CMAT Normalization Process 2026: How Scores are Calculated?

CMAT Normalization Process 2026: The CMAT 2026 exam will be held in two shifts, and the final scores will undergo a normalisation process to ensure fairness for all test-takers. Since each shift may have a different difficulty level, the normalisation method adjusts scores so that candidates are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged. In simple terms, if one paper is easier, marks for that shift may be adjusted slightly downward, while candidates who faced a tougher paper may see an upward adjustment. This process is based on a statistical formula used by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to maintain score equity across shifts. Understanding how CMAT 2026 normalisation works is essential if you’re planning to apply to MBA or PGDM programs using CMAT 2026 scores.

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What is CMAT 2026 Normalization Process?

The NTA has confirmed that the CMAT 2026 results will be prepared using the normalization method based on percentile scores to ensure fairness across all exam sessions. Since the CMAT is conducted in multiple shifts, each paper may vary slightly in difficulty. To balance this out, NTA calculates the percentile score separately for every shift.

This means your performance will be compared only with other candidates who appeared in the same session. Later, these percentile scores are normalized to derive your final NTA Score, which appears on the merit list. By applying this process, NTA makes sure that no test-taker gains an unfair advantage or faces a disadvantage due to varying difficulty levels across shifts. The key goal of CMAT 2026 normalization is to present an accurate and unbiased reflection of each candidate’s true ability, maintaining a transparent and level evaluation process for everyone.

The details of how normalization is carried out by the NTA are given below:

Step 1: Distribution of Candidates

All of the candidates will be distributed randomly into the two shifts to avoid any bias. The two shifts can be conducted on the same day or multiple days, as specified by the NTA. In case the conducting body wishes to increase the number of shifts, the candidates can be divided accordingly into each shift. As an example, NTA has provided an example of the distribution of candidates for 4 Shifts.

A random distribution of candidates would remove the chances of any bias in the shift allocation. The chances of bias would be further reduced with a large population of candidates appearing for the exam.

Step 2: Preparation of CMAT 2026 Result

NTA will prepare the CMAT 2026 results for each session. The result will be prepared in the form of the following scores.

• Raw Scores
• Percentile Scores of Total Raw Scores

The raw scores of the candidate will not be considered to identify their merit. Instead, NTA will consider the Percentile Scores calculated for each session for that purpose.

Calculation of CMAT 2026 Percentile Scores

The percentile compares the performance of a candidate relative to the other candidates who appeared for the exam. It is calculated based on the rank of the candidate. The candidate's percentile is the percentage of candidates in the same session as the candidate who has a score equal to or less than that of the candidate. The higher the rank of a candidate, the higher their percentile. The percentile ranges from 0 to 100 and is calculated using the following formula.

The Percentile Score will be calculated up to 7 decimal places to reduce the chances of ties and avoid the 'bunching effect'. Calculating the percentile score separately for each session will have the following effects:

• All of the candidates in the same session with the same raw score will have the same percentile.
• If two or more candidates in different shifts have the same raw score, their CMAT 2026 percentile will most likely be different.
• All candidates who have the highest raw score for their session will be awarded the 100 percentile.
• All candidates who have the lowest score for their session will have a close to 0 percentile, depending on the number of candidates who appeared.

Let us understand the bottom two points further with examples given by the NTA.

Highest Raw Score and Percentile Score

As per the NTA, the normalized percentile scores for all of the highest raw scores will be 100 for their respective session. Given below is an example of the highest raw scores for an exam with 4 shifts.

Lowest Raw Score and Percentile Score

The percentile scores for all of the lowest raw scores will be close to 0. The exact score, however, will depend on the number of candidates who appeared for the session. Here is an example of the lowest raw scores for an exam with 4 shifts.

Step 3: Compilation of NTA Score

In the final step of the CMAT 2026 normalization, the percentile scores for all of the sessions are merged and called the NTA score. The scores can then be used for the compilation of results and in the CMAT selection process 2026 .

Important Information Regarding CMAT 2026 Eligibility Cut Off

There are chances that the percentiles for the different shifts on the same raw scores will be unequal. In such cases, issues may arise when deciding the eligibility cutoff. However, NTA has specified that the lowest percentile across all shifts for any particular raw score will be considered to be the eligibility cut-off. As an example. If 80 marks correspond to the 40 percentile in Shift 1 and 85 marks correspond to the 40 percentile in Shift 2, then all students who scored 80 and above would be considered eligible in both shifts.

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CMAT Cutoff for Top Colleges

Percentile-wise Colleges Accepting CMAT 2026

Given below is the percentile-wise list of colleges accepting CMAT 2026:

CMAT Marking Scheme and Number of Good Attempts

The CMAT exam has five sections, and each section is equally weighted. For each correct answer, you gain 4 marks, but for every incorrect answer, you lose 1 mark. If you do not attempt a question, then you neither gain nor lose marks; it will simply be marked as zero. Below, you will find a detailed table with the total number of questions and the recommended number of good attempts to aim for.

Once the CMAT percentile scores are calculated, the selection commission aggregates scores from all the shifts in the exams to calculate final NTA-CMAT scores. These NTA scores then form the basis for the merit list. For those candidates whose CMAT percentiles vary from shift to shift, the least percentile score becomes the CMAT cut-off for each category.

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These were all of the details about the CMAT normalization process 2026. In case of any doubts, candidates can post their questions on the CollegeDekho QnA Zone . To make your college applications easier, fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) or discuss your options with our counsellor at 18005729877.

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