NTA has released the CMAT result 2025 13th Feb on the official website cmat.ntaonline.in. Along with the result, the candidates will be able to download their scorecard for CMAT 2025 from the NTA portal which will state their overall scores, sectional scores, and the percentile ranking.
- Based on Score vs Percentile analysis, to get 99+ percentile, you will be required to score above 340.
- The expected cut-offs range according to the institute; however, for the best B-schools, JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, and KJ Somaiya, the desired range is at scores above 340 for the 99+ percentile while other institutes will accept 250-299 for the 90-94 percentile.
After the result, students are expected to participate in the CMAT selection process, which includes Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
CMAT 2025 Result Latest Trends
CMAT 2025 Result Date
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2025 was conducted on January 25, 2025. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the CMAT 2025 result on 13th Feb 2025.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CMAT Exam Date | January 25, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | January 31, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | February 13, 2025 |
CMAT 2025 Scorecard
The CMAT Scorecard is an important document in determining the candidate’s minimum requirements of admissions for MBA and other management programs within AICTE-approved institutions all over India.
CMAT 2025 Sectional Score Requirements for MBA Admissions
In addition to the overall CMAT score, some B-schools may have sectional cutoffs for each of the four sections: Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness.
| CMAT Section | Expected Minimum Sectional Score |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 50-60 |
| Logical Reasoning | 50-60 |
| Language Comprehension | 45-55 |
| General Awareness | 40-50 |
General CMAT 2025 Score Requirements for Top B-Schools
Top-tier colleges like JBIMS and KJ Somaiya require scores of 340+ in CMAT and 99.9+ percentiles.
Mid-range colleges including Great Lakes and Welingkar accept candidates having scores between 250-299 (90-95 percentile).
Entry-level options like BIMTECH Noida can take in those with scores in the 150-200 range (80-85 percentile).
| MBA College | Minimum CMAT Percentile | CMAT Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 99.9+ | 340+ |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai | 95-99 | 300-340 |
| Great Lakes Institute | 90-95 | 250-299 |
| Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | 85-90 | 200-250 |
| PUMBA, Pune | 95+ | 300+ |
| IMT Nagpur, Hyderabad | 85-90 | 200-250 |
| BIMTECH, Noida | 80-85 | 150-200 |
CMAT 2025 Score Validity
- CMAT 2025 score will be valid only for one academic session, i.e, 2025-26.
- The score cannot be carried forward for admission in 2026 or beyond.
- Candidates who intend to apply for MBA programs in future years (2026-27, etc.) have to reappear for CMAT in that respective year.
CMAT 2025 Normalization Process
The CMAT 2025 was held on 25th Jan 2025 in two shifts. the normalization process is used to ensure fairness in scoring, as different shifts may have slight variations in difficulty levels.To ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged due to these variations, NTA uses a statistical normalization process to equate scores across different shifts.
Raw Score Calculation
Candidates first receive their raw scores, which are computed based on CMAT’s marking scheme:
- +4 marks for each correct answer.
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer.
- 0 marks for unanswered questions.
Calculation of Percentile Rank
The percentile score indicates a candidate’s relative performance compared to all test-takers.
- N = Total number of candidates in that shift.
- P = Rank of the candidate in that shift.
Normalization Across Different Shifts
Once percentiles are calculated for all shifts, a common merit list is created by equating percentiles from different shifts. This ensures that candidates who appeared in an easier or harder shift are not unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged.
| Candidate | Shift | Raw Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Shift 1 | 270 | 98.56 |
| B | Shift 2 | 280 | 98.54 |
- Even though Candidate B has a higher raw score (280), Candidate A gets a slightly higher percentile due to normalization.
- The final ranking is based on percentiles, not raw scores.
