Scoring good marks in the CAT exam doesn’t guarantee admission or even an interview call from the top IIMs. Metrics like 10th, 12th, graduation, work experience, diversity, and category play a huge role in the final shortlist and admission. This leaves almost every MBA aspirant scratching their head, wondering how much is actually enough to secure a seat. This is where MBA predictor tools comes in.
Why MBA Predictor Tools Are Required and How They Work?
To understand MBA predictors, let’s first decode the B-school selection process. First, one needs to clear the CAT/SNAP/XAT exam cut-offs. But clearing that alone isn’t enough.
Once the cut-off is cleared, colleges calculate a composite score based on weightage given to 10th, 12th, graduation, work experience, and gender/academic diversity. The tricky part is—each college has its own formula. For example:
- IIM Indore gives more weightage to 10th and 12th marks.
- IIM Calcutta doesn’t consider graduation marks.
- IIM Rohtak awards 10% weightage to academic and gender diversity.
So, someone with strong 10th and 12th marks may have better chances at IIM Indore, while a male engineer may find it harder to get a call from Rohtak.
After that, students with high enough composite scores are shortlisted for interviews. Post-interview, scores are recalculated again by adding PI marks. Those who clear this new cut-off secure final admission.
All of these changing metrics make it difficult to know how much is enough, and that’s where MBA predictors step in.
Students just enter their marks, achievements, and certifications—and the predictor shows the percentile required to get interview calls from different B-schools.
MBA Predictor Tools
Most coaching institutes like Career Launcher, Unacademy, and Cracku have their own MBA predictors. Most of these tools estimate how much percentile you need for interview calls based on your profile.
But two predictors have stood out lately:
MBA Predictor By Pritish Poswal
Pros:
- Based on RTI data
- Quite accurate in predicting interview calls
- Free to use
Cons:
- Accuracy depends on whether the college changes its selection criteria
- Doesn’t predict the final selection accurately due to the subjectivity of PI marks
- Only available for IIMs and government institutions.
Last year, this predictor (commonly known as Vercel) became quite popular among aspirants. It uses RTI data to calculate composite scores and compare them with the previous year’s cut-offs.
However, it works best when selection criteria remain unchanged. For instance, when IIT Bombay changed its formula by giving more weight to graduation, the predictor couldn’t account for it.
Another issue is with PI scores-it tries to estimate how many marks you need post-interview to convert the call, but interviews are subjective and scores are normalized, making it tough to predict accurately.
My Experience with Vercel:
Interview Calls: Got a call from IIM K, though the predictor showed borderline red (low chances). All other calls were accurate.
PI Score Prediction:
- IIM Shillong: Needed 24/40 to convert. Got waitlist 236: so possibly scored above 24.
- IIM Lucknow: Needed 23/50. Scored 25.xx. Waitlist 46.
- IIM Kozhikode: Needed 22/55. Converted in the first list.
So, while not perfect, it was mostly accurate for me.
2. Unacademy Predictor by Amiya Sir
Pros:
- Covers private colleges like MDI
- Shows marks required for both first and last lists
- Uses RTI data
Cons:
- Paid tool
- Lack of transparency in how data is calculated
Here, students fill out a form, and after a few days, they receive their predicted results on a sheet. Like Vercel, it uses RTI data but focuses more on the marks needed to make it to the first/second list rather than just last year’s composite score.
My Results:
- IIM Lucknow: It said 34 was needed for the first list. I scored 25. The actual cut-off turned out to be 27.
- IIM Kozhikode: It predicted 25 to convert. And I did.
Final Thoughts
MBA predictors aren’t 100% accurate, but they’re useful tools to get a ballpark idea. They help reduce uncertainty and guide your expectations. Just keep in mind that interviews are subjective, and small changes in criteria can affect accuracy.
Use them as a guide, not a guarantee.
Read More:
- Online vs Offline Coaching: Pros and Cons
- DILR Strategies to Score a 99 Percentile
- Free Formula Book for Quants
- From Journalism to IIM-K
- VARC Guide For Engineers
- Staying consistent with the 6-month-long CAT journey
- Alternative Options to the CAT Exam
- Avoiding Exam Burnout
- Is this the right Time for an MBA
- Quitting a Job for CAT: Is it the right thing?
- Train your mind for the 2-hour Exam
- Dealing with low mock scores in CAT
