Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026
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The CMAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as it has been in the previous years. As per the CMAT 2026 paper pattern, the exam will comprise of five sections - Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The CMAT 2026 question paper is expected to have 100 questions. Each section will have 20 questions with 80 marks calculating a maximum of 400 marks in the CMAT exam. CMAT is a national-level exam conducted by NTA in computer-based mode, for a duration of 180 minutes (3 hours) without any sectional time limit. In this article, we will explore CMAT preparation tips, the CMAT 2026 exam pattern, the negative marking scheme, important instructions, and much more.
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The CMAT exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency every year for MBA admission 2026-28 to top B-schools accepting CMAT scores for management programmes (MBA/PGDM) in India. Here’s a table mentioning key highlights for the CMAT 2026 exam and covering the important aspects related to the same.
CMAT exam pattern 2026 | CMAT Key Highlights |
CMAT 2026 Exam Full Form | Common Management Admission Test |
CMAT Exam Date 2026 (Tentative) | January 24, 2026 |
CMAT Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
CMAT 2026 Exam Duration | 180 Minutes |
Slot 1: 09:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. | |
Slot 2: 03:00 A.M. - 06:00 P.M. | |
CMAT Exam Sections | Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
Number of Questions | 100 |
CMAT total marks | 400 Marks |
CMAT Marking Scheme | +4 marks for correct answer |
-1 mark for incorrect answer |
The CMAT 2026 exam pattern for MBA will be released by NTA on the official CMAT website for admission to the MBA program. The total time allotted for completing the CMAT 2026 will be 180 minutes. The CMAT exam has no sectional time limit. Additionally, candidates are advised to go through the CMAT 2025 question paper before the exam. The following table mentions the CMAT exam pattern and CMAT syllabus, based on previous years' patterns.
Section | Exam Sections | Total Number of Questions | Section-wise Maximum Marks |
1 | Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
2 | Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
3 | Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
4 | General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
5 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
Total | 100 | 400 |
The CMAT 2026 will be of 400 marks, with each question carrying 4 marks. Additionally, there’s a 1 mark deduction for every incorrect answer. Refer to the table below for more information.
CMAT Marking Scheme Elements | CMAT Exam Marks |
Correct Option | +4 marks |
Incorrect Option | -1 mark |
Skip | No deduction |
In the CMAT 2026 exam, to answer a question, a candidate needs to choose an option based on their preparation as the correct option.
In the process of challenges to answer keys, if there are multiple correct answers or a change in key, then only those candidates will be awarded marks who attempted the specific question correctly as per the revised answer key in the CMAT 2026 examination.
In case the question is dropped due to some technical issue, full marks will be given to all the candidates irrespective of whether they attempted the question or not.
Here is are CMAT exam analysis for MBA aspirants. According to the students who appeared in the CMAT 2025 exam, it was easy with Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation difficulty levels ranging from easy to moderate. Refer to the table below for a detailed CMAT exam analysis.
CMAT Exam Sections | CMAT Exam Difficulty Level |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | Easy to Moderate |
Logical Reasoning | Easy |
Language Comprehension | Easy |
General Awareness | Easy |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Easy |
Overall Difficulty | Easy |
The CMAT exam involves a colour-coded system for answering questions for the candidate. The candidate must know all the colour-coded indicators before appearing for the CMAT exam 2026. Refer to the table below for more information.
CMAT Panel Colours | What It Indicates |
Green | The question is answered. |
Red | The question is viewed but not answered. |
Grey | The question is not visited |
Violet | The question is marked for review without answering it. |
Violet with a green tick | The question is marked for review and answered. |

Candidates must know how to prepare for the CMAT exam and the CMAT syllabus 2026 to get admission into top CMAT colleges with the best placements. Here are some of the important tips for the upcoming CMAT exam.
Time Allocation: Aspirants are advised to allocate their time to high-weightage sections from the CMAT syllabus 2026 and knit an exam strategy based on easy-to-tough analysis of the CMAT syllabus.
Short Tricks: Use short tricks in quantitative techniques and follow smart strategies to solve the CMAT mock tests.
Track Your Performance: Keep track of your mistakes and tweak your exam strategy, look at the CMAT paper pattern, and focus on areas accordingly.
Candidates who are appearing for the CMAT 2026 are advised to solve as many CMAT mock tests as possible. This will help you revise the CMAT syllabus 2026 and understand the CMAT paper pattern. The CMAT mock test is structured similarly to the actual CMAT exam and follows the same CMAT exam pattern and syllabus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The CMAT exam is conducted once a year by the National Testing Agency for MBA admissions.
No, CMAT is not accepted by the Indian Institute of Management. However, there are many good colleges like JBIMS, Mumbai, SIMSREE, Mumbai, GIM, Goa, etc.
No, the questions are not repeated in the CMAT exam. However, the CMAT exam ranges around easy to tough questions. Candidates with the right preparation strategy can crack the CMAT exam easily.
Yes, candidates can switch between different sections in the CMAT exam, and there’s no sectional time limit. The 3-hour duration is for the whole CMAT exam.
On Question asked by student community
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
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
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
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
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