CMAT Exam 2026 Exam Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Preparation Tips & More

CMAT Exam 2026 Exam Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Preparation Tips & More

Aparajita Debnath

Table of Contents

  1. CMAT Exam 2026: Highlights
  2. CMAT Exam 2026 Date
  3. CMAT Registration 2026
  4. CMAT Registration Fee 2026
  5. CMAT Eligibility 2026
  6. How to Download CMAT Admit Card 2026?
  7. Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores 2026
  8. CMAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
  9. CMAT Exam Pattern 2026
  10. CMAT Syllabus 2026
  11. CMAT Answer Key 2026
  12. CMAT Result 2026
  13. CMAT Selection Procedure 2026
  14. CMAT Mock Test 2026
  15. How to Prepare for CMAT 2026?

CMAT exam 2026 is scheduled to be held in January 2026. NTA conducts CMAT exam annually in CBT mode for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. In India, there are more than 1300 MBA colleges that accept CMAT score for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. Some of the top colleges that accept the CMAT score are KJ Somaiya, Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Amity University, and others.

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level management entrance exam, conducted by NTA. This exam is conducted for admission into management programs, like MBA and PGDM. CMAT is one of the very popular management entrance exams in India after CAT. It is a computer-based online test that is conducted to evaluate your ability across various segments such as quantitative techniques, language comprehension, general awareness, innovation, etc.

CMAT_2026_Overview

CMAT Exam 2026: Highlights

Check out the key highlights of CMAT 2026 exam:

ParticularsDetails
Exam NameCMAT 2026
Full FormCommon Management Admission Test
Conducting BodyNational Testing Agency (NTA)
CMAT Exam FrequencyOnce a Year
Courses Offered through CMATMBA
CMAT 2026 Exam DateFourth week of January 2026
Mode of ExamOnline (CBT)
Language/MediumEnglish
CMAT 2026 Application Fee

General Male: INR 2500

General Female: INR 1250

Gen-EWS/SC/ST/PwD/OBC: INR 1250

Third Gender: INR 1250

CMAT 2026 Exam Duration180 Minutes
CMAT 2026 Total Marks400
Total No. of Questions100
Official Websiteexams.nta.ac.in/CMAT

CMAT Exam 2026 Date

Here are the ongoing and upcoming CMAT 2026 dates:

Important EventsCMAT 2026 Exam Dates
CMAT 2026 Registration StartsThe second week of November 2025
CMAT 2026 Registration Last DateLast week of December 2025
Fee Payment Window CloseLast week of December 2025
CMAT 2026 Application Correction WindowLast week of December 2025
CMAT 2026 City Intimation Slip ReleaseThird week of January 2026
CMAT Admit Card 2026Third week of January 2026
CMAT Exam 2026 DateFourth week of January 2026
CMAT 2026 Objection WindowFourth week of January 2026
CMAT Result 2026The second week of February 2026

CMAT Registration 2026

You can easily apply for CMAT 2026 exam through online mode only. To complete CMAT registration, you must follow these steps below:

Step 1: Visit the official CMAT website at cmat.ntaonline.in
Step 2: Click on the "New Registration" button to create an account. Enter correct details and a valid email ID. 
Step 3: Use the login credentials sent to your email to sign in. 
Step 4: Complete the CMAT application form by adding your personal details, educational qualifications, and selecting your preferred exam centres. 
Step 5: Upload a scanned passport-size photo and signature, ensuring they meet the specified size and format requirements. 
Step 6: Pay the application fee online and save the transaction details for future reference. 
Step 7: Carefully review all the entered information before submitting the form. If everything is accurate, submit your application.

CMAT Registration Fee 2026

To confirm the application, candidates must pay CMAT exam fees. You can make the payment through the credit card/debit card / net banking / UPI. Check out the table below for the detailed structure of the CMAT exam fees:

Fee Payable for CMAT 2026
General (UR)Male: INR 2500Female: INR 1250
Gen-EWS/SC/ST/PwD/OBC (NCL)Male: INR 1250Female: INR 1250
Third GenderINR 1250

CMAT Eligibility 2026

For CMAT eligibility criteria 2026, refer to the table below:

ParticularsCMAT Exam Eligibility
Educational QualificationMust have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to appear for the CMAT. If you are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree, waiting for your result, still you can apply for this exam.
CitizenshipYou have to be an Indian citizen to appear for this exam.
Age Limit CriteriaThere is no age restriction to appearing for CMAT 2026.

