to reach 97 percentile. Although there is no fixed score-to-percentile mapping in CAT, prior patterns of exams provide good estimates. The strategy of perfection is more concentration on the accuracy rather than the volume of the attempts, which are not correct, which greatly lowers the end score. The following is a rough table of the correct answers that are needed in the 70-73 marks, with an equal variance of accuracy and negative marking.

• Around 23–24 correct attempts with high accuracy can result in a 70–73 raw score.
• Maintaining 85–90 percent accuracy is essential.
• Even 5–6 wrong answers can reduce the score by 15–18 marks, significantly affecting percentile.

Why Accuracy Matters More Than Attempts in CAT 2025

Aspirants have to be aware of the effects of accuracy in CAT scoring before examining the strategy. The negative marking of MCQs significantly decreases raw scores when they are low-accuracy. To illustrate, 30 questions would give you fewer marks by trying them with 65 percent accuracy as compared to 23 questions with 90 percent accuracy.

A high percentile depends on:

• Avoiding unnecessary guesses
• Prioritizing solvable questions
• Maintaining consistent accuracy in all sections
• Minimizing negative marking across MCQs

This approach consistently helps candidates achieve 70+ raw marks required for the 97 percentile.

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Section-Wise Breakdown for Scoring 70–73 Marks in CAT 2025

To reach the 97 percentile, balanced sectional performance is essential. CAT places sectional time limits, so candidates cannot rely on strength in a single section. Below is an explanation of how to distribute target attempts across VARC, DILR, and QA. This approach reflects consistent trends from recent years, assuming moderate difficulty. Achieving the target raw score requires identifying high-quality questions and avoiding traps, especially in DILR.

Also Check: How many Correct attempts are to be made to score 80 percentile?

Factors Affecting 97 Percentile Conversion For CAT 2025

Before planning the final CAT 2025 Preparation, candidates should understand the elements that influence the raw score-to-percentile mapping. These factors fluctuate every year and directly affect how many marks are required for a particular percentile.

Key factors include:

• Difficulty variations across slots
• Normalisation applied by IIMs
• Total test-takers (expected around 3,00,000 in 2025)
• Sectional difficulty and question distribution
• Performance distribution across the candidate pool

Due to these variables, the CAT 2025 percentile mapping will be known only after the official result release. However, historical percentiles still provide reliable guidance for preparation.

How to Increase Correct Answers 97 Percentile Target for CAT 2025

Before going through the strategy points, here is a brief explanation of how improving accuracy and selection of questions directly enhances the chances of reaching the 97 percentile. Candidates must focus on structured practice, regular mock tests, and analysis-driven improvements. Enhancing accuracy gradually raises raw scores across all sections, especially in DILR and QA.

Key Strategies to Reach 23–24 Correct Attempts

• Attempt easy-to-moderate questions first to secure early marks
• Improve reading speed and inference skills for VARC
• Practice 1–2 DILR sets daily for consistency
• Strengthen arithmetic, algebra, and number systems in QA
• Keep mock-test accuracy above 85 percent

Following these steps steadily pushes an aspirant’s raw score toward the 70–73 target range.

Final Tips For CAT 2025 to Secure 97 Percentile

Before concluding, here is a short overview of the final mindset and strategy required on exam day. Maintaining calmness, time discipline, and smart selection of questions allows candidates to maximize their score. Since CAT rewards careful accuracy, candidates must avoid hasty attempts under pressure.

• Start each section with familiar topics
• Skip time-consuming questions immediately
• Avoid guesses in MCQs
• Revisit solvable questions in the last 2–3 minutes
• Maintain confidence and clarity throughout the exam