CMAT 2026

Official Schedule for 1000+ AICTE Colleges Admission 2026

Official Website View All Exams

Exam Overview

Application Start

Nov 2025 (Closed)

Application Deadline

Dec 2025 (Closed)

Exam Date

25 Jan 2026 (Concluded)

Mode
CBT Center

Participating Colleges

Top institutes accepting CMAT scores:

JBIMS Mumbai
Top 20
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Great Lakes Chennai
#37
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Great Lakes Gurgaon
#50
Gurgaon, Haryana
FORE School of Management
#59
New Delhi, Delhi
K J Somaiya Mumbai
#65
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Welingkar Institute of Management
#75
Mumbai, Maharashtra

About CMAT 2026

The CMAT is a major entrance examination for students seeking admission to 1000+ AICTE Colleges. The exam is conducted in CBT Center mode, with the exam scheduled for 25 Jan 2026 (Concluded). It is one of the important exams for 2026 admissions in India and is conducted annually to fill seats across participating institutions.

The application process opens from Nov 2025 (Closed) and the last date to apply is Dec 2025 (Closed). Candidates are advised to complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. All applications must be submitted online through the official portal. Keep your academic documents, photograph, and signature ready before starting the registration process.

CMAT scores are accepted by 6 institutes across India, including JBIMS Mumbai, Great Lakes Chennai, Great Lakes Gurgaon. The complete list of participating institutions includes: JBIMS Mumbai (Mumbai, Maharashtra); Great Lakes Chennai (Chennai, Tamil Nadu); Great Lakes Gurgaon (Gurgaon, Haryana); FORE School of Management (New Delhi, Delhi); K J Somaiya Mumbai (Mumbai, Maharashtra); Welingkar Institute of Management (Mumbai, Maharashtra). Candidates will be allotted seats based on their rank in the entrance exam along with the counselling process.

For the most current and accurate information on CMAT 2026 — including admit card release, syllabus, exam-day instructions, answer key, and result announcement — candidates should regularly check the official website at https://exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/. Bookmark the page and set reminders for key dates to avoid missing any deadlines.

How to Apply for CMAT 2026

  1. Visit the Official Website — Go to CMAT official website and click Apply Online or New Registration.
  2. Register and Create Account — Enter your name, email, and mobile number. Verify via OTP.
  3. Fill the Application Form — Complete personal details, educational qualifications, exam city preferences, and category information.
  4. Upload Documents — Upload your passport-size photograph, signature, and Class 10/12 mark sheets as per specifications.
  5. Pay the Application Fee — Pay online via card, net banking, or UPI before Dec 2025 (Closed). Save the payment receipt.
  6. Submit and Download Confirmation — Review, submit, and download your confirmation page. The admit card will be released before the exam (25 Jan 2026 (Concluded)).

Frequently Asked Questions – CMAT 2026

The CMAT 2026 exam is scheduled for 25 Jan 2026 (Concluded). The exam is conducted in CBT Center mode. Candidates must download their admit card from the official website before the exam. Check the official website for any last-minute schedule updates.

The last date to apply for CMAT 2026 is Dec 2025 (Closed). The application window opened from Nov 2025 (Closed). Apply well before the closing date to avoid server congestion. Ensure fee payment and document upload are completed before the deadline, as late applications are typically not accepted.

CMAT 2026 scores are accepted by JBIMS Mumbai (Mumbai, Maharashtra); Great Lakes Chennai (Chennai, Tamil Nadu); Great Lakes Gurgaon (Gurgaon, Haryana). In total, 6 institutes participate in the CMAT admissions process. Candidates must check each institute's individual cutoff and eligibility criteria on the official counselling portal.

The CMAT 2026 application form opened/opens from Nov 2025 (Closed). Registration is online through the official portal. You need a valid email ID, mobile number, and scanned copies of your photograph and signature. Submit the form with the required application fee before Dec 2025 (Closed).

To apply for CMAT 2026, candidates typically need: a valid email ID and mobile number, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, a recent passport-size photograph, a scanned signature, and a government-issued photo ID. Reserved category candidates may also need caste/category certificates. Always refer to the official notification for the exact and updated document checklist.

CMAT 2026 is conducted in CBT Center mode. Candidates appear at designated centres across India. Admit cards must be downloaded from the official website and carried to the exam hall along with a valid photo ID.

More Questions About CMAT & Related Exams

CAT score is only the first filter. After shortlisting, IIMs conduct Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Final selection considers: CAT score (40-50%), PI performance (30-40%), academic record, work experience, and diversity factors. A 99%ile candidate can be rejected if the PI goes poorly — prepare thoroughly.

IIM-A, B, C: 99+ percentile (even then not guaranteed). IIM-L, K, I: 98+ percentile. New IIMs: 95-97 percentile. Your profile (academics, work ex, diversity) significantly impacts final selection. CAT score is just the first filter.

Yes, strongly recommended. XAT (for XLRI), SNAP (for Symbiosis), NMAT (for NMIMS) have different exam patterns and expand your options. Most CAT aspirants write 4-6 exams. Exam fees are small compared to the opportunity cost of missing a good B-school.

Work experience adds 5-15% weightage in final selection. 2-4 years is the sweet spot for most IIMs. Zero experience is allowed but disadvantageous. Quality matters too - leadership roles, reputed companies, and meaningful work carry weight.

Start 6-8 months before CAT (March-May for November exam). Working professionals need consistent 2-3 hours daily. Focus on Quantitative Aptitude first (takes longest to improve), then VARC and DILR. Start mocks from August.

MBA is a university-affiliated degree. PGDM is offered by autonomous institutions (including all IIMs). For top B-schools, there's no practical difference in job prospects. Some government jobs specifically require MBA degree - check requirements if that's your goal.

Most Indian B-schools prefer CAT. However, ISB primarily uses GMAT. Some IIMs also accept GMAT for specific programs. GMAT is expensive (₹22,000+) and better suited if you're also targeting international schools. CAT costs ₹2,400.

Don't just look at 'Average Package'. Check the Median Salary (more accurate) and compare it to the Total Fees. A healthy ROI ratio is 1:1 or better (e.g., Fees ₹12L, Median Salary ₹10L+). Also verify if the placement report is audited.

Yes. Students in their final year of graduation are eligible to appear for CAT, provided they complete graduation before joining the MBA program. There is no age limit for CAT. You can apply fresh out of college or after years of work experience — both are valid paths.

IIM-A, B, C: ₹23-25 Lakh for 2 years. New IIMs: ₹12-18 Lakh. Most IIMs offer merit-cum-means scholarships and bank loans at subsidized rates (IBA scheme). Education loans up to ₹20-40L are available without collateral for premier institutes. Don't let fees be the primary deterrent.

Check Other Management Exams

CAT XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) SNAP (Symbiosis Test) MAT (Feb 2026) NMAT by GMAC
View All Management Exams