The CMAT Cutoff is the minimum score or percentile that candidates need to score in the CMAT to get shortlisted for admission into MBA, PGDM, and other management courses offered by AICTE-approved colleges across India.
NTA does not declare any official CMAT cutoff. Instead, every participating institute sets and releases its own cutoff.
As per the @catguruji, Maharashtra All-India MBA seats are tough, 99.99+ needed with 320 marks out of 400 for colleges like JBIMS and SIMSREE, slightly lower for locals with an avg package of ₹26 LPA.
- The other B-Schools like Welingkar, IFMR GSB, IMT Nagpur & Hyderabad will require a cutoff between 75 - 90 percentile, depending on the institute and programme.
- For BIMTECH Greater Noida, XISS Ranchi, and Jaipuria Institute of Management (Noida, Lucknow, Jaipur), cutoffs usually fall in the 70 - 85 percentile range.
Related Links:
- Top MBA Colleges accepting CMAT 2026 Scores
- Does IIM Accept CMAT Score?
- CMAT Colleges List Rank Wise
Key Summary
- CMAT Cutoff 2026 is the minimum percent/score for admission to AICTE-approved institutes for MBA/PGDM.
- Expected CMAT cutoff for General Category: JBIMS (99.99+; 340-355), SIMSREE (99+; 320-340), KJ Somaiya (95-99; 280-310), Great Lakes/GIM (95+; 270-300), Welingkar (85–90; 240-270), BIMTECH (80–85; 220-240), Christ/IFIM (70-80; 180-210).
- CMAT cutoff for Reserved Category: OBC-NCL/EWS- 8-12% less than General; SC/ST/PwD- 40-50% less than General.
- Top Scores: 99+ percentile with 340+ marks; 90 percentile with around 250 marks.
- The highest cut-offs are anticipated for JBIMS and SIMSREE, around 99.9 percentile, with strong competition and fewer seats.
- Cut-off makes one eligible for GD-PI rounds; final admission will be subject to the overall profile.
- It is expected that CMAT 2026 cut-offs can increase by 2-4 marks over 2025, indicating higher participation and average level of difficulty.
What is the Cutoff for CMAT?
The CMAT cutoff refers to the percentile range at which MBA colleges typically close their admission offers after evaluating the CMAT scores, each institute decide its own admission cutoff on basis of factors such as the number of applicants, seat intake, past admission trends, program reputation, and overall exam difficulty.
There are two types of cutoffs:
- Qualifying cutoff: A base eligibility percentile is needed to be considered for admission.
- College-specific cutoff: The percentile a particular institute expects to shortlist you for selection rounds (GD/PI).
CMAT Cut-off category-wise
The CMAT Cutoff varies according to the different categories, the General category candidates need 95–99.99+ percentile, OBC 90–95, and SC/ST around 75–85 percentile in CMAT.
The PwD candidates are requires the cutoff in the low ranging between 70-85.
| Category | Expected Cutoff (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| General | 95–99.99+ |
| OBC | 90–95 |
| SC | 75–85 |
| ST | 75–85 |
| PWD | 70–85 |
CMAT Accepting Colleges with their Cutoff and Fees
The colleges accepting CMAT scores show an inverse relationship between the CMAT percentile and return on investment (ROI).
- With 99.5+ percentile colleges like JBIMS and SIMSREE charging very low fees of ₹1.3–6 lakh while providing top-tier average packages.
- A percentile range of 95-99 offers a strong balance of brand value, and good placements charge a moderate fee of ₹2–17 lakh.
- Colleges with 90-95 percentiles expand their accessibility and intake, but charge high fees around ₹12 -14 lakh.
- The 80-90 percentile range focuses on the value for money MBA programs, offering mid-range fees of ₹8-10 lakh.
- Colleges with 75 percentile and below have a wide fee variation, and rely more on regional placements.
