CMAT Counselling 2026: Check Admission Process, Criteria, and Dates
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
CMAT counselling - NTA does not conduct any common counselling for CMAT. The score accepting colleges determine admission cut offs and conduct selection process as per their own schedule. Admission process for CMAT 2025 qualifiers is over at most of the score accepting colleges. Students aspiring to pursue MBA in the next academic year must register for CMAT 2026. The registration window for CMAT exam is open from October 17 to November 17, 2025. Fee payment can be done till November 18, 2025.
CMAT 2026 exam date has not been announced by the NTA yet, but it is expected that the exam will be held in the third week of January 2026. No change has been announced in the CMAT exam pattern or syllabus.
Over 1,300 B-Schools in India accept CMAT score for MBA/PGDM admission. CMAT counselling or admission process mainly includes Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The institutes shortlist candidates on the basis of CMAT scores of the applicants and call them for GD/PI.
- CMAT Admission Process: Key Points
- CMAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
- CMAT Admission Criteria and Eligibility
- Stages of CMAT Admission Process 2026
- Documents Required for CMAT Admission 2026
- Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores
- FAQs on CMAT Counselling
CMAT Admission Process: Key Points
Admission through CMAT is based on Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI). Some B-Schools conduct Writing Ability Test (WAT) instead of GD. The CMAT accepting colleges conduct the GD/PI/WAT round as per their own admission cycle so candidates must check the official websites of their preferred colleges for application updates.
Steps of admission through CMAT
Here are a few key points related to CMAT admission process, one should keep in mind:
-
NTA, the CMAT conducting body, does not conduct any common admission process or counselling for seat allocation.
- Validity of CMAT score is one year. If a candidates wishes to drop a year, they will have to appear for CMAT again.
- CMAT score accepting MBA institutes have their own admission criteria and selection process which they share in admission brochure.
-
CMAT exam qualifying candidates have to apply to each institute of their choice separately and participate in their selection process.
- Application process for MBA colleges is online and candidates have to visit specific college's website to fill the form.
- Candidates have to pay application fee for every target institute to be able to register for admission.
- Having the required CMAT score does not confirm admission. Selection of candidates is based on GD/PI and academic record.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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.
CMAT Admission Criteria and Eligibility
Candidates seeking admission to an MBA programme must fulfill the following CMAT admission criteria, common to all the CMAT participating institutes:
- Academic requirement: Candidates must fulfil the minimum score requirement for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation
- Valid CMAT score: Selection is largely based on CMAT cut off, which is institute specific
- Good performance in GD/PI: Final selection is based on candidate's skill and abilities displayed during GD/PI
- Work experience (if applicable): There are additional points for work experience for MBA admission in all top B-Schools
Stages of CMAT Admission Process 2026
1.CMAT Admission Process: Screening of Candidates
The CMAT participating institutes fix cut offs to select candidates for admission. The criteria of fixing CMAT cut off may vary for every institute. The institutes will accept applications from only those candidates who will meet the minimum CMAT cut off criteria. They will be then invited to participate in Group Discussion/Written Ability Test and Personal Interview.
Also read: CMAT cut offs of top MBA institutes
2.CMAT Admission Process: Group Discussion
Group discussion conducted as part of CMAT selection process will be to assess the candidate’s communication skills, leadership quality, problem solving ability and other personality traits. A lot of weightage is given to this round for admission hence, candidates must prepare well for this round. They must read a lot on socio-economic issues and current affairs and practice public speaking.
3.CMAT Admission Process: Personal Interview
The Personal Interview round is conducted by the institutes to assess the candidate's interpersonal skills, personality, general & managerial aptitude, command over speech, confidence and knowledge of business and industry. It is mandatory to be present in person for both Group Discussion and Personal Interview. Those who will not attend this round, will not be considered for admission.
Also Read: Top MBA colleges accepting CMAT score for admission
4.CMAT Admission Process: Final Selection
Final selection for admission will be based on the candidate’s overall performance in the CMAT exam, Group Discussion and Personal Interview, academic history and other professional/ECA merits. Admission offers will be sent to selected candidates by the institutes and they will be required to complete the formalities within the deadline.
