A CMAT 2026 score above 300 out of 500 puts you in contention for top MBA colleges like JBIMS Mumbai and SIMSREE — and a score of 200 still unlocks reputed B-schools across India.
CMAT 2026 is conducted by NTA and accepted by over 1,000 AICTE-approved MBA programs in India. The score-to-college mapping below is based on 2024 and 2025 admission cutoff trends and all figures are labelled as expected for 2026 admissions.
- CMAT 2026 maximum marks: 500 (5 sections, 25 questions each, 4 marks per correct answer).
- Score 300 and above: JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, PUMBA Pune and Maharashtra government MMS colleges.
- Score 200–299: KJ Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, BIMTECH Greater Noida, Great Lakes Chennai and XIME Bangalore.
- Score 150–199: Alliance University Bangalore, NDIM New Delhi, Chetana’s Institute Mumbai and other AICTE-approved colleges.
- Score below 150: Several private AICTE-approved colleges with flexible admission criteria.
|
Table of Contents |
CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Total Marks
CMAT 2026 carries a maximum of 500 marks across five sections. Each section has 25 questions worth 4 marks each. A wrong answer deducts 1 mark. All score bands in this article use this 500-mark scale.
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 25 | 100 |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | 100 |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | 100 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 100 |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 125 | 500 |
CMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile
Percentile is the key metric colleges use at the shortlisting stage. The table below maps expected CMAT 2026 score ranges to percentile bands based on 2025 exam trends.
| CMAT Score (out of 500) | Expected Percentile (2026) |
|---|---|
| 350 and above | 99.99+ |
| 300–349 | 99–99.9 |
| 250–299 | 95–99 |
| 200–249 | 85–95 |
| 150–199 | 70–85 |
| 100–149 | 50–70 |
| Below 100 | Below 50 |
These are expected percentile ranges based on 2025 trends. Actual percentiles for CMAT 2026 depend on exam difficulty and total test-taker count that year.
MBA Colleges for CMAT Score 300 and Above
A CMAT score of 300 or above (99th percentile and higher) makes you eligible for the most competitive CMAT-accepting MBA institutes in India. Selection at these institutes involves Group Discussion, Written Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds beyond the CMAT score.
| College | Location | Expected CMAT 2026 Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 340+ (99.99 percentile) |
| Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 320+ (99.9 percentile) |
| Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune (PUMBA) | Pune, Maharashtra | 305+ (99.5 percentile) |
| Government MMS Colleges (Maharashtra CET Cell) | Maharashtra (various) | 300+ (99 percentile) |
JBIMS consistently draws the highest CMAT scorers in Maharashtra. Your actual admission also depends on the category you belong to since Maharashtra government colleges follow reservation-based cutoffs.
MBA Colleges for CMAT Score 200 to 299
A CMAT score between 200 and 299 corresponds to roughly the 85th to 99th percentile and opens access to strong private B-schools with national recognition. Expected cutoffs below are based on 2024–2025 admission data.
| College | Location | Expected CMAT 2026 Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|
| K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 270–300 |
| Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 250–280 |
| BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology) | Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh | 240–270 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 235–260 |
| XIME (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship) | Bangalore, Karnataka | 220–250 |
| LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 210–240 |
| IPE (Institute of Public Enterprise) | Hyderabad, Telangana | 200–230 |
| MET Institute of Management | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 200–240 |
Most colleges in this range shortlist you for GD/PI based on your CMAT score. Your academic record graduation percentage and work experience also matter at the interview stage.
MBA Colleges for CMAT Score 150 to 199
A CMAT score of 150 to 199 (70th to 85th percentile) gives you access to a wide set of AICTE-approved MBA colleges across multiple states. Colleges in this band often conduct their own shortlisting rounds where GD/PI performance carries significant weight.
| College | Location | Expected CMAT 2026 Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance School of Business, Alliance University | Bangalore, Karnataka | 160–200 |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 165–200 |
| NDIM (New Delhi Institute of Management) | New Delhi | 150–185 |
| ISBR Business School | Bangalore, Karnataka | 150–180 |
| Indus Business Academy | Bangalore, Karnataka | 150–175 |
| CMS Business School, Jain University | Bangalore, Karnataka | 155–190 |
A strong GD/PI performance can compensate for a relatively lower CMAT score at colleges in this range. Focus on preparing your profile and extracurriculars alongside your exam score.
MBA Colleges for CMAT Score Below 150
Several AICTE-approved private MBA colleges do not publish a hard CMAT cutoff and conduct their own screening including personal interviews. Graduation marks, work experience and interview performance carry significant weight at these institutes.
| Score Range | College Tier | Typical Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 100–149 | Private AICTE-approved state-level colleges | CMAT score plus GD/PI plus academics |
| 50–99 | Private colleges with flexible admission criteria | PI performance plus graduation marks |
| Below 50 | Colleges with open or management quota admissions | Direct admission or merit-based interview |
If your score is below 150 focus on GD/PI preparation and highlight relevant work experience or academic achievements during the selection process.
Category-wise CMAT 2026 Expected Cutoff
Category-based reservations apply at Maharashtra government B-schools including JBIMS, SIMSREE and PUMBA and at certain state-aided institutions across other states. The expected 2026 cutoff scores by category are based on 2025 admission trends.
| Category | Expected CMAT 2026 Cutoff Score (Top Government Colleges) |
|---|---|
| General (Open) | 300+ |
| OBC | 260–290 |
| SC | 200–240 |
| ST | 160–200 |
| EWS | 270–295 |
| PWD | 150–180 |
These expected cutoffs apply to Maharashtra government MBA colleges. Private institutes generally do not follow category-based cutoffs but may offer fee concessions under government scholarship schemes.
CMAT 2026 College Predictor FAQs
Ques. What is the maximum score in CMAT 2026?
Ans. CMAT 2026 has a maximum score of 500 marks. The exam has five sections with 25 questions each and each correct answer earns 4 marks while a wrong answer deducts 1 mark.
Ques. Which MBA college can I get with a CMAT score of 300?
Ans. A CMAT 2026 score of 300 (around 99th percentile) makes you eligible for top institutes such as JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai and PUMBA Pune. These are expected cutoffs based on 2025 trends. Final admission also depends on GD/PI performance and your category.
Ques. Can I get a good MBA college with a CMAT score of 200?
Ans. Yes. A CMAT score of 200 (around 85th percentile) gives you access to reputed B-schools such as Great Lakes Chennai, XIME Bangalore, LIBA Chennai and IPE Hyderabad. Your academic background and GD/PI performance also influence the final selection.
Ques. Do all MBA colleges in India accept CMAT 2026 scores?
Ans. No. CMAT is primarily accepted by AICTE-approved MBA programs especially in Maharashtra and other states. Top IIMs, FMS and XLRI accept CAT, XAT and similar exams respectively. Always check the official admission criteria of each college you apply to.
Ques. Is a CMAT score of 250 enough for top B-schools?
Ans. A CMAT score of 250 (around 95th to 97th percentile) is competitive and gives you a strong chance at colleges like KJ Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai and BIMTECH Greater Noida. Your final admission depends on GD/PI performance and overall profile.
Ques. How does the CMAT college predictor work?
Ans. A CMAT college predictor maps your score to colleges based on previous year cutoff data. It helps you shortlist MBA programs where your score falls within the expected admission range. The predictions serve as a guide based on historical trends and are not a guarantee of admission.
Comments