How to Download CMAT Admit Card 2026?

CMAT admit card 2026 release date is not confirmed yet. However, it is expected that the admit card will be released in the third week of January 2026. The admit card will be issued provisionally to the candidates, subject to satisfying the eligibility criteria. You can download the admit card from the official website of NTA and appear for the exam.

Step 1: Visit the official website of CMAT 2026. 
Step 2: Select CMAT 2026 admit card download link. 
Step 3: Enter your application number and date of birth. 
Step 4: Download CMAT admit card and take a printout.

Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores 2026

These are some top management colleges in India as per NIRF 2024, that accept CMAT exam score:

NIRF 2024 Ranking (Management)CMAT Accepting Colleges
29Amity University, Noida
38Lovely Professional University
45Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
49Institute of Rural Management, Anand
56International Management Institute, Kolkata
59Graphic Era Deemed to be University
60Christ University
61International Management Institute, Bhubaneswar (IMI)
63K J Somaiya Institute of Management
64Birla Institute of Management Technology
65Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
68Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (MNIT, Jaipur)
72Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow
73Manipal University, Jaipur
75Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur
78Jamia Hamdard
81Cochin University of Science & Technology, Kochi
82Thiagarajar School of Management
84Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai
87Jagan Institute of Management Studies, Rohini
88New Delhi Institute of Management
90Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
91National Institute of Bank Management
93Rajagiri Business School
97Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad
98Galgotias University
99Krea University

CMAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)

MBA admission through CMAT score is based on cutoffs. Check out the list of CMAT cut off scores accepting colleges in the range of 85 to 99 percentile:

Accepting CollegesCMAT 2026 Cutoff Percentile (Expected)
JBIMS, Mumbai99.9
Goa Institute of Management95-99
KJ Somaiya Institute of Management95-99
SIMSREE, Mumbai99
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai95-99
University of Pune, Dept. of Management Studies95-99
Xavier Institute of Social Science, Panchi95
Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai85
Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore80
Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management85
IFIM, Bangalore85
IFMR, Chennai85
NIBM, Pune85
NL Dalmiya Institute of Management85

CMAT Exam Pattern 2026

CMAT exam pattern is prepared based on AICTE guidelines for MBA entrance examination. The table below shows the latest CMAT exam pattern:

CMAT 2026 Exam PatternDetails
No. of Sections

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Logical Reasoning

Language Comprehension

General Awareness

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Mode of ExamComputer Based Test
Duration of Exam180 minutes
No. of Questions100
No. of Questions Per Section20
No. of Answer Choices4
CMAT 2026 Marking Scheme

4 marks for the correct answer

-1 mark for an incorrect answer

Total Marks400

CMAT Syllabus 2026

CMAT syllabus 2026 is prescribed by AICTE, that includes topics from four different subjects. The questions are asked from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, CMAT General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Check out the table below for CMAT 2026 syllabus:

SubjectsTopicsPDF Download Link
Quantitative Techniques & Data InterpretationTabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph; Probability; Quadratic & Linear Equations; Graph; Simple Interest & Compound Interest; Percentages; Averages; Geometry; Profit & Loss; Mensuration; Ratios & Proportion; Fraction & Decimals; Work & Time; Time-Speed-Distance; Number Systems; In-equations; Allegation & Mixtures; Partnership; Algebra; Permutations & Combinations; Pipes & Cisterns.Click Here
Logical ReasoningAnalytical Reasoning; Cause & Effects; Non-Verbal Reasoning; Linear Arrangements; Analogy Test; Symbol Based Problems; Statements Arguments; Blood Relationship Tests; Direction & Distance Tests; Statements & Conclusion; Number Series; Statements Assumptions; Inferences; Matrix Arrangements; Ranking Tests; Coding & Decoding; SequencingClick Here
Language ComprehensionEnglish Grammar; Paragraph Completion; Sentence Improvement; English Usage Efforts; Synonyms & Antonyms; Reading Comprehension; One-word Substitution; Jumbled Para; Idioms & Phrases; Sentence CorrectionClick Here
CMAT General Awareness SyllabusLiterature; Current Affairs of National & International Economy; History; Sports News; Science in Everyday Life; Politics; Geography; Culture; Economics; Trade Awareness; Personalities in News; Indian ConstitutionClick Here

