CMAT 2026: Single Shift Exam on January 25; Admit Card Released; Check Last Minute Tips, Guidelines

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national MBA Entrance Exam for admission to 1000+ AICTE Approved PGDM Institutions, University MBA Departments and their Constituent/Affiliated Colleges across the country. However, IIMs and many top MBA colleges like MDI Gurgaon and XLRI Jamshedpur do not accept CMAT exam scores. Check list of top MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT exam 2026 scores.

Till 2018, CMAT Test was conducted by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). National Test Agency (NTA) is conducting this Test since 2019. CMAT 2026 official website is Cmat.nta.nic.in.

CMAT 2026 exam date is January 25, 2026. CMAT exam difficulty level is moderate. CMAT exam duration is 180 minutes. CMAT Exam Pattern is divided into five sections: Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Check details below. 

National Testing Agency will be conducting Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on January 25, 2026. CMAT 2026 registration closed on November 25, 2025. Check CMAT Exam 2026 dates in the table below.

CMAT 2026 date and time: CMAT 2026 exam date is January 25, 2026. NTA has informed that CMAT exam will be held in Single Shifts from 09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in Computer Based Test (CBT) Mode. 

NTA Public Notice (Issued on Jan 16) - CMAT 2026 Exam be held in Single Shift

NTA has released the pattern and marking scheme for CMAT Exam 2026. CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern consists of 100 objective type (MCQs) questions which are equally divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. CMAT 2026 exam duration is 180 minutes.

There is no sectional time limit. CMAT 2026 marking scheme is as follows: 

• Each question carries 04 (four) marks.
• For each correct response, candidate will get 04 (four) marks.
• For each incorrect response, 01 (one) mark will be deducted from the total score.
• Un-answered/un-attempted will be given no marks. 

CMAT Exam Pattern section wise 2026 is given in table below.  

CMAT 2026 Syllabus is divided into five sections: Language Comprehension; Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation; Logical Reasoning; General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. A brief overview is given below.

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Syllabus for this section includes Arithmetic (Ratio, Time & Work, Averages, Percentages, Profit & Loss), Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Number Properties, and Data Interpretation through tables, pie charts, bar diagrams, and graphs.

Language Comprehension: Syllabus for this section includes grammar, tenses, vocabulary, sentence correction, jumbled paragraphs, and reading comprehension passages focused on inference, central idea, idioms, and expression.

Logical Reasoning: Syllabus for this section includes questions on arrangements (linear, circular, sequencing), puzzles, coding-decoding, statement-conclusion, Venn diagrams, and visual reasoning.

General Awareness: Syllabus for this section includes Static GK, Current Affairs, and Business & Economics awareness such as fiscal/monetary policies, international organizations, key personalities, and national events.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Syllabus for this section includes government schemes, start-up concepts, innovation management, key entrepreneurs, terminology (bootstrapping, break-even point), and recent developments in business and policy.

Check section wise detailed CMAT Exam Syllabus 2026.

Based on exam pattern, syllabus and previous year’s questions, CMAT 2026 preparation strategy for each section is as follows:

• Language Comprehension: Focus on Reading Comprehension and Grammar—practice RCs, sentence correction, idioms, and parajumbles daily.
• Quantitative Techniques & DI: Strengthen Arithmetic fundamentals and practice data interpretation sets—cover topics like TSD, Profit & Loss, SICI, and Pie Charts.
• Logical Reasoning: Practice both verbal and non-verbal reasoning—work on number series, directions, assumptions, arguments, and family trees.
• General Knowledge: Revise static GK with emphasis on Indian polity, history, and constitution—supplement with weekly updates on major national/international events.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Study key startup concepts, government schemes, and entrepreneur types—focus on terms like bootstrapping, lean startup, and funding stages.

In addition to preparing fundamentals for above sections, you must take full-length mock tests regularly, and then analyse your performance to identify weak areas and improve time management. Read following section on how to take free Mock CMAT tests online. Also read CMAT 2026 last minute tips.

CMAT Mock Tests and Previous Year question papers are the best preparation tools. Toppers recommend to take as many CMAT mocks and analyse each of them thoroughly. You can take free mock tests on MBAUniverse.com from links below. 

• CMAT Mock Test 2026
• CMAT Previous Year Papers
• CMAT Sample Papers 2026 

CMAT 2026 eligibility criteria is given below.

• The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline.
• Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s Degree, whose result will be declared in June/July 2026, can also apply for CMAT exam.
• The candidate must be a Citizen of India.
• There is no age restriction for appearing in CMAT exam.

CMAT Registration 2026 is closed now. Last date for CMAT registration was November 24, 2025 and CMAT application fee payment was 25 November, 2025. Read complete CMAT 2026 exam registration details. CMAT registration fees for Male Candidates is Rs. 2500 and for Female Candidates is Rs. 1250. CMAT Form 2026 can be completed online on CMAT official website https://cmat.nta.nic.in/ by following four simple steps given below. 

Step 1: Apply For Online Registration 

Step 2: Fill in the Online Application Form 

Step 3:  Pay Examination Fee  

Step 4: Download Confirmation Page

All these steps can be done together or at separate dates and timings. But remember CMAT registration process will be considered complete only after you have paid the requisite CMAT exam fees, submitted the application and received the confirmation message from National Testing Agency.

