Do colleges in Uttar Pradesh only focus on CAT scores for MBA admissions?

No, many management institutes in UP concentrate on the general profile of a candidate, interview performance, and skills rather than CAT scores alone.

What other factors do colleges consider if a student has a low CAT score?

Colleges emphasize the general profile, entrance test (if applicable), interview performance, and developed skills, alongside CAT scores.

What is the typical CAT percentile range for these UP colleges?

The listed colleges generally accept CAT percentiles ranging from 55% to 82%, depending on the institute.

Can I still pursue a good MBA program in UP with a low CAT score?

Yes, by preparing well for interviews, developing your skills, and making the right college choice from this list, you can secure a good MBA program.

Which cities in Uttar Pradesh have good MBA colleges for lower CAT scores?

Cities like Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mathura, and Bareilly have institutes accepting lower CAT scores.

Top 20 Colleges in Uttar Pradesh for Low CAT Scores

Looking for MBA colleges in Uttar Pradesh that accept low to moderate CAT percentiles? Check out our curated list of 20 institutes, from budget-friendly state colleges to private B-schools, ideal for students with 50–70 percentile CAT scores.

Table of Contents

List of Top 20 Colleges in Uttar Pradesh for Low CAT Scores
What Is Considered a Low CAT Score?
Admission Process for Low CAT Score Colleges
How to Choose the Right MBA College With a Low CAT Score
Tips to Improve Admission Chances With a Low CAT Score
Conclusion

There are a number of good management institutes in Uttar Pradesh which accept students with a lower percentile. These institutes provide good academic training, qualified faculty and placement opportunities. These colleges concentrate on the general profile of a candidate instead of basing it on CAT performance alone.

Students can still get into a good MBA program if they prepare well for interviews, develop their skills, and make the right college choice. This list of the top 20 colleges in Uttar Pradesh for low CAT scores will help you choose the right institute for your MBA career.

List of Top 20 Colleges in Uttar Pradesh for Low CAT Scores

If you have a low CAT score but have a desire to do an MBA in Uttar Pradesh, you may choose a few good colleges that receive applications with average percentiles. These schools place more emphasis on the general profile, entrance test and interview performance as opposed to high CAT scores. The list below contains 20 colleges in the state of Uttar Pradesh that generally accept lower percentiles in CAT.

Sr. No.	College	City	CAT Percentile Range (General)
1	Amity University / Amity Business School	Noida	65 – 80
2	BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology)	Greater Noida	70 – 80
3	Jaipuria Institute of Management	Lucknow	70 – 80
4	IMT (Institute of Management Technology)	Ghaziabad	70 – 82
5	IMS (Institute of Management Studies) – Ghaziabad	Ghaziabad	60 – 75
6	Sharda University – School of Business	Greater Noida	60 – 78
7	Galgotias University – School of Business	Greater Noida	60 – 75
8	GLA University – Amity (Management)	Mathura	55 – 75
9	Aligarh Muslim University (Faculty of Management Studies)	Aligarh	65 – 80
10	Banaras Hindu University – IMS (Institute of Management Studies)	Varanasi	65 – 80
11	Lucknow University – Management Dept. / FMS	Lucknow	60 – 75
12	IILM (Greater Noida campus)	Greater Noida	65 – 78
13	SOIL Institute of Management	Gurgaon area / NCR	65 – 80
14	JRE Group of Institutions – Greater Noida	Greater Noida	60 – 75
15	Lotus Institute of Management	Bareilly	55 – 72
16	Integral University	Bareilly	55 – 70
17	ITS Institute of Management	Ghaziabad	55 – 70
18	Mangalmay Institute of Management & Technology	Greater Noida	55 – 68
19	SRMS (Shree Ram Murti) Group – Bareilly / Greater Noida campuses	Bareilly / Greater Noida	55 – 72
20	Universal Business School	NCR / Noida	60 – 78

Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile: Section wise Percentile, Check Last 5 Years Score

What Is Considered a Low CAT Score?

The best IIMs and Tier-I MBA colleges typically have a minimum requirement of 95 percentiles and above, while private and state universities have much lower requirements. Thus, a rank which can be considered to be low in the case of elite institutes can be just enough for a good number of reputed colleges in Uttar Pradesh.

When you have a low CAT score, it does not mean that you do not have choices for colleges. You can still choose from Tier-2 and Tier-3 colleges with good placements, affordable fees, and hands-on learning environments. The table below gives an overview of the different categories of a low CAT score.

CAT Percentile Range	Category	What It Means	College Options
Below 50 percentile	Very Low	The score is not competitive for most MBA colleges.	Limited to small private institutes.
50–60 percentile	Low	Below the cutoff of many mid-tier colleges.	Many state-level and private universities accept this range.
60–70 percentile	Moderate Low	Not enough for top institutes, but acceptable for several good colleges.	A wide range of private colleges and some government institutes.
70–80 percentile	Moderate	A decent score, but still below Tier-1 requirements.	Good private colleges, state universities, and a few well-known institutes.

Admission Process for Low CAT Score Colleges

Even if the CAT score is low, the admission process of most colleges of MBA in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the same. The process is as follows.

