CAT 2021 Result: Didn't score well in the exam? Here's what you should do next

NEW DELHI: With CAT results 2021 declared on January 03, it is only natural that many candidates must have failed to meet their expected percentile in CAT exam 2021. The right lens to view things should not be through success or failure in CAT 2021 but in terms of your prospects of doing an MBA from a top B-school in India.

It must be noted that IIM admission is not based only on 99+ CAT percentile. If a candidate has scored between 85-90 percentile, he/she has still cleared the qualifying cutoff of IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore, and many other top IIMs. They still have a chance to make it if they possess an exemplary academic record. A few non-IIMs are as renowned as the IIMs themselves such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, NITIE Mumbai, Welingkar, etc. So the next thing to try is to check your possibilities in non-IIMs. Here are a handful of options to consider if you couldn’t clear the CAT exam 2021 with a high percentile or have a low CAT score.
Also Read | CAT Result 2021: Answer key, toppers, top MBA colleges and their cut off

Apply to new IIMs and IITs

IIMs are the dream of many, and if you could not make it to the old IIMs, you still have a chance. The new IIMs and top IITs may still be welcoming to you. Consider IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Ranchi, IIM Shillong, IIM Kashipur, and IIM Sambalpur, and another baby IIMs as their cutoff eligibility is lower compared to top B-Schools and other IIMs. As the initial shortlisting is based on qualifying CAT cutoff, here is the entire list to check:

Apply for other MBA entrance exams

If you are under the impression that CAT is the only way to do management courses, then it's time for you to sit and rework your career plan. There are other MBA entrance exams that you can take and find your way to one of the B-schools. Some of the upcoming MBA entrances are CMAT, GMAT, SNAP, MAT, ATMA, MICAT, KMAT, TISS NET, etc. Also, registration will soon open for state-level MBA entrances as well such as TS ICET, AP ICET, Karnataka PGCET, MAH CET, etc. One can also take university-based MBA entrance tests such as IPU CET, CUSAT, BVP CET, SAAT, etc.

Opt for Executive MBA

The one-year Executive MBA programme is ideal for those who have good undergraduate qualifications and several years of work experience. This course is gradually becoming popular in India for its part-time and online availability. India School of Business (ISB), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Xavier School of Management (XLRI), etc, and other top-notch institutes offer Executive MBA.

Top MBA colleges to seek if CAT percentile is between 70-85

MBA Colleges for 60-70 percentile in CAT 2021