Can a candidate with 98.55 percentile and all sectionals above 90 target XLRI and SPJIMR?
At 98.55 CAT with all sectionals above 90, you are competitive for both SPJIMR and XLRI - but with an important distinction between the two.
XLRI: XAT, Not CAT
XLRI does not accept CAT scores. You will need to write XAT separately and target approximately 96+ percentile to be competitive for XLRI BM (fees approximately Rs 27-30L, 2024 batch avg approximately Rs 30 LPA).
A strong CAT score does not carry over. If you have already written XAT and scored 96+, XLRI BM is a realistic target.
If not, plan for next year's XAT alongside your CAT cycle.
SPJIMR: Strong Target
SPJIMR's PGDM (fees approximately Rs 21L, 2024 batch avg approximately Rs 33 LPA) uses the GEE process - a profile-based evaluation that weighs extracurriculars, career goal essays, and overall profile alongside your CAT score. The CAT floor for a general category candidate is broadly around 85+ via GEE, which means 98.55 clears the score threshold comfortably. The conversion at interview stage depends heavily on your application form, essay quality, and how clearly you articulate your career goals. Students with strong profiles and well-crafted essays report that SPJIMR can convert at scores lower than 98.55 - so at your score, the essay and interview preparation matter more than the percentile.
Where Else Does 98.55 Sit?
| College | Approx Fees | 2024 Avg Package | GEM Cutoff (approx) | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Rs 21L | Rs 33 LPA | 85+ (GEE route) | Strong target |
| MDI Gurgaon | Rs 23.6L | Rs 26 LPA | 95+ | Safe shortlist |
| IIM Lucknow | Rs 21L | Rs 32 LPA | 97+ | Possible, borderline |
| IIM Kozhikode | Rs 22.5L | Rs 30 LPA | 96+ | Reachable |
| IIM Indore | Rs 21L | Rs 26 LPA | 97+ | Borderline |
| IIFT Delhi/Kolkata | Rs 21L | Rs 25 LPA | 98+ | Comfortable |
| IIM Shillong | Lower fees | - | 97+ | Reachable |
| IIT Delhi DMS | - | - | Sectionals 80+ | Apply if sectionals hold |
| XLRI BM | Rs 27-30L | Rs 30 LPA | XAT 96+ | Requires XAT separately |
Note
We don't have batch-level data for IIM Shillong, IIM Rohtak, IIM Trichy, and IIT Delhi DMS in our canonical records, so exact averages are not listed.
The IIM ABC Reality Check
IIM A and IIM B are unlikely targets at 98.55 for general engineering candidates. GEM category shortlist cutoffs at IIM A and IIM B typically run at 99.9+ overall, with additional academic-diversity weighting in the composite.
IIM C weights CAT and academic scores heavily, and the cutoff for GEM candidates is similarly very high. Applying only to ABC at 98.55 risks burning an entire application cycle on near-zero probability calls.
Where to Focus Energy
- 01SPJIMR via GEE - invest heavily in the application form, essays, and interview prep. Score is not your limiting factor here.
- 02MDI Gurgaon - a reliable shortlist at this score; strong WAT-PI conversion probability.
- 03IIM Kozhikode and IIM Lucknow - borderline shortlists, but worth applying given the package outcomes.
- 04IIFT Delhi - comfortable at this score if you are open to international business specialisation.
- 05Newer IIMs (Trichy, Rohtak, Shillong) - safer shortlists with lower WAT-PI competition density.
- 06XLRI BM - only if you have written XAT or plan to.
Realistic WAT-PI stage conversion probability across MDI, SPJIMR, and IIM K/L for a well-prepared candidate at this score is roughly 30-60%, which makes interview preparation the actual differentiator, not the CAT score. You can compare shortlist criteria across these colleges to prioritise your application list.