Is CMAT score accepted by IIMs?

CMAT score is not accepted by the IIMs. These institutes accept only CAT score for their management programmes. CMAT is accepted by over 1300 MBA colleges in India which belong to mostly Tier 2 and Tier 3 status. You can seek admission with CMAT score to all AICTE approved institutions – private, government and government aided.

Is it tough to score 99 percentiles in CMAT?

It is not tough to score 99 percentile in CMAT but it is not a cake walk either. One need to study for the exam in a focused and time bound manner. It is speed based test in which time management is the key. One needs to also achieve maximum accuracy in solving CMAT questions to be able to aim for 99 percentile. Moreover, there is negative marking in CMAT, so one needs to be extremely careful in choosing questions in the exam.

Why are CAT cut offs higher than CMAT cut offs?

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.

Is meeting CMAT cut off enough for MBA admission?

Meeting CMAT cut off is the first stage of MBA admission. Candidates need to clear the Personal Interview/Group Discussion/Written Ability Test round too. Some institutes conduct only Personal Interview, some conduct Personal Interview/Group Discussion and some conduct all three, Personal Interview/Group Discussion/Written Ability Test. Apart from that, candidates must also meet the academic criteria for selection.

Will I get admission if I meet CMAT cut off but not eligibility criteria of the college?

It is quite unlikely that you can get admission if you do not meet the academic eligibility criteria for MBA. The basic criteria of selection are CMAT score and academic score. As per the AICTE, the minimum score required in graduation to qualify for MBA programme is 50 % (for SC/ST/PwD category, the minimum score requirement is 45%. So, MBA aspirants must ensure that they have scored at least 50 percent in their Bachelor's degree programme.

How to calculate CMAT percentile?

Since CMAT is usually conducted in two shifts, there are chances of the question paper of one shift being slightly tougher or easier in comparison to the question paper of other shift. In order to negate the possibility of any candidate having an advantage or disadvantage due to this, the exam authorities normalise the CMAT scores before percentile calculation. Once that is done, the authorities use the normalised score for percentile score calculation. CMAT percentile is basically a rank of a candidate vs the total number of candidates who appeared in the exam. Given below is the formula for calculating CMAT percentile prescribed by NTA: Formula to Calculate CMAT Percentile: If 10,000 candidates appeared in CMAT and only 1 candidate scored the highest marks (365/400). Since they have scored the highest in exam, their rank will be 1 and CMAT percentile score will be: 100 x 9999/10,000= 99.99.

Is MAT easier than CMAT?

MAT and CMAT both are moderately difficulty exam, but have their own challenges. While, CMAT has one extra section Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MAT has a separate section for Data Interpretation having 30 questions. With focused preparation, you can crack either of the two that you choose.

How can I apply for MAH MBA CAP through CMAT score?

For admission to MBA/MMS courses offered by State affiliated universities, Maharashtra State CET cell accepts CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT/ATMA scores too for All India category candidates. If you wish to participate in the MAH MBA CAP round through your CMAT score, you can fill the CAP registration form and participate in seat allotment rounds. The MAH MBA CAP is conducted in June-September every year, after the announcement of MAH MBA CET result.

CMAT cutoff refers to minimum percentile required for admission to a particular college. Score accepting colleges determine the cut offs individually based on certain parameters. CMAT cut offs for top colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA are generally 99 percentile and above.

What is the minimum academic criteria for admission through CMAT?

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.

What is a good score in CMAT for admission to top MBA colleges?