CMAT Colleges for 99.5 - 99.99 Percentile
Candidates scoring 99.5 percentile and above can aim for highly competitive flagship B-schools with excellent ROI and placements.
| College Name | Expected CMAT Cut-off 2026 | Approx. Total Fees (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99.98 – 100 percentile | ₹6 lakh |
| KJ Somaiya | 99 – 99.5 percentile | ₹1.3 – 1.5 lakh |
| SIMSREE | 99 – 99.7 percentile | ₹18 – 20 lakh |
| Welingkar (WeSchool) Mumbai | 99 – 99.3 percentile | ₹12 – 14 lakh |
CMAT Colleges for 95 - 99 Percentile
This percentile range offers access to strong mid-to-top tier MBA colleges known for balanced placements and industry exposure.
| College Name | Expected CMAT 2026 Cut-off | Approx. Total Fees (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| PUMBA Pune | 96-97 percentile | ₹3 lakh |
| MET Institute of Management | 96-98 percentile | ₹2 – 4 lakh |
| XISS Ranchi | 95-97 percentile | ₹8 – 10 lakh |
| BIMTECH Greater Noida | 95-96+ percentile | ₹12 – 17 lakh |
| Welingkar Bangalore | 95-96 percentile | ₹10 – 12 lakh |
CMAT Colleges for 90-95 Percentile
Aspirants in this percentile category can target reputed business schools with good placement opportunities and strong PGDM programs.
| College Name | Expected CMAT 2026 Cut-off | Approx. Total Fees (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| IMT Nagpur | 92 – 94 percentile | ₹12 – 15 lakh |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | 90 – 94 percentile | ₹10 – 14 lakh |
| Amity University | 90 – 92 percentile | ₹8 – 15 lakh |
| NIBM Pune | 90 – 92 percentile | ₹12 – 16 lakh |
CMAT Colleges for 80-90 Percentile
This range includes numerous quality institutes offering value-for-money MBA programs and wide specialisations.
| College Name | Expected CMAT 2026 Cut-off | Approx. Total Fees (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| IPE Hyderabad | 85 – 88 percentile | ₹8 – 10 lakh |
| SDMIMD Mysore | 85 – 90 percentile | ₹10 – 12 lakh |
| Indus Business Academy Bangalore | 80 – 85 percentile | ₹8 – 9 lakh |
| Delhi School of Business | 80 – 85 percentile | ₹8 – 10 lakh |
| FIIB Delhi | 80 – 85 percentile | ₹7 – 9 lakh |
CMAT Colleges for 75 Percentile and Below
| College Name | Expected CMAT Cut Off (%) | Approx. Total Fees (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| BIMTECH, Greater Noida | 75 | ₹12 – 17 lakh |
| BIT Mesra | 75 | ₹6 – 9 lakh |
| DY Patil School of Management, Pune | 75 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
| National Insurance Academy (NIA), Pune | 75 | ₹11 – 12.5 lakh |
| Calcutta Business School | 75 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
| NDIM, New Delhi | 75 | ₹8 – 10 lakh |
| XIME, Chennai | 75 | ₹10 – 12 lakh |
| IES Management College & Research Centre, Mumbai | 75 | ₹6 – 9 lakh |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | 75 | ₹10 – 14 lakh |
| FIIB Delhi (Fortune Institute of International Business) | 70 | ₹7 – 9 lakh |
| EDII Ahmedabad | 70 | ₹10 – 11 lakh |
| VESIM, Mumbai | 70 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
| Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies | 70 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
| Delhi School of Business | 70 | ₹8 – 10 lakh |
| EMPI Business School, New Delhi | 65 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
| Jaypee Business School (JBS), Noida | 65 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
| IIMS, Pune | 65 | ₹6 – 8 lakh |
Also Check:
- JBIMS CMAT Cut off: Check Previous years CMAT Cut off Percentile
- BIMTECH CMAT cut off: Check Seats Intake and Selection Criteria
Ques. Is 70 percentile a good score in CMAT?
Ans. A 70th percentile in CMAT 2026 is considered an average score, which can be achieved by around 180-190 marks out of 400.
Top B-schools: Colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya, and Great Lakes require higher scores (95-99+ percentile), so they are not options for a 70 percentile candidate.
Ques. Can I Get K J Somaiya at 70 Percentile?
Ans. Given that K J Somaiya Institute of Management has a cutoff around the 98th percentile, a 70 percentile is insufficient for admission.