CMAT 2025 Percentile Calculation
Many candidates often wonder how the CMAT percentile is calculated. The percentile score is a relative ranking method used to determine the performance of candidates compared to others. The formula for percentile calculation is:
Percentile Score = [(Total Candidates – Rank of Candidate) / Total Candidates] × 100
Expected CMAT 2025 Score vs Percentile
| Expected CMAT Score Range | Percentile Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 340+ | 99+ Percentile | Top scorers with exceptional performance, qualifying for top B-schools like JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, and Great Lakes. |
| 300 – 339 | 95 – 99 Percentile | Strong performance, qualifying for reputed institutes like Welingkar, IMT Ghaziabad, and BIMTECH. |
| 250 – 299 | 90 – 94 Percentile | Above-average performance, eligible for mid-tier B-schools like XIME, ITM Navi Mumbai, and Jaipuria Lucknow. |
| 200 – 249 | 85 – 89 Percentile | Moderate performance, eligible for emerging B-schools with reasonable industry exposure and career prospects. |
| 150 – 199 | 70 – 84 Percentile | Average performance, opening opportunities in smaller, regional B-schools with a decent academic environment. |
Is 250 a Good Score in CMAT 2025?
The CMAT 2025 score of 250 may be considered a decent score, but that is "good" only in the context of the percentile and the B-schools the candidate is targeting. Based on the percentile mapping of scores in previous years' CMAT, a score of 250 is expected to fall in the 90-94 percentile range.
| CMAT Score Range | Expected CMAT 2025 Percentile |
|---|---|
| 350+ | 99+ percentile |
| 300 – 349 | 95 – 99 percentile |
| 250 – 299 | 90 – 94 percentile |
| 200 – 249 | 85 – 89 percentile |
| 150 – 199 | 70 – 84 percentile |
With a score of 250, a candidate may secure a percentile between 90-94, which is competitive but may not be enough for top-tier B-schools like JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, or PUMBA, which require 95+ percentile. However, it can still fetch admissions in mid-tier and emerging B-schools.
How much is the 70 percentile in the CMAT?
In CMAT 2025, a 70 percentile score indicates that a candidate has outperformed 70% of all test-takers. A 70 percentile in CMAT 2025 is expected to be in the 150–170 score range.
CMAT 2025 Expected Score vs. Percentile
| CMAT Score | Expected CMAT 2025 Percentile |
|---|---|
| 250 – 299 | 90 – 94 percentile |
| 200 – 249 | 85 – 89 percentile |
| 150 – 199 | 70 – 84 percentile |
| 100 – 149 | 50 – 69 percentile |
MBA Colleges Accepting 70 Percentile in CMAT
Several MBA colleges take candidates with a 70 percentile in CMAT, which provides opportunities in regional and emerging B-schools. These institutes offer quality education and a good base for aspiring managers, though the competition for top placements may be relatively higher.
Yes, with a 70 percentile, you can apply to decent tier-2 and tier-3 MBA colleges.
| Institute | Expected Cut-off (CMAT Percentile) |
|---|---|
| Jaipuria Institute of Management | 65 – 75 |
| IES Management College, Mumbai | 65 – 75 |
| XIME Bangalore | 70 – 75 |
| Christ University, Bangalore | 70 – 75 |
| NDIM, Delhi | 65 – 75 |
| ITM Navi Mumbai | 65 – 75 |
CMAT 2025 Toppers
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will publish the CMAT toppers 2025 list on the day of the CMAT result. The CMAT topper list will be published on the official website. Candidates who secure the top CMAT score will be listed on the CMAT topper list 2025. A total of 74,012 students appeared for the CMAT 2025 entrance exam.
| Check - CMAT 2025 Toppers List |
CMAT 2024 Toppers State-wise
The toppers list of CMAT 2024 shows that North and Central Indian states dominate the top percentile rankings, with the highest percentile going to Gopaljee Jha of Jharkhand at 99.9940243. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have the most toppers and female candidates have made the most impressive achievements.
| State | Number of Toppers | Topper(s) Name | Top Percentile Score | Lowest Percentile in List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 3 | Prashant Patel, Divyanshi Valecha, Parag Sachdev | 98.8048642 | 98.2162598 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 | Siddharth Vikram, Khushi Gupta | 98.5060803 | 97.2960053 |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Gopaljee Jha | 99.9940243 (Highest) | 99.9940243 |
| Haryana | 1 | Ayush Juneja | 99.7350408 | 99.7350408 |
| Chandigarh | 1 | Parash Goswami | 99.9148346 | 99.9148346 |
| Maharashtra | 1 | Omkar Popatrao Sose | 98.5490332 | 98.5490332 |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Prateek Rawat | 97.8109327 | 97.8109327 |
| West Bengal | 1 | Dhruv Agarwal | 97.0696779 | 97.0696779 |
CMAT 2025 Expected Cut-Offs for Top B-Schools
Once the results are out, leading MBA/PGDM colleges will release their cut-off scores for admissions.