Ideally, one would say that 99 to100 percentile is good for MBA Admission. However, it is not possible for all candidates to score so high. So, what shall be considered a good score in CMAT. A good CMAT score is basically a score that will get you a seat in your desired college. So, if you desire a Tier 1 college, a good score in CMAT will be 85 percentile and above. If you desire a Tier 2 college, a good score in CMAT will be 70 to 85 percentile and for a Tier 3 college, less than 70 percentile in CMAT will be good. Now, if you want to understand CMAT. Score in terms of percentile, so that while giving the exam you know how much raw score is needed to get the required percentile for the desired college, you need to know how much CMAT score is equal to percentile. About 340 to 350 score is equal to 100 percentile in CMAT About 281to 340 score is equal to 90 to 99.99 percentile in CMAT About 201 to 280 score is equal to 81 to 89 percentile in CMAT About 171 to 200 score is equal to 71to 80 percentile in CMAT About 140 to 171 score is equal to 61 to 70 percentile in CMAT About 116 to 140 score is equal to 51 to 60 percentile in CMAT.

Which are the top colleges for MBA with CMAT score of 80 to 85 percentile?

If you score between 80 to 85 percentile CMAT you need not worry about admission. There are a large number of MBA colleges that accept candidates with CMAT score in the range of 80 to 85 percentile. A number of government as well as private institutes with good infrastructure and placements are within your reach. Some of those popular colleges include, Welingkar Institute of Management-Mumbai, Welingkar Institute of Management-Bangalore, Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, IFIM-Bangalore, IFMR- Chennai, NIBM-Pune, NL Dalmiya Institute of Management, IMT Hyderabad, IMT Nagpur, XISS Ranchi, ITM Navi Mumbai, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, Xavier Business School-Xavier University, Great Lakes Institute of Management-Gurgaon, BIMTECH-Greater Noida, XIME-Bangalore, ISBM-Pune, Jaipuria Institute of Management Lucknow, KIIT School of Management, IPE Hyderabad, SIES College of Management Studies-Navi Mumbai and Chetana Institute of Management and Research-Mumbai among others.

Which are the top colleges for MBA with CMAT score of 65-75 percentile?

Candidates with CMAT score of 65-75 percentile, must not feel bad about their comparatively low score. There are number of good MBA colleges in India which accept CMAT scores in this range for their postgraduate management courses. Some of the college that accept CMAT score of 65-75 percentile include, BIMTECH-Greater Noida, BIT-Mesra, DY Patil School of Management-Pune, DY Patil School of Management-Pune, Calcutta Business School, New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM) New Delhi, Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) Chennai, IES Management College And Research Centre, Mumbai, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, FIIB Delhi: Fortune Institute of International Business, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII Ahmedabad), VESIM Mumbai, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies, Delhi School of Business, EMPI Business School New Delhi, Jaypee Business School (JBS) Noida, International Institute of Management Studies (IIMS) Pune among others.

CMAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected 95 to 99): Check 2025 Cutoff for Top MBA Colleges

Q: What after CMAT result?

After CMAT result has been declared, colleges accepting the exam score for MBA/PGDM admission will start the selection process. CMAT qualifying students will be required to fill the application forms of their target MBA colleges for admission. Colleges will select students on the basis of CMAT cut offs, and then will conduct GD/PI round for final selection.

5.9K Students Q&A

Updated on Mar 19, 2026 18:14 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CMAT 2026 cut offs for top MBA colleges are in the range of 95 to 99 percentile. Highest cut offs are usually for JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA and KJ Somaiya, which is between 98.87 to 99.99 percentile. The cut off scores are determined and released by CMAT accepting institutes based on certain parameters.

Candidates have to meet the minimum CMAT cut off percentiles and clear the selection round of the institute to get admission. The selection round includes WAT/PI. The CMAT 2026 was held on January 25. The CMAT 2026 result was announced on February 17, 2026. Admission to CMAT accepting colleges is open for 2026 batch. Read all about CMAT cut offs (expected and previous years') below.

