Colleges Accepting CAT Score: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly prestigious entrance examination in India for admission to management programs. Nearly a thousand MBA colleges in India accept CAT scores for admission to MBA programs. There are currently 21 IIMs, and all IIMs will accept CAT scores for admission in 2026. Out of 3.28 lakh registered eligible candidates, around 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the examination.

More than 100 top MBA colleges in India are accepting the CAT score for MBA admission 2026. The top colleges accepting CAT are 21 IIMs, and other top CAT MBA colleges in the Non-IIM category include FMS Delhi, XLRI, MDI Gurgaon, and SPJIMR Mumbai. , SJMSOM IIT Mumbai, DOMS IIT Delhi.

1. Top IIMs Accepting CAT Score: Cut Offs 80 to 100 Percentile

IIMs are the leader among MBA colleges accepting CAT scores as they conduct CAT as their only entrance exam for MBA admission. Currently, there are 21 IIMs, and all IIMs will accept only the CAT score. All IIMs have their own sectional and overall CAT score cut-offs, which go in the range of 80 to 99 percentiles.

The admission process into all 21 IIMs has opened with the start of the 2025 CAT registration, and the last date to apply for admission is the last date for CAT exam registration. You can check the fees, placements, and other details about the top IIMs below:

2. Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Non-IIM Colleges (90 to 100 Percentile)

Not just IIMs, there are also highly ranked and internationally recognised MBA/PGDM colleges among the MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. Some of the leading MBA colleges, except IIMs, that will accept the CAT 2025 score percentile of 90 and above for MBA admission 2026 are:

If you have scored 80 percentile or above in CAT, there are many high-ranking MBA and PGDM colleges in India open for admission in 2026. Here is a list of MBA Colleges accepting CAT Score, along with their program fees, average placement package, and current admission status:

Please note that the admission process also considers several other factors besides CAT scores, such as academic performance, work experience, and personal interview. 

6. Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Non-IIM Colleges ( Between 50 to 60 Percentile)

MBA institutes that consider CAT percentiles between 50 and 60 generally offer a reasonable fee structure and satisfactory placement opportunities. These colleges deliberately maintain moderate CAT cutoffs, placing more emphasis on the overall profile of the applicants rather than their CAT scores. Below is a list of several prominent MBA colleges:

All these MBA colleges in India will accept CAT scores for MBA admissions in 2026. Although some highly ranked MBA colleges also accept scores from other exams, such as XAT, NMAT, CMAT, and GMAT, the CAT exam remains the primary gateway to the top MBA colleges in India. It should be noted that the MBA colleges accepting CAT exam scores are not just the 21 IIMs but also include the top MBA colleges in India, as mentioned above, and hundreds of others.