For CMAT 2025 admission, JBIMS Mumbai is pretty competitive, needing a 99.9+ percentile with scores of 340+. KJ Somaiya Mumbai is for students in the range of 300-340, which corresponds to the 95-99 percentile. PUMBA Pune also calls for a minimum score of 300 to make it 95+ percentile. Great Lakes has scores ranging between 250-299, for the 90-95 percentile, and Welingkar Mumbai as well as IMT Nagpur are open for students scoring between 200-250, i.e., 85-90 percentile. For those in the 150-200 range, BIMTECH Noida offers opportunities at an 80-85 percentile.
| Institute | Expected CMAT 2025 Cut-off (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai (For MMS through CMAT) | 99.9+ |
| KJ Somaiya, Mumbai | 95 – 99 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | 90 – 95 |
| Welingkar Institute, Mumbai | 85 – 90 |
| PUMBA, Pune | 95+ |
| IMT Nagpur | 85 – 90 |
| BIMTECH, Noida | 80 – 85 |
Courses Offered Through CMAT 2025
The CMAT 2025 exam is accepted by over 1,000+ AICTE-approved B-schools in India for various MBA, PGDM, and management-related programs.
- CMAT scores are accepted for most Indian MBA and PGDM institutes.
- Some institutes provide a general MBA, while specialized courses like Business Analytics, Retail, and Risk Management are available only in select institutes. The best institutes offering this course include JBIMS, SIMSREE, and KJ Somaiya.
- Cutoffs vary by course and institute, with a 99+ percentile required for top-tier MBA programs and 85-90 percentile sufficient for PGDM courses.
| Course Name | Description | Top Institutes Offering the Course |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) | A 2-year full-time management program covering all business domains. | JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, KJ Somaiya, PUMBA Pune |
| PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) | AICTE-approved equivalent to an MBA, offering specialized industry-focused learning. | Great Lakes Chennai, Welingkar Mumbai, IMT Hyderabad |
| MBA in Business Analytics | Focuses on data-driven decision-making and analytics. | IFMR GSB, Welingkar Mumbai, Great Lakes Chennai |
| MBA in Finance | Specializes in financial markets, investment, and banking. | JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, KJ Somaiya |
| MBA in Marketing | Covers marketing strategies, brand management, and digital marketing. | IMT Hyderabad, Welingkar Mumbai, PUMBA Pune |
| MBA in HR (Human Resource Management) | Specializes in people management, recruitment, and employee relations. | KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes, IMI Bhubaneswar |
| MBA in Operations & Supply Chain Management | Focuses on logistics, supply chain, and operations efficiency. | Welingkar Mumbai, PUMBA Pune, IMT Hyderabad |
| MBA in Retail Management | Covers retail strategies, supply chain, and merchandising. | Welingkar Mumbai, Great Lakes Chennai |
| MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts. | Great Lakes Chennai, IFMR GSB, Welingkar Mumbai |
| MBA in Insurance & Risk Management | Specializes in insurance policies, risk assessment, and financial planning. | NIA Pune |
CMAT 2025 Result: Admission Process
The process of admission typically involves Group Discussions (GD), Personal Interviews (PI), and Written Ability Tests (WAT), which give an idea about the overall suitability of the candidates for the management program. From the latest statistics, institutes such as JBIMS, IMT Ghaziabad, and Great Lakes require a 99+ percentile score to get direct entry into their respective programs, whereas institutes like XIME and Jaipuria take students with scores ranging from 250-299 for their MBA courses.
