CMAT 2026 - Result (Out), Check Final Answer Key, Marks Vs Ranks, Cutoff and Top MBA Colleges

Chanpreet Kaur's profile photo

Chanpreet Kaur

Content Writer | MBA Professional | Updated on - Mar 27, 2026

The NTA has released the CMAT Results and CMAT Final Answer Key 2026 on 17 February 2026 on its official website - cmat.nta.nic.in. You just need your application number and password to download the CMAT results. Approximately 53,453 candidates took the test who can now to download their CMAT 2026 scorecards.

Note: The NTA will not send the hard copy of the scorecard; you are required to download your CMAT 2026 scorecard by using your User ID and Password.

CMAT Results 2026

Source: cmat.nta.nic.in/

As the results are declared, now each participating college will release its own cutoff based on factors like applicant numbers, seat availability, exam difficulty, and previous years’ trends.

Candidates who meet the cutoff criteria will be shortlisted for the next stages of selection, including GD/PI and WAT.

As per the discussion on Reddit among CMAT aspirants, in CMAT 2025, JBIMS and SIMSREE had cutoffs around the 99.9+ percentile, while tier-1 colleges closed at 95–99 percentile; CMAT 2026 cutoffs are expected to remain the same, with a possible 5–10 mark shift in raw scores.

Related Links:

CMAT College predictor

Key Summary

  • CMAT is a national-level MBA/PGDM entrance exam conducted by NTA for 1,000+ AICTE-approved institutes.
  • Sections: Quantitative & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
  • Percentiles, not raw scores, determine shortlisting for top B-schools; a score of 300+ generally gives 99+ percentile.
  • Result expected on 13 February 2026; valid for 1 academic year.
  • Top colleges like JBIMS/SIMSREE require 99.9+ percentile; other good B-schools accept 85–95 percentile.
  • Preparation focus: mock tests, past papers, section-wise strategy, and accuracy.

What is CMAT?

The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam in India conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is designed for admission to management programs like MBA and PGDM offered by over 1,000 AICTE-approved institutes across India.

CMAT is a business aptitude test of 3 hours, designed to test candidates on quantitative ability, logical reasoning, language skills, general awareness, and entrepreneurial thinking. 

The exam is considered to be of a moderate difficulty level and can be cracked with basic to structured preparation, as reflected in the reference provided.

What it’s used for:

  • MBA (Master of Business Administration)
  • PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management)
  • MMS and other AICTE-approved management programmes

Key highlights of the CMAT exam:

  • Fully online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Conducted once a year by NTA
  • 3 hours (180 minutes) exam duration
  • 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • No sectional time limit

CMAT 2026 Important Dates

Official / Confirmed Date Event
17 February 2026 (Out) Final Answer Key 
17 February 2026 (Out) Result Declaration
25 January 2026 (Over) CMAT 2026 Exam Date
31 January 2026 (Released) Answer Key Release
31 January – 2 February 2026 (11:50 PM) (Closed) Answer Key Challenge Window

Ques. What is the date of the CMAT exam in 2026?

Ans.The CMAT 2026 will be held on January 25, 2026. 

Ques. How many times CMAT exam is held in a year?

Ans.The NTA conducts the CMAT exam once a years, usually in January, the candidates can register for the exam during the official window of registration which will start from 14th November 2025.

Ques. When will the CMAT 2026 result be announced?

Ans.The CMAT 2026 result is expected to be declared in the second or third week of February 2026. In 2025 the CMAT result was released on 13 February 2025.  

CMAT Answer Key 2026

The CMAT 2026 Answer Key is an official document released by NTA that contains all the correct answers to all the questions asked in the CMAT exam. It will be released in March 2026, before the results are released.

  • It will help you cross-check your responses, estimate their probable score, and understand where they stand compared to other test-takers.
  • Along with the Answer Key, the NTA will also release the Response sheet, which shows the answers marked by the candidates during the exam.

Ques. How to check CMAT answer key?

Ans. The candidates can check the CMAT Answer key by visiting the official website and logging inusing their User ID and password.

The NTA releases the provisional answer key along with the candidate response sheet, allowing aspirants to verify their answers and estimate their scores before the final result.

Ques. Is the CMAT 2026 answer key out?

Ans. Yes, the CMAT 2026 Answer key has been released on 17th February 2026 on its official website.

CMAT Results

The NTA has released the CMAT 2026 Result on 17 February 2026 on the official website -  exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT

The candidates can check and download their results by using their Registration Number and Date of Birth. The CMAT 2026 score will be valid for only 1 academic year i.e, 2026.

Also Check: CMAT Merit List 2025: All India Rank (AIR), Toppers, and Cut off

CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026

A score difference of just 8–12 marks can shift the percentile by 3–5 points, especially in the 90+ percentile range, highlighting the importance of accuracy over attempts.

