CMAT Score Validity 2026: How Long Are CMAT Results Valid for MBA Admission?

CMAT Score Validity 2026: How Long Are CMAT Results Valid for MBA Admission?

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 17 Sep 2025, 02:29 PM IST

CMAT score validity is of one year. The Common Management Admission Test (CAT) exam is a national-level MBA entrance exam for admission into MBA/ PGDM courses at top B-schools in India except IIMs. For admission to MBA colleges in India, the validity of the CMAT score is one year from the date of declaration of CMAT result. If a candidate appears for CMAT 2026, then their CMAT scores will be valid for MBA admission for the 2026-2027 academic session only.

CMAT Score Validity 2026: How Long Are CMAT Results Valid for MBA Admission?
CMAT Score Validity

How long are CMAT results valid?

CMAT results will be valid for one year only. After the CMAT results are declared and the scores are released, candidates can apply for admission to the CMAT accepting colleges for the academic session 2026-2027.

Also Check: CMAT Counselling

Planning to take CMAT 2026?

In case the candidates take the CMAT 2026 exam but do not take admission this year, then they will have to appear for the CMAT exam again the next year as it holds a validity of one year. After appearing for the CMAT 2026 exam they will be eligible for MBA admission.

CMAT Exam Dates 2026

Given below are the important CMAT 2026 exam dates, answer key release date and CMAT result date.

CMAT Events

CMAT Dates 2026

CMAT exam date 2026

Last week of January 2026

CMAT 2026 answer key release date (Provisional)

Last week of January 2026

NTA CMAT answer key challenge last date

First week of February 2026

CMAT result date 2026

Second week of February 2026

Since, the CMAT score validity is for one year only, after downloading the CMAT result and scorecard, candidates must start applying to the B-schools accepting CMAT scores.

  • Candidates must visit the official website of the college.
  • Register themselves and generate a login ID and password.
  • They must fill out the application form by entering their CMAT scores and other required details.

Check Out:

Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Last Date to Apply: 10th Jan | 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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will CMAT happen in 2026?
A:

Yes, the CMAT exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) probably in the last week of January 2026. 

Q: Which colleges accept CMAT scores in 2026?
A:

There are more than one thousand MBA colleges in India that accept CMAT scores. Top MBA colleges accepting CMAT scores includes K J Somaiya, JBIMS, Great Lakes Chennai, GIM Goa, and BIMTECH among others. 

Q: What is the pattern of CMAT 2026 exam?
A:

As per released CMAT paper pattern, there were five sections in the CMAT question paper each section carried 20 questions: Logical Reasoning, Quant & DI, General Knowledge, VARC, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. 

Q: How long is a CMAT score valid?
A:

CMAT scorecard will be valid for one year only. If a candidate appears for CMAT 2026, then he/ she must take admission in the same academic year. There are more than 1000 B-schools in India accept CMAT score to offer admission into the MBA program.

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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

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