CMAT 2026: Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Syllabus, Pattern, Cutoff, Top Colleges

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a business aptitude test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA/PGDM courses offered by government recognised institutes. Earlier, AICTE used to conduct CMAT, but from 2019 onwards NTA is conducting it on behalf of AICTE. The CMAT is an objective-type test of 3 hours. It is conducted in 2 sessions. CMAT question paper consists of 100 questions from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. CMAT is a moderate difficulty level test and one can crack it with basic preparation. CMAT score is also accepted for admission to Maharashtra State institutes through MAH CET CAP. 

Key Aspects of the CMAT exam

• CMAT is a popular MBA entrance exams in India after CAT.
• About 75,000 candidates appear for the CMAT every year.
• CMAT 2026 score will be accepted by about 1,300 B-schools in India including Great Lakes Institute of Management, JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai and PUMBA.
• There is no common counselling for CMAT. Qualifying candidates have to apply to score accepting colleges separately for admission. 
• CMAT accepting colleges conduct WAT/GD/PI for selecting candidates for MBA programme.
• Candidates can also seek admission by participating in the MAH MBA CAP with their CMAT score.

CMAT scores are accepted by all AICTE approved institutions. About 75,000+ MBA aspirants appear for the CMAT exam every year. It is a popular exam among aspirants of Tier 2 and Tier 3 MBA colleges. Check the table below for key aspects of CMAT 2026 exam:

CMAT Features	Details
CMAT Full Form	Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency
CMAT 2026 exam date	Last week of January 2026
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Exam Mode	Computer Based Test
Exam Duration	180 minutes or 3 hours
Exam Syllabus	Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability General Awareness Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Exam Pattern	100 questions in MCQ format (20 questions in each section)
Language	English
CMAT Exam Fees	INR 2,500 (General category male) INR 1,250 (General category female/reserved category students)
Exam Purpose	Admission to 1,300 MBA colleges
Course Offered	MBA/PGDM
No. of Test Cities	107
No. of applicants	74,012 (for the year 2025)
Exam Helpdesk No.	Helpline No.- 011-40759000 (09:30 AM to 06:00 PM during working days)
Address	NTA C-20 1A/8, Sector 62 IITK Outreach Centre, NOIDA-201309
CMAT Official Website	https://exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/?

Candidates planning to appear for CMAT 2026 must ensure they fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria before applying so that their candidature is not cancelled at a later stage. Given below is the detailed academic eligibiliy crieteria for CMAT exam 2026:

• Candidate must have graduation (in any stream) or equivalent degree from a recognized university.
• Final year graduation students can also appear in CMAT 2026. Their candidature will remain provisional until submission to graduation completion certificate to the MBA institute.
• There is no minimum score percentage criteria for CMAT exam. Only passing marks is required for graduation.
• MBA colleges accepting CMAT score may have minimum score criteria of 50% for unreserved categories and 45% for reserved categories.
• There is no upper age limit for CMAT. Anybody at any phase of their career can appear for CMAT.

Also Read: CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

CMAT 2026 application is an online process in which candidates have to register at NTA website. Check below the steps to follow for CMAT 2026 registration:

Step 1: Go to NTA-CMAT website: https://exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/

Step 2: Click on new registration option and enter name, date of birth, email ID and phone number 

Step 3: Create CMAT account and user ID by confirming registration via OTP/e-mail

Step 4: Fill the CMAT application form 2026 by furnishing personal and academic details

Step 5: Upload passport size photo and scanned signature in prescribed format

Step 6: Pay the CMAT registration fees via credit/debit card or internet banking 

CMAT Application Fee 

CMAT application fee is to be paid online at the time of form filling via debit card, credit card or net banking. Check the table below for category wise CMAT fees. The fee is non-refundable. 

Category	CMAT fees
General Male	INR 2500
SC/ST/PwD/Female/Transgender	INR 1250

Check out Complete CMAT 2025 registration process

CMAT Test Centres and Cities 2026

Aspirants will get the option to choose their preferred test city for CMAT 2026. They will have the option to choosE upto 4 cities from the given list for CMAT exam centre allotment. The CMAT 2026 test centre will be alloted first come first served basis. Candidates must select their home city or current location as first preference and the examination authority strives to allot the city of first preference to candidates. In case of seats getting filled in the city of first preference or cancellation of exam centre, the second city of preference is alloted. Candidates must submit the form at the earliest, so that they can get a test centre in the city of preference. 