CMAT Score Range (Out of 400) Expected Percentile
300 – 340 99.0 – 99.9
270 – 299 97 – 98.9
250 – 269 95 – 96.9
230 – 249 90 – 94.9
200 – 229 85 – 89.9
170 – 199 75 – 84.9
150 – 169 70 – 74.9
Below 150 Below 70

Ques. What is 150 marks in CMAT?

Ans. A raw score of 150 out of 400 is considered average, which can place you in the 60-70th percentile, providing you with an opportunity to get into Tier-3/ regional B-schools (e.g., some private colleges in Uttar Pradesh or mid-tier accepting CMAT).

Ques. Is 250 a good score in CMAT?

Ans. Yes, 250 is considered a very good score, placing you in the 90-95th percentile, with this percentile you have a strong chances at mid-to-good tier colleges like KJ Somaiya, Welingkar, BIMTECH, Jaipuria, IFIM, IPE Hyderabad, Alliance.

Also Read:

CMAT Previous Year Cutoffs

Institute Name Category Approximate Cutoff Percentile
All India Management Association (AIMA) General 85 – 90
Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), Delhi General 90 – 95
Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad General 85 – 90
Jaipuria Institute of Management General 80 – 85
Christ University, Bangalore General 70 – 80
Shiv Nadar University General 70 – 75
SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) General Usually requires CAT/XAT; CMAT not accepted

Check: 

Top Colleges accepting CMAT Scores

College Name Program Expected CMAT Cutoff (Percentile) Average Placement (₹ LPA)
JBIMS, Mumbai MMS 99.9+ 28
SIMSREE, Mumbai MMS 99.9+ 15–16
GIM, Goa PGDM 95+ 10–11
Great Lakes, Chennai PGDM 95+ 12–17
Great Lakes, Gurgaon PGDM 96+ 13-17
KJ Somaiya, Mumbai MBA/PGDM 95–99 12–13
BIMTECH, Greater Noida PGDM 90–95 10–11
NIBM, Pune PGDM 95+ 14
IMT Nagpur PGDM 90–95 10–12
IMT Hyderabad PGDM 91-94 11-12
IFMR, Krea University MBA/PGDM 85–90 13

Also Read: 

CMAT 2026 FAQs

Ques. Which are the best MBA colleges at the 97 percentile in CMAT?

Ans. Candidates scoring around 97 percentile in CMAT can be achieved by scoring marks around 265-280, which can place in the best MBA colleges like KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes, IMT, Welingkar and XIMR.

Ques. Which colleges should I apply to with an 86.1 percentile in CMAT?

Ans. An 86.1 percentile in CMAT will place you in the mid Tier -2 category collges, which can be achieved with score od around 215-225 out of 500 in CMAT.

Colleges to Apply at 86.1 Percentile in CMAT:

  • BIMTECH Greater Noida (Selected programs)
  • IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University
  • IMI Bhubaneswar
  • Welingkar (e-Biz / Retail / Healthcare Management)
  • XIME Bangalore / Kochi / Chennai
  • Jaipuria Institute of Management (Noida, Lucknow, Jaipur)

Ques. "If someone gets a 73 to 74 percentile in the CMAT, then which college will be the best pick in India for that person?"

Ans. A 73–74 percentile in CMAT will fall in the lower tier -2 ti tuer 3 range, translating to a score of around 180-190, with the best colleges options are,

  • Indira Institute of Management, Pune
  • IES Management College & Research Centre, Mumbai
  • SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru (borderline cases)
  • PUMBA (University departments – category/home quota cases)
  • Regional AICTE-approved colleges with good placement records

Ques. I scored in the 52 percentile in the CMAT. Which college should I try now?

Ans. A 52 percentile in CMAT shows that you have scored around 140-150 marks in CMAT exam, which can limit the options of colleges to lower tier.

College Options at 52 Percentile:

  • Regional private MBA colleges (AICTE-approved)
  • New or emerging B-schools with CMAT acceptance
  • State-level colleges with vacant seats in later rounds
  • Institutes offering specialised MBA programs with low cutoffs

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Latest CMAT News

View More

Comments


Found 68 Comments

A
alangkrita kurmi
Feb 18, 2026 13:24
Hi, I'm studying in class 10. And soon I shall attend my class 11 in "ALLEN institute" from April 2nd in Integrated engineering (JEE) . So,Can I apply for CMAT exam. Please Reply in my email I shall always be grateful.
S
sweta kumari
Feb 20, 2026 21:07

No, you cannot apply for the CMAT exam while studying in Class 10 or entering Class 11. CMAT is a national-level entrance test for MBA programs, and only graduates or final-year bachelor’s degree students are eligible to take it. You must first complete your graduation before applying for the CMAT exam.