Alternative Options: Candidates with a 70 percentile should consider other reputable institutes like BIMTECH Noida, with lower cutoff requirements.
Ques. Is 100 a Good Score in CMAT?
Ans. A score of 100 marks in CMAT is considered low and typically corresponds to a percentile below 50. While top B-schools are out of reach, some lesser-known private colleges like Mody University of Science & Technology in Lakshmangarh, MIT Pune, and Universal Business School in Mumbai may still accept this score, offering basic MBA programs.
MBA College at 60 to 99+ Percentile CMAT 2026
There are many colleges through CMAT which provides MBA at a 60 to 99+ percentile, as per MBA with Arshi by Studentkhabri.
- At 99+ percentile, you can get top-tier colleges like JBIMS, which are highly dependent on the rank due to the limited seats, all-India.
- Students with 90+ percentiles can target good institutes like BIMTECH, IMR Chennai, E-School Mumbai, and Great Lakes, with average packages around ₹7–9 LPA.
- The 70–90 percentile range offers colleges like PIBM, JIMS, NDIM, ISBR, and Christ University.
- Even 60–70 percentile candidates have admission opportunities, mainly in private and state-level colleges, making CMAT accessible across a broad score range.
| Percentile Range | College | Average Package / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 99+ | JBIMS, NIVM, NIA, LBSIM (non-core courses) | Top-tier institutes are very competitive |
| 90+ | IMR Chennai, E-School Mumbai, BIMTECH, Great Lakes | High competition, good placements |
| 70-90 | Lexicon, PIBM, JIMS, Rohini, FIB Delhi School of Business, IIMP, IISBM, NDIM, Balaji ISME Bangalore, IM University, ISBR, Christ University | Moderate competition, decent placements |
| 40-70 | Various state-level and private colleges | More accessible options |
CMAT accepting government colleges in India 2026 with the lowest fees and best placements
Based on the data from the MBA with Arshi by Studentkhabri, there are many CMAT government colleges that offer the best ROI, mainly at very high percentiles.
- SIMSREE and JBIMS require very low fees and provide exceptionally high average packages, but both require 99+ percentile and top ranks.
- PUMBA Pune is a cost-effective option for high scorers around 99.6 percentile, especially Maharashtra candidates.
- In the 90–95 percentile range, IBM Pune provides good placements of around 14 LPA with decent ROI.
- Colleges like DMS DAVV Indore offer stable outcomes at low fees, but at 90+ percentiles.
- The IIT Allahabad and NIT night programs are affordable but have lower average packages, making them suitable only for students prioritizing cost over placements.
| College Name | Approx. Fees (₹) | CMAT Cutoff Percentile | Average Package (₹) | Key Insight / ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai | ~6,00,000 | 99.5–99.9+ | ~27 LPA | Best ROI in India; very limited seats, rank-critical |
| SIMSREE (Mumbai) | ~1,40,000 | ~99.8–99.9 | ~22 LPA | Extremely low fees; high packages, strong ROI |
| PUMBA, Pune | Low | ~99.6 | Moderate–High | Affordable govt option; easier for MH candidates |
| IBM Pune (RBI-run) | Moderate | 90–95 | ~14 LPA | Strong banking focus; good ROI at mid-percentile |
| DMS DAVV Indore | Low | ~90+ (varies) | Good | Popular MP govt college with steady outcomes |
| IIT Allahabad (Mgmt Program) | ~4,45,000 | 85–90 | ~5 LPA (Avg), 35 LPA (Highest) | High upside potential, moderate average |
| NITs (Night Programs) | Low | Varies | ~3–4 LPA | Low cost but limited roles and ROI |
List of colleges that accept both CMAT and MAH CET Scores
As per @catking, most colleges accepting both CMAT and MAH CET are located in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, giving students flexibility through either exam.
- SIMSREE is the toughest to get into, needing a 99+ percentile.
- Colleges like KJ Somaiya and Welingkar usually need around 90+ percentile, with Welingkar being slightly easier through CMAT.
- SIES, MET, Lala Lajpatrai, and CIMR accept students in the 80–90 percentile range, making them good mid-range options.
