Get to Know Everything about CMAT
What is the CMAT Exam ?
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is accepted by 1,000+ AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges across India.
CMAT is one of the most affordable MBA entrance exams and is known for its balanced difficulty level compared to CAT and XAT. It opens doors to top B-schools like
JBIMS Mumbai
K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
PUMBA Pune
Key Highlights
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-based) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year (likely April 2026) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Sections | Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
| Questions | 100 |
| Marks | 400 |
| Question Type | MCQs |
| Accepting Colleges | 1,000+ AICTE-approved B-schools |
| Score Validity | 1 year |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university.
Final Year Students: Eligible (subject to certificate at admission).
Minimum Marks: No minimum percentage required.
Age Limit: No age restriction.
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 | Easy–Moderate |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 | Moderate |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 | Moderate–Difficult |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 | Moderate |
| Total | 100 | 400 | Moderate |
Duration: 180 minutes.
Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect.
Mode: Computer-based test (CBT).
Syllabus Overview
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (20 Qs)
Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio)
Algebra & Geometry
Mensuration, Trigonometry
Probability, Permutation & Combination
Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts)
Logical Reasoning (20 Qs)
Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding
Puzzles, Series, Input-Output
Syllogisms, Arrangements
Critical & Analytical Reasoning
Language Comprehension (20 Qs)
Reading Comprehension (short passages)
Vocabulary, Synonyms, Antonyms
Sentence Correction
Grammar usage
General Awareness (20 Qs)
Current Affairs (last 12 months)
Business & Economy
Indian Polity & Constitution
Awards, Sports, Science & Tech
Innovation & Entrepreneurship (20 Qs)
Basics of Innovation & Startups
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in India
Government Schemes for Startups (Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission)
Case Studies & Business Models
Exam Difficulty Level
Easier compared to CAT, XAT, and GMAT.
Focus is on basic concepts, speed, and accuracy.
The GA section is often the most challenging.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship is a unique scoring section for students with startup/management awareness.
Cut-Off Trends
| College | Expected CMAT Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| JBIMS Mumbai | 330–340 | 99.9+ |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | 300+ | 99+ |
| K J Somaiya, Mumbai | 280–300 | 95–97 |
| Great Lakes, Chennai | 250–280 | 90–95 |
| PUMBA Pune | 240–260 | 90–92 |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 220–240 | 85–90 |
Application Process
Visit the official website: cmat.nta.nic.in.
Register with email & phone number.
Fill in academic, personal & exam city preferences.
Upload documents (photo, signature).
Pay the exam fee online.
Application Fees
| Category | Fees |
|---|---|
| General (Male) | ₹2,000 |
| Female / Reserved Category | ₹1,000 |
| PwD Candidates | ₹1,000 |
Important Dates (Tentative 2025)
Registration Start: February 2026
Registration End: March 2026
Admit Card Release: April 2026
Exam Date: April 2026
Result Declaration: May 2026
Preparation Strategy
Start Prep: 3–4 months of dedicated preparation is sufficient.
Quant & DI: Revise 10th–12th level math.
Reasoning: Practice puzzles and logical sets daily.
Language: Improve vocabulary and practice RCs.
GK: Read newspapers & MBA GK capsules daily.
Best Books for CMAT
Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
Logical Reasoning – Arun Sharma
Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
Lucent’s General Knowledge – For the GK section
CMAT Mock Tests – IMS, TIME, Career Launcher
Career Scope After CMAT
Top MBA Colleges: JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, Welingkar, Great Lakes, PUMBA, etc.
Specializations: Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, Entrepreneurship, Analytics.
Placements:
JBIMS Avg CTC: ₹28–30 LPA
K J Somaiya Avg CTC: ₹12–14 LPA
Great Lakes Avg CTC: ₹13–15 LPA
CMAT ensures excellent ROI (Return on Investment) because many top CMAT-accepting colleges have low fees and high placements.
FAQs
Yes, CMAT is considered easier than CAT but tests speed and accuracy.
1,000+ AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges.
3 hours (180 minutes).
Yes, -1 for each wrong answer.
Above 300 is excellent (99+ percentile).
CMAT Mentor
20+ years in education, MBA preparation, and academic leadership.
Vinayak Kudva
Learning Leader | Career Strategist | Mentor MMS, NMIMS | BE Chemical Engineering