CMAT is a pan India exam and nearly 75000 candidates appear for it every year. CMAT cut off percentiles of top colleges is in the higher range and it is tough to get through if you haven’t scored enough. So, as you prepare to appear for CMAT 2026, check what is a good score in the exam.
What is a good score in CMAT?
CMAT exam score is accepted by over 1300 MBA colleges in India. It includes all AICTE approved institutions, including top B Schools such as JBMIS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, Welingkar, Great Lakes, NL Dalmia, IMT among others. CMAT cut offs for admission are on the higher side in these institutes. So, you will need a minimum of 99.99 percentile, if your target college is one of these three. But, not everyone can score 99 percentile. About 53453 candidates appeared for the CMAT this year and only a handful will score 99 percentile. So, what is a good score in CMAT 2026? Looking at the overall cut off trends over the year, scoring above 85 percentile will keep you safe, if you are okay with a Tier 2 college.
In the CMAT exam, candidates are marked per questions, but the result is announced in percentile. So, another question that needs to be answered is what is a good score in CMAT for 99 percentile? Let’s understand this step by step.
Latest: CMAT 2026 result - live updates
- What is CMAT Score?
- How to Calculate CMAT Score?
- What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026?
- CMAT score vs percentile: Previous years’ Trend
- CMAT 2026 Cut Offs (Expected): Top B-Schools
What is CMAT Score?
CMAT score is referred to as the raw marks obtained by a candidate in the exam, i.e. the sum total of their correct and incorrect attempt. CMAT is of 400 marks so a decent score should be somewhere between 200- 250.
Also Read: 200 marks in CMAT
Commonly asked questions
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.
Cracking Logical Reasoning section of CMAT is all about how well and how quickly you understand the puzzles and patterns. To master this section of CMAT exam, sample questions for practice and sectional mock tests for CMAT are the best resource. You should start practicing Logical Reasoning questions early on in the preparation cycle. Pay attention to the topics from which Logical Reasoning questions are asked in CMAT. Prepare for those type of questions only. For Data Interpretation section of CMAT. You should be well versed with reading tables, graphs and charts correctly. For quick calculation, you should strengthen basic mathematical calculations like multiplication, division, square, square roots, cube, cube roots, etc. This section is all about observation and ability to break down information into pieces, so you need to practice a wide range of data interpretation questions.
All the five sections of CMAT have equal weightage of 20 questions and 80 marks. Candidates must prepare keeping in mind, scoring a minimum of 50 in every section is important for a decent score.
Yes, 6 months is enough to prepare for CMAT exam. Make a plan in the following manner:
First 3 months | Cover syllabus |
Next 2 months | Practice mock tests |
Last 1 month | Revision and more mock test |
Read More: CMAT preparation in 6 months
How to Calculate CMAT Score?
For every correct answer, 4 marks are awarded and for every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted. So, let’s calculate CMAT score with an example.
- There are 100 questions in CMAT and you attempted 75.
- 60 were correct and 10 were incorrect
- So your CMAT score will be: 75x4 - 10 = 290
Now, lets come to the question, what is a good score in CMAT?
The CMAT score of a candidate is converted into percentile for result preparation. This percentile is the key to getting the B-School of your choice. CMAT percentile is essentially a candidate’s rank in comparison to rest of the test takers. For example, candidate who has scored the highest and he/she is the only one to score the highest, his/her percentile will be 100. The CMAT percentile calculation formula is:
Percentile P = 100 x Number of candidates appeared in the examination with raw marks equal to or less than the candidate/Total number of candidates appeared.
Also Read:
What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026?
CMAT 2026 exam was held in a single shift so there will be no score normalization. The percentiles will be calculated from candidate’s raw scores. Check below an estimation of CMAT score vs percentile 2026.
| CMAT Score |
CMAT Percentile |
|---|---|
| 350+ |
100.00 |
| 340 |
99.99 |
| 330 |
99.70 |
| 300 |
99.55 |
| 270 |
99 |
| 265 |
97 |
| 245 |
95 |
| 205 |
90 |
| 180 |
80 |
| 175 |
70 |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
CMAT mock test is an important aspect of exam preparation. You cannot score well in the exam with extensive practice of mock tests.
If you have appeared for CMAT before and have complete conceptual clarity of topics, you can prepare for CMAT with mock test practice only.
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.
For an effective SNAP preparation, candidates must make a plan which includes the following:
· Timeline of syllabus coverage, practice and revision session
· Time bound syllabus coverage (at least a month before the exam day)
· Daily practice sessions of SNAP mock tests or sample papers
· Daily revision of important chapters, concepts and formula
· Regular problem solving sessions with peers and mentors
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CMAT score vs percentile: Previous years’ Trend
CMAT score vs percentile fluctuates, due to difference in difficulty level of the paper and number of test takers every year. Check below the trend of CMAT score and percentile, in the last four years.
| CMAT Percentile |
CMAT Score |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
|
| 99.99 |
340+ |
340+ |
350 |
360 |
| 99.70 |
330 |
326 |
335 |
330 |
| 99.5 |
300 |
310 |
306 |
303 |
| 99 |
270 |
280 |
296 |
293 |
| 95 |
245 |
250 |
265 |
260 |
| 90 |
205 |
225 |
250 |
240 |
| 80 |
180 |
195 |
220 |
211 |
| 70 |
175 |
190 |
190 |
180 |
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CMAT 2026 Cut Offs (Expected): Top B-Schools
Check below expected cut off percentiles for top CMAT accepting colleges. These are estimations should be taken as reference only.
| Colleges accepting CMAT score |
CMAT Cut Off (percentile) |
|---|---|
| 99.92 |
|
| 99.85 |
|
| 99.20 |
|
| 99.06 |
|
| 95 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 82 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 75 |
|
| 75 |
|
| 75 |
|
| 75 |
|
| 75 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
|
| SSN School of Management (SSN SOM) |
75 |
| 60 |
|
| 60 |
|
| 60 |
Read More:
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
Three months may not be enough for CMAT preparation, if you're doing it from scratch. However, if you are preparing for CAT, XAT, NMAT, you can prepare for CMAT in 3 months as you have clear understanding of the syllabus already and you will need exam specific practice only.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, candidates are not required to appear in CMAT to be eligible for BTech in CSE + MBA integated course at UIT, Karnavati University. For this course, candidates are required to appear in either JEE Mains or GUJCET to qualify for admissions.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
If you have appeared for CMAT before and have complete conceptual clarity of topics, you can prepare for CMAT with mock test practice only.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Manorama Year Book, Lucent's General Knowledge will be a good source to prepare static GK for CMAT. Apart from that, you should refer Pratiyogita Darpan and GK Today for current affairs.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, you should carry a passport size photo along with the CMAT admit card on the exam day. The photo should preferably be the same as uploaded in the application form.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
CMAT 2027 admit card will not be release offline. Candidates will have to download it from the CMAT-NTA website only after logging into their account.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Although reporting time is mentioned on every candidate's CMAT admit card, they should reach at least an hour before the exam starting time.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, the digital copy of CMAT 2027 admit card will not be acceptable at the test centre. Candidates will have to carry 2 hard copies of the hall ticket on the exam day.
N
Contributor-Level 7
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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