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CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is India's third most popular MBA entrance exam, after CAT and XAT. CMAT 2026 saw 53,453 candidates appear (per NTA, after a 15% YoY drop), and its score is accepted by over 1,300 B-schools, including top institutes like Great Lakes, JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, and PUMBA.
CMAT 2026 cycle (per NTA): Registration ran 17 October – 24 November 2025; admit card released 21 January 2026; exam conducted 25 January 2026 in CBT mode; final answer key and result released 17 February 2026 on cmat.nta.nic.in.
This article will provide all the information you need to know about the CMAT cut-off, the colleges that accept CMAT scores, and the admission process.
CMAT Cut Off: Top Colleges Accepting CMAT 90% or Above Score
The CMAT top colleges cut off for admission to the highest-ranking institutions generally require a 90% or above score, offering access to India's leading MBA programs.
Below are the colleges that accept a CMAT score of 90% or above:
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CMAT Cut Off: Colleges Accepting CMAT 80 - 85% Score
The CMAT top colleges cut off in the 80-85% range are competitive and provide access to well-regarded business schools with strong MBA programs.
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CMAT Cut Off: Colleges Accepting CMAT 75% or Above Score
With the CMAT top colleges cut off score of 75% or higher, candidates can consider several institutions offering quality MBA programs.
| College Name | CMAT Cut Off Score |
| Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida | 75 |
| Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra | 75 |
| DY Patil School of Management, Pune | 75 |
| National Insurance Academy, Pune | 75 |
| Calcutta Business School | 75 |
| New Delhi Institute of Management, New Delhi | 75 |
| Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, Chennai | 75 |
| IES Management College and Research Centre, Mumbai | 75 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | 75 |
| Fortune Institute of International Business, Delhi | 70 |
| Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad | 70 |
| Vivekananda Education Society Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai | 70 |
| Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies | 70 |
| Delhi School of Business | 70 |
| EMPI Business School, New Delhi | 65 |
| Jaypee Business School, New Delhi | 65 |
| International Institute of Management Studies, Pune | 65 |
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CMAT Cut Off Category Wise
The CMAT cut-off scores vary based on the candidate's category and the year of examination. Below is the CMAT cut-off category-wise for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, providing insights into the required scores for different groups of candidates.
| Category | CMAT Cut-Off 2026 | CMAT Cut Off 2025 | CMAT Cut-Off 2024 |
| General | 95 | 95 | 95 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| PWD | 75 | 75 | 75 |
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Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Cut Off for SC/ST/OBC Category
Here are the top colleges accepting CMAT cut off for SC/ST/OBC candidates:
| College Name | CMAT Cut Off for SC | CMAT Cut Off for ST | CMAT Cut Off for OBC |
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies | 97 | 94 | 99 |
| Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education | 95 | 90 | 97 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | 80-85 | 75-80 | 85-90 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | 95 | 90 | 97 |
| Goa Institute of Management | 85-90 | 80-85 | 95 |
| Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research | 75+ | 70+ | 80+ |
You can also check out SNAP Accepting Colleges for a clearer idea of your options.
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CMAT Cut Off: CMAT Score vs Percentile
The CMAT score vs percentile depends on factors such as the difficulty of the exam, the number of candidates, the number of exam shifts, and the number of participating colleges. Based on these factors, the score required for a particular percentile can change each year.
Here is a general overview of the CMAT score vs percentile distribution:
| CMAT Score | CMAT Percentile Range |
| 345-350 | 100 |
| 281-340 | 90-99.99 |
| 201-280 | 81-89 |
| 171-200 | 71-80 |
| 141-170 | 61-70 |
| 116-140 | 51-60 |
| Below 116 | Below 51 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile: Previous Year Scores
Here is the CMAT score and percentile comparison from previous years (historical reference):
| CMAT Percentile | CMAT Score 2025 | CMAT Score 2024 | CMAT Score 2023 | CMAT Score 2022 | CMAT Score 2021 |
| 99.5 | 308 | 305 | 305 | 303 | 325 |
| 99 | 298 | 295 | 295 | 293 | 318 |
| 95 | 265 | 262 | 262 | 260 | 300 |
| 90 | 248 | 245 | 245 | 240 | 282 |
| 80 | 218 | 215 | 215 | 211 | 200 |
| 70 | 198 | 195 | 195 | 180 | 170 |
How to Calculate the CMAT Cut-Off Score?
To score well in the CMAT exam, candidates must understand how the marks are calculated. Here is an example where two candidates appear for the CMAT exam.
Based on the number of correct and incorrect answers, their score is calculated as follows:
| Candidates | Candidate A | Candidate B |
| Question Answered | 100 | 88 |
| Correct Answers | 75 | 80 |
| Wrong Answers | 25 | 8 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 75*4=300 | 80*4=320 |
| Marks for Wrong Answers | 25*1=25 | 8*1=8 |
| CMAT Score | 300-25=275 | 320-8=312 |
How to Calculate the CMAT Percentile?
CMAT percentile scores are calculated up to seven decimal places to avoid ties and ensure accuracy. The formula for calculating the CMAT percentile is as follows:
Total Percentile (TP1) = 100 x (Number of candidates with a raw score equal to or less than T1 score) / (Total number of candidates who appeared in the exam).
Let's understand this with an example:
Step 1: Know the total number of candidates appearing for the CMAT exam.
Step 2: Identify the rank of the candidate in the exam section.
Step 3: Add the values to the given formula.
Example:
Suppose 10,000 candidates appear for CMAT 2026, and a candidate secures the 5th rank. To calculate their percentile:
Percentile (P) = (10,000 - 5) / 10,000 * 100 = 99.95
So, the candidate's CMAT percentile would be 99.95.