Check Cutoffs and Eligibility for Colleges- The first step is to find out the colleges within your range of percentile. The majority of the colleges with low CAT scores post their cutoffs on their websites or announce them when notifying students about admissions. These institutes have a typical cutoff of between 50-70 percentiles.
Fill the Application Form- After shortlisting colleges, complete their online or offline application forms. Some colleges take applications all year round, whereas other colleges have a time limit.
Screening Based on CAT Score- Although the cutoff is low, your CAT score will be used in the first round of screening by colleges. The shortlisting of candidates based on the required minimum percentile is done for the following stage.
Writing Ability Test (WAT)- Some colleges can have a brief essay or a written examination to determine the level of clarity of thought, writing skills and simple reasoning. This is typical in the mid-level colleges despite the low percentage required in the CAT.
Group Discussion (GD)- When it comes to communication skills, teamwork, and confidence, as well as awareness, GD rounds in many institutes are used. Competition is also low in this bracket of score, therefore GD topics tend to be simple and opinion-seeking.
Personal Interview (PI)- All colleges have a PI round. This is usually the crucial phase when the applicants have a low CAT score since the institute looks at reasons that prompted you to take the MBA, academic background, work experience (if any), and knowledge in business and up-to-date events. Most colleges will accept a low CAT score because of a strong performance in the interview.
Final Selection- Colleges make a final merit list depending on CAT percentile, Performance in GD/PI, academic record, work experience, and diversity. The weightage on the CAT score tends to be less, thus favouring candidates with lower scores to still be able to gain admission.
Checking of the Documents and payment of fee- Once an admission offer is received, a candidate has to undergo a process of document verification and pay the initial instalment of the fee in order to secure a seat.

Also Read: CAT Participating Colleges 2025: Check Top IIMs, Tier 1, 2, and 3 Colleges

How to Choose the Right MBA College With a Low CAT Score

The need to choose the right MBA college is even more critical in case you have a low score in CAT. As the range of cutoffs is broad and there are numerous opportunities, you must pay attention to factors that will influence your education, internships, and future profession. The following are the main points to be considered:

Consider Placement Record- The quality of placement is very different in low-CAT colleges. Look at the average salary package, the number of companies visited, and the positions available in large industries. Do not join colleges which boast of the highest packages, yet they do not show average and median salaries.
Considers Faculty and Academic Quality- Enquire about the availability of experienced professors, industry professionals and the latest methods of teaching in the institute. Academic excellence plays a larger role where the range of scores can be low.
Specialisations available- Select a college with the specialization you want, such as marketing, HR, finance, business analytics or operations. Some colleges have very few electives, and this might limit your career choices in the future.
Industry Relations- Colleges that are actively linked to the industry offer superior internships and live projects. Such exposure will aid in competing with higher percentile candidates in the employment industry.
Check Fees versus ROI ( Return on Investment)- Most of the small colleges charge a lot of money, yet such charges are not matched by placements. Compare the total course fee, average placement package, and other expenses such as hostel fees, study materials or exam fees. Choose a college which will give you the maximum amount of return on the fees paid.
Alumni Feedback- Search reviews on the quality of teaching, life on campus, placements and services provided. This will provide you with an idea of the college environment before you apply.
Consider Location- Better places of internship and placement are available in cities that are well-established business hubs, such as Noida, Lucknow, and Ghaziabad.
Check Accreditation and Affiliations- The colleges should always be colleges that are approved by AICTE, UGC, or recognised universities. Colleges that are accredited uphold a standard of quality and assist in the credibility of a career in the long term.

Also Read: IIM CAT Cutoff 2025: Expected and Previous Cutoff for IIMs and Top Non-IIM Colleges

Tips to Improve Admission Chances With a Low CAT Score

A low CAT score does not mean that you have to give up on an MBA. By using some of these tips, you can improve your chances of getting admission to a good MBA program.

Have A Good Academic Background- Colleges usually pay attention to your 10th, 12th and graduation results. The low CAT score can be compensated for by good academic consistency, and leave a favourable impression during shortlisting.
Highlight Work Experience- In case you have experience, do not forget to show it in your application. Maturity, responsibility and practical knowledge, gained even 6-12 months of experience in any field, is often desired by many MBA colleges.
Achieve Good Results in GD, PI, and Written Examination- Group Discussions, Personal Interviews, and Written Ability Tests can be among the strongest features of your performance. Prepare basic MBA topics and keep in touch with current affairs. Most of the students who score low get admitted through good performance in the interviews.
Create a Good Resume- An organized, neat resume will make you stand out. Examples of skills to highlight include communication skills, teamwork skills, leadership skills, technical knowledge or experience with projects.
Apply to Multiple Colleges- Do not apply to too few institutions. Shortlist a mix of Tier-2 colleges, Tier-3 colleges, and State universities. The more applications you make, the higher your probability of receiving interview calls.
Use Other Entrance Exams- CMAT, MAT, XAT and internal test of some colleges are accepted. A good score on these can be used to counter-balance a low CAT score and open additional opportunities.
Make a Clear Statement of Purpose (SOP)- When a college requests you to write an SOP, write a straightforward and concise one. Explain why you want to pursue an MBA, which specialisation do you want to do, and your long-term goals.
Improve Communication Skills- MBA admission requires an interview round with the faculty and interviewers. You need to create a good impression through good communication skills.

Also Read: Top 10 Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score in India 2025

Conclusion

Uttar Pradesh has many colleges that offer good quality management education to students who have low percentiles. The most important thing is to do research on colleges, and get ready in advance by preparing before admission rounds, like group discussions, personal interviews and written tests. A successful career in management is possible by having a good overall profile and by selecting a college which fits your career goals.