CMAT 2027 exam is likely to be held in the third week of January 2027. Registration may start in October 2026. Complete schedule of CMAT exam 2027 will be known once the NTA releases official notification. Candidates will have to fill the CMAT 2027 application form at the CMAT-NTA website. Read on this page, all about CMAT exam.
Latest Updates:
- CMAT 2027 exam will be conducted in a single session.
- It will be held in 124 cities across India in CBT mode.
- Exam duration will be 180 minutes without sectional time limit.
- About 50,000 to 75,000 candidates apply for CMAT every year on a average.
- What is CMAT Exam?
- CMAT 2027 Exam Dates & Schedule
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2027
- CMAT 2027 Application Process
- CMAT 2027 Syllabus and Pattern
- CMAT 2027 Preparation Tips
- CMAT Mock Tests 2027
- CMAT 2027 Admit Card
- CMAT Question Papers and Answer Keys
- CMAT Result 2027
- CMAT Cut Offs and Top Colleges
- Important FAQs Regarding CMAT 2027
What is CMAT Exam?
Common Management Admission Test or CMAT is a business aptitude test for MBA/PGDM courses offered by AICTE approved colleges and institutions in India. The exam is conducted on a single day and various test centres. It comprises five sections - Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension. The examination score is valid for one year. Over 1300 MBA colleges in India acceept CMAT score for admisison.
Some of the popular B-Schools that accept CMAT score include Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai, BIMTECH Greater Noida, Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), PUMBA, University of Pune, IMT Nagpur, KIIT School of Management and N.L. Dalmia Institute of Management.
CMAT Exam Highlights 2027
CMAT exam is the third most popular MBA entrance exam after CAT and XAT. Check the table below for key aspects of CMAT 2027 exam:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CMAT conducting body | NTA |
| CMAT exam mode | Computer based test |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Number of test cities | 100+ |
| Number of shifts | 2 |
| Difficulty level | Moderate |
| Courses covered | MBA/PGDM |
| Current status | CMAT 2027 notification awaited |
| Next event | CMAT registration process 2027 |
Number of CMAT Applicants in 2026
NTA releases the candidate data along with CMAT result. Check below category wise data released by the NTA for number of CMAT 2026 applicants.
| Category |
General |
General EWS |
OBC NCL |
SC |
ST |
PwD/PwBD |
Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female |
14,251 |
2,933 |
6,515 |
1,400 |
414 |
40 |
25,513 |
| Male |
12,717 |
3,834 |
8,881 |
1,980 |
526 |
106 |
27,938 |
| Third gender |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
| Grand total |
26,970 |
6,767 |
15,396 |
3,380 |
940 |
146 |
53,453 |
CMAT 2027 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CMAT 2027 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Oct ' 26 - Nov ' 26 | CMAT 2027 registration and application process TENTATIVE |
| Jan ' 27 | CMAT 2027 exam TENTATIVE |
| Feb ' 27 | CMAT 2027 result TENTATIVE |
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2027
CMAT eligibility criteria is determined by AICTE. It is mandatory for candidates to meet the eligibility requirement.
- Candidate must have a graduation degree from a recognised university.
- Final year graduation students are also eligible for CMAT
- There is no 50% marks criteria is CMAT. Only passing marks is required
- However, for pursuing full time MBA, minimum score criteria of 50% is required (45% for reserved categories).
NTA-CMAT Reservation Policy
There is no reservation in appearing for CMAT exam, but score accepting colleges have to induct students on the basis of quota percentage defined by the Government on India. Check the below table to know what percentage of seats are reserved for which category for MBA admission.
| 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 |
Also Read: Detailed CMAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria
CMAT 2027 Application Process
Registration: Oct ' 26 - Nov ' 26
CMAT 2027 application form submission will be an online proecess. Candidates will have to register for the exam at the NTA website Given below is the process to apply for CMAT 2027:
- Go to NTA-CMAT website: https://cmat.nta.nic.in/
- Click on new registration option and enter basic details
- Create a login ID and confirm registration via OTP received in SMS
- Enter personal and academic details in CMAT form
- Upload passport size photo and scanned signature in prescribed form
- Pay CMAT registration fees via credit/debit card or internet banking
Documents to Upload with CMAT 2027 Application Form
In the CMAT application form 2027, candidates will have to upload a passport size photo and scanned signature. PwD candidates will have to upload PwD certificate attested by a competent authority. Check below specifications:
| CMAT Documents |
Size Limit and format |
|---|---|
| Passport size photograph |
10 kb to 200 kb in JPG/JPEG format |
| Scanned signature |
4 kb to 30 kb in JPG/JPEG format |
| PwD certificate |
50 kb to 300 kb in JPG/JPEG format |
Also Read: CMAT 2027 registration process
CMAT Application Fee
CMAT fee is different for different categories of student. Check below, fee amount that will have to be paid for CMAT 2027 registration.
| Category | CMAT fees |
|---|---|
| General Male | INR 2500 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Female/Transgender | INR 1250 |
CMAT Test Cities
The exam is conducted in over 100 cities across India. The list of CMAT 2027 test cities will be released along with the exam notification. Candidates will have the option to choose upto 4 cities for centre allotment in the application form. The allotment of CMAT test centres will be done on first cum first serve basis, thus, candidates must fill the CMAT form and pay the fee at the earliest.