A
aditi srivastava
Jan 16, 2026 18:08
Hii! Is calculator allowed in CMAT exam?
S
sweta kumari
Jan 17, 2026 14:28

In the CMAT exam, no calculator is provided at all, unlike the CAT. Candidates are not allowed to use physical calculators, mobile calculators, or on-screen calculators. All calculations must be done manually

P
prajapati gaurav
Jan 8, 2026 18:55
Thanks ti give better opportunity for beginner regards
S
sheikh asad raza
Jan 5, 2026 03:09
Can you give me free mock test for CMAT exam
P
patel archi
Jan 4, 2026 13:52
Cmat exam ke pichle saal ke peper
D
dhruvj
Jan 4, 2026 13:47
What will be the best score for in a top B- school through the CMAT
S
sweta kumari
Jan 5, 2026 17:33

You can check here for the Top MBA Colleges accepting CMAT 2025 Scores.  The top B-schools that accept CMAT scores include JBIMS, Sydenham, SIMSREE, Great Lakes Institute of Management, K J Somaiya, etc. The cut-off for these top MBA Colleges ranges from the 95th to 99.99 percentile. 

K
kumari sanskriti
Jan 3, 2026 14:24
CMAT 2024 question paper
D
dhruv
Jan 2, 2026 18:44
You are providing a good facility
S
soni kumari singh
Jan 2, 2026 16:56
I want to give a mock test
D
deepika nama
Jan 2, 2026 12:51
Hello i'm deepika nama and i'm preparing cmat 2026 for self study My study full constancy exam preparation
P
parmar rahul
Jan 1, 2026 19:37
Can you give full detailed course of CMAT exam fastly
S
sweta kumari
Jan 2, 2026 20:15

The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam for admission into AICTE-approved MBA, PGDM, and other management programs in India. The exam is computer-based, covering four sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness.

Each section contains 25 questions, totaling 100 questions for 400 marks. Questions are multiple-choice with negative marking (-1 for wrong answers). The exam duration is 3 hours, testing analytical, reasoning, communication, and general knowledge skills, essential for management admissions.

P
parmar rahul
Jan 1, 2026 19:36
Give full preparation of cmat exam so I am crake cmat examination
S
sweta kumari
Jan 2, 2026 20:36

You can check here for the CMAT Preparation: Check How to Prepare for CMAT, Study Plan, Section-wise Preparation, Tips & Strategy. To crack the CMAT exam, focus on Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. Practice previous year papers and mock tests daily, strengthen speed and accuracy, revise formulas and vocabulary, stay updated on current affairs, and manage time effectively during the exam. Consistent preparation ensures success.

M
mitalba
Dec 31, 2025 17:32
CMAT all subjects important topics and GK questions
S
sweta kumari
Jan 2, 2026 17:59

For CMAT, focus on Quantitative Techniques (Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Mensuration), Logical Reasoning (Blood Relations, Series, Puzzles), Language Comprehension (Reading Comprehension, Synonyms, Antonyms, Grammar), General Awareness (Current Affairs, Banking, Economics, Awards, Sports), and Innovation & Entrepreneurship basics. Practice previous year GK questions and mock tests for better scoring.

A
aditya yadav
Dec 31, 2025 05:51
Mht cet online mock test
S
suruchi kumari
Dec 29, 2025 08:38
College dunai is best in this field
K
krishna
Dec 25, 2025 20:06
Send me about the syllabus for the cet or cat
B
bansiben dobriya
Dec 20, 2025 14:57
CMAT mock test 2026
G
gondaliya nevil
Dec 16, 2025 23:21
Cmat exam preparatio ?
S
siba prasad das
Dec 16, 2025 12:06
Mba admissions registration
S
sweta kumari
Dec 17, 2025 20:10

CMAT 2026 exam date has been released on cmat.nta.nic.in. The Date of Examination is January 25, 2026. 

  • Register and appear for the CMAT exam conducted by NTA.
  • Keep your CMAT scorecard ready after the results.
  • Look for AICTE-approved management institutes accepting CMAT scores.
  • Check the cut-offs and eligibility criteria for each institute.

Many colleges have a centralized registration portal for CMAT-based admission, like Xavier Institute, IMT, and others. It’s better to check each college’s official site for exact registration dates.

G
gautam nayak
Dec 15, 2025 22:03
what is the process of joining the d free mock
S
sweta kumari
Dec 16, 2025 22:41

You can check here for the CMAT Mock Test 2025 (Free), Attempt Online Mock Test, and Download PDF. Click on take test, and register for free. You can attempt the test free of cost here.