Scoring 150 marks in CMAT 2026 is expected to fetch a percentile in the range of 68 to 74, based on previous year trends.
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes across India. The exam carries a total of 400 marks (100 questions worth 4 marks each, with negative marking of –1 for each wrong answer). A score of 150 places you in the lower-middle band of CMAT aspirants and limits your options to select private and state-level management institutes.
- CMAT 2026 total marks: 400 (100 questions × 4 marks each; –1 for wrong answers)
- 150 marks = 37.5% of total marks; expected percentile: 68–74 (based on 2024–25 trends)
- Five sections: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Most top CMAT colleges require 90 percentile and above; 150 marks is suited for mid-tier private B-schools and state-level MBA programmes
| Direct Link to CMAT 2026 Official Website | cmat.nta.nic.in |
Expected Percentile for 150 Marks in CMAT 2026
Based on score data from CMAT 2024 and CMAT 2025, a score of 150 out of 400 is expected to yield a percentile between 68 and 74 in CMAT 2026. The actual figure depends on the number of students who appear and the difficulty level of the paper that year.
In CMAT 2025, around 60,000 to 65,000 students appeared for the exam. A higher number of test-takers or an easier paper tends to compress the percentile for the same raw score. If the 2026 paper is moderate in difficulty, a score of 150 is likely to settle in the 70–74 percentile range.
CMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile Table (Expected)
The table below maps CMAT raw scores to expected percentile ranges based on CMAT 2024 and 2025 data. All values are expected and subject to change based on actual paper difficulty and the total number of test-takers in CMAT 2026.
| CMAT Score (out of 400) | Expected Percentile | Score Band |
|---|---|---|
| 340 and above | 99.5 and above | Exceptional |
| 300–339 | 99–99.5 | Very High |
| 260–299 | 95–99 | High |
| 230–259 | 90–95 | Good |
| 200–229 | 83–90 | Above Average |
| 175–199 | 76–83 | Average |
| 150–174 | 68–76 | Below Average |
| 125–149 | 55–68 | Low |
| 100–124 | 40–55 | Very Low |
| Below 100 | Below 40 | Weak |
How CMAT Percentile is Calculated
NTA derives the CMAT percentile score using the formula:
Percentile Score = ((N – r) / N) × 100
Here, N is the total number of students who appeared in the exam and r is your all-India rank based on the raw score. The percentile is not the same as your percentage — it tells you what proportion of students scored below you in the exam.
- Marking scheme: +4 for correct answers; –1 for wrong answers; 0 for unattempted questions
- NTA publishes both section-wise and overall percentiles on the CMAT scorecard
- Individual colleges may use either the overall percentile or section-wise percentile for shortlisting students
- If CMAT 2026 is held in multiple sessions, NTA normalises scores across sessions before calculating final percentiles
College Chances with 150 Marks in CMAT 2026
An expected percentile of 68–74 with 150 marks falls below the cutoff of most top CMAT-accepting institutes. However, several AICTE-approved management institutes accept students in this range. The colleges below have admitted students with 60–75 percentile in previous years; all cutoff figures are expected and based on 2024–25 admission data.
| College | Location | Expected CMAT Percentile Cutoff | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | Noida, Jaipur, Lucknow, Indore | 60–75 | PGDM |
| Indus Business Academy | Bangalore | 60–75 | PGDM |
| Prestige Institute of Management and Research | Indore | 60–72 | MBA |
| AIMS Institutes | Bangalore | 55–70 | PGDM |
| Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management | Hyderabad | 65–75 | PGDM |
| International Institute of Business Studies | Bangalore | 60–75 | PGDM |
For reference, the table below shows expected cutoffs at top CMAT colleges. A score of 150 marks does not meet these thresholds based on current trends.
| Top CMAT College | Expected Minimum Percentile |
|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 99 and above |
| K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | 90–95 |
| Goa Institute of Management | 90–95 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 85–90 |
| Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Delhi | 75–85 |
Students who score 150 marks in CMAT 2026 should also explore state government university MBA programmes, which often set lower CMAT cutoffs. Many private institutes also consider work experience, Group Discussion and Personal Interview performance alongside the CMAT percentile when making final admission decisions.
CMAT 2026 150 Marks FAQs
Ques. What percentile can I expect for 150 marks in CMAT 2026?
Ans. Based on CMAT 2024 and 2025 trends, a score of 150 out of 400 is expected to yield a percentile between 68 and 74. The exact figure depends on the number of students who appear and the difficulty level of the CMAT 2026 paper.
Ques. Is 150 marks a good score in CMAT 2026?
Ans. A score of 150 out of 400 is considered below average in CMAT 2026. It represents 37.5% of the total marks and is expected to yield 68–74 percentile. Most reputed CMAT colleges require 85 percentile or above; this score is better suited for targeting mid-tier private B-schools and state-level MBA programmes.
Ques. Which colleges can I get with 150 marks in CMAT 2026?
Ans. With 150 marks and an expected percentile of 68–74, you can target institutes like Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indus Business Academy, Prestige Institute of Management and Research, AIMS Institutes, and Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management. These institutes have accepted students in the 60–75 percentile range in previous years.
Ques. What is the total marks in CMAT 2026?
Ans. The total marks in CMAT 2026 are 400. The exam has 100 questions worth 4 marks each with negative marking of –1 for every wrong answer. It covers five sections: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Ques. How is CMAT percentile calculated?
Ans. NTA calculates CMAT percentile using the formula: Percentile = ((N – r) / N) × 100, where N is the total number of students who appeared and r is your rank based on raw score. The percentile shows what proportion of students scored below you. NTA publishes both overall and section-wise percentiles on the CMAT scorecard.
Ques. What CMAT percentile do top MBA colleges require?
Ans. Top CMAT-accepting colleges set high cutoffs: JBIMS Mumbai requires 99 percentile and above while K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management and Goa Institute of Management typically require 90–95 percentile. Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Delhi requires around 75–85 percentile. A score of 150 marks in CMAT 2026 does not meet these cutoffs based on current trends.
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