CMAT 2027 Syllabus and Pattern
CMAT Syllabus is similar to other MBA entrance exams. Check details below;
CMAT Syllabus 2027
CMAT exam syllabus has same topics as other MBA entrance exams. There is only one uniques section, i.e. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Check below the important topics included in CMAT syllabus:
- CMAT Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation syllabus: Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Alligation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Tables & Charts, Bar Graphs, etc.
- CMAT Logical Reasoning syllabus: Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, Coding-Decoding, Family Tree, Clocks and Calendars, etc.
- CMAT Language Comprehension syllabus: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Fill in the Blanks, Antonym & Synonym, Idioms, Word Meaning, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, etc.
- CMAT General Awareness syllabus: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society, Personalities, Awards, Art, Entertainment, Books, Culture, Society, Science & Tech.
- CMAT Innovation & Entrepreneurship syllabus: Business Studies, Management, Business Partnership, Entrepreneurship, Start-ups and other related topics
CMAT Exam Pattern 2027
There are five sections and all five of them have equal number of questions. Marks allotted to each section is also the same. Check below key highlights of CMAT exam pattern 2027.
| CMAT Exam Pattern and Test Structure 2027 |
|
|---|---|
| CMAT Sections |
|
| Number of questions |
100 |
| Number of questions per section |
20 |
| Marks per question |
4 |
| Sectional time-limit |
No |
| CMAT difficulty level |
Moderate to Difficult |
| CMAT exam duration |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
Download: CMAT question paper PDFs (previous years)
CMAT Marking Scheme
- CMAT total marks is 400
- Every question carries 4 marks
- There is a penalty of -1 mark for incorrect attempt
- 0 marks are awarded if you skip a question
🚀 Plan Your Studies with CMAT 2027 Preparation Guides
CMAT 2027 Preparation Tips
For CMAT 2027 preparation, the main requirement is syllabus coverage and practice session. Both need ample time and focused strategy as they have to prepare 5 subjects which arre of diverse nature. The ideal time to start CMAT preparation is 6 months before the exam. However, if you decide to start CMAT preparation in September or October, you can still be prepared for the exam by January. Check below some key points to cover in the CMAT 2027 exam preparation plan:
- Covering CMAT syllabus with the help of recommended books: Candidates must refer CMAT specific books to exclusively prepare for this exam as tthose book provide key insights rrelated to the exam.
- Practicing CMAT mock tests and sample papers is a key element of exam preparation as they help candidates in improving speed and accuracy in sloving MCQs
- Regular revision and extensive practice of topics is required until the exam day to optimize performance
- Seeking guidance from mentors/teachers is the key to be able to master every topic and every question
4-Month CMAT 2027 Preparation Plan
CMAT 2027 will be held in January, so check here a 4-month CMAT 2027 preparation plan.
| Month wise plan | Details |
|---|---|
| First two months | Cover the CMAT syllabus in September and October 2026. Make a daily and weekly plan with coverage of each of five subjects. Your daily time table must include theoretical understanding as well as practice of sample questions. Study for a minimum of 6-8 hours daily. After completing each topic, pratice a few questions. Start with GK along with the other four subjects as you will not get the time for it later. |
| Third month | In the third month - November 2026, start practicing CMAT mock tests. Both sectional and full length mock tests on daily basis and analyse your performance each time. Note the gaps that need to be filled and work on them simultaneously. |
| Fourth month | In the fourth month - December 2026, start revision with mock tests. Revise each and every topic, concept, theorem, formulae and applications on daily basis. Keep practicing basis shortcuts and time saving tricks. |
Also Read:
CMAT Mock Tests 2027
Once you have completed the CMAT syllabus, practice sample papers and mock tests to analyse your preparation level. Practice 25-30 mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy in solving questions. Shiksha has created an online CMAT mock test that candidates can take free of cost below.
| CMAT Mock Test by Shiksha | ||
|---|---|---|
| CMAT Mock Test 1 | Download Questions | Download Solutions |
| CMAT Mock Test 2 | Download Questions | Download Solutions |
Candidates must practice both full length and sectional CMAT mock tests in order to cover every topic of the syllabus extensively. CMAT has no sectional time limit, so it is critical to practice sectional mocks so that you develop the skill to manage each of the five sections in a time bound manner.