MBA College Accepting CMAT Score: City Wise
If you are considering an MBA and planning to take the CMAT, knowing which colleges accept the CMAT exam for admission is important.
Below is the list of MBA colleges accepting CMAT score, organised city-wise, and their course fee.
MBA College Accepting CMAT in Delhi
| College Name | Course Fee |
| Jagan Institute of Management Studies | INR 9 lakhs |
| New Delhi Institute of Management | INR 11 lakhs |
| Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management | INR 6 lakhs |
| Fortune Institute of International Business | INR 9 lakhs |
| IILM Institute of Higher Education | INR 12 lakhs |
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MBA College Accepting CMAT in Bangalore
| College Name | Course Fee |
| Christ University | INR 4.8 - 8.6 lakhs |
| Jagdish Sheth School of Management | INR 14 - 15.95 lakhs |
| GIBS Business School | INR 9.5 lakhs |
| Krupanidhi College of Management | INR 6.75 - 8.15 lakhs |
| CMS Business School | INR 12.05 lakhs |
| Kristu Jayanti College | INR 5.65 - 9.1 lakhs |
MBA College Accepting CMAT in Mumbai
| College Name | Course Fee |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management | INR 11.69 - 18.5 lakhs |
| SIES College of Management Studies | INR 5.2-7 lakhs |
| Universal AI University | INR 8.85 - 16.28 lakhs |
| Sasmira's Business School | INR 7 lakhs |
| Amity University, Mumbai | INR 13.04 lakhs |
MBA College Accepting CMAT in Hyderabad
| College Name | Course Fee |
| Institute of Management Technology | INR 14.77 lakhs |
| Institute of Public Enterprise | INR 5.8 lakhs |
| Institute of Insurance and Risk Management | INR 9.5 lakhs |
| Department of Management Studies, NALSAR University | INR 4.2 lakhs |
| Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management | INR 8 lakhs |
MBA College Accepting CMAT in Pune
| College Name | Course Fee |
| National Institute of Bank Management | INR 13.72 lakhs |
| Pune Institute of Business Management | INR 8.25 - 50.42 lakhs |
| Balaji Institute of Modern Management | INR 12.55 lakhs |
| FLAME University | INR 11.7 - 12.8 lakhs |
| International Institute of Management Studies | INR 9.27 lakhs |
MBA College Accepting CMAT in Bhopal
| College Name | Course Fee |
| IES College of Technology | INR 1.1 lakhs |
| Indian Institute of Forest Management | INR 11.8 lakhs |
| Sagar Institute of Science and Technology | INR 1.3 lakhs |
| Institute of Professional Education and Research | INR 1.99 lakhs |
| Lakshmi Narain College of Technology | INR 1.38 lakhs |
Factors Affecting CMAT Cut-Off Score
CMAT cut-off percentiles for MBA admissions are set based on multiple factors. For the 2026-27 admissions cycle, each participating institute will establish a minimum CMAT cut off score, considering the following criteria:
1. Total Number of Candidates Appearing in the CMAT Exam
A higher number of candidates leads to more competitive cut-offs.
2. Total Number of Seats Available at the Institute
Institutes with fewer seats may set higher cut-offs due to limited availability.
3. Previous Years' Cut-Off Trends
Historical cut-offs serve as a benchmark and guide for setting current cut-offs.
4. Total Pass Percentage of Candidates in CMAT
If a higher percentage of candidates scores well, cut-offs may increase to align with performance trends.
5. Difficulty Level of the CMAT Exam
A more challenging exam may lead to slightly lower cut-offs, as scores across the board might be lower.
6. Reservation Policy
Institutes follow reservation policies, with prescribed quotas of 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC, 5% for PWD, and 50.5% for general category students.
If you are planning to take the CMAT exam, it is important to know the CMAT Exam Fees, the exam dates, the eligibility criteria, and the registration process.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission in CMAT Colleges
To be eligible for CMAT-accepting MBA colleges, candidates must meet the following criteria:
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks. There is a relaxation of 5% for reserved category candidates.
2. Work Experience
Candidates applying for an Executive PGDM program must have at least 5 years of work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
3. Final-Year Students
Students in their final year of undergraduate studies can also apply to MBA colleges accepting CMAT scores. Admission is based on their final CMAT score.
CMAT Cut-Off - Selection Procedure
Once the CMAT cut off or the institutes announce qualifying marks, candidates are required to complete the application form for the B-School of their choice.
Stages of the CMAT Admission Process
The CMAT admission process is conducted in below stages:
1. Screening of Candidates
After the CMAT cut off is declared, candidates are shortlisted based on their CMAT scores.
2. Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI)
Shortlisted candidates will participate in group discussions and personal interviews to assess their skills. GD evaluates communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. PI assesses the candidate's personality, problem-solving abilities, and motivation for an MBA.
3. Final Selection for Admission
The final selection is based on the CMAT score, GD, PI, and academic history. B-Schools finalise the list of selected candidates after considering all factors.
Parameters Considered for Final Selection
Several factors are considered to determine the final admission decision.
1. CMAT Percentile Score
The candidate's CMAT score plays a key role in the selection process.
2. Academic History
Performance at the school and graduation levels is considered.
3. Performance in GD and PI
The communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and overall personality of the candidates are assessed through GD and PI.
4. Work Experience (Optional)
Candidates with relevant work experience may have an advantage.
5. Extra-curricular Activities (Optional)
Involvement in extra-curricular activities may enhance the candidate's profile.
The CMAT cut-off is determined by several factors, such as the number of students, seats available, and the difficulty of the exam. Top colleges tend to have higher cut-offs. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements, such as having a bachelor's degree and a certain percentage. Understanding the CMAT score and percentile helps candidates have a better chance of admission. A higher CMAT score improves the chances of getting into a good MBA college.
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