Table of contents

Factors Determining CMAT Cut Offs
CMAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
CMAT Cut Offs 2026
CMAT Cut Offs 2026: Colleges Accepting 90 Percentile and Above
CMAT Cut Offs 2026: Colleges Accepting 80-85 Percentile Range
CMAT Cut Offs 2026: Colleges Accepting 75 Percentile and Below
CMAT Selection Procedure 2026
MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT score: City-wise

Factors Determining CMAT Cut Offs

CMAT cut off percentiles are determined on the basis of various factors. Some of the main factors that influence cut offs are listed below:

Total number of candidates appearing in CMAT 2026 exam
Total number of seats available at the institute
Previous years' CMAT cut offs for admission
Total pass percentage of candidates in CMAT 2026
Difficulty level of the CMAT 2026 question paper

CMAT exam score is accepted by all the Maharashtra colleges and institutes which participate in MAH CET CAP for MBA/MMS admission. Candidates can apply for seat allotment in through CMAT in All India Category. The admission process through MBA CAP includes form filling and seat allotment based on entrance exams score cut off.

CMAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CMAT 2026 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
17 Feb ' 26	CMAT 2026 result
31 Jan ' 26 - 02 Feb ' 26	CMAT 2026 exam answer key objection

CMAT Cut Offs 2026

CMAT cut offs for top MBA colleges is mostly in range of 99 percentile and above. Since CMAT score is widely accepted by Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges, most of the test takers find a suitable one for themselves within the range of 70 to 90 percentile too. Check the table below for expected CMAT cut offs 2026:

Colleges accepting CMAT score	CMAT Cut Off
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies	99.99 percentile
SIMSREE	99.97 percentile
Goa Institute of Management	99.85 percentile
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research	99.20 percentile
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai	99.06 percentile
Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi	95 percentile
IFIM Business School, Bangalore	85 percentile
Asia-Pacific Institute of Management	85 percentile
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida	82 percentile
BIMTECH, Greater Noida	75 percentile
BIT, Mesra	75 percentile
DY Patil School of Management, Pune	75 percentile
XIME, Bangalore	75 percentile
Christ University Institute of Management	70 percentile
WeSchool Mumbai-Welingkar Institute of Management	70 percentile
WeSchool Bangalore-Welingkar Institute of Management	70 percentile
Institute of Management Studies, Ghaziabad (IMS Ghaziabad)	70 percentile
D Y Patil University School of Management (DYPUSM)	70 percentile
Jagannath International Management School (JIMS)	70 percentile
Universal Business School	70 percentile
NSB Academy	70 percentile
KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar (KSOM)	80 percentile
Alliance School of Business - Alliance University	75 percentile
Indus Business Academy, Bangalore	60 percentile
Indira Institute of Management (IIMP)	70 percentile
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	80 percentile
Amrita School of Business - DMS, Bangalore	80 percentile
Aims Institute of Management Studies	70 percentile
Accurate Group of Institutions	70 percentile
Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies (RCBS)	70 percentile
ISME, Bangalore	60 percentile
VIT Business School, Vellore	60 percentile

CMAT Cut Offs 2026: Colleges Accepting 90 Percentile and Above

CMAT score is accepted by top colleges across India. Check the table below for B-schools accepting CMAT score in the range of 90 to 99 percentile. These are mere estimation and the actual CMAT 2026 cut offs could be higher.

Colleges Accepting CMAT score	CMAT Cut Off Percentiles
JBIMS, Mumbai*	99.90+
Goa Institute of Management	95-99
KJ Somaiya Institute of Management*	95-99
SIMSREE, Mumbai*	99.00+
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai	95-99
University of Pune, Dept of Management Sciences*	95-99
Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi	95

*You can get admission in JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, SIMSREE, University of Pune on the basis of CMAT score through MAH MBA CET counselling.

