CMAT 2026: Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Syllabus, Pattern, Cutoff & Top Colleges
CMAT 2026 (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency). It is a gateway for admission to over 1,200 AICTE-approved management institutes in India. This guide covers exam dates, registration, fees, syllabus, pattern, cutoff, top colleges, preparation tips, and more.
🗓 CMAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Registration Start | January 2026 |
| Registration Close | February 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | March 2026 |
| Exam Date | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 |
| Counselling & Admission | June-July 2026 |
Tip: Keep all your documents ready in advance for hassle-free registration.
📝 CMAT 2026 Registration & Fees
Steps to Register:
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Visit the official CMAT website.
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Create a profile with your email ID and mobile number.
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Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details.
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Upload photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable).
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Pay the registration fee:
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General/OBC: INR 2,000
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SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,000
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Submit and download the confirmation page.
Note: Late registration may not be allowed. Always complete registration before the last date.
📊 CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 28 | 30 min | MCQs |
| Logical Reasoning | 28 | 30 min | MCQs |
| Language Comprehension | 28 | 30 min | MCQs |
| General Awareness | 28 | 30 min | MCQs |
| Total | 140 | 180 min | MCQs |
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Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect answers
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Exam Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)
Download CMAT Exam Pattern PDF
📚 CMAT 2026 Syllabus
1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
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Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion
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Algebra, Geometry, Number System
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Data Interpretation: Tables, Charts, Graphs
2. Logical Reasoning
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Puzzles, Seating Arrangements
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Blood Relations, Syllogisms
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Series, Coding-Decoding
3. Language Comprehension
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Reading Comprehension
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Vocabulary & Grammar
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Para Jumbles & Sentence Correction
4. General Awareness
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Current Affairs (last 12 months)
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Banking & Economy
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Science & Technology, Business & Sports
Preparation Tip: Focus on speed, accuracy, and time management. Practice previous year papers and mock tests.
📄 CMAT 2026 Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests
Practicing previous year CMAT papers helps in:
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Understanding exam trends
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Improving time management
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Identifying frequent question types
Resources: Official NTA website, coaching institutes, online mock tests
Download CMAT Previous Year Papers
Free Online CMAT Mock Test
🎯 CMAT 2026 Preparation Tips
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Prepare a study plan 6-9 months in advance
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Focus on strengths first, then improve weak areas
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Take sectional mock tests regularly
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Analyze mock test results to identify mistakes
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Read newspapers for current affairs and GK
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Revise formulas, shortcuts, and notes regularly
Pro Tip: Attempt general awareness questions last, as they require less calculation but high accuracy.
🏫 Top Colleges Accepting CMAT 2026 Score
Some of the top CMAT participating colleges include:
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Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai
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Xavier Institute of Management (XIM), Bhubaneswar
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Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
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T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal
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Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
💰 CMAT 2026 Cutoff
Cutoff varies based on college, category, and number of applicants. For top colleges, expected percentile:
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General: 95+ percentile
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OBC: 90+ percentile
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SC/ST/PwD: 75+ percentile
Tip: Check the official website for category-wise and institute-wise cutoffs after results.
🎓 CMAT 2026 Admit Card & Exam Centres
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Admit Card: Download online from the official CMAT portal
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Exam Centres: Available across major cities in India
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Important: Carry printed admit card and valid photo ID on exam day
✅ CMAT 2026 Results & Counselling
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Results announced online on the official NTA CMAT portal
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Shortlisted candidates called for Group Discussion (GD) / Personal Interview (PI)
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Admission offered based on percentile, academic record, and GD/PI performance
📝 Conclusion
CMAT 2026 is a gateway to top AICTE-approved management colleges in India. Early registration, consistent preparation, and practicing mock tests and previous papers are key to success.
Next Step: Register before the last date, plan a preparation strategy, and start taking mock tests today!