What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026? Expected Score vs Percentile & Cut Offs

What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026? Expected Score vs Percentile & Cut Offs

Alen Tom ShajiUpdated on 13 Sep 2025, 02:43 PM IST

What is a good score in CMAT 2026? A good score in the CMAT is considered between 281 to 340, which can fetch you a percentile between 90 to 99.99. Candidates must have a score between 290 to 360 to clear the CMAT cut off of 98 to 99.99+ percentile for MBA admission to top B-schools like JBIMS, SIMSREE, SIES, BIMTECH, JAGSoM, etc. One of the most common questions aspirants ask is: “What is a good score in CMAT 2026?" The answer depends on several factors — exam difficulty, number of test-takers, and the cutoffs of participating institutes. Keep reading this article to know about the CMAT score vs percentile, CMAT colleges cut offs, how to get a good score in CMAT and more.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is the CMAT Score 2026?
  2. How to Calculate CMAT Score?
  3. What is a Good CMAT score?
  4. CMAT Score Vs Percentile 2026: Expected
  5. CMAT College Cut Offs 2026 (Expected)
  6. What To Do Based on Your CMAT 2026 Score
  7. Past Year CMAT Scores (2021-2025)
What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026? Expected Score vs Percentile & Cut Offs
What is a Good Score

What is the CMAT Score 2026?

CMAT score is the sum of marks scored by the candidates in each section of the CMAT exam. The calculation of total scores is based on the marking scheme of the exam. The CMAT scores are calculated following the factors given below:

  • Four marks for each question are awarded
  • For each wrong or incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted
  • For unanswered questions, no marks will be awarded or deducted
  • The total score is calculated by totalling the marks as per questions answered

Also Check:

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.

Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Application Deadline: 10th March | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025

How to Calculate CMAT Score?

Given below is an example with step-wise instructions to calculate the CMAT scores.

Candidates

AAA

BBB

Question Answered

100

88

Correct Answers

75

80

Wrong Answers

25

8

Marks for Correct Answers

75*4=300

80*4=320

Marks for Wrong Answers

25*1=25

8*1=8

CMAT Score

300-25=275

320-8=312

Check out: CMAT Score Normalization Process

What is a Good CMAT score?

Having 290 to 360 scores in CMAT 2026 is a good score that makes 98 to 99+ percentile. With these scores, candidates can get admission to top MBA colleges accepting CMAT scores like JBIMS, SIMSREE, KIIT School of Management, Great Lakes Institute of Management, SIES, BIMTECH, JAGSoM, etc.

Candidates scoring between 281 to 340 is also a very good score making a percentile between 90 to 99.99. Candidates can get into colleges like Prestige Institute of Management, GIM, KJ Somaiya, PUMBA, Institute of Management Development and Research, etc.

CMAT Score Vs Percentile 2026: Expected

Candidates can refer to the expected CMAT score Vs percentile given below in the table.

CMAT 2026 Score Range

CMAT 2026 Percentile Range

345-350

100

281-340

90-99.99

201-280

81-89

171-200

71-80

141-170

61-70

116-140

51-60

Below 116

Below 51

CMAT College Cut Offs 2026 (Expected)

The table below mentions the CMAT accepting colleges along with their scores and percentile.

Check Out:

CMAT College Predictor 2026
Use CMAT College Predictor to know your admission chances based on your academic profile, CMAT score and percentile for top B-schools across India instantly.
Try Now

What To Do Based on Your CMAT 2026 Score

  • 330+ (99.5–100 %ile): Aim for JBIMS, SIMSREE, and other top-ranked B-schools.
  • 300–330 (95–99 %ile): Secure admits from KJ Somaiya, GIM, Great Lakes.
  • 250–300 (85–95 %ile): Explore strong Tier-2 colleges (BIMTECH, PUMBA, Welingkar).
  • 200–250 (75–85 %ile): Focus on private universities with decent ROI.
  • <200: Consider retaking CMAT or other MBA exams (CAT, XAT, MAT).
BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026

AACSB Accredited | Highest CTC: 22 LPA

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

Past Year CMAT Scores (2021-2025)

YearScore for 99% ileScore for 95+ %ileScore for 90+ %ile
2025~330~300~270
2024~325~295~265
2023~320~290~260
2022~315~285~255
2021~310~280~250


How to Get a Good Score in CMAT 2026?

To score well in the CMAT exam, candidates are advised to follow the tips given below:

  • Thoroughly go through the CMAT exam pattern and syllabus.
  • Prepare a structured study plan covering all the topics of CMAT syllabus.
  • Solve CMAT sample papers regularly.
  • Attempt CMAT mock tests and analyse your performance.
  • Practice time management by solving more number of questions in less time with accuracy.
  • Regularly prepare notes of CMAT important topics and keep revisiting them.

Also Check: CMAT Preparation Tips And Trend Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the expected cut off for MBA in Somaiya?
A:

KJ Somaiya's cutoff percentile is expected to be 86 for CAT, 84 for XAT, and 95 for CMAT.

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Questions related to CMAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CMAT ?

Yes, you can get a seat in the Institute of Management Studies DAVV with a CMAT score of 170. An expected percentile of 80 improves the chances of admission in the college in a course of your choice.

For safety, we advise you to check the cutoffs released by the

Hello,

Here you can check all the details related to CMAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship- Download PDF

Hello aspirant,

The CMAT 2026 exam is set for January 25, 2026, and registration began in October 2025. In two sessions, the computer-based CMAT 2026 will be administered in more than 120 Indian cities. The CMAT syllabus and exam format have not changed for 2026.

For more information you can

Hello,

MAT and CMAT acceptance depends on the college you are applying to.

Many private and some government MBA colleges in India accept MAT and/or CMAT scores . However, not all colleges accept both exams , so you must check the specific college’s admission criteria.

Required percentile (approximate):

  • MAT: Usually