CAT 2025: Best MBA Colleges for 98–99 Percentile
- Dec 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Scoring 98–99 percentile in CAT 2025 places you among the top 1–2% of MBA aspirants in India. While the top IIMs (A, B, C) generally demand 99.5+ percentile, a 98–99 percentile still opens doors to elite non-IIM B-schools, top IITs, and some IIM interview calls, depending on profile and category.
This blog gives a clear, realistic, and actionable list of the best MBA colleges you can target with a 98–99 percentile in CAT 2025, along with cutoffs, ROI insights, and selection strategy.
What Does a 98–99 Percentile in CAT 2025 Mean?
Top 10,000–15,000 candidates out of ~3 lakh test-takers
Eligible for Tier-1 and upper Tier-2 MBA colleges
Strong chance of high ROI programs
Interview calls depend on:
Academic background
Work experience
Sectional percentiles
Diversity factors
At this score range, college selection strategy matters more than the score itself.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting 98–99 Percentile in CAT 2025
1. SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
Expected Cutoff: 98–99 percentile
Specialties: Marketing, Finance, Operations, HR
Average Package: ₹33–35 LPA
Why SPJIMR: Profile-based selection, strong corporate reputation
Strong profile + early application is crucial.
2. Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
Expected Cutoff: 97–98 percentile
Average Package: ₹25–27 LPA
Programs: PGDM, PGDM-HRM, PGDM-IB
Why MDI: Legacy institute, excellent consulting & BFSI placements
3. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak*
Expected Cutoff: 97–98 percentile
Average Package: ₹18–19 LPA
Why Consider: Good academics, strong marketing & analytics focus
* Higher chances for female & non-engineer candidates.
4. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi – DMS
Expected Cutoff: 98–99 percentile
Average Package: ₹25+ LPA
Why IIT Delhi: Tech–management roles, analytics, operations
5. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay – SJMSOM
Expected Cutoff: 99+ percentile (borderline at 98.8–99)
Average Package: ₹28–30 LPA
Why IIT Bombay: Elite brand, operations & product roles
Strong academic profile required.
6. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi*
Expected Cutoff: 98.5–99 percentile
Average Package: ₹34+ LPA
Fees: Extremely low (₹2–3 lakhs total)
* Calls depend heavily on VARC score.
7. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi / Kolkata
Expected Cutoff: 97–98 percentile
Average Package: ₹27–28 LPA
Why IIFT: Best institute for international business & trade roles
8. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Udaipur
Expected Cutoff: 97–98 percentile
Average Package: ₹18–20 LPA
Why IIM Udaipur: Fast-growing new IIM with strong placements
9. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Trichy
Expected Cutoff: 96–97 percentile
Average Package: ₹17–18 LPA
Why Consider: Stable academics and consulting roles
10. International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi
Expected Cutoff: 95–97 percentile
Average Package: ₹16–17 LPA
Why IMI: Finance, consulting, marketing roles
Colleges Where 98–99 Percentile Is a “Safe Zone”
College | Safety Level |
MDI Gurgaon | High |
IIFT | High |
IIT Delhi | Moderate–High |
IIM Udaipur | High |
IMI Delhi | Very High |
ROI Perspective (Very Important)
At 98–99 percentile, ROI should drive decisions, not just brand.
Best ROI Options:
FMS Delhi (low fees, very high packages)
SPJIMR
IIT Bombay / IIT Delhi
IIFT Delhi
Profile Matters More Than Percentile at This Level
Even at 98–99 percentile, calls depend on:
Class 10 & 12 scores
Graduation performance
Work experience (quality > quantity)
Academic diversity
Gender diversity
Two students with the same percentile may get very different calls.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After Scoring 98–99 Percentile
Ignoring non-IIM Tier-1 colleges
Not preparing seriously for GD–PI–WAT
Applying late to profile-based institutes
Overestimating IIM chances without profile strength
Skipping ROI analysis
Should You Repeat CAT with 98–99 Percentile?
Repeat CAT only if:
You are targeting IIM A/B/C exclusively
You had a sectional dip
You are a fresher with average academics
Otherwise, 98–99 percentile is more than sufficient for an excellent MBA career.
Final Verdict
A 98–99 percentile in CAT 2025 is a powerful score that can land you in top-tier MBA colleges in India, provided you choose wisely and prepare well for interviews.
Institutes like SPJIMR, MDI, IITs, IIFT, and FMS often offer better ROI and roles than many IIMs.
The key is smart shortlisting, strong interviews, and realistic expectations.
FAQs – CAT 2025 (98–99 Percentile)
Q1. Can I get IIM Ahmedabad at 98–99 percentile?
Highly unlikely for General category. Requires 99.8+.
Q2. Is SPJIMR better than new IIMs?
Yes, in terms of ROI, placements, and brand value.
Q3. Which IIT is best for MBA at this percentile?
IT Bombay and IIT Delhi.
Q4. Is 98 percentile enough for FMS Delhi?
Possible only with very high VARC score.
Q5. Should I apply to private colleges at 98 percentile?
Yes, top private institutes like SPJIMR and MDI are excellent choices.
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