CMAT 2027 Admit Card
CMAT 2027 Admit Card will be released 2-3 days before the exam. Candidates will have to download their hall ticket through login. Check below the process to download the CMAT admit card 2027.
- Go to NTA-CMAT website
- Click on 'admit card download' option
- Enter CMAT 2027 application number and password
- Click on 'sign in'
- The admit card will be displayed
- Download it in PDF format and take a print out
Also read:
CMAT 2027 City Intimation Slip
Before releasing the admit card, NTA will release the CMAT City Intimation Slip 2027 indicating the city in which candidates will be allotted a test centre. The CMAT city intimation document will be released 2-3 days before admit card release to allow candidates some time to make arrangement for travelling to the test city. The CMAT 2027 city intimation slip will be accessible through login:
- Open CMAT 2027 website
- Click on ‘city intimation’ option
- Enter application number and password to login
- Click on the tab indicating CMAT city intimation 2027
- Check your test city and download a copy of it
CMAT Question Papers and Answer Keys
CMAT Result 2027
Result: Feb ' 27
CMAT Cut Offs and Top Colleges
MBA exams whose registrations are closing soon
Register now and prepare to increase your chances at top colleges which accept these exams
2 Apr '26 - 6 Sep '26
Important FAQs Regarding CMAT 2027
CMAT syllabus is somewhat same as CAT syllabus. It has two extra subjects, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and General Awareness. However, these two subjects are not tough and can be covered alongside Quantitative Aptitude, English and Logical Reasoning. Despite having less subjects CAT is tougher than CMAT.
CAT cut offs hare higher than CMAT cut offs, due to various factors such as number of applicants, exam difficulty level, ranking of institutions, etc. CAT is conducted by IIM and is the toughest MBA entrance exam in India. Nearly 3 Lakh candidates appear for CAT exam and scores are accepted by some of the top ranking institutes. To select best of the best candidates CAT cut offs of IIMs and top colleges are very high. CMAT on the other hand is a moderate difficulty level exam and nearly 75000 candidates appear for it. It is accepted mostly by Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges.
CMAT has five subjects – Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship and to cover all of them, one will need good enough time. Overall, 3 months are needed to cover syllabus of CMAT and about 2 to 3 months for practice and revision. So, overall 6 months are good for CMAT preparation.
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.
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.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship syllabus of CMAT is not a very difficult section. The syllabus pertains to business studies, economy and entrepreneurship. So, it will not require must time to cover the syllabus. Candidate can dedicate one month to this section towards the end, while preparing for other sections. You can refer to books - Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management by R. Gopal, Entrepreneurship by Robert D. Hisrich and Manorama Year Book by Mammen Mathew.
MAT and CMAT syllabi are same for Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. MAT also has GK like CMAT, but the nature of GK questions of MAT are slightly different from that of CMAT. The MAT GK section has more questions from economy and business.
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.
Since every section of CMAT has 20 questions in total, solving 15 to 18 questions in each section with 80 percent accuracy is considered a good attempt in CMAT, and it can ensure a good percentile in the exam. In the GK section, about 10 to 12 correct attempts will be enough. Out of 100 questions, candidates must try to solve about 70 to 75 questions to achieve a 99 percentile. However, candidates must aim to solve a higher number of questions with maximum accuracy and minimize negative marking. To be able to achieve this target, candidates have to prepare for the CMAT in a disciplined manner. Candidates must set aside about three months to complete the CMAT syllabus, as they have to study five subjects and their numerous topics. If they have appeared for CAT, XAT, and IIFT exams, then they can complete the CMAT syllabus in one month as well. However, it is advised that candidates spend at least three months on CMAT syllabus for complete preparation.
CMAT Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
CMAT is a domestic exam conducted for admission to MBA/PGDM courses in MBA colleges located in India. It is not conducted outside India.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
CMAT exam is conducted in 124+ cities across India.The centre is alloted to the candidate on the basis of their choice as mentioned in the CMAT application form.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
MCA colleges in Ahmedabad without CMAT are in this table. Check courses and fees.
| MCA Colleges in Ahmedabad without CMAT | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Silver Oak College of Computer Application (SOCCA) MCA | INR 1.64 lakh |
INR 1.72 Lakh | |
INR 10, 600 | |
INR 1.2 Lacs - INR 1.3 Lakh | |
| Sabarmati University MCA | INR 90,000 |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Global University MCA Courses | INR 2.18 Lakh |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
To get a seat in the FLAME University of the MBA/PGDM course, you have to appear for any one of the accepted exams, like CAT, XAT, CMAT, etc. After clearing the exam, you have to get shortlisted for further admission round, which involves PI or GD.
For more information, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 10
4.3
Is CMAT conducted outside India too?