CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Qualification, Age Limit & Nationality

CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Qualification, Age Limit & Nationality

Upcoming Event

CMAT Exam Date:25 Jan' 26 - 25 Jan' 26

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 22 Oct 2025, 11:26 AM IST

CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - The National Testing Agency (NTA) specified the CMAT eligibility criteria 2026 on its official site along with the CMAT notification. Basically, CMAT eligibility is a set of minimum requirements that a candidate should fulfil if they want to take this national-level entrance test. The CMAT 2026 eligibility criteria include the minimum educational qualification required, age, marks in the qualifying exam, and much more. NTA will conduct the CMAT entrance test, in online mode, CMAT exam date is yet to be announced.

This Story also Contains

  1. CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
  2. CMAT Exam Eligibility: Key Highlights
  3. CMAT Registration 2026
CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Qualification, Age Limit & Nationality
CMAT Eligibility Criteria

CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Also, the CMAT eligibility specifies the nationality of the candidate. Failing to meet the CMAT exam eligibility requirements at any stage of the admission process will lead to the cancellation of your candidature. NTA annually conducts CMAT entrance tests across the country in computer-based (CBT) mode. Read this article by Careers360 to know the minimum marks required to appear for CMAT 2026 and related information, along with the CMAT 2026 exam schedule.

CMAT Exam Eligibility: Key Highlights

Before filling out the CMAT 2026 exam form, candidates must adhere to the following factors of CMAT eligibility. Check out the detailed CMAT 2026 eligibility criteria, which include minimum qualification, age limit, etc., which are mentioned below. In order to get all the insights around CMAT eligibility, must read this article thoroughly.

Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025

K J Somaiya Institute of Management MBA Admissions 2026

Highest Package 27.25 LPA | Top 100 Average package 16.65 LPA | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 52 by QS International

  • Qualifying Exam: Candidates should have completed a minimum of three years of graduation in any stream.
  • Age Limit: There is no age restriction for taking the CMAT 2026, according to NTA.
  • Nationality: Candidates must have citizenship in India.

CMAT 2026: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This eBook also includes Idioms and Phrases, Phrasal Verbs, Permutation & Combination, Geometry and Mensuration, Most important English words to boost their exam preparation.
Download Now

Course-wise CMAT 2026 eligibility criteria

  • For Executive PGDM: Candidates should have completed their graduation degree in any discipline along with five years of minimum experience.
  • For PGCM: Graduate in any discipline
  • For MBA and PGDM: Candidates should have done their bachelor’s in any discipline.

Amity University-Noida MBA Admissions 2026

Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.

ISBR Business School PGDM Admissions 2026

400+ Recruiters | Highest CTC 21 LPA | Average CTC 8 LPA | 92% Placements in 2025 | Ranked as Platinum Institute | Awarded Best Business School of the Year

CMAT Registration 2026

The CMAT 2026 application process started in online mode, from October 17, 2025 onwards, and the same will continue till November 18, 2025. Before filling out the CMAT application form, candidates are required to check their CMAT eligibility, which is the foremost thing. At the time of the CMAT exam form filling, candidates are required to enter their personal and academic details. Also, candidates will have to upload all the necessary documents, such as photographs and signatures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who can apply for CMAT? Is CMAT registration 2026 started?
A:

As per basic CMAT eligibility criteria, those who have completed their graduation with a minimum duration of 3 years are eligible to apply for CMAT. CMAT registration 2026 started on October 17 to November 18, 2025.

Q: What are good B-schools which accept CMAT scores?
A:

Here is the list of CMAT accepting colleges:

  • Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies
  • Birla Institute of Management Technology
  • KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research
  • IMT Nagpur
  • Jaipuria Institute of Management
  • ITM Navi Mumbai
  • KIIT School of Management
Q: What is the exam pattern of CMAT 2026?
A:

The CMAT exam pattern is as follows:

  • Quantitative techniques and data interpretation
  • Logical reasoning
  • General awareness
  • Language comprehension
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional)
Q: What is the maximum age limit for CMAT?
A:

There is no age bar to apply for Common Management Admission Test (CMAT).

Q: Will there be negative marking in CMAT exam?
A:

Yes, for every incorrect answer there is a penalty of 1 mark.

Q: Can a candidate take the CMAT entrance test from home?
A:

No, candidates will have to appear for the CMAT entrance test at allotted examination centre.

Q: How many times is the CMAT exam held in a year?
A:

The CMAT exam is held once a year.

Q: Is there an onscreen calculator in CMAT?
A:

No, the screen calculator is not available in CMAT exam, use of any calculator is prohibited in exam.

Q: What is the mode of CMAT exam?
A:

CMAT exam is conducted in Computer based mode.

Q: Is CMAT required for MBA?
A:

CMAT is one of the MBA entrance exams conducted for providing admission to MBA courses in reputed B-schools.  Candidates can pursue the MBA exam with other entrance exams as well such as CAT, XAT, and so on.

Articles
|
Upcoming Bschool Exams
Ongoing Dates
ACAT Application Date

7 Oct'25 - 26 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
VITBEE Application Date

31 Oct'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
B-MAT Application Date

19 Nov'25 - 8 Feb'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA
Via Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Online BBA
Via Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Direct Tax Laws and Practice
Via Tezpur University, Tezpur
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to CMAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CMAT ?

Yes, DSM DTU (Delhi Technological University, Department of Management Studies) does accept CMAT score for admission to its MBA programme. Many management institutes in India use CMAT as one of the valid entrance exams along with CAT, MAT, or GMAT, and DTU’s management department is among those that consider CMAT scores during the selection process. When you apply, your CMAT percentile will be used along with your academic record, group discussion or writing ability test and personal interview performance to decide your final merit for admission.

Nirma University also accepts CMAT scores for its MBA and related management programmes. Like most private and state universities, Nirma University uses multiple national and state level entrance exams as part of its eligibility and shortlisting criteria, and CMAT is commonly included in that list. After shortlisting based on the entrance score, institutes typically conduct further rounds such as group discussion or personal interview before final selection.

Because both DSM DTU and Nirma University consider CMAT, your preparation for CMAT can be beneficial if you want to keep your options open for MBA admissions. Make sure you check the latest admission brochure of each institute before applying so you know the exact cutoffs, weightage of different rounds and other requirements like work experience or minimum academic marks. All the best.

Hello

You have scored 92 percentile in CMAT, which is a good score, and you have a higher chance of getting admission into a good college. But, if you're targeting only SVNIT Surat, then it's quite tough because SVNIT usually looks for a higher score for the PG course, like MBA. You should focus on the other top colleges.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cmat-cutoff

https://www.careers360.com/university/sardar-vallabhbhai-national-institute-of-technology-surat/mba-course

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you

Hello,

The link to the website of careers360, where the preferred colleges and percentiles are mentioned, is attached herewith. You can also get the details of colleges.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/mba-colleges-accepting-80-90-percentile-in-cmat-exam

Thank you.

Hello

With an 80 percentile in CMAT, you can get admission in decent Tier-2 MBA colleges.
Good options include Jaipuria Institute, IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, SDMIMD Mysore, and XIME.
Top IIMs are not possible, but these colleges offer reasonable placements and exposure.

Click on the link below to get access to all the information.

MBA Colleges accepting 60-80 percentile in CMAT 2026

CMAT Colleges accepting 80-90 percentile

Hello,

For a postgraduate management course (MBA/PGDM) at L.D. College, you will likely need to give the CMAT exam. As a final-year BCA student, you are eligible to appear for the exam. The registration for CMAT 2026 has already begun, and you must apply before the deadline to be eligible for the entrance test.

I hope it will clear your query!!