CMAT 2026: Last Minute Tips and Exam Strategy
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
CMAT is a speed based test so your last minute preparation matters a lot. It is critical to use all of 180 minutes judiciously so that you make maximum correct attempts for an optimum performance. Check below a few CMAT 2026 last minute prep tips.
CMAT 2026 exam will be held on January 25, 2026 and it is time now for the final preparation. You need to be thorough with the CMAT dos and don'ts for exam day because at times not big but small mistakes that cost a lot. Do not start a new chapter or try to master a topic that you've haven't been able to do so until now. Take a break so that you can perform with a relaxed mind in the CMAT exam. Here are a few things that CMAT exam 2026 test takers must do as part of their last minute preparation.
1. Revise from short notes
Do not overload your brain before the CMAT exam with heavy notes. Revise concepts, theorems, formulae, shortcuts and tricks from your notes prepared earlier. Don't try to focus on every topics. Pick the topics for last minute revision from which maximum questions are expected.
Also Read: How to Prepare for CMAT 2026
2. Accuracy and time management
There is no sectional time limit in CMAT, so you need to time yourself. Divide 180 minutes into five parts basis your strength and weakness viz. CMAT sections. Keep GK for last. There are 100 questions in CMAT, to be attempted in 180 minutes. Solving all question is not mandatory, so choose questions carefully. Spend time on only those, that you can solve accurately. There is negative marking. Don't attempt questions, you're not sure of.
3. Learn from your mistakes
Keep in mind your performance in CMAT mock tests. Make sure not to make the same mistakes in CMAT 2016. Stay away from topics and questions you find difficult. Also, use your time judiciously. CMAT is all about how to handle pressure.
Check out free CMAT mock test by Shiksha
| CMAT_Mock_Test_1 | CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
4. Set a defined strategy
Do not get caught up in 'how to do it'. You must have a clear vision on how to attempt CMAT 2026 question paper. Finalise an exam strategy. Attempt your exam with that strategy. Focus on the questions you can solve with maximum accuracy. Do not spend too much time on questions that don't come to you naturally or select questions from your strong areas to solve. Focus on achieving sectional cut offs first and then capitalise on it if time permits. Also, save some time for revision before submitting the test. GK can be handled in 10 minutes. So, divide rest of time in such a way that you get atleast 30-40 minutes for each. English and Innovation & Entrepreneurship sections are usually easy, having straightforward questions. They will need 20 minutes.
5. Have a fair idea of number of attempts for each section
It is important for you to have a fair idea of number of minimum questions to be attempted in each section of CMAT. You have to devote a specific amount of time to each section to score well in the exam. CMAT 2026 will have 20 questions each in all five sections so the target should be 15-17 correct attempts. In GK, 8-10 attempts will be enough. Practice: CMAT Question Papers of Previous Years
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6. Sort everything well in advance
Nothing can be worst than reaching your CMAT exam centre late. The entry gates will close 30 minutes before commencement of the exam. You will not get the entry if the gates have been closed already. Arrange transportation well in advance before the exam day. You can also visit the test centre a day before to see the location. Remember to get a print out of your CMAT 2026 admit card before the exam day. Also, remember to carry a passport size photo and original copy of a photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Ration Card, PAN Card, etc.
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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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 days ago
CMAT 2026 result is expected to be declared by February 14 or 15, 2026. NTA has not shared any official date but if you look at the trend of previous year, CMAT result has always been released within 3 to 4 weeks of exam.
E
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month 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.