- VESIM is the easiest to access, with cutoffs around the 70–80th percentile, suitable for average scorers.
| College | Location | Entrance Scores Accepted | Typical Cutoff Range (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIMSREE (Sydenham Institute of Management Studies & Research) | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT, CAT | ~99+ CET / ~99+ CMAT |
| K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT, CAT | ~90+ |
| Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT, CAT, XAT | ~90+ CET/ ~85+ CMAT |
| SIES College of Management Studies | Navi Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT | ~88–90 |
| MET Institute of Management | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT | ~80–85 |
| Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT | ~80+ |
| VES Institute of Management Studies & Research (VESIM) | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT | ~70–80 |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management & Research (CIMR) | Mumbai | MAH CET, CMAT | ~80 |
CMAT Cutoff 2026 for Top Colleges
The CMAT 2026 expected cutoff shows high competition among the institutes.
- Top colleges like JBIMS Mumbai (99.99+ percentile) and SIMSREE Mumbai (99+ percentile) require near-perfect scores.
- High-tier colleges such as KJ Somaiya (95–99), GIM Goa (95+), and Great Lakes Chennai (95+) need strong percentiles.
- Mid-tier colleges, including PUMBA Pune (90+), WeSchool (85–90), and IMT Nagpur (85–90) have relatively lower cutoffs
- Flexible options like BIMTECH (80–85) and Christ University (70–80) accept lower percentiles
What is a Good Score in CMAT?
A good CMAT score depends on percentile and target colleges. However, if you score marks between 230-279, which is considered a good score which will place you in the 85-94 percentile, by providing you the opportunity to take admission into NL Dalmia and IMT Hyderabad.
| CMAT Score (Out of 400) | Expected Percentile | Category of Marks | Top Colleges & Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320+ | 99+ percentile | Excellent | JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya – MBA in Finance, MBA in Marketing |
| 280–319 | 95–98 percentile | Very Good | PUMBA, Great Lakes, Welingkar – PGDM in Business Analytics, PGDM in Digital Marketing |
| 230–279 | 85–94 percentile | Good | NL Dalmia, BIMTECH, IMT Hyderabad – PGDM in International Business, PGDM in Data Science |
| 180–229 | 70–84 percentile | Average | IFIM Business School, ISBM Pune – PGDM in HR, PGDM in Marketing |
| Below 180 | Below 70 percentile | Below Average | Mody University, MIT Pune – General MBA, Executive MBA |
CMAT Cut Off 2025 Trending News:
- Does GIM accepts CMAT Cut off 2026?
- CMAT Cut Off 2026 for PUMBA: Expected Cut Off, Eligibility & Selection Process
CMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile
The CMAT score vs percentile 2026 shows candidate’s estimated percentile as per the scores obtained in the CMAT exam.
- A score more than 310 will place you in 99.9+ percentile, and 290-310 marks can get you 99-99.9 percentile.
- The scores in the range of 270–290 are considered strong which fall in the range of 95-99 percentile, while 250–270 translate to the 90-95 percentile.
- Mid-range scores of 200–250 place candidates between the 70–90th percentile which is suitable for mid-tier colleges.
- Scores below 150 will place under the 50th percentile, which limits to only regional colleges.
| CMAT Score | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|
| 310+ | 99.9+ |
| 290-310 | 99 - 99.9 |
| 270-290 | 95 - 99 |
| 250-270 | 90 - 95 |
| 220-250 | 80 - 90 |
| 200-220 | 70 - 80 |
| 150-200 | 50 - 70 |
| Below 150 | Below 50 |
Check:
- Top MBA Colleges accepting CMAT 2025 Scores
- Use CMAT College Predictor 2025 and Find the Best Colleges Based on Your CMAT Score
Ques. What is 80 Percentile in CMAT?
Ans. An 80 percentile in CMAT can be achieved with a score of approximately 220 marks. With colleges like XIME Bangalore, Christ University, BIMTECH, ISBM Pune, IFIM Business School, SIES College of Management Studies, Chetana Institute of Management, KIIT School of Management, IMT Nagpur
Ques. What Percentile is 270 Marks in CMAT?
