All About CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT: Full Form, Eligibility, Dates, Exam Fees, Syllabus

CAT score is valid for one year at the IIMs and top B-Schools. In some tier 3 and government institutions, CAT score of previous two years are also acceptable. Many B-schools including IIMs have an option of deferment of admission, wherein you can confirm your admission and pay the nominal fee but join the batch in the next year. It is advised that candidates take admission in the same year as their CAT attempt so that they don't have to reappear next year. Given the competition in MBA space, it is difficult to get a good college whether you have a low score or average score. So, incase one is getting a good college, they should take admission and not drop a year to appear for CAT again.

NMAT exam is conducted for admission to more than 45 b-schools in India. The exam eligibility criteria can vary from the eligibility criteria of a particular institute. Additionally, MBA eligibility conditions for all participating institutes can vary. However, the NMAT exam eligibility remains the same. The space below mentions the NMAT eligibility criteria:

• Candidate must have a bachelor's degree, completed under 10+2+3 or four years of education pattern, irrespective of the stream.
• Aggregate score in the graduation degree level should not be less than 50 per cent the final year of the degree course.
• Candidates waiting for results or are currently in the final year of graduation are eligible to apply for NMAT exam.

Those who are yet to pass the bachelor's degree course get a provisional admission until the graduation mark sheet and certificate of the qualifying examination are submitted at the participating institute.

Candidates who have score a minimum of 50 per cent in aggregate in graduation are eligible to apply (45 per cent forSC/ST/PwD candidates). The graduation degree should be from a universityrecognisedby the UGC. If you are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree programme and wish to appear for IIF then you need to have scored a minimum 50 per cent in aggregate in first two years of your Bachelor's degree (45 per cent for Reserved category candidates). However, your admission will be provisional until you submit your Graduation certificate before the last date of document submission fixed by the institute.

 Aspirants must note that there is no age limit to appear in the IIFT entrance exam. The only eligibility criteria for IIFT exam is graduation with required score. Fresh graduates as well as individuals having work experience can also appear for the IIFT entrance exam which is held for admission to MBA-International Business and MBA-Business Analytics.

CAT toppers are determined on the basis of candidate percentiles. Those whose overall percentiles are 100 and 99.99, they are declared the toppers of CAT exam. To calculate CAT percentiles, raw scores of every CAT candidate is normalized on the same scale and the following formula is applied:

P = (R/N) * 100

where,

P= Percentile score

R= Rank of the candidate arrived at on the basis of scaled CAT score or the total number of test takers ranking below a particular candidate.

N= Number of candidates who appeared in CAT exam (all three sessions)

The minimum academic criteria for MBA admission through CMAT is minimum 50% in graduation for General category students and minimum 45% for SC/ST/PwD category students. Even though this eligibility criteria is not mandatory for CMAT, it is the basic requirement for full time MBA as per the AICTE regulations.

The next CMAT exam will be 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 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.