In CMAT, a candidate’s score and percentile are both important for MBA admission in more than 1,000 AICTE-approved institutes in India. The CMAT Score vs Percentile will help candidates estimate their percentile based on the marks out of 400 they have scored in the exam.
Candidates scoring 300+ marks will fall in the 99+ percentile, where a score range of 250-280 marks will place you in the 95–98 percentile bracket.
- For Top Tier B-schools like JBIMS, SIMREE, and Great Lakes Chennai, a score between 280-320+ (98-99+ percentile) is generally required.
- A score range between 230-279 will get you in the 90–97 percentile, which can place you in mid-tier colleges like Welingkar, PUMBA, IFMR, and BIMTECH.
- For Lower-Tier/Emerging B-Schools like IES, ISBM, and regional colleges, a score of 180-229 (70-89 percentile) will be enough.
As per the previous years’ trends, even a 5–10 mark difference can shift the percentile by 8–12 points, reflecting the exam’s competitiveness.
Related Links:
- Top MBA Colleges accepting CMAT 2025 Scores
- Does IIM Accept CMAT Score? Find CMAT Accepting Colleges
- Low Percentile in CMAT 2026? Try in these Management Colleges
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026
The CMAT 2026 Score vs percentile shows thata small difference in top scores can lead to a significant shift in percentile, making forvery tough competition above 330 marks.
- Scores in the range of 290-329 will place you in the 97-99.7th percentile, providing a good chance at colleges like K J Somaiya and Welingkar.
- Below 270 marks, the percentile drops quickly, ranging from 90 to 94, and college options become limited to mid-tier or regional institutions.
This analysis shows that scoring 290+ in CMAT is key to better MBA opportunities through CMAT.
| CMAT Score (out of 400) | Expected Percentile | Insight & Likely Colleges |
| 345+ | 99.9 – 100 | Top rankers; strong chances at JBIMS (CMAT), SIMSREE, K J Somaiya, Great Lakes |
| 330 – 344 | 99.7 – 99.9 | Excellent score; high conversion at JBIMS, SIMSREE, Welingkar, IFMR |
| 310 – 329 | 99 – 99.7 | Safe zone for K J Somaiya, Welingkar, BIMTECH |
| 290 – 309 | 97 – 99 | Very strong; good options at IFMR, IMT Hyderabad/Nagpur, NIBM Pune |
| 270 – 289 | 94 – 97 | Competitive range; suitable for Jaipuria, UBS Chandigarh, SDMIMD |
| 250 – 269 | 90 – 94 | Decent score; options at IFIM, SOIL, IPE Hyderabad, Alliance |
| 230 – 249 | 85 – 90 | Mid-tier private & regional B-schools like IMS Ghaziabad, JIMS, FIIB |
| 210 – 229 | 80 – 85 | Limited choices; newer or regional AICTE-approved institutes |
| 190 – 209 | 75 – 80 | Below average; mainly local private colleges |
| Below 190 | < 75 | Very limited options; consider reattempt or state CETs |
Ques. If I score 300, what percentile should I expect in CMAT?
Ans. Historically, 300+ tends to fall in the 98-99+ percentile band (excellent). But final percentile depends on the year’s overall difficulty and test-taker performance.
Ques. How much score is 80 percentile in CMAT?
Ans. An 80 percentile in CMAT can be achieved by around 190–220 marks out of 400, which is suitable for the mid-tier colleges like Welingkar (Mumbai/Bangalore), BIMTECH, IFMR GSB (Krea Uni), IPE Hyderabad, IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, SIES Mumbai, and Jaipuria Institute of Management (Lucknow).
Ques. What percentile is 240 marks in CMAT?
Ans. A score of 240 in CMAT typically falls in the 90-94th percentile range, placing you in a strong position for good MBA colleges like XBS, IMI Bhubaneswar, and potentially BIMTECH, Great Lakes (Chennai), and N.L. Dalmia
What is CMAT Score vs Percentile?
The CMAT Score is the raw marks that you get after taking the CMAT exam, based on the number of questions you answer correctly.
Then your scores are converted into a percentile, which shows how you have performed compared to other candidates.
It is calculated by seeing how many people scored less than you and converting that into a percentage.
