First of all, i want to tell that When asking for advice about your CAT performance and chances at specific colleges, or anything else it's crucial to frame your query clearly and include all relevant details to avoid misinterpretation.

Based on your academic background (8/7/6), category (NC-OBC), and expected CAT score (88-90 percentile), here’s a comprehensive analysis covering every relevant factor to help you strategize effectively.

1. IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management):

New IIMs (Raipur, Trichy, Udaipur, Ranchi, Kashipur, Bodh Gaya):

These IIMs have slightly lower cutoffs compared to the older, more established IIMs, and the NC-OBC reservation works in your favor. Here’s what you can expect:

• Cutoff Range (NC-OBC): Around 85-90 percentile

• Shortlisting: Based on your CAT percentile and the reservation benefit, you stand a strong chance of being shortlisted for these IIMs.

• Focus: These institutes are known for their solid academic programs, and they often prioritize holistic selection criteria, so excelling in WAT (Written Ability Test) and PI (Personal Interview) will be key. Be prepared to talk about your career goals, engineering background, and why you want to pursue an MBA.

Baby IIMs (Amritsar, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Jammu, Sirmaur, Vizag):

These institutes are newer, but they are still part of the IIM family and are recognized for quality education.

• Cutoff Range (NC-OBC): Typically in the 80-85 percentile range.

• Shortlisting: Your chances here are even higher, given their relatively lower cutoff thresholds for NC-OBC candidates.

• Focus: These IIMs are a fantastic choice, especially for those who want an IIM tag but might not have the top percentile for the older IIMs. You will have a good chance if your CAT score is in the 88-90 percentile range.

Non-IIM Options for You (Given Your Expected CAT Percentile of 88-90 and NC-OBC Reservation):

You have several excellent options outside the IIMs that can provide you with a quality MBA education. Based on your percentile, here's a detailed breakdown of the best non-IIM colleges you can target:

1. NITIE Mumbai (National Institute of Industrial Engineering)

NITIE Mumbai is one of the top institutes in India for management education, particularly for candidates interested in operations and supply chain management. Given your engineering background, it is a great fit for you. The institute is highly regarded for its specialized programs in industrial engineering, logistics, and operations, all of which have strong industry demand.

• Opportunities:
  If you’re inclined toward management roles in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain domains, NITIE will provide you with the skills and exposure to succeed in those fields. Many top recruiters in these areas visit the campus for placements, ensuring excellent career prospects.

2. IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology)

Several IITs offer MBA programs with excellent academic standards and outstanding ROI. Your profile is a good fit for these institutes, especially considering your NC-OBC reservation and your expected percentile. Here are the key IITs you can target:

IIT Madras (IITM) – Department of Management Studies (DMS)-
IIT Madras is known for its strong academic culture and industry-oriented MBA programs. It has one of the best ROI in the country, and the institute is well-regarded for its focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and technical management..

IIT Roorkee – Department of Management Studies (DMS)

IIT Roorkee is another great option, especially if you want a balance between technical expertise and business management. The institute offers a rigorous academic curriculum with a focus on engineering and technology management.

IIT Kanpur – MBA Program
IIT Kanpur is known for its cutting-edge research, particularly in management sciences. The MBA program here has a strong emphasis on analytical thinking, operations, and entrepreneurship.

IIT Dhanbad (ISM) – MBA Program
IIT Dhanbad is known for its energy management programs, making it a unique option for those interested in the energy and mining sectors. It also offers programs in general management and finance.

3. Other Excellent Private Colleges:

XIM Bhubaneswar (XIMB)

XIMB is known for its strong focus on general management and has a solid reputation in business analytics and human resources. The institute has a well-rounded curriculum that integrates industry exposure and social responsibility.

IMT Ghaziabad (IMTG)

IMTG is one of the leading private business schools in India, particularly known for its marketing program. The institute has excellent industry linkages and provides a solid foundation for students aiming for roles in marketing, consulting, and finance.

TAPMI Manipal (TAPMI)

TAPMI is highly regarded for its finance and marketing programs. The institute has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality education and maintaining strong industry connections, making it a solid option for those looking to work in finance, marketing, or HR.

IRMA Anand (Institute of Rural Management Anand)

IRMA is India’s leading institute focused on rural and development management. If you are passionate about social impact, rural development, and working with NGOs or government organizations, IRMA is the right fit.

With your 88-90 percentile and NC-OBC category, you have a strong chance of getting into a variety of IIMs, IITs, NITIE, and other top-tier private institutes like IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI Manipal, and XIMB. The key factors will be to focus on your performance in the WAT and PI rounds, as well as applying to the right set of colleges where your percentile aligns well with their cutoff range.

While aiming for top institutes, also consider some good backup options to ensure you have a range of choices. Look into tier-2 or tier-3 B-Schools that have good placement records and reputations. Applying to MBA programs is a comprehensive process that goes beyond just the CAT score. Remember, the CAT score is just one part of the application.

Hello,

An approximate score in CAT 2024 that's around 88-90 percent, along with the profile being male engineer in NC-OBC, can result in selection to some newer or baby IIMs - Indian Institutes of Management like these ones:-

• IIM Jammu
• IIM Bodh Gaya
• IIM Rohtak
• IIM Vishakhapatnam
• IIM Trichy
• IIM Kashipur

The newer IIMs have a slightly smaller cut-off every year, yet the cutoffs are normally lower for the newer ones, and the older, bigger IIMs have bigger cutoffs. According to the predicted percentile, you have a reasonable chance for the colleges, especially in OBC category.

You can use the Careers360 College Predictor to understand how good your chances are. It gives you a more personalized insight into how likely it is that you'll get into a B-school given your CAT score, profile, and category. You can use it here:

Careers360 CAT College Predictor.

This tool gives you a more detailed analysis based on real-time data and trends.