Ans. A score of 270 marks in CMAT usually corresponds to the 95th percentile. A 95th percentile score is strong and increases your chances of getting into top MBA colleges. With a 270+ score, you can target well-known institutes like Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai), Welingkar Institute of Management (Mumbai), and National Insurance Academy (NIA) Pune.
Ques. Can I Get a Good College with 71 Percentile?
Ans. A 71 percentile in CMAT can open up opportunities at several good colleges, although top-tier institutes may be out of reach. Colleges like Christ University, with a cutoff around 70 percentile, offer programs such as MBA in Marketing, MBA in Finance, and MBA in Human Resources. WeSchool Bangalore, also with a cutoff around 70 percentile, provides courses like PGDM in Marketing, PGDM in Finance, and PGDM in Operations Management.
CMAT Cutoff 2025
The CMAT Cutoff 2025 shows that JBIMS and SIMSREE required a need high percentile of 99.9+ however they have a lower fees around 6 lakhs.
K J Somaiya also has a high cutoff but much higher fees. Great Lakes and Welingkar have lower cutoffs and are easier to get into, though their fees are still high.
| College Name | Expected Cutoff Percentile | Total Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | 99.99 | 6 Lakhs |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | 98 | 21 Lakhs |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 90 | 15.86 Lakhs |
| Sydenham Institute of Management Studies (SIMSREE) | 99.96 | 1.5 Lakhs |
| Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai | 85 | 13 Lakhs |
CMAT Previous Year Cutoff (2024-2022)
As per the previous years, the CMAT cutoffs have gone down over the last three years from 2022 to 2024.
- The 99.5+ percentile cutoff dropped from 320 in 2022 and 2023 to 305 in 2024, and the 99 percentile cutoff fell from 315 in 2023 to 290 in 2024.
- The biggest drop was at the 95 percentile level, which went down from 300 in 2023 to 265 in 2024.
This shows that the exam may have been easier in 2024 or that fewer high-scoring students appeared, while top scorers still faced strong competition.
| Year | 99.5+ Percentile Score | 99 Percentile Score | 95 Percentile Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 305 | 290 | 265 |
| 2023 | 320 | 315 | 300 |
| 2022 | 320 | 312 | 270 |
CMAT Cutoff 2026 FAQs
Ques. How are percentile cutoffs different from raw marks?
Ans. Raw marks are the actual score you get out of 400 in CMAT, while percentile shows how well you have performed as compared to the other candidates. Colleges use percentile, not raw marks for shortlisting.
Ques. Are cutoff trends changing over the years?
Yes. Due to shifting exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seats available, cutoffs have fluctuated. For example, a 99 percentile used to correspond to ~290–315 marks in earlier years; this trend continues to vary slightly each cycle.
Ques. Does NIBM really have a 94 percentile cutoff? I got 87.77 — should I still apply?
Ans. NIBM Pune’s accepts around 90-94 percentile for general category depending on the year and category. With the 87.77 percentile getting NIBM under general category are low, but candidates from OBC/EWS/other reserved categories.
Ques. Did KJ Somaiya give calls to CMAT students? What was the cutoff — 95 or 98?
Ans. Yes, KJ Somaiya does accept the CMAT scores with an official cutoff is often around 95 percentile, actual shortlist calls have gone closer to 97- 98 percentile in recent years due to high competition and limited seats.
Scoring 97+ percentile is considered a safer benchmark for calls.
Ques. Can I get SOIL with 82 percentile in OBC-NCL? What other options do I have?
Ans. With a 82 percentile under OBC-NCL, you have a chance at SOIL, as its cutoff for reserved categories is usually lower than the general categories.
Ques. What percentile is 240 marks in CMAT?
Ans. A score of 240 marks in CMAT usually falls in the 95–98 percentile range, making it a strong score and good enough for shortlisting at many top private MBA colleges.
Ques. What is a 50 percentile score in CMAT?
Ans. A 50 percentile in CMAT will place you around 140–160 marks and is considered an average score, suitable mainly for colleges with lower cutoff requirements.
Comments