There is a saying that "where there is a will, there is a way." True, but willpower alone may not be sufficient. Success frequently necessitates a combination of unyielding tenacity, a well-organized plan, and constant practice. The same can be said in answer to questions such as "How to Get 90 Percentile in CAT” or “How to Get 99 Percentile in CAT in 3 Months?" The secret to acing the CAT exam is to devise effective study techniques that are both efficient and time-bound. While there are no exclusive techniques for success, several strategies and tactics can considerably increase your odds of achieving in the 90th percentile or above in the CAT exam. But, before we go into it, let's define what the CAT percentile is.

What is the CAT Percentile?

Every management aspirant preparing for the CAT must have a clear understanding of what the CAT percentile is. Is the CAT percentile the same as the CAT score, or is it the same as the CAT percentage?

NO, the CAT percentile is not the same as the CAT score or percentage. Rather it is a relative score. It reflects how a candidate performed in comparison to all test-takers. To know how much to score to get 90 percentile in the CAT one needs to take into account their current scaled CAT score in each section, the level of difficulty of the exam, and the number of test takers.

How to Score 90 Percentile in CAT: The Strategies

While it may sound daunting, as one asks “How to score 90 percentile in CAT,” it can be a reality through diligence and the right focus. Adding to these, a few strategies can help simplify the path of CAT preparation.

Understand The Level of Difficulty (LOD)

The CAT syllabus can be vast. So, it is a good idea to study previous years’ questions and sample questions to get an idea about the type of questions one may face on D-day. It is also vital to understand the level of difficulty in each section of the CAT syllabus:

• QA or Quantitative Ability
• DILR or Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
• VARC or Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Topics/sections or questions can be classified into three categories depending on their LOD and the candidate's proficiency in each of them: easy, moderate, and difficult.

The least challenging sections/ questions must be prioritized first, followed by the most demanding ones. This will aid in progressively acquiring confidence to tackle more challenging problems. The complexity of questions in the practice rounds should be increased gradually as confidence is gained.

Dedicate Practice Time As Per the Level of Difficulty

After comprehending the level of difficulty, it is now time to dedicate time accordingly. It requires careful planning and focus. Hence, create a study plan that includes time division for each section of the CAT syllabus as per their LOD. Choose a percentage of practice time for each level of difficulty within an area. You might devote 20 days to complex questions, 20 days to moderate questions, and 10 days to easy ones, for instance.

Answer Questions Wisely

To ensure the chance to score 90 percentile in the CAT, it is crucial to know “how many questions for the 90 percentile in the CAT should be answered.” As per experts, one should answer 70%-80% of questions correctly to target a 90 percentile in the CAT exam.

However, the total number of questions required to get a 90th percentile score on the CAT fluctuates from year to year. It is determined by the exam's level of difficulty and the performance of other test takers. The CAT is a competitive exam, and the percentile score is based on how other candidates perform.

Dedicate Separate Time for Separate Sections

Devoting separate time to each section of the CAT preparation is a systematic strategy for maximizing exam performance. Set aside time for each section according to its LOD. Candidates must undertake a self SWOT analysis to assess their strengths and weaknesses in each section, and then prioritize each section based on that.

Practice

After creating strategies to score well in CAT and aim for the 90 percentile, it is time to put them into action. "Practice makes perfect"- this adage applies wonderfully to preparing for the CAT exam with the goal of scoring high.

Initially, it is more important to know how to attempt most questions correctly than to know how much the 90 percentile is in CAT. For this, one needs to identify their strong sections and focus intensely on them in order to get the highest possible score. Simultaneously, they must also practice the more complex sections to avoid leaving them blank during the exam. This will maximize the chance to score more in individual sections.

Follow the mantra: “Practice, Revise, and Undertake Mock Tests.”

Conclusion

So, this was our take on How to score 90 percentile in CAT. Achieving a 90 percentile on the CAT exam can be a gateway to gaining admission to the top B-schools in the country. However, remember that the CAT is just an entrance exam. So, the focus should be on scoring enough to get shortlisted. It is advisable to not set any unrealistic targets (in terms of percentile) and take excess pressure.