The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will be held on 29 November 2026. One of the most common worries among aspirants is the sectional cut-off. Many B-schools, including most IIMs, require a minimum percentile in each section of CAT: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Ability). This is in addition to the overall percentile.
This means a candidate with a high overall percentile can still miss a call if they score low in even one section. For example, a student with 98 percentile overall but a weak DILR score may be rejected by a college with a strict sectional cut-off.
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The good news is that several reputed B-schools do not apply sectional cut-offs. They shortlist mainly on the overall CAT percentile, often along with academic record, work experience and diversity. In this article, we list the top MBA colleges without sectional cut-offs, their expected overall percentiles, and tips for aspirants.
List of Top MBA Colleges Without Sectional Cut-Offs
The table below lists colleges that are reported to shortlist on the overall CAT percentile without a fixed sectional cut-off. The percentiles are expected / safe ranges based on recent trends, not official cut-offs.
| College | Location | Expected Overall CAT Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi | Delhi | 99+ |
| IIT Delhi (Department of Management Studies) | New Delhi | 98+ |
| IIM Rohtak | Rohtak, Haryana | 95–97+ |
| IIT Madras (DoMS) | Chennai | 95–96+ |
| IIT Roorkee (DoMS) | Roorkee | 95+ |
| IIT Kanpur (DoMS) | Kanpur | 90–94 |
| IIT Kharagpur (Vinod Gupta School of Management) | Kharagpur | 90–96 |
| Delhi School of Economics (DSE), MBA-HRD | Delhi | 90–95+ |
| XIM University (XIMB) | Bhubaneswar | 91–92+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad | 90+ |
| Goa Institute of Management (GIM) | Goa | 90 |
| International Management Institute (IMI) | New Delhi | 88–90 |
| T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) | Manipal | 85–90+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai | 85–95 |
| MICA | Ahmedabad | 85+ |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | 80–85+ |
| Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) | Anand | 80–88+ |
| Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) | Chennai | 80 |
| Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool) | Mumbai | 70–80 |
IIM Rohtak is widely reported as the only IIM that does not apply a sectional cut-off for its PGP shortlisting.
Other Colleges Reported Without Sectional Cut-Offs
Some coaching sites also list these colleges as not using strict sectional cut-offs. Check each institute’s admission policy before applying:
- IIT Bombay (SJMSOM), BITSoM Mumbai, NIBM Pune
- MDI Gurgaon, JBIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR Mumbai (reported as flexible, with holistic evaluation)
- IMT Hyderabad, IMT Nagpur, FORE School of Management, LBSIM Delhi, BIMTECH
- Institute of Management Studies (FMS), BHU; University Business School, Panjab University; SDA Bocconi Asia Center
Which B-Schools Do Have Sectional Cut-Offs?
Most IIMs, including the older ones like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta and many newer IIMs, set minimum sectional percentiles along with an overall cut-off for shortlisting. Each IIM publishes its own admission policy, and the minimum percentiles differ by institute and category.
| Point | Colleges With Sectional Cut-Offs | Colleges Without Sectional Cut-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlisting basis | Minimum percentile in VARC, DILR and QA plus overall percentile | Mainly overall percentile (plus profile) |
| Risk for candidates | One weak section can lead to rejection | A weak section can be balanced by strong ones |
| Examples | Most IIMs | FMS Delhi, IIM Rohtak, IIT B-schools, IMT Ghaziabad, MICA |
Always check the latest admission policy of each institute, as criteria can change from year to year.
Who Benefits From Colleges Without Sectional Cut-Offs?
- Candidates strong in one or two sections: For example, an engineer strong in QA and DILR but weaker in VARC.
- Non-engineers or career changers who are still building speed in QA.
- Candidates with an uneven performance on exam day, where one section went poorly.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A weak section does not automatically rule you out | Overall percentile cut-offs at top colleges like FMS Delhi are very high |
| Gives more options if one section goes badly | Some colleges may still look at sectional scores in later stages (WAT, GD, PI) |
| Good mix of top colleges, including FMS, IITs and IIM Rohtak | Policies are not always published clearly and can change |
Tips for CAT 2026 Aspirants
- Don’t ignore any section. Most IIMs still have sectional cut-offs, so aim for a balanced score.
- Keep a backup list. Apply to a mix of IIMs and colleges without sectional cut-offs, so a weak section doesn’t end your chances.
- Check each college’s policy. Read the latest admission criteria on the official website before filling out forms.
- Fill forms early. Many non-IIM colleges have separate application forms with their own deadlines.
- Prepare for the next stages. WAT, GD and PI often matter as much as the CAT score in final selection.
FAQs on MBA Colleges Without Sectional Cut-Offs
What is a sectional cut-off in CAT? It is the minimum percentile a candidate must score in each CAT section (VARC, DILR and QA) to be considered for shortlisting.
Which IIM does not have a sectional cut-off? IIM Rohtak is widely reported as the only IIM without a sectional cut-off.
Does FMS Delhi have a sectional cut-off? No. FMS Delhi shortlists mainly on the overall CAT score, but its overall cut-off is very high, usually around 99 percentile or more.
Do IIT B-schools have sectional cut-offs? IIT management schools such as IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kanpur and IIT Kharagpur are generally reported not to apply sectional cut-offs.
Can I get an MBA seat with a low score in one section? Yes, at colleges without sectional cut-offs, if your overall percentile meets their requirement.
Colleges without sectional cut-offs give CAT 2026 aspirants a valuable safety net. FMS Delhi, IIM Rohtak, the IIT management schools, IMT Ghaziabad, MICA and others focus mainly on the overall percentile. Still, since most IIMs use sectional cut-offs, the best strategy is to prepare for a balanced score across all three sections, and keep these colleges on your list as strong options.