CMAT Answer Key 2026

CMAT 2026 answer key is expected to be released in January 2026. The objection window to raise the objection against the NTA CMAT answer key 2026 will be open for a few days. Candidates can raise the objection by paying the objection fee of INR 200 per question. Only the paid challenge made during the stipulated time through the key challenged link will be considered.

CMAT Result 2026

CMAT 2026 results are expected to be released in the second week of February 2026. The result will be notified soon on the official website at exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT. The result will be compiled based on CMAT 2026 final answer keys. No grievance about the answer key after the declaration of the CMAT 2026 result will be considered. No scorecard will be provided through the speed post, candidates must download their scorecard from the official website.

CMAT Selection Procedure 2026

You can apply separately to your preferred institutes participating in CMAT 2026 using your CMAT score. Each institute will release its cutoff score, which you must meet to qualify for admission. Once you clear the exam, you must follow the selection process of the respective institute. CMAT selection process generally includes:

  1. Shortlisting: Institutes shortlist candidates based on their CMAT scores and cutoff criteria.
  2. Group Discussion (GD): Shortlisted candidates participate in a group discussion to assess communication skills, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
  3. Personal Interview (PI): Candidates face a one-on-one interview to evaluate their knowledge, confidence, and suitability for the program.
  4. Final Selection: Institutes prepare the final merit list based on CMAT scores, GD, and PI performance.

CMAT Mock Test 2026

NTA provides CMAT mock test to help the candidates analysis the exam pattern and boost their preparation strategy. To perform well in the exam, attempting CMAT mock test is essential. Mock tests not only help a candidate develop time management skills but also discover tricks and shortcuts to solve the questions easily and accurately. CMAT is a speed-based examination with 100 questions to be solved in 180 minutes. So, you will get 1.8 minutes to read every question, understand, and solve or skip a question.

To access the official CMAT mock test on the NTA website, follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website of nta.ac.in and select “CMAT Mock Test Free”. 
Step 2: Then, select the exam you would like to appear. 
Step 3: Select the “Paper” option and click on “Start Mock Test”. 
Step 4: Then, login on that page with the User ID and password. 
Step 5: An instruction page will appear on your screen. Simply select the “Proceed” button to access the mock test.

How to Prepare for CMAT 2026?

These are some major CMAT preparation tips 2026 for exam:

  • CMAT scores are accepted by various B-schools across India, so it is important to perform well in the examination.
  • Trend analysis of the previous year’s CMAT paper will help you to become fully aware of the exam pattern, question type, etc.
  • Don’t start solving the mock tests before completing the CMAT syllabus.
  • You should try solving different types of questions. With it, you will get an idea regarding all kinds of questions – easy, tough, lengthy, and tricky.
  • Do not start any new chapters in the last two days before the CMAT exam scheduled date.

FAQ - CMAT

Ans: Yes, there will be negative markings in the CMAT exam 2026. 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response, whereas 4 marks will be rewarded for every correct response. 

Ans: CMAT 2026 will be conducted online in a computer-based test (CBT) mode at designated examination centres. You will need to punch in your answers with the help of a keypad and mouse of the computer system provided.

Ans: There are no upper age limit criteria for appearing in the CMAT exam 2026. Any candidates who have completed the graduation can appear for the CMAT and purpose MBA. However, the candidate’s minimum age should not be less than 20 years old.

Ans: CMAT 2026 will be conducted in two shifts. The first shift will start from 9 am to 12 pm and the second shift will start from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Ans: The syllabus of two of these exams are similar to each other, but CMAT has two additional subjects, that is General Knowledge and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

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