How is CMAT Score Calculated?
The CMAT score is the total of marks obtained by a candidate in all the test sections.
It is calculated by using a predefined marking scheme, as mentioned in the CMAT Information Bulletin available on the official website.
Raw Score Calculation
Each candidate’s raw score is first calculated as
- +4 marks for every correct answer
- –1 mark for every incorrect answer
- No marks for unattempted questions
- Maximum score: 400
For example:
If a candidate attempts 100 questions, gets 75 right, and 25 wrong.
So, raw score = 300 − 25 = 275 marks
This raw score is then used by NTA to calculate the percentile (using the normalization method).
CMAT Normalization Process
- As the CMAT 2026 will be conducted in 2 shifts, each shift might have a slightly different difficulty level.
- To ensure fairness, NTA uses the Equi-percentile Normalization method, where percentile scores from different shifts are mapped to a common scale.
- That means if 98 percentile in Shift 1 represents a raw score of 320, and 98 percentile in Shift 2 represents a raw score of 315, both are treated equally during final ranking.
Highest Raw Score and Percentile: Candidates with the highest raw scores in each session receive a normalized percentile score of 100 for that session.
Lowest Raw Score and Percentile: The percentile for the lowest raw scores depends on the total number of candidates who appeared in that session.
Source - CMAT 2026 Information Bulletin
How is CMAT Percentile Calculated?
The NTA does not publish a direct “score-to-percentile” chart. Instead, it follows a percentile-based ranking and normalization process so that scores from different shifts of the exam remain fair and comparable.
Source: cmat.nta.nic.in
Example: If 10,000 candidates appeared in your shift and 9,500 candidates scored less than or equal to you,
then your percentile = (9500 / 10000) × 100 = 95.0 percentile.
Ques. Does CMAT always have multiple shifts?
Ans. Not necessarily, but the CMAT 2026 will be conducted in 2 shifts
Ques. Can two candidates get the same percentile in CMAT?
Ans. Yes, two candidates get the same percentile in CMAT if their raw scores are the same and they fall within the same percentile range. To break ties, some specific tie-breaking criteria is used (like sectional scores, date of birth, etc.) that are mentioned in the CMAT Information Bulletin.
Ques. Why is the Normalization system used to calculate CMAT percentile?
Ans. The Normalization system used to calculate the CMAT percentile is because:
- CMAT sometimes runs in two shifts, and the question difficulty may differ slightly.
- The normalization method ensures equal opportunity regardless of which session a candidate appears in.
- It makes the result statistically fair and transparent, following NTA’s standardized percentile process used in all national exams.
CMAT Category-Wise Cutoff 2026
CMAT Cutoff for CMAT Colleges 2026
Based on the previous years’ cutoff for colleges accepting CMAT scores, here are the expected cutoff percentiles for top B-schools accepting CMAT scores:
| College | Expected CMAT 2026 Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99.9+ |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | 99.9+ |
| PUMBA Pune | 99+ |
| Great Lakes Chennai | 95+ |
| K.J. Somaiya Mumbai | 90-95+ |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 85+ |
| Welingkar Bangalore | 80+ |
Also read: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting CMAT Based on 2025 Ranking
CMAT Score vs Percentile and Safe Score for JBIMS
As per the analysis of the CMAT 2026 exam by Ronak Shah of Unacademy, the CMAT score vs percentile is expected to be a little lower than last year’s, as the CMAT 2026 was slightly tougher (especially in VRC and LR) and was held in a single slot.
- A raw score of 320+ is a safe score for 99.99 percentile, which is usually required for JBIMS Mumbai (through All India quota).
- Scores ranging from 310-315 will fetch a 99.9th percentile, while scores ranging from 265-275 will fetch approximately a 99th percentile.
This shows a drop of 5–10 marks across percentiles compared to CMAT 2025, and those candidates with high raw scores will directly benefit from this in CMAT 2026.
