CMAT 2026 Exam Day Tips and Preparation Strategy
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
Scoring high in a speed based exam requires quick action and eye for detail. Take a look at CMAT 2026 preparation and exam day tips to optimise your performance on the CMAT exam day.
CMAT is a three-hour test wherein candidates have to read 100 questions and solve about 70-75 questions accurately. This process can be mentally and physically tiring. Candidates must devise an exam day strategy before hand so that they can optimise their performance in the given time frame. For making a CMAT exam day strategy, ensure that you complete the revision of CMAT syllabus much before and shift your focus to revision of important concepts and formulae. Revise concepts and formulae from Quantitative Techniques and Logical Reasoning, make notes for Language Comprehension and memorise static GK for General Awareness section of CMAT exam.
Latest - CMAT 2026 admit card download- live updates
CMAT 2026 will be held on January 25 in two shifts. Since we all know that good result is the outcome of not only how much you know but how well you use that knowledge. A day before the exam, you should prepare a strategy on how to handle those crucial three hours when you will be writing the CMAT 2026 exam. It’s not the big errors but silly mistakes that affect performance. Thus there’s a need to pay attention to all the aspects of the exam. So, let’s take a look at some CMAT exam day tips that will complement your CMAT 2026 preparation.
Also read: Best books for CMAT preparation 2026
CMAT 2026: Preparing for the Exam Day
First of all, read the guidelines mentioned on the CMAT admit card 2026. For a hassle free exam, you need to know the dos and don’ts. It is very important that you not only read the instructions carefully but also understand and remember them on the exam day.
Listed below are some important CMAT preparation and exam day tips:
- Once you are infront of the computer system to start the test, read the instructions given on the CMAT question paper thoroughly and understand them clearly. Don't rush to the questions, the test screen will anyway not move to questions until it's time.
- CMAT is a computer based test, and you will have to use the computer mouse to punch in your answer. Attempt the official CMAT mock test before the exam day to have an experience of it.
- Only one question will appear on screen at a time. This is a helpful feature as the candidate's focus will be drawn towards only one question at a given time.
- There is no sectional time-limit in CMAT, thus you will be at complete freedom of choosing the order of sections in CMAT 2026. Start with solving the section which is your strength area.
- Keep a close look at the timer. The CMAT exam timer will start the moment you will click on 'Start Test' button. The test will automatically stop once the time is up. Divide three hours in such a way that you get enough time to spend on all five sections of CMAT.
- Unlike several other top MBA entrance exams, in CMAT you have the option to reviewy your answer. If you want to attempt or review a question later, choose the 'flag' button.
- In CMAT, you can even edit your answer at any point of time. To deselect the answers marked, click on 'deselect' button. Be careful in using these features and submit/save your final answer within the time limit.
CMAT 2026: Exam Day Guidelines
- Candidates must visit their CMAT 2026 test centre 2 hours before the exam commencement time.
- No stationary other than a blue/black ball point pen will be allowed inside the test hall. Blank paper for rough work will be provided by the invigilator.
- Cell phones, calculators, log tables, book, paper, documents, picture, bag, waist pouch, ear phones, etc. are not allowed inside the exam centre.
- Do not carry eatables, bags, wallets or valuables. Accesories with metal will not be allowed inside the exam venue.
- Diabetic students can carry sugar candy and fruits like banana, orange or apple.
- CMAT is conducted under CCTV surveillance so don’t resort to illegal means or malpractices like cheating.
- No additional time will be given to candidates so they must ensure they don't waste the time and complete the paper within three hours.
- Do carry two copies of your CMAT 2026 admit card to the exam centre. Affix the same passport size photo as uploaded in the application form.
- Carry a copy of the same photo to paste in the attendance form at the CMAT 2026 exam centre.
- CMAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to exam hall. No candidate will be allowed to enter tst centre without it
- It is also necessary for each CMAT 2026 candidate to carry a copy of their photo ID proof issued by Government of India or any other competent authority.
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Yes, there is a negative marking in CMAT exam. For each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted. However, no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.
CMAT has five sections.
Given below is the sectional break up of CMAT exam:
- Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- Logical Reasoning: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- Language Comprehension: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- General Awareness: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: 20 questions of 4 marks each.
Latest CMAT exam pattern is given below:
- Question paper carries 100 MCQs
- Each section has 20 question
- Exam duration is 180 minutes
- Each question carries 4 marks
- There is no negative marking
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
CMAT cutoff refers to minimum percentile required for admission to a particular college. Score accepting colleges determine the cut offs individually based on certain parameters. CMAT cut offs for top colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA are generally 99 percentile and above.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
With 82 percentile in CMAT, you stand a chance of getting colleges like Great Lakes Institute of Management Gurgaon, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, IPE Hyderabad, FLAME University Pune, Asia Pacific Institute of Management Delhi, Prestige Institute of Management Indore among others.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
CMAT total marks is 400. It is usually considered that scoring 270 to 300 marks can convert into good percentile, about 99 percentile. Around 200 marks can get you 90 percentile which is also good if you are targeting private colleges.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
There is no passing mark in CMAT exam, as admission is based on cut offs determined by colleges. A candidate scoring more than 0 in CMAT is eligible for admission will be selected only if they meet minimum cut off.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
CMAT 2026 result is expected to be declared by February 13, 2026. NTA has not shared any official date but if you look at the trends of previous year, CMAT result has always been released within 3 to 4 weeks of exam.
E
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, GIM Goa does not accept CMAT scores for its PGDM programs for admissions. It only accepts CAT or XAT exam score. CAT score of previous year is accepted and XAT score of current year is accepted.
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, CMAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into the MBA course at NSUT. Even CMAT scores are not the first priority of the admission committee to shortlist the students. Because the university considers the scores of CAT/ MAT for selecting the students. If the seats get vacant, then only CMAT
I
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
CMAT is one of the important examinations for admission to the MBA course at Biyani Group of Colleges. However, as the MBA course at Biyani Group of Colleges is offered with the affiliation of Rajasthan Technical University. Thus, there are chances that the college can accept the relevant scores of
I
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
CMAT 2026 admit card was available for download until exam day (January 25). Candidates must download CMAT-NTA admit card as soon as it is released and save it.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
CMAT 2026 admit card was released on January 21, 2026. Candidates had to download it from the CMAT-NTA website, by using their login credentials.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Sectional weightage of CMAT is same. Since the Language Comprehension section of CMAT includes reading comprehension passages, it can be considered a lengthy section. However, any other section can also be lengthier due to nature of the questions.