CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Reservation Criteria, Educational Qualification
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
CMAT eligibility criteria is Graduation or equivalent degree. There is no minimum score required to apply for this exam. Check below, complete eligibility criteria for CMAT 2026 and reservation policy to apply for CMAT 2027.
CMAT eligibility criteria is prescribed by the NTA as per the AICTE guidelines for technical education. Since, CMAT is an entrance test for MBA so the minimum eligibility criteria is graduation. Candidates who wish to apply for this national level MBA entrance exam must have studied in 10+2+3 year mode.
CMAT 2027 exam registration process will begin in October 2026. The CMAT application form will be available online at NTA website. Detailed eligibility criteria document will be released along with the notification for CMAT exam. It is expected to remain the same as last year. Read this article to check complete CMAT eligibility criteria 2027 including educational qualification, age limit and reservation policy.
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2027
- CMAT Reservation Criteria 2027
- CMAT Reservation under Persons with Disabilities
- CMAT Eligibility for Scribe/Reader
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2027
Given below are the main eligibility criteria for CMAT as per the NTA:
- Candidate applying for the CMAT 2027 must be an Indian resident.
- Candidate must hold a bachelor's degree of minimum three-year duration or equivalent in any stream from AICTE approved institute/university.
- Candidate in the final year of their bachelor's degree course are eligible to apply for CMAT exam provided tthey pass the final year within the same academic year.
- There is no minimum score criteria for CMAT 2026. Candidates must have passing marks in graduation.
- However, the minimum score requirement of maximum CMAT participating colleges is 50 % (45% for reserved categories).
- There is no upper age limit for applying and appearing in CMAT exam.
Also Read: CMAT preparation tips and strategy 2027
CMAT Reservation Criteria 2027
There is no reservation policy for CMAT exam but for admissions, the B-schools accepting CMAT scores will follow the reservation criteria as prescribed by Government of India. To avail reservation benefits at the time of admission, the candidates must mention their reservation status (caste/PwD category) in the CMAT 2027 application form.
Commonly asked questions
The CMAT exam was held in January 2026. NTA usually starts registration for CMAT in November every year. Those interested in appearing for the exam are required to register for it at CMAT-NTA website and fill out the online application form. The score of CMAT will be valid for one year only, so if you appear for CMAT 2026, you must take admission in the same academic year.
Apart from 1300 B-schools, the CMAT score is also valid for admission through MAH CET CAP. The Maharashtra State CET Cell conducts MBA/MMS admissions for 300 colleges in the state. It is followed by a common counselling process called CAP. CMAT test takers can also participate in MAH MBA CET CAP and secure a seat in MBA/MMS course offered by over 300 colleges in Maharashtra.
Although there is no minimum graduation marks criterion for appearing in the CMAT exam, the criterion applies for admission through CMAT. As per the AICTE recommendation, the candidate must have completed graduation from a recognised university with a minimum score of 50 per cent in aggregate (45 per cent for Reserved category students) to be eligible for admission to a UGC recognised MBA/PGDM course.
CMAT score is not accepted by the IIMs. These institutes accept only CAT score for their management programmes. CMAT is accepted by over 1300 MBA colleges in India which belong to mostly Tier 2 and Tier 3 status. You can seek admission with CMAT score to all AICTE approved institutions – private, government and government aided.
CMAT Reservation Policy
For admission through CMAT candidates can avail reservation at the AICTE recognised institutes as per the government guidelines. Check below the percentage of seats reserved in every institution for MBA/PGDM, category wise.
| Category |
Reservation (in percentage) |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste |
15% |
| Scheduled Tribe |
7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) |
27% |
| General/Open |
50.5% |
| PwD |
5% in each category |
CMAT Reservation under Persons with Disabilities
Candidates suffering 40 per cent or more disability (from the following listed disabilities) can claim admission under PwD category:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy
- Autism, intellectual disability, specified learning disability and mental illness, and
- Persons suffering multiple disabilities from (1) to (4)
- Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in RPwD Act 2016
Candidates can change their category in the CMAT 2027 application form only till the last date of application submission. After that no change will be allowed.
