CMAT eligibility criteria is Graduation or equivalent degree. There is no minimum score required to apply for this exam. Check below, complete eligibility criteria 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.
No, you cannot appear for the CMAT exam at any test centre. You can appear for the test at the centre mentioned in your CMAT admit card. Entry at every CMAT test centre is given to candidates only after thorough scrutiny of the hall ticket and ID proof. If you attempt to gain entry in any other test centre, you will be disqualified. Thus, candidates must make sure that they check the location of their allotted test centre beforehand and reach there on exam day on time. If they reach the test centre after the gates have been closed they will not be allowed entry under any circumstances. CMAT test centre gates close 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
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.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
Three months may not be enough for CMAT preparation, if you're doing it from scratch. However, if you are preparing for CAT, XAT, NMAT, you can prepare for CMAT in 3 months as you have clear understanding of the syllabus already and you will need exam specific practice only.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, candidates are not required to appear in CMAT to be eligible for BTech in CSE + MBA integated course at UIT, Karnavati University. For this course, candidates are required to appear in either JEE Mains or GUJCET to qualify for admissions.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
If you have appeared for CMAT before and have complete conceptual clarity of topics, you can prepare for CMAT with mock test practice only.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
Manorama Year Book, Lucent's General Knowledge will be a good source to prepare static GK for CMAT. Apart from that, you should refer Pratiyogita Darpan and GK Today for current affairs.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Yes, you should carry a passport size photo along with the CMAT admit card on the exam day. The photo should preferably be the same as uploaded in the application form.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
CMAT 2027 admit card will not be release offline. Candidates will have to download it from the CMAT-NTA website only after logging into their account.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
Although reporting time is mentioned on every candidate's CMAT admit card, they should reach at least an hour before the exam starting time.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, the digital copy of CMAT 2027 admit card will not be acceptable at the test centre. Candidates will have to carry 2 hard copies of the hall ticket on the exam day.
N
Contributor-Level 7
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
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