CMAT 2026 Exam: Complete Guide for MBA Aspirants
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is the gateway for admission to MBA/PGDM programs in hundreds of participating institutes across India. This guide covers all the details students need for CMAT 2026, including exam dates, eligibility, application process, exam pattern, preparation tips, and more.
Table of Contents
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What is CMAT 2026 Exam?
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CMAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
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Latest Updates on CMAT 2026
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Eligibility Criteria
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Application Process
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Application Fee
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Required Documents
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Hall Ticket / Admit Card Download
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Exam Pattern & Syllabus
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Section-wise Weightage & Marking Scheme
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Results & Answer Keys
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Counselling Process
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Preparation Tips
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Important Books
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Exam Centres
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Contact Information
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FAQs
What is CMAT 2026 Exam?
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. The exam tests candidates on Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. Scores are accepted by over 1,000 participating institutes in India.
CMAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
| Event | Tentative Dates 2026 |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | December 2025 |
| Application Form Start | December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 1 week before exam |
| Exam Date | February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Answer Key Release | 2-3 days after exam |
| Result Declaration | 1 week after exam |
Latest Updates on CMAT 2026
Stay updated with official announcements on the CMAT official website for notifications regarding dates, application updates, and exam guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria
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Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
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Final-year students can apply
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No upper age limit
Application Process
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Register on the CMAT official website
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Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details
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Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates)
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Pay the application fee online
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Select preferred exam centers
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | 1,800 (expected) |
| SC/ST/PwD | 900 (expected) |
Required Documents
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Scanned photograph & signature
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Valid photo ID
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10th, 12th, and Graduation mark sheets
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Degree certificate
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Category certificate (if applicable)
Hall Ticket / Admit Card Download
The admit card is mandatory for appearing in the exam.
How to Download:
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Visit CMAT official website
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Click “Download Admit Card”
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Enter registration number and password
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Print the admit card
Details on Admit Card: Name, photograph, registration number, exam date & time, center address, and instructions.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
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Mode: Computer-based
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Duration: 3 hours
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Sections:
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Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
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Logical Reasoning
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Language Comprehension
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General Awareness
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Total Questions: 100
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Marking Scheme: +4 correct, -1 incorrect
Section-wise Weightage & Marking Scheme
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative & Data Interpretation | 25 | 100 |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | 100 |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | 100 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 100 |
Results & Answer Keys
Results and answer keys are released online. Download them from the official CMAT website.
Counselling Process
Participating institutes conduct counselling based on CMAT scores, academic profile, and GD/PI rounds.
Preparation Tips
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Start preparation early
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Focus on weak sections
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Practice previous years’ papers & mock tests
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Improve speed and accuracy
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Revise regularly
Important Books
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Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams – R.S. Aggarwal
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How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning – Arun Sharma
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Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
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Previous CMAT Solved Papers
Exam Centres
CMAT is conducted in major cities across India. Candidates select preferred centers while applying.
Contact Information
Official Website: https://cmat.nta.nic.in
FAQs
Q1. Who conducts CMAT?
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National Testing Agency (NTA)
Q2. What is the syllabus?
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Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness
Q3. How long is the exam?
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3 hours
Q4. What programs are offered?
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MBA, PGDM, and other management programs
Q5. What types of questions are asked?
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)