CMAT 2026 Exam: Answer Key, Exam Analysis, Result Date at cmat.nta.nic.in, Cutoff

CMAT Exam 2026: Key Highlights

The following are the key highlights of the CMAT exam, which will help you know more about the same.

• In 2021, NTA introduced a new section in CMAT named ‘Innovation & Entrepreneurship’. This section was optional in 2021 but later became compulsory from 2022.
• The application fees for candidates for Males/Females increased to Rs. 2,500 & Rs. 1,250, respectively. While for the reserved category and third gender candidates, the fee was raised to Rs. 1,250.
• Lastly, NTA has increased the total number of centres from 109 to 153.

CMAT 2026 Dates

The following table mentions the tentative CMAT 2026 exam dates for the upcoming CMAT 2026 exam. By going through the same, one will get an idea of the upcoming events.

CMAT 2026 Admit Card

The CMAT admit card is OUT, January 21, 2026, and it is a mandatory document that must be carried by every candidate on the day of the examination. Before the CMAT exam date, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will upload the admit card on the official NTA website. Only successfully registered candidates will be able to download the CMAT admit card and appear for the exam. The last date to download the CMAT 2026 admit card is the day the CMAT exam will be conducted.

CMAT 2026 Exam Centres

Before the CMAT 2026 exam is conducted, NDA will release the complete list of CMAT exam centres and where they are located. Candidates planning to take the CMAT exam in January will be able to choose from the list of exam centres in their application form. Each candidate will get an option to choose four test cities for the CMAT 2026 exam.

The following list mentions the CMAT 2026 exam centres. You can also check out the cities with the most CMAT exam centres in India.

*This is not the complete CMAT exam centres list.

CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply for the CMAT 2026 exam on January 25, 2026, you need to go through the CMAT 2026 eligibility criteria. Below, we have mentioned the basic CMAT eligibility criteria, which will help you understand if you are eligible to take the CMAT 2026 exam.

• The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a recognised university.
• Those in their final year of study and appearing will be admitted, if their result is declared for the MBA admission 2026-28 session commences. Moreover, they will also be able to apply for the CMAT 2026 exam.
• Candidates appearing for CMAT 2026 must be citizens of India.
• Lastly, there is no age restriction for those appearing for the CMAT 2026 exam.

Note: CMAT accepting colleges must have a minimum score requirement of 50 per cent (45 per cent for the reserved category) in their graduation.

CMAT 2026 Registration Process

As discussed earlier, the CMAT 2026 registration process is active from October 17, 2025. Candidates must complete this process early to get a convenient exam centre in their preferred city. Go through the following steps, which will help you fill out the CMAT 2026 application form and register yourself.

• Step 1: Visit the official CMAT website, cmat.nta.nic.in and click on the ‘Online Registration’ tab to start the CMAT registration process.
• Step 2: Next, you will need to enter your mobile number and email ID, which you wish to use for future communications. Once you have entered the same, you will need to verify to move ahead.
• Step 3: Once you have registered for the CMAT 2026 session, you must now enter your login credentials and begin filling out the CMAT online application form.
• Step 4: After you have completed the CMAT registration form, you must ensure that you make the payment for the same.

Candidates must note that CMAT 2026 applications will only be considered after the successful transaction/receipt of the prescribed application fee.

Documents Required to Fill the CMAT 2026 Application Form

At the time of filling the CMAT application form, the candidates must keep the following list of documents ready:

• Class 10 Marksheet
• Class 12 Marksheet
• Graduation Marksheet (if passed)
• Address Proof
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Email ID
• Phone number
• Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking

CMAT Registration Count Over the Years

CMAT 2026 Application Fees

All those candidates registering for the upcoming CMAT 2026 exam must ensure that they pay the application fee for the CMAT 2026 exam via online mode only. If the candidate misses, then no request for the CMAT 2026 application fee will be entertained by NTA under any circumstances.

Below, we have mentioned the CMAT 2026 application fee, which needs to be paid by different categories.

*The above-mentioned fees are subject to revision.

Payment of CMAT 2026 Exam Fees

Candidates will be able to pay the CMAT 2026 exam fees via multiple platforms. All payment methods will be associated with minimum charges. The following methods are mentioned below.

CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The CMAT exam pattern will consist of 100 objective-type (MCQ) questions, which will be equally divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Other than this, the CMAT 2026 exam duration will be 180 minutes. There is no sectional time limit. As per the previous year’s exam paper pattern, the CMAT exam pattern 2026 is given below as follows:

• Each question will carry 4 marks
• For each correct response, the candidate will get 4 marks.
• For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted from the total score.
• Any unanswered/unattempted questions will be given no marks.

Take a look at the following table, which mentions the CMAT exam pattern 2026.

CMAT 2026 Syllabus

Before sitting for the CMAT 2026 exam, the candidate must go through the CMAT syllabus, which will help them with the preparation. The CMAT exam syllabus can be divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Based on the sections mentioned above, the following is the syllabus for the upcoming CMAT 2026 exam for you.

CMAT 2026 Reservation Criteria

All institutes/colleges aided by the Central or State government will need to follow the below reservation policy, which will be applicable during admissions through CMAT.

CMAT 2026 Response Sheet

The CMAT 2026 response sheet has not been released yet and can be expected to be available by the third week of January 2026 or early February 2026. For all those unaware, the CMAT response sheet contains the questions asked in the CMAT exam along with the options that have been chosen by the candidate for each question.

The CMAT response sheet is released alongside the answer key, allowing candidates to check their marked answers and calculate their raw scores. Candidates will have the opportunity to raise any discrepancies.

CMAT 2026 Answer Key

After the CMAT exam is over, the NTA will release the CMAT answer key on its official website. The CMAT answer key will help the candidates to get an estimate of their scores and evaluate their performance before the official result is announced.

Ideally, the CMAT answer key is made available 6-7 days after the CMAT exam and 10 days before the result declaration. One can expect the CMAT 2026 answer key to be released in the first week of February 2026. To access the same, one will need to simply log in using their CMAT login credentials on the NTA official website. From there on, one will be able to download the CMAT answer key from their dashboard once it has been published.

CMAT 2026 Result

The CMAT 2026 exam final result is expected to be released by the second week of February 2026 on the official NTA website. To check your CMAT result, you will simply need to log in using your credentials to the NTA website, and your scorecard will be displayed on the screen.

Following the release of the final CMAT result, all shortlisted candidates will be called for further rounds, Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). All candidates must note that there is no CMAT counselling process.

CMAT Cut-offs for MBA Admission

Getting an MBA admission will be based on the CMAT cutoffs set by the university/colleges. Here is a list of expected CMAT cutoff scores for accepting colleges. Keep in mind that this list will vary depending on the CMAT cutoff.

CMAT 2026 Score Accepting Colleges

Check out some of the popular MBA colleges accepting CMAT scores in India for MBA admissions 2026.

CMAT 2026 Exam Preparation

If you are also interested in taking the CMAT 2026 exam, then you must begin preparing for it from now. To prepare for the upcoming CMAT 2026 exam, one must create a study plan and focus on the five sections on which the candidate will be tested.

One must use CMAT-specific study materials and opt for taking regular CMAT mock tests to help them improve their time management skills and identify their weak points. Lastly, make sure you stay updated on the current affairs for the General Knowledge section.