CMAT Eligibility for Scribe/Reader
Candidates with disabilities under category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected BA) and cerebral palsy, can avail the facility of scribe/reader/lab assistant on CMAT exam day. Such candidates need to submit a request in writing to the CMAT Test Centre superintendent for their requirements of Scribe/Reader along with disability certificate issued by the authorised Medical Officer.
- CMAT Test Centre Superintendent will provide a scribe/ reader who is at least one year junior to the candidate academically.
- Candidates availing scribe/reader can request Centre Superintendent to meet the allotted scribe a day before the examination to verify their suitability and general acquaintanceship.
- Candidates availing scribe/reader will be provided extra 60 minutes beyond the test duration of CMAT exam.
Explore colleges based on CMAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Read More:
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
19 Apr '26
3 May '26
3 May '26
1 Apr '26 - 25 May '26
23 Mar '26 - 20 Apr '26
16 Apr '26 - 25 Apr '26
25 Apr '26
27 Apr '26
15 Oct '25 - 30 Apr '26
11 Apr '26 - 24 May '26
Commonly asked questions
The minimum academic criteria for MBA admission through CMAT is minimum 50% in graduation for General category students and minimum 45% for SC/ST/PwD category students. Even though this eligibility criteria is not mandatory for CMAT, it is the basic requirement for full time MBA as per the AICTE regulations.
For admission to MBA/MMS courses offered by State affiliated universities, Maharashtra State CET cell accepts CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT/ATMA scores too for All India category candidates. If you wish to participate in the MAH MBA CAP round through your CMAT score, you can fill the CAP registration form and participate in seat allotment rounds. The MAH MBA CAP is conducted in June-September every year, after the announcement of MAH MBA CET result.
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jul '26 | XAT 2027 registration dates |
Sep '26 | XAT 2027 mock test |
Aug '26 | SNAP 2026 Registration Process |
28 Nov '26 | SNAP 2026 admit card session 1... |
1 Apr '26 - 25 May '26 | MAT May 2026 Registration PBT |
1 Apr '26 - 8 Jun '26 | MAT May 2026 Registration CBT |
5 Aug '26 - 23 Sep '26 | CAT 2026 application |
29 Nov '26 | CAT 2026 exam |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
24 Feb '26 - 21 Apr '26 | ATMA registration 2026 (May) |
19 Apr '26 | ATMA 2026: Last Date of Fee Pa... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 hours ago
Validity of CMAT score is one year in most of the colleges. There are a very few and Tier 3 colleges that may accept CMAT score from previous years. So, if they wish to drop a year, they should appear for the exam again in the next session.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 8 hours ago
The first criteria is CMAT cut off. Candidates should shortlist all the colleges whose cut off is same or lower than their score. Thereafter, check fees, location, accreditation, curriculum, pedagogy and placement reports to choose one foe themselves.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 8 hours ago
CMAT score is not valid for admission to IIMs. Candidates who have appeared for CMAT exam can select from over 1300 other MBA colleges in India to pursue the course.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, 6 months is enough to prepare for CMAT exam. Make a plan in the following manner:
First 3 months | Cover syllabus |
Next 2 months | Practice mock tests |
Last 1 month | Revision and more mock test |
Read More: CMAT preparation in 6 months
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
All the five sections of CMAT have equal weightage of 20 questions and 80 marks. Candidates must prepare keeping in mind, scoring a minimum of 50 in every section is important for a decent score.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates can prepare for CMAT Logical Reasoning with:
· Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
· How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
· A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
· Concepts of LR - Logical Reas
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The CMAT exam application usually starts from third week of October. Last date for application is around November last week. The exam is conducted in fourth week of January. Results are declared by February second week. The seats are allotted by ACPC. The registrations start from June and continue t
B
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Yes, ICMAI has announced release date for CMA Final exam to be conducted between June 11 and June 18 on its official website. As per the notice, the result will be announced the latest by August 05, 2026.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 weeks ago
According to official notice released by ICMAI, the CMA Foundation result for June 2026 exam will be released the latest by July 09, 2026.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
Read Full Bio