The much-anticipated CMAT Exam dates are finally out! National Test Agency (NTA) has announced CMAT 2024 Exam Date. CMAT 2024 Exam will be held on May 15, 2024. However, NTA has not made it clear if the exam will be held in one slot or two. CMAT has also not released CMAT Registration numbers.
Announcement of CMAT exam date will bring relief to MBA aspirants who were waiting to plan their exam travel and logistics, and give final touch to their preparations. Our readers will know that MBAUniverse.com has been persistently highlighting the need for immediate release of CMAT Exam dates.
CMAT 2024 Exam Date: Key Developments
Here are the key developments since last evening (April 23) related to CMAT exam.
- CMAT Registration was closed on April 23.
- CMAT 2024 application form correction window is open till April 26.
- CMAT 2024 Exam Date is May 15.
- Notification regarding intimation of City of Exam Centre will be made on May 5 (10 days prior to CMAT Exam).
- CMAT Admit Card Release should also start on May 5.
Have CMAT Registration Numbers Increased?
Unlike IIMs and XLRI who release the CAT and XAT numbers immediately after the close of registration, NTA has not released CMAT 2024 Registration numbers as yet. Have CMAT Registration numbers increased, this is on the minds of all stakeholders.
While CAT and XAT have registered 30 to 40 percent increase in their number of applicants in last few years, CMAT registrations reflect fluctuating trends during last three years as shared below:
CMAT Registrations Vs CAT & XAT: Last 3 Years Registration Numbers
CMAT used to be the second largest MBA entrance test after CAT a few years ago when AICTE used to conduct it with upto 1.25 lakh candidates registering for the exam. However, its glory has faded after it was taken over by National Testing Agency (NTA) while registrations for other exams like CAT, XAT are consistently going up. Let us analyse the key facts:
|
Exam
|
2021-22
|
2022-23
|
2023-24
|
|
CAT
|
2.3 Lakhs
|
2.55 Lakhs
|
3.30 Lakhs
|
|
XAT
|
79,843
|
98,242
|
1.35 Lakhs
|
|
CMAT
|
71,490
|
58,956
|
75,209
|
Since 2021-22, while CAT exam registrations have gone up by 43% and XAT registration numbers have gone up by 69%, the CMAT registration numbers have increased marginally by only 5% which insignificant number. Going by the past trends, and constant changes in dates and schedules, CMAT 2024 registration number may unfortunately not go up substantially.
Following factors may have a negative impact on the growth of CMAT registrations:
- Delay in CMAT 2024 Exam Date Announcement: NTA has made CMAT an unpredictable exam and has delayed the CMAT 2024 exam date announcement. Even as the CMAT registration last date is closing, NTA is shying away from releasing the CMAT exam date 2024. Last year also, NTA did not announce the CMAT 2023 exam date and announced it at the eleventh hour.
- Lack of Exam Marketing: It is a well-known fact that IIMs and XLRI are the top MBA colleges in India. While IIMs conduct CAT for MBA Admission, XLRI conducts XAT for MBA admission. Despite being the top MBA entrance exams, both IIMs and XLRI promote their exams on different platforms.
- Top MBA Colleges Drop CMAT Score from Admission Process: Disappointed with the uncertainty in the conduct of exam and release of result many top MBA colleges like Great Lakes and Goa Institute of Management have refused to accept CMAT score for MBA/PGDM admission 2024 and many more are likely to follow. The B-schools who are particular in commencing their academic session on time, cannot wait indefinitely for CMAT score nor can keep open their admission process for an indefinite period.
Early Release of Exam City & Admit Card Required
While NTA has announced CMAT 2024 Exam Date, the body has not made it clear if the exam will be held in one slot or two. Last year the exam was held in two slots.
NTA has said that notification regarding intimation of City of Exam Centre will be made 10 days prior to CMAT Exam. This implies that CMAT test takers will have to wait much longer for planning their travel and other exam logistics. CMAT Admit Card Release should also start at the earliest.
MBAUniverse.com will keep you updates on the latest developments on CMAT 2024 exams.