Apply to the B-Schools
The next step after receiving your CMAT result is to apply to the B-schools that accept CMAT scores. Depending on your percentile and career goals, you will want to target B-schools accordingly. Here is a breakdown of the CMAT cut-off percentiles for different categories of institutes:
Top-Tier B-Schools (99+ Percentile)
- JBIMS, Mumbai – 99.9+ percentile
- KJ Somaiya, Mumbai – 95+ percentile
- PUMBA, Pune – 95+ percentile
Mid-Tier B-Schools (90-94 Percentile)
- Welingkar Institute, Mumbai – 85-90 percentile
- Great Lakes Institute, Chennai – 90+ percentile
- IMT Nagpur – 85-90 percentile
Emerging B-Schools (80-85 Percentile)
- Jaipuria Institute of Management – 75-80 percentile
- XIME, Bangalore – 75-80 percentile
Shortlisting for GD-PI/WAT
Post-result, institutes begin shortlisting candidates for the GD-PI-WAT rounds based on their CMAT percentile score and application form details. This is an important stage, as B-schools typically consider multiple factors (such as academic background, work experience, and extracurricular activities) for shortlisting candidates.
B-School Shortlisting Criteria
Different institutes have varying cut-off criteria for the GD-PI round. Here's a rough breakdown:
| CMAT Percentile Range | Expected B-Schools for GD-PI |
|---|---|
| 99+ Percentile | JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, PUMBA, Great Lakes |
| 90-94 Percentile | Welingkar, IMT Nagpur, BIMTECH, XIME |
| 70-89 Percentile | Jaipuria Institute, IES Mumbai, ITM Navi Mumbai |
Typically, institutes have an application deadline of 2-3 weeks after the CMAT results are released, so keep an eye on the respective B-school admission portals for their GD-PI-WAT notifications.
GD-PI-WAT Preparation
After receiving your CMAT 2025 result, the next major hurdle is the Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), and Written Ability Test (WAT) rounds, which form the cornerstone of the admission process for MBA and PGDM programs in several institutes.
Group Discussion (GD) Preparation
The Group Discussion (GD) is a platform where your communication skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are assessed. Typically, you will be placed in a group of 8-10 candidates and given a topic to discuss for 15-20 minutes. The objective is to evaluate your ability to:
- Express your ideas clearly
- Collaborate and work in a team
- Listen to others and respect differing opinions
- Think critically and contribute constructively
GD Topics Breakdown
| Topic Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | "Impact of AI on jobs", "Global Economic Recession" |
| Business/Economics | "Entrepreneurship vs. job security", "The Future of Digital Currency" |
| Social Issues | "Gender equality in India", "Climate change and its business impact" |
| Abstract Topics | "Time is Money", "Success is a Journey, not a Destination" |
According to a 2024 survey of 50+ B-schools, JBIMS, Great Lakes, and SPJIMR favor candidates who show leadership in the group, clarity of thought, and effective communication.
Personal Interview (PI) Preparation
The Personal Interview (PI) is the phase where the interviewer gauges your personality, thought process, and motivation for pursuing an MBA. Expect questions about your academic background, career goals, strengths and weaknesses, and reasons for choosing a particular B-school.
Types of Interview Questions:
| Category | Sample Questions |
|---|---|
| Motivation for MBA | "Why do you want to pursue an MBA?", "Why this specialization?" |
| Career Goals | "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?", "What is your dream job?" |
| Academic Background | "Tell me about your academic achievements", "Explain a gap in your studies" |
| Work Experience | "What have you learned from your work experience?", "How has it shaped your goals?" |
| Situational/Behavioral | "Tell me about a time when you led a team", "How did you handle failure?" |
A 2024 study showed that interviewers at top B-schools like KJ Somaiya, JBIMS, and XLRI place greater weight on leadership potential, communication skills, and clarity of purpose in the interview process.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Preparation
The Written Ability Test (WAT) is a written essay on a given topic that typically lasts 20-30 minutes. The goal is to evaluate your writing skills, clarity of expression, structured thinking, and how well you can argue a point in writing.
WAT Topics Breakdown:
| Topic Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | "Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare", "India’s economic future" |
| Business Trends | "The rise of remote work", "E-commerce trends in India" |
| Abstract Topics | "Success is not Final", "Dreams vs Reality" |
| Personal Views | "Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership" |
A 2023 survey of top MBA programs showed that admission panels at institutes like XIME, SPJIMR, and NMIMS favor candidates who present logical arguments, balanced viewpoints, and structurally organized essays.
