Percentile Score Calculation Method Released by IIM Kozhikode
IIM Kozhikode has released the official CAT 2019 percentile score calculation method. The CAT Percentile calculation process involves four steps to calculate CAT percentile from scaled score for overall percentile calculation and for section wise CAT percentile calculation. Same calculation method is followed for all the three sections – Quant, Verbal and DILR.
This is the first time that percentile calculation method for Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by IIMs is released officially. Please note that only the scaled scores obtained shall be converted into percentiles for purposes of shortlisting by IIMs.
CAT 2019 Percentile: IIMs Release 4 Steps Calculation Method
Releasing the CAT 2019 Percentile Calculation Method, IIMs have advised that following 4 step process will be adhered for calculation of percentile score of a candidate. The steps described below are followed to calculate the CAT 2019 overall and sectional percentile scores obtained by a candidate.
Quantitative Ability (QA) Chosen as Example by IIMs: Same Process for Other Sections
While illustrating the percentile score calculation process, QA section is chosen as an example. Similar process is followed for the overall percentile score calculation and for the other two sections, i.e. DILR and VARC in CAT 2019.
4 Steps of CAT Percentile Calculation
Step 1: Calculate the total number of candidates (N) who appeared for CAT (i.e. including both morning and afternoon sessions).
Step 2: Assign a rank (r), based on the scaled scores obtained in the QA section, to all candidates who appeared for CAT. In the case of two or more candidates obtaining identical scaled scores in the QA section, assign identical ranks to all those candidates.
Illustration
As an illustration suppose exactly two candidates obtain the highest scaled score in the QA section, then both of those candidates are assigned a rank of 1. Moreover, the candidate(s) obtaining the second highest scaled score in the QA section are assigned a rank of 3 and so on.
Step 3: Calculate the percentile score (P) of a candidate with rank (r) in the QA section as:
P =( ( N-r ) N ) x 100.
Step 4: Round off the calculated percentile score (P) of a candidate up to two decimal points.
Example
For example, all percentile scores greater than or equal to 99.995 are rounded off to 100, all percentile scores greater than or equal to 99.985 but strictly less than 99.995 are rounded off to 99.99 and so on.
Similar Method for Overall & Other Sections’ Percentile
A methodology similar to the one described above is used for the computation of the overall CAT percentile scores and for the percentile scores of other sections.
Fairness and Equity in Percentile Calculation
CAT Exam Centre has declared “In order to ensure fairness and equity in comparison of performances of the candidates across different test sessions, the scores of the candidates shall be subjected to a process of Normalization. The Normalization process to be implemented shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms and the scaled scores obtained by this process shall be converted into percentiles for purposes of shortlisting.”
Great Help to Test Takers
After appearing in CAT 2019 exam on November 24, 2019, the test takers will be looking to check their expected percentile in the exam to know their shortlisting chances in IIMs. The accuracy in percentile calculation depends upon the fact how the CAT percentile is arrived at. This confusion has persisted over many CAT exam years although CAT website has always claimed to have the most transparent process on score normalization and calculation of percentile.
Since the CAT score normalization process has only scanty details which may not bring home the clear picture of percentile calculation formula in CAT 2019, the recently release CAT 2019 percentile score calculation method by IIMs could be a great help to the CAT test takers.
Expect high percentile with good scores
The above score is supposed to fetch a percentile near about 99.05. Besides the introduction of Non-MCQ type questions without any penalty for wrong answers, it is expected that the candidates would score high and would record higher percentile.
Earlier all the questions used to be of MCQ type and due to negative marking system the percentile got dipped low in earlier CAT exams. Now with more questions available most of the candidates who refrained from attempting doubtful and difficult type of questions can expect a high percentile
