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CMAT 2027: Expected Dates, Registration, Pattern & Accepting Colleges

By CollegeApplyNow Editorial Team Reviewed against exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT Published: 02 Jul 2026 ✓ LAST VERIFIED 02 JUL 2026
Status right now: CMAT 2026 was conducted by NTA on 25 January 2026 and its results are out (the scorecard remains downloadable until 31 December 2026). The next cycle, CMAT 2027, is expected in the third week of January 2027, with registration typically opening in November–December 2026. All 2027 dates below are expected until NTA releases its notification.

What is CMAT?

The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level MBA/PGDM entrance conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Its score is accepted by AICTE-approved institutions across India — several hundred colleges — with notable names including JBIMS Mumbai (via Maharashtra's merit process), GIM Goa, K J Somaiya, Great Lakes and Welingkar. For candidates targeting good Tier-2 B-schools without CAT-level competition, CMAT is the most efficient single exam.

CMAT 2027 expected dates

Projected from the CMAT 2025 and 2026 cycles; NTA will confirm in its notification.
EventTimingStatus
Notification + registration opens~Nov–Dec 2026Expected
Registration closes~Late Dec 2026 / early Jan 2027Expected
CMAT 2027 exam3rd week of Jan 2027Expected
Result~Feb 2027Expected

For reference, CMAT 2026 was held on 25 January 2026 and CMAT 2026 scorecards can be downloaded until 31 December 2026.

Exam pattern

SectionQuestionsMarks
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation2080
Logical Reasoning2080
Language Comprehension2080
General Awareness2080
Innovation & Entrepreneurship2080
Total100400
  • Marking: +4 correct, −1 incorrect.
  • Duration: 3 hours, computer-based, usually two shifts.
  • CMAT is the only major MBA exam with a dedicated General Awareness section — it's the biggest differentiator between toppers and the pack.

Score expectations

Top accepting colleges (JBIMS via MAH-CET/CMAT merit, GIM Goa, K J Somaiya) have recently required 99+ percentile. Solid Tier-2 programmes shortlist in the 85–95 band, and many decent AICTE colleges accept 60–80 percentile. Because the paper is easier than CAT, percentile margins are razor-thin at the top — GK accuracy often decides the last few percentile points.

Eligibility and fees

  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline; final-year students eligible. No age limit.
  • The fee in recent cycles has been ~₹2,500 for General male candidates and ~₹1,250 for female/reserved-category candidates — NTA confirms exact 2027 fees in the notification.
  • One fresh application per cycle; the fee is non-refundable (bank-failure refunds excepted).

CMAT 2027 FAQs

When will CMAT 2027 be held?
Expected in the third week of January 2027, following the pattern of CMAT 2026 (held 25 January 2026). NTA's notification, expected around November–December 2026, will confirm the date.
Is CMAT easier than CAT?
Yes, considerably — the quant and verbal are lighter. The trade-off is that percentile competition at the top is fierce because everyone scores high, and the GK section demands months of consistent current-affairs reading.
Which top colleges accept CMAT?
JBIMS Mumbai (through Maharashtra's admission process), GIM Goa, K J Somaiya, Great Lakes Chennai, Welingkar Mumbai/Bengaluru and several hundred other AICTE-approved institutions.
How long is the CMAT score valid?
The scorecard is valid for the admission year of the cycle; CMAT 2026 scorecards remain downloadable until 31 December 2026. Colleges use the current cycle's score for the corresponding academic year's admission.

Sources & verification

This page was last verified on 2 July 2026 against:

  1. exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT — official CMAT website (2026 cycle records, scorecard validity)
  2. NTA CMAT 2026 public notices (exam held 25 January 2026)
  3. CMAT 2025–2026 information bulletins (pattern, marking, fees baseline)

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