For JBIMS candidates, a score of 320-330+ is the best way to stay safe in the competition.
| CMAT 2026 Percentile (Approx.) | 2025 Raw Score | 2026 Raw Score (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| 99.99 | 320 | 320 |
| 99.9 | 312 | 310 |
| 99.5 | 290 | 280 |
| 99 | 275 | 265 |
| 97 | 260 | 250 |
| 95 | 235 | 230 |
| 90 | 220 | 210 |
| 85 | 190 | 180 |
| 80 | 180 | 170 |
CMAT 2026 Marks vs Rank
The CMAT 2026 shows that top scores matter a lot, where small marks at the top can change ranks a lot, but in the middle and lower ranges, ranks change more slowly.
- Scoring a mark range between 350–360+ can get you a rank of 1–20, while 330–349 usually gives a rank between 21–100.
- Getting above 300 will put you in the top 500, and a score ranging between 270–299 can give ranks 500–1,500, and 240–269 fall in 1,500–3,000.
- Lower scores (210–239 or 180–209) go beyond 3,000, and below 150 is outside the top 18,000.
| CMAT Score (Out of 400) | Expected Rank Range | Percentile Range |
|---|---|---|
| 350 – 360+ | 1 – 20 | 99.95 – 100 |
| 330 – 349 | 21 – 100 | 99.7 – 99.9 |
| 300 – 329 | 101 – 500 | 99 – 99.6 |
| 270 – 299 | 501 – 1,500 | 95 – 98.9 |
| 240 – 269 | 1,500 – 3,000 | 90 – 94.9 |
| 210 – 239 | 3,000 – 6,000 | 80 – 89.9 |
| 180 – 209 | 6,000 – 10,000 | 70 – 79.9 |
| 150 – 179 | 10,000 – 18,000 | 60 – 69.9 |
| Below 150 | 18,000+ | Below 60 |
Top CMAT-accepting colleges for Finance
Finance is one of the most competitive MBA specialisations, and several reputed B-schools in India accept CMAT scores. As per Hitesh Sir, MBA Pathshala, and previous years' placement data:
- JBIMS Mumbai is known as a “CEO Factory”; it has produced top leaders in investment banking, consulting, private equity, and corporate finance.
- IFMR GSB (Krea University) is one of India’s strongest finance-focused B-schools outside IIMs, with 240 seats and a CMAT cut-off around the 80–90th percentile.
- KJ Somaiya Institute, Mumbai, offers 600 seats accepting CMAT scores around 280–310 with a ₹13 LPA average package.
- IMT Nagpur has around 300 seats with CMAT cut-off of 258–271 and an average of ₹13–15 LPA, especially for work-ex candidates.
| College | CMAT Cut-off | Number of Seats | Avg Package (₹ LPA) |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 99+ percentile | 156 | 26 |
| IFMR GSB | 80–90 percentile | ~240 | 13 |
| KJ Somaiya | 280–310 (score) | ~600 | 13 |
| IMT Nagpur | 258–271 (score) | ~300 | 13–15 |
What is a “Good” CMAT Score in 2026?
| CMAT Score (out of 400) | Expected Percentile | Score Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 280 – 320 | 99 – 100 | Excellent |
| 260 – 279 | 97 – 99 | Very Good |
| 240 – 259 | 95 – 97 | Strong |
| 200 – 239 | 90 – 95 | Good |
| 170 – 199 | 80 – 90 | Average |
| Below 150 | Below 75 | Low |
Ques. Is 280 a good score in CMAT?
Ans. Yes. A score of 280 usually corresponds to a 95-98 percentile, making it competitive for many good colleges. However, what counts as “good” depends on the specific college you are targeting.
Ques. Will CMAT cutoffs change in 2026?
Ans. Yes, cutoffs can change based on available seats, the applicant pool, and the year’s exam trends as cutoffs are set individually by colleges. Previous years’ cutoffs are useful guides, but small changes are expected.
Previous Years’ CMAT Score vs Percentile Analysis
Previous Years’ CMAT Score vs Percentile Analysis helps candidates understand how their scores translated into percentiles in past exams. This analysis provides insights for planning and estimating performance for CMAT 2026.
