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.
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 2026 Final Answer Key (Out)- Download Answer Key @cmat.nta.nic.in
- CMAT 2026 Result (Out) - Download Scorecard, Percentile Score, Cut off, and Toppers List
- CMAT Cut Off 2026: Check Good Score & Marks vs Percentile for Top MBA Colleges
- Top MBA Colleges accepting CMAT 2026 Scores
- CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026- Check Score Calculation, and Score Normalization
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 |
| CMAT 2026 Exam Date | |
| Answer Key Release | |
| 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:
- List of Colleges in India Accepting CMAT
- Find the Best Colleges Based on Your CMAT Score
- Good Score in CMAT 2026
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:
- Check Good Score & Marks vs Percentile for Top MBA Colleges
- Best Private B-schools Accepting CMAT 2026 Scores
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
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Comments
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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
You can check here for the CMAT Mock Test 2026 (Free), Attempt Online Mock Test, Download PDF
You can check here for the CMAT Question Paper: Download CMAT Previous Year Papers
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.
You can check here for the CMAT 2024 Question Paper: Download the CMAT Question Paper with Solutions PDF
You can check here for the CMAT Mock Test 2026 (Free), Attempt Online Mock Test.
You can check here for the CMAT Preparation 2025: Check How to Prepare for CMAT, Study Plan, Section-wise Preparation, Tips & Strategy
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.
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.
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.
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You can check here for the CAT Syllabus 2025- Download pdf for Quant, VARC, and DILR with Topic-wise Weightage
You can check here for the CMAT Mock Test 2025 (Free), Attempt Online Mock Test, Download PDF
You can check here for the CMAT Preparation 2025: Check How to Prepare for CMAT, Study Plan, Section-wise Preparation, Tips & Strategy
CMAT 2026 exam date has been released on cmat.nta.nic.in. The Date of Examination is January 25, 2026.
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.
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.
You can check here for the Top MCA Colleges in India based on the 2025 Ranking. MCA admissions are based on TANCET, MAH MCA CET, APICET, NIMCET, CUET-PG, Karnataka PG-CET, SRMJEE-PG, TANCET, and university-based entrance exams, followed by a GD/PI round.