Masters in Financial Management : CMAT 2025 Overall Percentile (General-All India) Accordion Icon V3

Specializations

Rounds

Masters in Financial Management : CMAT 2025 Overall Percentile (General-All India)

College	2024	2025
Narayana Business School	– / –	80
SIMSREE - Sydenham Institute of Management Studies Research and Entrepreneurship Education	99	– / –
T A Pai Management Institute, Manipal, MAHE	95	– / –
National Institute of Bank Management	85	– / –

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in K J Somaiya : CMAT 2024 Overall Percentile (General-All India) Accordion Icon V3

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in K J Somaiya : CMAT 2024 Overall Percentile (General-All India)

College	2022	2023	2024
K J Somaiya Institute of Management	95	95	97.5

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Jaipuria Institute of Management : CMAT 2024 Overall Percentile (General-All India) Accordion Icon V3

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Jaipuria Institute of Management : CMAT 2024 Overall Percentile (General-All India)

College	2022	2023	2024
Jaipuria Jaipur - Jaipuria Institute of Management	– / –	– / –	85
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad	85	85	85
Jaipuria Lucknow - Jaipuria Institute of Management	80	80	80
Jaipuria Noida - Jaipuria Institute of Management	75	75	75

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in IIITs : CMAT 2024 Overall Percentile (General-All India) Accordion Icon V3

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in IIITs : CMAT 2024 Overall Percentile (General-All India)

College	2022	2023	2024
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management	85	85	85

CMAT Cut Offs 2026: Colleges Accepting 80-85 Percentile Range

Check the table below for B-schools accepting CMAT score in the range of 80 to 85 percentile. These are mere estimation and the actual CMAT 2026 cut offs could be different.

Colleges Accepting CMAT score	CMAT Cut Off Percentiles
Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai	85
Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore	80
Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management	85
IFIM, Bangalore	85
IFMR, Chennai	85
NIBM, Pune	85
NL Dalmia Institute of Management	85
NDIM Delhi	85
IMT, Hyderabad	80
IMT, Nagpur	80
XISS, Ranchi	80
ITM, Navi Mumbai	80
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida	85
Xavier Business School, Xavier University	85
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon	85
BIMTECH, Greater Noida	80
XIME, Bangalore	80
ISBM, Pune	80
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow	80
KIIT School of Management	80
IPE Hyderabad	80
SIES College of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai	80
Chetana Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai	80

CMAT Cut Offs 2026: Colleges Accepting 75 Percentile and Below

CMAT is the only MBA entrance exam, that can get you a good government college even if your score is low. Even some popular private MBA colleges have low CMAT cut off for admission. Check the table below for B-schools accepting CMAT score below 75 percentile. These are mere estimation and the actual CMAT cut off 2026 could be different.

Colleges Accepting CMAT score	CMAT Cut Off Percentiles
BIMTECH, Greater Noida	75
BIT, Mesra	75
DY Patil School of Management, Pune	75
NIA Pune: National Insurance Academy	75
Calcutta Business School	75
NDIM New Delhi	75
XIME Chennai	75
IES Management College And Research Centre, Mumbai	75
Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida	75
FIIB Delhi: Fortune Institute of International Business	70
EDII Ahmedabad	70
VESIM Mumbai	70
Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies	70
Delhi School of Business	70
EMPI Business School New Delhi	65
Jaypee Business School (JBS) Noida	65
IIMS Pune	65

Check CMAT cut offs and predict calls from colleges accepting CMAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CMAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict CMAT Admission Calls

CMAT Selection Procedure 2026

For MBA admission, meeting the CMAT cut off requirement is not enough. Candidates have to clear all stages of admission and cut offs is the first stage. Post the declaration of CMAT result 2026, candidates will have to fill the application form of preferred B-School. Admission process through CMAT exam for a MBA/PGDM programme will include following stages:

Screening of candidates basis CMAT cut off
Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI)
Final selection for admission

For final selection candidates will be evaluated on the following parameters:

CMAT percentile score
Academic history (performance at school and Graduation level)
Performance in GD and PI
Work Experience (if applicable)
Extra-curricular activity (if applicable)

Most of the colleges have extra points for academic and gender diversity, for evaluating candidature. MBA aspirants should check the admission criteria of their preferred institute in detail before applying.

MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT score: City-wise

Candidates can check from the list below for MBA college in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Bhopal and Hyderabad for admission through CMAT. The links provide all the information related to colleges including CMAT cut offs, admission criteria, fees, courses, ranking, infrastructure, etc.

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Call