Also Read: CMAT 2026 test cities and exam centres

CMAT exam pattern is simple and straightforward. There are five sections in CMAT and all five of them have equal number of questions. Marks allotted to each section is also the same. Check below key highlights of the latest CMAT exam pattern. 

CMAT Exam Pattern and Test Structure 2026
CMAT Sections	Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning Language Comprehension General Awareness Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Number of questions	100
Number of questions per section	20
Sectional time-limit	No
CMAT difficulty level	Moderate to Difficult
CMAT exam duration	3 hours (180 minutes)

CMAT Marking Scheme 2026

• For every correct answer 4 marks will be awarded
• For every incorrect answer 1 mark will be deducted
• There will be no deduction of marks for unanswered questions
• Every section will carry 100 marks
• Total marks of CMAT 2026 will be 400

CMAT exam syllabus is similar to other MBA entrance exams, but has one extra subject, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. this subject was introduced in 2020 upon recommendation of the AICTE. Given below is the detailed break down od CMAT 2026 syllabus. 

Check below key topics included in every section of CMAT syllabus 2026

• 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

To prepare better download CMAT syllabus PDF (free): CMAT syllabus PDF 

For CMAT 2026 preparation, candidates must focus mainly on practicing sample questions and CMAT mock tests. CMAT has the same syllabus as other MBA entrance exams, such as Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, Data Interpretation an General Awareness. It has only one extra subject - Innovation and Entrepreneurship but it can be handled with basic preparation. Since CMAT is conducted after CAT and XAT, candidates can use their preparation and experience of these exams to crack CMAT easily. If a candidates plans to appear for only CMAT then they will have to start preparation 6 months before the exam. The CMAT 2026 exam preparation plan should include:

1. Covering CMAT syllabus with the help of recommended books
2. Practicing CMAT mock tests and sample papers
3. Regular revision of important topics
4. Time management and exam strategy
5. Seeking guidance from mentors/teachers

Here's how to plan your CMAT 2026 preparation w.r.t. the above five main points:

1. Covering CMAT syllabus

To cover the CMAT 2026 syllabus, candidates must make monthly, weekly and daily time table. They should start with tough topics and move to easier ones. Time bound preparation is the key as post syllabus coverage, candidates will need to give ample time to practice sessions. 

For Innovation and Entrepreneurship section, refer to CMAT question papers from 2020 onwards. Now, books for this section are also available in the market. You can also look for notes and guidance in online study forums. For GK section, candidates can refer to current affairs and GK year books.

Also Read:

• CMAT Preparation Tips for Logical Reasoning
• CMAT Preparation Tips for Cracking QA-DI
• CMAT Preparation Tips for Language Comprehension
• CMAT Preparation Tips for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

2. Practicing CMAT mock tests and sample papers

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_1	CMAT Mock Test_1 Solutions
CMAT Mock Test_2	CMAT Mock Test_2 Solutions

Download free question banks for VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude for practicing high difficulty level questions. These questions banks carry answer key to each question for candidates' convenience.

Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice

Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice

Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice

3. Revision of important topics

CMAT 2026 exam preparation is incomplete until the candidate gets a strong hold on every topic included in the syllabus. To have a complete control, you need to constantly revise the topics and processes that you've been studying for solving various types of questions. Thus, keep aside an hour every day for revision of topics that you study on a particular day. In the last 15-20 days before the CMAT 2025 exam, dedicate maximum time on revision of the CMAT syllabus so that everything is fresh in memory on the exam day. Read some articles below to know various CMAT exam preparation strategies:

4. Time Management

CMAT syllabus is vast. Give yourself atleast four hours every day for CMAT preparation even if you have appeared for it before or taken CAT/XAT. Make a daily time table to divide study hours into dedicated time for concepts, practice questions and revision. You will need at least 6 months to prepare for CMAT. Time management is also important in the exam, so practice time bound mock tests as much as you can. 

5. Seek Guidance

Do not shy away from seeking guidance. There will be a lot of times when you will face road block. Sometimes you might face challenge in understanding concepts and sometimes you might face challenge in application of formula. There will come a time where you will not move ahead from a particular score in mock tests. These are the times when consulting a expert or reaching our to common students groups will help immensely. 

Also Read:

• How to Prepare for CMAT 2026 exam
• 10 Best Books for CMAT 2026 Preparation
• How to Prepare for CMAT 2026 in 6 Months
• 3-Month CMAT Preparation Plan
• CMAT Exam: Last Month Preparation Plan