CMAT Exam Date 2026: Registration Open, Exam Fees, Exam Pattern, Admit Card and More

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national level entrance examination for entry into management programs. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts CMAT exam. It is a computer-based test that evaluates candidates’ aptitude in various areas, such as Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. CMAT is also one of the top national MBA entrance exams for admission to MBA/PGDM programs offered by 1000+ MBA Colleges in India. Through a Public Notice released on March 29 titled ‘Inviting Online Applications for Common Management Admission Test-2024’, the National Testing Agency has announced the CMAT 2024 Exam.

CMAT Exam Date 2026

What is CMAT?

The CMAT exam is a business aptitude test. Anyone who qualifies it, becomes eligible for admission to MBA/PGDM courses offered by government recognised institutes. The CMAT is an objective-type test of 3 hours and exam paper consists of 100 questions from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. CMAT score is also accepted for admission to Maharashtra State institutes through MAH CET CAP.

Key Aspects of the CMAT:

• About 75,000 candidates appear for the CMAT every year.
• CMAT 2026 score will be accepted by about 1,300 B-schools in India.
• The qualifying candidates have to apply to score accepting colleges separately for admission.
• CMAT accepting colleges conduct WAT/GD/PI for selecting candidates for MBA program.
• Candidates can also seek admission by participating in the MAH MBA CAP with their CMAT score.

Here is an Overview of CMAT Exam

CMAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

There are only two essential criteria that candidates need to fulfil:

They need to have a valid undergraduate degree from a UGC-recognised college. Final-year students can also apply, but their admission will be subject to furnishing their passing certificate at the college. There is no minimum score requirement to sit for the test. 

There is no upper age limit, but the candidate must be at least 20 to sit for the test. 

Candidates who do not fulfil the eligibility criteria will have their score nullified. 

Read More – CMAT Answer Key 2024 – Download official answer key PDF here

CMAT Syllabus 2026

CMAT exam syllabus is similar to other MBA entrance exams in India with an additional subject, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Here is the detailed CMAT syllabus:

CMAT Exam fees 2026

The application fee is as follows:

General Male – Rs. 2500

General category female/reserved category students – Rs. 1250

Read More – Colleges Accepting CMAT Score 2024

CMAT Exam date 2026 Registration: Step by Step Process

CMAT Exam Registration: Complete in 5 Steps

The CMAT Exam Registration process can be completed in five simple steps as below:

1: Visit official website and click on ‘New Registration’

2: Fill out the CMAT Exam Registration 2026 Form 

3: Upload Images on Registration Form

4: Make Payment of Registration Fee

5: View the Registration summary and save the filled-in Form.

CMAT 2026 Admit Card 

NTA will release CMAT 2026 Admit Card about 10 days before CMAT exam date. CMAT 2026 Exam is expected in January, 2026 and the exam will be conducted in two shifts. You will need to download the CMAT Admit card from NTA CMAT official website cmat.nta.nic.in/ with your login credentials.

CMAT Exam Pattern and Duration 

The CMAT exam pattern includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with four options each. The duration of the exam is usually three hours, and it consists of sections covering Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. The CMAT exam typically lasts three hours, during which candidates must answer all the questions within the allotted time frame.

Read More – CMAT Cutoff 2024

How to Prepare for the CMAT Exam: 

1. Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
2. Create a study schedule and stick to it.
3. Practice regularly with mock tests and question papers from previous years.
4. Focus on strengthening your weaker areas while maintaining proficiency in your strong subjects.
5. Stay updated with current affairs and general knowledge topics.
6. Improve your time management skills by practising solving questions within the allotted time.
7. Join coaching classes or online courses for guidance and structured preparation.
8. Seek help from mentors or experienced individuals for tips and strategies.
9. Revise regularly to reinforce concepts and formulas.
10. Stay calm and confident on the exam day.
11. How to Download the CMAT Admit Card
12. To download the CMAT admit card, candidates must visit the official NTA website, log in using their credentials, navigate to the admit card section, and download/print the admit card. It is essential to carry the admit card to the exam center along with a valid photo ID for verification.

Candidates can gear up for the registration process, familiarize themselves with the exam pattern, and ensure they have their admit cards ready for the big day. The comprehensive overview covers the registration steps, duration, scoring, preparation tips, and admit card download process, offering candidates a holistic understanding of what to expect.  Aspiring candidates can also take our IMS Zero fees enrollment program

For guidance in preparation for the exam, every candidate gets the benefits of learning videos, online lectures, question banks and more.

FAQs

What’s a good CMAT score for admission to top MBA colleges?

Ideally, 99-100 percentile in CMAT exam is considered a good score for MBA admission. A good CMAT score will get you a seat in top B-schools. A score of 85 percentile and above will be good enough to get into tier 1 MBA colleges.

What is the CMAT registration process?

Candidates can register for the CMAT exam online on NTA website. The NTA will release the CMAT application at in February or March, every year. Candidates have to log on to the CMAT-NTA website and register.

Is CMAT tougher than CAT?

The CMAT is easier than the CAT as the competition and applications are low. However, it is more difficult than ATMA and MAT. The CMAT exam pattern includes less complex questions, and lack of sectional time limits, which reduce pressure.

Is CMAT compulsory for an MBA?

No, it’s not compulsory as there are multiple MBA entrance exams in India, like CAT, MAT, ATMA, GMAT, NMAT, etc. CMAT is one of the national-level MBA entrance exams for admission to B-schools.

How much rank is good in CMAT?

As per CMAT score vs percentile analysis, a score between 280-370 can get you 98-99.99+ percentile, which is considered good for getting admission to top CMAT colleges like SIMSREE, SIES, BIMTECH, JAGSoM, JBIMS etc.

Is CMAT good for an MBA?

If you wish to take admission into the top MBA colleges in India then CMAT ought to be your go-to choice. The CMAT exam is comparatively easier than other MBA exams and you have to answer fewer questions too.

Which college is best under CMAT?

Some of the best colleges accepting CMAT scores, include Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, BIMTECH, Welingkar Institute, and Christ University.

Which is better CMAT or MAT?

The CMAT exam reduces the stress among the students while preparing for a management entrance exam. The MAT exam occurs 4 times a year for allowing students take admissions to the second-tier B-schools in the country. Moreover, CMAT is comparatively easier than MAT.