CMAT 2025 Score vs Percentile
| Score Range (out of 400) | Estimated Percentile in 2025 | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| 340+ | 99.99 | Top performers needed very high scores to reach this percentile band |
| 300 - 325 | 99.5 | Very competitive range |
| 270 - 292 | 99.0 | Strong showing, good for many top B-schools |
| 240 - 260 | 95 | A solid result in the upper percentile ambit |
| 205 - 240 | 90 | Mid-level percentiles, many private / regional colleges use these ranges |
| 180 - 205 | 80 | Lower mid percentile range |
| Below 180 | Below 80 | Falling in the bottom half in percentile |
CMAT 2024 Score vs Percentile
In CMAT 2024, 345-350 marks were needed for 100 percentile, 281-340 for 90-99.99, 201-280 for 81-89, and below 116 for under 50th percentile.
General Awareness and Innovation sections were trickier, with similar difficulty across shifts.
| Score Range (out of 400) | Approximate Percentile in 2024 |
|---|---|
| 345 - 350 | 100 |
| 281 - 340 | 90 - 99.99 |
| 201 - 280 | 81 - 89 |
| 171 - 200 | 71 - 80 |
| 141 - 170 | 61 - 70 |
| 116 - 140 | 51 - 60 |
| Below 116 | < 51 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2023
In CMAT 2023, scores above 360 are required to reach around the 99.99th percentile.
A score of 271+ generally gets candidates into the 95th percentile and above, which is considered competitive for well-ranked institutes.
200–206 marks placed test-takers around the 75–80 percentile—a decent range for Tier-2 institutes.
| CMAT Score (2023) | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 360 | 99.99 |
| 325 | 99.9 |
| 299 | 99.5 |
| 292 | 99 |
| 283 | 98 |
| 271 | 95 |
| 258 | 90 |
| 238 | 85 |
| 206 | 80 |
| 193 | 75 |
| 179 | 70 |
| 167 | 65 |
| 154 | 60 |
| 133 | 50 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2022
The top score in CMAT 2022 was around 380, higher than in 2023, suggesting a slightly easier paper or stronger performance spread.
A score of 260+ was typical for the 95th percentile, with 240+ for the 90th percentile.
Scores around 211 corresponded to roughly the 80th percentile, indicating a better overall candidate performance compared to some other years.
| Approx Score (2022) | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 385 | 100 |
| 380 | 99.99 |
| 303 | 99.5 |
| 293 | 99 |
| 280 | 98 |
| 260 | 95 |
| 240 | 90 |
| 211 | 80 |
| 188 | 70 |
| 168 | 60 |
| 150 | 50 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2021
| Approx Score (2021) | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 345 | 100 / Rank 1 |
| 340 | 99.99 |
| 300 | 99 |
| 281 | 95 |
| 281 | 90 |
| 250 | 85 |
| 200 | 80 |
| 185 | 75 |
| 170 | 70 |
| 155 | 65 |
| 140 | 60 |
| 116 | 50 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026 FAQs
Ques. Is 200 a good score in CMAT?
Ans. Yes, 200 is a good score in CMAT. It usually places a candidate in the 90–95 percentile range. With this score, aspirants can expect calls from several reputed Tier-2 and select Tier-1.5 MBA colleges such as Welingkar, Great Lakes, BIMTECH, IFMR, and other AICTE-approved institutes that accept CMAT scores.
Ques. What is the 95th percentile score on the CMAT?
Ans. The 95th percentile in CMAT usually corresponds to a score between 230 and 250. Analysis of past years shows some fluctuation in this range due to variations in exam difficulty and candidate performance.
Ques. Can normalized scores be lower than raw scores?
Ans. Yes, normalized scores in CMAT can be lower than raw scores. CMAT follows a normalization process to ensure fairness across multiple exam slots.
- If a candidate appears in a relatively easier slot, their raw score may be scaled down during normalization.
- For example, a raw score of 215 may be reduced to a normalized score of around 205 if the slot is considered easier than average.
- Conversely, candidates from tougher slots may see their scores scaled up.
Ques. Does normalization affect my final CMAT percentile?
Ans. Normalization directly affects the final CMAT percentile, as percentiles are calculated based on normalized scores rather than raw marks.
- Even a small change of 5–10 marks after normalization can lead to a noticeable shift in percentile, especially at higher score ranges.
- For example, a normalized score of around 240 typically results in a 95–97 percentile, while a score close to 200 usually falls in the 85–90 percentile range.
- Therefore, when evaluating performance or shortlisting MBA colleges, candidates should always rely on their final percentile, not just their raw score.
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