CMAT 2026 error correction window is closed now. It was open from November 26 till November 28, 2025 on CMAT official website cmat.nta.nic.in. To make corrections, candidates can follow the steps given below.

How to make corrections in your CMAT form?

1. Visit the official website of CMAT at cmat.nta.nic.in.
2. Click on registration link available on the home page.
3. Enter the login details and click on submit.
4. Once done, the application form will be displayed.
5. Check the application form and make the corrections where required.
6. Click on submit and download the confirmation page.
7. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

CMAT Admit Card is a mandatory document to enter the exam centre to take the exam. NTA will upload the CMAT 2026 Admit Card on official NTA CMAT exam website a few days before the exam. Only successfully registered candidates can download the CMAT admit card. The last date to download the CMAT 2026 Admit Card is January 25, 2026 (exam date).

CMAT 2026 Exam Centres are located across all the States in India. NTA will conduct CMAT exam in more than 100 cities at 175 Exam Centres across the country. A candidate should choose four most preferred CMAT test cities at the time of filling the CMAT application form. NTA will allot one of cities. Check list of CMAT Exam Cities in India and how to select CMAT exam centre while filling CMAT registration form 2026.

CMAT exam will be held in Single Shift from 09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in Computer Based Test (CBT) Mode. Candidates should follow important exam guidelines and instructions that are issued by National Test Agency (NTA) to ensure smooth conduct of the exam. Check CMAT Exam Day Instructions 2026 below.

1. CMAT Admit Card Hard Copy: Print the Admit Card on an A4 size paper and carry the same on the day of Test for verification.

2. List of Valid Identification Proof Document:  Candidates should carry one of the following valid photo ID proof to CMAT exam centre: Aadhaar Card/Voter ID Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving License.

3. Reporting Time & Gate Closing Time: Candidate must reach the centre as indicated against Reporting / Entry time at centre.

4. No Permission to Leave Exam Lab: No candidate shall be permitted to leave the CMAT Test Lab and Centre before the end of the test.

5. List of Prohibited and Permitted Items: Mobile phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators, stationery items, papers, wallets, goggles, etc. will NOT BE ALLOWED inside the Test centre. Candidates must NOT wear any jewellery or other items containing metal. 

Read complete CMAT 2026 exam day guidelines and instructions to avoid last-minute issues at exam centre.

CMAT Score Vs Percentile estimates the Scores required for 99, 95, 90 and lower Percentiles. Based on previous year trends, CMAT score of 280 is equal to 99 percentile and CMAT score of 250 is equal to 95 percentile. Check CMAT 2026 Score Vs Percentile expected and trends for last five years in the article below. Also read how CMAT exam scores and percentiles are calculated, and what is CMAT Normalization Process. Also use CMAT Percentile Predictor 2026 to calculate your CMAT score and percentile. 

Top CMAT Colleges in India are Welingkar Mumbai, BIMTECH Greater Noida, IFMR Krea University, IMI Bhubaneswar, Jaipuria Noida and Jaipuria Lucknow. But remember, CMAT admission process is not centralized by NTA or AICTE. You need to apply separately to CMAT colleges of your choice with your CMAT Scores. Thereafter, CMAT accepting institution will release their own CMAT Scores Cut Offs to qualify for admission. Check complete list of top MBA colleges accepting CMAT scores 2026. Also check CMAT Cut Offs 2026.

CMAT 2026 result will be released 10 days after the release of CMAT provisional answer key. Test takers can download their CMAT 2026 result cum scorecard from the official website by using login credentials. Candidates should follow following steps to download the CMAT result 2026:

• Go to Official CMAT website
• Click on CMAT 2026 scorecard tab
• Enter CMAT application number and date of birth
• Click on CMAT scorecard tab and download the PDF
• Save and print CMAT 2026 result for official communication with MBA colleges. 

A total of 74,012 candidates registered for CMAT 2025 exam, while 63,145 candidates appeared in the examination. A total of 34,717 female candidates registered for CMAT Exam 2026. Male candidates were 39,293, while there were 2 transgender candidates. Total number of candidates who registered for CMAT 2024 was 76,745. However, only 65,127 candidates actually took CMAT 2024 exam. CMAT 2026 Registration Numbers are expected to remain the same as in previous two years. CMAT Registration Numbers for last few years are as below:

CMAT Previous Year question papers are the best preparation tools. You can download CMAT Previous Year Question Papers from the link below. 

CMAT Official Website: The CMAT 2026 Official Website is cmat.nta.nic.in. This is the website that candidates should use to register for the exam and pay CMAT exam fees. 

CMAT 2026 Helpline Number 
In case of any emergency regarding CMAT exam registration or admit card, you can contact NTA CMAT Helpdesk on the following CMAT helpline number and contact details: 

• website: https://cmat.nta.nic.in
• Telephone number: 011-40759000
• Email: [email protected]

In summary, National Testing Agency will be conducting Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on January 25, 2026. CMAT registrations were closed on November 25, 2025. CMAT Official Website 2026 is cmat.nta.nic.in. This is CMAT NTA NIC in 2026.  Also read CMAT Exam Pattern, CMAT Syllabus, CMAT Preparation, and top MBA colleges accepting CMAT 2026 scores. Also read CMAT Preparation Tips 2026 to help you score well in the exam.