Not scoring high in CAT does not mean the end of your MBA dream. Every year, thousands of capable students miss top percentile cut-offs due to intense competition, exam pressure, or limited attempts.
The good news is that many reputed MBA colleges in India accept low CAT scores or offer direct MBA admissions through alternative pathways.
This article explains Top MBA colleges accepting low CAT scores, how Direct MBA Admission works, eligibility criteria, fee structure, and why choosing the right college matters more than just CAT percentile.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score – Direct Admissions Call @ 9742479101 Ankit Mishra, 9742886036 Anis.
IIM`s are located at Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bodh Gaya, Calcutta, Indore, Jammu, Kashipur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Nagpur, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Sambalpur, Shillong, Sirmaur, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam and lastly newly Opened Mumbai. Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score – Direct Admissions
TCS the testing partner for CAT since 2014 remains unchanged. Common Admission Test (CAT), henceforth gateway to 21 IIMs and other top 1500 B-schools offering MBA/ PGDM Program. Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score – Direct Admissions
Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting 60-70 Percentile in CAT Exam Direct Admission
Common Admission Test CAT 2025
(Top MBA Colleges accepting Low CAT Score: Direct Admission MBA Under Management Quota)
- MBA Under Management Quota Admission with Low Percentile in CAT
- Direct Admission MBA through Management Quota in CAT Colleges
- Top Colleges for Management Quota MBA Admission
Insights of CAT Exam
| CAT Exam | CAT 2025 Details |
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT). |
| Test Language | English |
| Conducting Institute for 2025 | IIM Lucknow |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Number of Conduct Session | Three |
| Section-wise duration of CAT exam | 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA). 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section. |
| CAT Exam Timings | Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| CAT Exam Fees | INR 2,400 (General category) and INR 1,200 (Reserved category). |
| Age Restrictions | No, Age Restriction. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students). |
| Number of Applications | 2.50 Lakhs Approximately. |
| Net Number of Exam takers | 2.0 -2.25 Lakhs |
| Question Format | MCQs, and Non-MCQs |
| No of questions in CAT | 66 |
| Total Number of CAT marks | 198 |
| Exam Purpose | Admission in Post graduate Courses of IIM`S. |
| Courses Offered | PGP/ PGDM/ MBA/ MMS. |
| Numbers of Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores | 1500+ |
| CAT Exam Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) (24 Questions). Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) (22 Questions). Quantitative Ability (QA) (20 Questions). |
| CAT exam mode | Online, Computer Based Test (CBT). |
| Marks to Each Correct Question | 3 |
| Negative Marking to Incorrect Answer | 1 |
| No. of test cities | 155 |
| Results Shown in | Percentile |
What Is Considered a “Low CAT Score”?
A low CAT score typically refers to:
- CAT percentile below 70
- CAT percentile 50–60
- CAT percentile below 50 or no CAT score
Many private universities and autonomous institutes focus on overall student profile, not just CAT performance.
Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score: Direct Admission
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score (2025)
1. NMIMS (Selected Campuses)
- CAT/GMAT/NMAT accepted
- Moderate cut-offs in non-Mumbai campuses
- Strong brand value & placements
2. Welingkar Institute of Management
- Accepts CAT / XAT / CMAT / ATMA
- Profile-based selection
- Known for marketing & HR programs
3. IMT (Selected Campuses)
- CAT score flexibility for IMT Nagpur, Hyderabad
- Good corporate exposure
- Decent placement support
4. GIM Goa (Profile-Based Calls)
- Accepts CAT, XAT, GMAT
- Holistic evaluation
- Strong alumni network
5. IMI (Other Campuses)
- CAT score considered but not the only factor
- Good for finance & consulting aspirants
6. IBS (ICFAI Business School)
- Accepts IBSAT, CAT, NMAT
- Multiple campuses
- Industry-oriented curriculum
7. Alliance University (Bangalore)
- Direct MBA admission possible
- International exposure
- Strong corporate interface
8. Amity University
- CAT optional in many cases
- Profile-based admission
- Multiple specializations available
9. Symbiosis (Non-Flagship Institutes)
- SNAP score flexibility
- Decent placements
- Strong academic structure
Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting 70-80 Percentile CAT Exam- Direct Admission
List of Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score
| MBA Colleges with low CAT Score | CAT Score |
| Acharya Bangalore B-School | 55-60 |
| AIMIT Bangalore | 40-50 |
| (AIMS), Bangalore | 60-65 |
| Amrita School | 50-55 |
| Amrita School of Business, Kochi | 45-50 |
| (ASM) New Delhi | 45-50 |
| (ABS), Noida | 40-50 |
| Balaji University, Pune | 50-60 |
| (BIBS), Kolkata | 55-60 |
| (BULMIM) | 55-60 |
| (BIMTECH) | 65-75 |
| Christ Institute | 55-60 |
| Doon Business School | 50-55 |
| Eastern Institute Kolkata | 55-60 |
| EMPI Delhi | 40-50 |
| Entrepreneurship Development | 50-60 |
| (FIIB) New Delhi | 50-55 |
| FOSTIIMA Delhi | 65-70 |
| GIBS Business School Bangalore | 55-60 |
| (VJIM), Hyderabad | 60-65 |
| Gitam Institute of Management | 50-55 |
| (GSIB) Visakhapatnam | 55-60 |
| IIBS Bangalore | 60-65 |
| IILM Delhi | 55-60 |
| Indian Institute of Financial Planning | 55-60 |
| Indus Business Academy, Bangalore | 65-70 |
| Indus Business School, IIEBM, Pune | 45-50 |
| International Management Kolkata | 70-75 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 65-75 |
| Institute of Public Enterprise | 50-55 |
| (IIMS) Pune | 50-55 |
| (IMI), bhubaneshwar | 55-60 |
| ISBM Pune | 45-50 |
| ISME, bangalore | 55-60 |
| J K Business School Gurgaon | 45-50 |
| (JIMS ), Rohini, Delhi | 50-55 |
| (JIMS), Kalkaji, Delhi | 50-60 |
| (MILE) Pune | 55-60 |
| (NDIM) | 55-60 |
| (PIBM), Pune | 45-50 |
| (RSB), Chennai | 50-55 |
| Sharda University, Noida | 45-50 |
| (SCMS), Kochi | 50-55 |
| (SMS), Varanasi | 45-50 |
| (UPES) Dehradun | 70-75 |
| (SSIM) Secunderabad | 60-65 |
| ISME Mumbai | 65-70 |
| Community Institute of Management | 45-55 |
| (ASM’s IBMR), Pune | 50-60 |
| The Indian Institute of Financial | 50-60 |
| Vishwa Vishwani Institute Hyderabad | 45-55 |
| ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai | 55-60 |
| (IMS) Ghaziabad | 50-60 |
| ICBM Hyderabad | 50-60 |
| (UWSB), Ahmedabad & Kolkata | 55-60 |
| Alliance University, (AU) Bangalore | 60-65 |
| Jaipuria Lucknow | 55-60 |
| Jaipuria Noida | 55-60 |
| (KIAMS) Harihar | 60-65 |
| (SRMS-IBS), Lucknow | 45-50 |
MBA Specializations offered by Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Scores
| Finance | Human Resource |
| Metaverse and Web 3.0 | Strategy & Consulting |
| Marketing | Operations |
| Family Business and Entrepreneurship | Logistics and Supply Chain Management |
| Aviation Management | Business Analytics |
| Oil and Gas Management | International Business |
| Digital Business | Power Management |
Other Entrance Exams That Help If CAT Score Is Low
If your CAT score is low, you can still apply using:
- XAT
- CMAT
- NMAT
- MAT
- ATMA
- IBSAT
- GMAT (for select colleges)
Many colleges give equal or higher weightage to these exams.
Eligibility Criteria for Direct MBA Admission
Most colleges require:
- Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
- Minimum 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories)
- Entrance exam score (flexible)
- GD/PI performance
- Work experience (optional but beneficial)
Fee Structure – Direct MBA Admission
The fee structure for Direct MBA Admission in India varies widely depending on the college type, location, ranking, specialization, and admission category. Unlike government institutes, private and autonomous MBA colleges have flexible fee models, especially for students admitted with low CAT scores or through profile-based / management quota routes.
