A score of 250 marks in CMAT 2026 is expected to correspond to a percentile between 90 and 93, based on trends from the previous two years.
CMAT 2026 is conducted by NTA for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at AICTE-approved institutions across India. The exam carries a total of 400 marks across five sections with a +4 and -1 marking scheme. Scoring 250 marks places you above the majority of test takers and makes you eligible for several reputed B-schools.
- CMAT 2026 total marks: 400 (five sections, 20 questions each, +4/-1 marking scheme)
- 250 marks expected percentile: 90 to 93 (based on 2024-25 exam trends)
- 250 marks is competitive for Great Lakes, PUMBA Pune, Welingkar, BIMTECH and XISS
- Final percentile depends on total test takers and paper difficulty for CMAT 2026
| Direct Link to CMAT 2026 Official Website | cmat.nta.nic.in |
CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Total Marks
CMAT 2026 follows the NTA-prescribed pattern with five sections totalling 400 marks. Each correct answer awards four marks and each wrong answer deducts one mark. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Optional) | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
A score of 250 out of 400 reflects strong performance across the mandatory sections. This is broadly equivalent to answering around 62 to 63 questions correctly with minimal wrong attempts. This score places you well above the median CMAT test taker.
250 Marks in CMAT 2026: Expected Percentile
Based on CMAT 2024 and 2025 score data, 250 marks in CMAT 2026 is expected to fetch a percentile of approximately 90 to 93. NTA calculates percentile by comparing your score with all other students who appeared in the same exam cycle. With over 60,000 to 70,000 students registering for CMAT annually, a 90th percentile means you performed better than around 54,000 students.
The percentile can shift slightly depending on whether CMAT 2026 is held in one shift or multiple shifts. In multi-shift exams NTA applies normalisation before generating percentiles. Students who attempt the optional Innovation and Entrepreneurship section and score high can push the top score bracket upward which slightly compresses percentile bands in the 250 to 260 range.
CMAT 2026 Marks vs Percentile Table
The table below shows the expected percentile for various score bands in CMAT 2026 based on 2024-25 trends. These figures are indicative. NTA publishes the official percentile on the CMAT 2026 scorecard.
| Score Range (out of 400) | Expected Percentile (Based on Previous Year Trends) |
|---|---|
| 330 – 400 | 99 – 100 |
| 310 – 329 | 98 – 99 |
| 290 – 309 | 96 – 98 |
| 270 – 289 | 94 – 96 |
| 260 – 269 | 93 – 94 |
| 250 – 259 | 90 – 93 (Your Score Band) |
| 230 – 249 | 85 – 90 |
| 200 – 229 | 75 – 85 |
| 170 – 199 | 60 – 75 |
| Below 170 | Below 60 |
Category-wise Percentile for 250 Marks in CMAT 2026
NTA issues a single overall percentile score for CMAT. There is no separate category-wise percentile. However, colleges relax their admission cut-offs for reserved category students including OBC, SC, ST and PwD. At 250 marks and a percentile of 90 to 93 your admission prospects across categories are as follows.
| Category | Percentile at 250 Marks | Admission Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 90 – 93 | Eligible for mid-tier and good CMAT-accepting colleges |
| OBC (NCL) | 90 – 93 (colleges typically relax cut-off by 5 percentile points) | Strong eligibility at most CMAT colleges |
| SC / ST | 90 – 93 (colleges typically relax cut-off by 10 or more points) | Very strong eligibility across CMAT-accepting institutions |
| PwD | 90 – 93 (horizontal reservation benefits apply at the college level) | High eligibility at most colleges |
MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT Score with 250 Marks
With 250 marks and an expected percentile of 90 to 93, you are competitive at a wide range of MBA and PGDM colleges across India. Top-tier institutes like JBIMS Mumbai typically require 99+ percentile and remain out of reach at this score. The colleges listed below fall within your expected score range based on 2024-25 admission cut-off trends.
| College | Location | Expected CMAT Cut-off (Percentile) | Chances at 250 Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 90+ | Borderline – strong GD-PI performance needed |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai and Gurgaon | 85+ | Good |
| PUMBA – Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune | Pune, Maharashtra | 85+ | Good |
| Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research | Mumbai and Bangalore | 85+ | Good |
| BIMTECH – Birla Institute of Management Technology | Greater Noida, UP | 80+ | Strong |
| XISS – Xavier Institute of Social Service | Ranchi, Jharkhand | 80+ | Strong |
| ITM Business School | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | 75+ | Strong |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 75+ | Strong |
| MET Institute of Management | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 75+ | Strong |
| N.L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 75+ | Strong |
All cut-off figures above are expected based on 2024-25 trends. Final admission at any college also depends on your performance in the GD-PI-WAT round conducted by the respective institution.
Factors Affecting CMAT 2026 Percentile at 250 Marks
Your raw score is one variable in the percentile calculation. The following factors determine where 250 marks finally lands on the CMAT 2026 percentile scale:
- Total number of test takers: Higher registrations increase competition. If more than 70,000 students appear for CMAT 2026 the percentile for 250 marks may shift slightly downward.
- Paper difficulty: A harder paper reduces the average score across all students and can push the percentile for 250 marks upward.
- Multi-shift normalisation: If the exam is held in two or more shifts NTA normalises scores before computing percentiles to ensure fairness across sessions.
- Optional section performance: Students who score well in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship section push the upper score bracket higher which can compress percentile bands at the 250-mark level.
CMAT 2026 Marks vs Percentile FAQs
Ques. What percentile can I expect for 250 marks in CMAT 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024-25 trends, 250 marks in CMAT 2026 is expected to correspond to a percentile of approximately 90 to 93. The final percentile is published by NTA on the official scorecard and depends on the number of test takers and exam difficulty.
Ques. What is the total marks in CMAT 2026?
Ans. CMAT 2026 carries a total of 400 marks across five sections of 20 questions each. The four mandatory sections carry 320 marks. The fifth section, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is optional and carries an additional 80 marks.
Ques. Which MBA colleges can I get with 250 marks in CMAT 2026?
Ans. With 250 marks and a percentile of around 90 to 93, you can apply to Great Lakes Institute of Management, PUMBA Pune, Welingkar Institute, BIMTECH Greater Noida, XISS Ranchi and similar colleges. K.J. Somaiya is borderline at this score and requires a strong GD-PI performance.
Ques. Is 250 marks a good score in CMAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, 250 marks is a good score in CMAT 2026. It is expected to place you in the 90 to 93 percentile range which qualifies you for admission at several well-regarded MBA and PGDM institutions in India.
Ques. Does category affect CMAT 2026 percentile calculation?
Ans. No. NTA calculates a single overall percentile for all test takers. Category-based relaxations are applied by individual colleges during their own admission processes. Reserved category students typically benefit from lower college-level cut-offs in the 5 to 10 percentile point range.
Ques. How is CMAT 2026 percentile calculated?
Ans. NTA calculates CMAT percentile using the formula: Percentile = (Number of students who scored equal to or less than you divided by total students who appeared) multiplied by 100. The result is rounded to two decimal places and printed on the official scorecard.
Comments