Key Strategies to Succeed in GD-PI-WAT
| Particluars | Preparation Tip |
|---|---|
| Stay Calm & Confident | Practice relaxation techniques and breathe deeply before and during the rounds. |
| Teamwork in GD | Don’t dominate the discussion, but also don’t remain passive. Contribute constructively. |
| Answer Clearly in PI | Avoid over-explaining or long-winded answers. Focus on key points. |
| Balanced Essay in WAT | Structure your essay logically with a clear thesis, followed by arguments and a conclusion. |
| Mock Interviews & GDs | Regularly engage in mock GDs and PI sessions with peers, mentors, or through coaching platforms. |
50% of the final selection at institutes like SPJIMR, JBIMS, and IMT is based on the GD-PI-WAT performance.
For mid-tier B-schools, the weightage of GD-PI-WAT rounds can vary between 30-40%, with a greater focus on CMAT scores.
Final Selection and Offer Letter
After the GD-PI-WAT rounds, institutes release their final selection lists based on:
- CMAT Percentile
- GD-PI-WAT performance
- Academic performance
- Work experience (if applicable)
Once you are selected, you will receive a call letter with instructions on fee payment, document verification, and other details related to the admission process.
Counselling & Document Verification
After clearing the GD-PI-WAT rounds and getting your final selection offer from a B-school, the Counselling & Document Verification phase follows as part of the MBA admission process. This is an important stage because all the eligibility criteria would be satisfied, and all documents would be verified before admitting you to the MBA program.
Counselling Process
The Counselling process is typically conducted in two formats:
- Centralized Admission Process (CAP): For institutes that have a centralized system, such as state universities, you will be called for a centralized counselling round. Institutes like PUMBA and MAH CET use this process.
- Direct Admission: Many private B-schools conduct direct admission where you need to apply individually after the GD-PI-WAT round.
During counselling, the institutes allocate seats to candidates based on:
- CMAT Percentile
- GD-PI-WAT Performance
- Category-based Reservation (if applicable)
Counselling Process Flow
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration | Register for counselling based on selection. |
| Seat Allotment | Based on merit and preferences, seats are allotted. |
| Choice Filling | Select preferred courses and B-schools during counselling. |
| Fee Payment | Pay the first installment of the course fee. |
| Confirmation | Confirm seat acceptance and proceed with further steps. |
In institutes like XIME Bangalore, the counselling process is shorter, with candidates receiving instant seat allotment after document verification.
Document Verification
The Document Verification is a critical part of the admission process. Institutes require candidates to present a set of original documents to verify their eligibility.
Required Documents
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CMAT Scorecard | Proof of CMAT performance. |
| Graduation Marksheet | To verify your academic qualifications. |
| ID Proof | Government-issued ID to verify identity. |
| Category Certificate | For reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC). |
| Work Experience (if applicable) | To verify work experience (if applicable). |
| Passport-sized Photos | For official documentation. |
| Migration Certificate (if applicable) | For students from different states/universities. |
Institutes like KJ Somaiya may require additional documents like proof of work experience or specific eligibility criteria for certain courses, so check the official guidelines for each institute.
Fee Payment and Admission Confirmation
Once your documents are verified, the next step is fee payment to confirm your admission. Institutes typically ask for initial fee payments within a specified time frame to secure your seat in the program.
| Institute | Tuition Fee | Other Fees | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS | ₹6,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹6,50,000 |
| KJ Somaiya | ₹10,50,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹11,50,000 |
| PUMBA | ₹1,00,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹1,30,000 |
| Great Lakes | ₹14,00,000 | ₹1,50,000 | ₹15,50,000 |
| IMT Nagpur | ₹8,50,000 | ₹75,000 | ₹9,25,000 |
Fees for top-tier institutes like JBIMS and Great Lakes are significantly higher than for state-level or emerging B-schools like PUMBA. Always ensure that you are ready for the fee payment deadlines once the counseling is complete.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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