Commonly asked questions
The next CMAT exam will be held in January 2026. The NTA will start registration for the same in November 2025. 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.
CMAT cut offs are determined by the score accepting colleges individually. The colleges determine admission cut offs on the basis of certain parameters such as:
· CMAT result trend and exam difficulty level
· Previous years' CMAT cut offs for their college
· Number of exam test takers
· College ranking
· Overall pass percentage and scoring trend in CMAT of that particular year
Documents Required for CMAT Admission 2026
Documents to carry for Group Discussion and Personal Interview for admission to MBA/PGDM course through CMAT exam are listed below. Additional documents if required will be specified by the institute in the PI-call letter. Candidates must arrange the following documents before their GD/PI schedule:
| Documents required (original and self-attested photocopy) | |
|---|---|
| CMAT scorecard |
CMAT admit card |
| Class 10 marksheet and certificate |
Class 12 marksheet and certificate |
| Graduation marksheet and certificate |
Date of birth certificate |
| Valid photo ID issued by the Government of India |
Permanent Address proof |
| Caste/PWD certificate |
ECA certificates or proof of recognition |
| Planning to study MBA in India? Find useful insights & emerging trends on student preferences for MBA colleges, locations and more. |
Commonly asked questions
The academic score criteria of minimum 50% in graduation for General category candidates and minimum 45 % for SC/ST/PwD candidates is a mandatory criteria set by AICTE for all colleges offering technical education including MBA, so it is very unlikely that if you don't have the minimum academic score by meet CMAT cut off, you will still get admission.
Yes, there are CMAT accepting colleges which do not conduct GD/PI. The seat allotment is based on counselling process based on CMAT cut off and candidate's choice of college. Most of the Maharashtra MBA colleges such as JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, Welingkar's, IMT, KJ Somaiya, etc. that participate in MAH CET CAP round, offer admission without GD/PI.
Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT Score: City Wise
Candidates can check from the list below, their preferred MBA college in their preferred city for admission through CMAT:
FAQs on CMAT Counselling
Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CMAT counsellling:
Commonly asked questions
CMAT Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 hours ago
GGSIPU CMAT cutoff 2026 is expected to be around in the range of 95 to 99 percentile according to the previous years cutoff data. For admission to the MBA programmes at GGSIPU, candidates are expected to appear for the CMAT exam and clear the selection round of their chosen college. For more details
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
Hi.
To get admission in Marvadi University, Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories) and a valid CMAT score.
The fees for MBA is
- MBA (General): The total academic fee is approximately ₹2.53 Lakhs. The annual tuition fee for the Genera
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered a week ago
CMAT Cutoff 2025 has not been released yet. According to the NIA Pune CMAT Cutoff 2024, the overall percentile required for admission to NIA Pune MBA course was 75 for the students belonging to the General All India category. For more information, click here.
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School, therefore, accepts 'all national-level entrance examination' scores that include the major management exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, and in some cases State CET exams for admissions to PGDM and MBA programs. These scores will determine a candidate's eligibility for
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School accepts scores from CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, and various State CETs for admission to its PGDM program.
These entrance exams serve as the primary eligibility criteria for candidates applying to GIBS. The institute evaluates applicants based on their test scores along with
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The admissions into MBA courses at Marwadi University have been concluded in the year 2025. Hence, candidates can no longer apply for admissions into the MBA course at Marwadi University in the year 2025. The CMAT exam for the year 2025 has also been concluded for this year. Candidates must now wait
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, candidates do not have to mandatorily appear for the CMAT entrance exam for MBA in Business Analytics at Marwadi University. Candidates can apply for MBA admissions through any of the national level entrance exam such as CAT, XAT, ATMA and more. However, during admissions into the MBA in Busines
S
Contributor-Level 10
1431 Institutes accepting CMAT
4.3Srinagar • Public
XAT 2026 Exam registration 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25
What is the CMAT 2026 expected cutoff?