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Vipra Shrivastava
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Updated on Sep 29, 2025 18:38 IST

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 2026.

CMAT eligibility criteria

CMAT eligibility criteria is graduation which is the minimum requirement to be fulfilled by candidates for appearing in this national level MBA entrance exam. The eligibility criteria for the Common Management Admission Test or CMAT as prescribed by National Testing Agency (NTA) is considered by and valid for all AICTE approved B-school offering admissions to MBA/PGDM courses on basis of CMAT scores. 

CMAT 2026 exam registration process will begin most likely in November 2025. The CMAT application form 2026 will be available online at NTA website. Meeting the minimum academic requirement is mandatory for appearing in CMAT. Candidates must apply only if they meet the eligibility criteria. Read this article to check complete CMAT eligibility criteria 2026 including educational qualification, age limit and reservation policy.

Table of content
  • CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
  • CMAT Reservation Criteria 2026
  • CMAT Reservation under Persons with Disabilities
  • CMAT Eligibility for Scribe/Reader

 CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Given below are the main eligibility criteria for CMAT:

  • Candidates applying for the CMAT 2026 must be an Indian resident.
  • Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree of minimum three-year duration or equivalent in any stream from AICTE approved institute/university.
  • Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply for CMAT exam provided their result will be declared before admission for academic year begins.
  • 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 2026

CMAT Reservation Criteria 2026

There is no reservation policy for CMAT exam but for admissions, the B-schools accepting CMAT scores will be considering 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 application form.

CMAT Reservation Policy

For admission through CMAT candidates can avail reservation at the AICTE recognised institutes as per the government guidelines. Candidates will have to submit relevant documents verified by competent authority to avail reservation. 

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

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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:

  1. Blindness and low vision
  2. Deaf and hard of hearing
  3. Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy
  4. Autism, intellectual disability, specified learning disability and mental illness, and
  5. Persons suffering multiple disabilities from (1) to (4)
  6. Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in RPwD Act 2016

Candidates can change their category in the CMAT 2026 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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Q:   What are the benefits of appearing in CMAT?
A:

There are several benefits of appearing in the CMAT exam. It is easier than other exams and accepted by many B-schools. Check below some of the key benefits of CMAT.

  • CMAT is conducted at the end of MBA entrance exam season, so MBA aspirants don't have to study much as the previous experience of exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP comes in use.
  • CMAT score is accepted by about 1,300 MBA colleges in India which includes top colleges in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. 
  • CMAT exam is a moderate difficulty level exam so it is easier to score high in CMAT than CAT, XAT, IIFT, GMAT.
  • CMAT cut offs for admission to top colleges are not exceptionally high, so you can get a good MBA college with a decent CMAT score.
  • There's no 50 per cent aggregate criteria for CMAT application. Candidates with passing marks in graduation can also appear for the exam. 
  • CMAT application fee for women and reserved category candidates is only INR 1,000 which is quite less as compared to CAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP fees.
Q:   When can I apply for CMAT?
A:

The next CMAT exam will be held in January 2026. The NTA will start registration for the same in November 2025. Those interested in appearing for the exam are required to register for it at CMAT-NTA website and fill 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.

Q:   What is the eligibility criteria for admission to colleges accepting CMAT score?
A:
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. Apart from academic criteria, candidates have to also fulfil the CMAT cut off criteria. CMAT cut offs are different for different institutes. The CMAT cut offs are fixed by the institutes individually on the basis of several parameters. Only those candidates are shortlisted for admission who meet the minimum cut off criteria. If a candidate does not meet the CMAT cut off, they will not be considered for Group Discussion and Personal Interview round or direct admission. Meeting CMAT cut off is the prerequisite for admission to the MBA institutes. Candidates must visit their preferred institute website and check the CMAT cut off percentile required, before applying for admission.
Q:   Is CMAT score accepted by IIMs?
A:

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.

Q:   Can I appear for CMAT at any test centre?
A:

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.

Q:   I belong to SC category. Is there any marks relaxation in CMAT for SC students?
A:

There is no minimum marks criterion for appearing in CMAT exam. Any candidate who has passed a Bachelor's degree programme from a recognised university can apply. Final year candidates are also eligible to apply for CMAT if they scored passing marks in their first and second year of Bachelor's degree programme. However, there is a minimum score requirement at CMAT accepting colleges for admission. All the UGC and AICTE approved institutions have the minimum score requirement of 45 per cent in aggregate in graduation for candidates for Scheduled Caster/ Scheduled Tribe and Person with Disability categories. Thus, you must ensure that you have an aggregate score of at least 45 per cent in your graduation to be able to get admission into a full-time MBA programme at a government recognised institution.

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About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. Read Full Bio
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