Below is a complete, transparent breakdown to help students and parents plan financially.
Fee Structure Based on College Category
Tier-1 Private MBA Colleges (Direct / Profile-Based Entry)
These colleges have strong brand value, good placements, and higher fees.
| Particulars | Approx. Amount (2 Years) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | ₹14 – 20 Lakhs |
| Registration / Enrollment | ₹50,000 – 1 Lakh |
| Library & Academic Charges | ₹50,000 – 80,000 |
| Examination Fees | ₹40,000 – 60,000 |
| Total Cost | ₹15 – 22 Lakhs |
Examples: NMIMS (non-Mumbai campuses), IMI (other campuses), GIM Goa (profile-based), Welingkar
Tier-2 Private MBA Colleges
These institutes offer good ROI and accept low to moderate CAT scores.
| Particulars | Approx. Amount (2 Years) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | ₹6 – 10 Lakhs |
| Admission / Registration | ₹30,000 – 70,000 |
| Academic & Exam Fees | ₹40,000 – 70,000 |
| Total Cost | ₹8 – 14 Lakhs |
Examples: IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IBS campuses, Alliance University, Symbiosis (non-flagship institutes)
Tier-3 Universities / Deemed Universities
These colleges focus on accessibility and profile-based admission.
| Particulars | Approx. Amount (2 Years) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | ₹4 – 6 Lakhs |
| Registration & Miscellaneous | ₹20,000 – 50,000 |
| Exam & Academic Fees | ₹30,000 – 50,000 |
| Total Cost | ₹5 – 8 Lakhs |
Examples: Amity University, Jain University, ICFAI (IBS), regional private universities
Management / Institutional Quota Fees (Where Applicable)
Some private MBA colleges reserve institutional or management quota seats, which usually involve higher fees.
| College Type | Additional Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Tier-1 Private | ₹3 – 8 Lakhs |
| Tier-2 Private | ₹2 – 5 Lakhs |
| Tier-3 Private | ₹1 – 3 Lakhs |
This amount is usually included in the total fee and must be paid only through official college channels.
Hostel & Living Expenses (Optional but Common)
| Expense | Approx. Cost (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel (Non-AC) | ₹80,000 – 1.2 Lakhs |
| Hostel (AC) | ₹1.2 – 1.8 Lakhs |
| Mess & Food | ₹50,000 – 70,000 |
| Personal Expenses | ₹40,000 – 60,000 |
Total living cost for 2 years can range from ₹2 – 3.5 Lakhs.
4. Specialization-Wise Fee Difference
Some MBA specializations may cost slightly more due to industry tie-ups and certifications.
| Specialization | Fee Impact |
|---|---|
| Finance | Standard |
| Marketing | Standard |
| HR | Slightly lower |
| Business Analytics | +₹50,000 – 1.5 Lakhs |
| International Business | +₹1 – 2 Lakhs |
5. Payment Structure (Most Colleges)
- Fees are paid in 2–4 installments
- First installment confirms admission
- Remaining installments paid semester-wise
- Education loan support available from most banks
CAT vs GMAT vs GRE – Differences
Key Differences Table
| Feature | CAT | GMAT | GRE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conducted By | IIMs (India) | GMAC | ETS |
| Primary Purpose | Indian MBA | Global MBA | MBA + MS + MiM |
| Acceptance | Mostly India | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year | Multiple times/year | Multiple times/year |
| Score Validity | 1 year | 5 years | 5 years |
| Competition | Very High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Quant Difficulty | Very High | High | Moderate |
| Verbal Focus | Reading & logic | Grammar & logic | Vocabulary-heavy |
| Calculator | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Exam Cost | Low | Very High | High |
Disclaimer
The fee structure mentioned above is approximate and for informational purposes only. Actual fees may vary depending on the institute, specialization, admission category, and academic year. The final decision regarding admission, fee payment, and program structure rests solely with the respective college or university. Students are strongly advised to verify the latest fee details and admission policies directly from the official website or admission office of the institution before proceeding.
Read:
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- Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score – Direct Admissions