CMAT Passing Marks 2026: Check Qualifying Marks for Top Colleges

CMAT Passing Marks 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has not defined any official passing marks for the CMAT 2026 exam. However, the general CMAT cutoff 2026 has been regarded as 120 out of 400, and any candidate who scores more than or equal to 120 out of 400 gets qualified and can go through the further selection process by respective colleges. Candidates who score above this range can participate in group discussions, personal interviews, or counselling sessions conducted by various institutions. If you aim for top-tier B-schools offering MBA or PGDM programs, a CMAT score between 250 and 300 is usually competitive. Leading institutes such as JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE, KJ Somaiya, and Great Lakes Institute of Management often shortlist candidates with scores above 280. This guide covers essential details about CMAT 2026, including its minimum qualifying marks, marking scheme, and top management colleges accepting CMAT scores for the upcoming admission cycle.

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What is the Minimum CMAT Passing Marks in 2026?

If you are planning to pursue an MBA, many reputed institutes in India require you to qualify for admission through the CMAT exam. In 2026, a CMAT score of around 120 or higher is generally considered competitive, giving you a fair chance to be shortlisted for interviews and selection rounds in top B‑schools such as JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, or Great Lakes. However, if your score falls below the qualifying mark, it may limit your opportunities for admission to renowned postgraduate management programs across the country.

CMAT Passing Marks 2026 for Top Colleges

As already mentioned, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has not set any specific passing marks for CMAT 2026. The CMAT passing score is determined by colleges accepting CMAT scores. However, scoring above 120 is generally considered good and can open up many options for Management colleges. A score between 250 and 300 (out of 400) is considered very good and can help you get into top colleges. The table below is a comprehensive overview of the estimated CMAT passing marks/qualifying scores 2026 for top colleges:

Note: These scores are estimates and are subject to change. Candidates should use these scores for reference only.

Percentile-wise CMAT Accepting Colleges

CMAT Cutoff for Top Colleges

Is There any Category-wise CMAT Passing Marks for 2026?

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No, the National Testing Agency has not set any category-wise passing marks for CMAT 2026. However, based on observations from previous years, the All India qualifying score for the general category typically ranges between the 70th and 95th percentile. Candidates scoring within this range are likely to qualify for various management programs across the country.

While there is no reservation policy specifically for the CMAT exam, B-schools accepting CMAT scores will apply the reservation criteria as prescribed by the Government of India during the admission process.

CMAT Marking Scheme 2026

As per the latest CMAT 2026 marking scheme, you will get a total of 4 marks for every right answer. But for every wrong answer, you will lose 1 mark. Below, you will be able to see a clear breakdown of the CMAT marking scheme that will help explain the scoring system better for you.

CMAT 2026 Marks vs Percentile

For a perfect 100 percentile, candidates usually aim for scores ranging between 345 and 350. Attaining percentiles between 90 to 99.99 typically requires scores from 281 to 340, while securing percentiles of 81 to 89 necessitates scores between 201 and 280. Explore the table below outlining the CMAT scores and their corresponding percentile range.

How to Calculate CMAT Percentile 2026

The CMAT examination, overseen by the National Testing Agency (NTA), employs a scoring system that rewards correct responses with +4 marks and penalizes incorrect ones with a deduction of -1 mark. If a question remains unanswered, no marks are deducted. To calculate your CMAT percentile, you can employ the following formula:

Percentile = 100 − (Candidate’s RankTotal Number of Candidates appeared×100)

Your CMAT score is the cumulative total of marks earned or lost in each section of the CMAT test. You receive marks for each section, which are then aggregated to yield your CMAT Total Score (out of 400).

Factors Influencing CMAT Percentile 2026

CMAT percentile ranks candidates based on their performance in the exam, indicating their position on the merit list relative to others. It is calculated by comparing a candidate's score with those of other qualified candidates. Below are the key determinants influencing the CMAT Percentile:

• Exam Difficulty: The difficulty level of the CMAT exam impacts the percentile, with more challenging exams potentially resulting in lower percentiles.

• Number of Test-Takers: The total number of candidates taking the CMAT exam affects percentile rankings, with higher competition potentially leading to lower percentiles.

• Available Seats in Participating Institutes: The number of seats available in institutes accepting CMAT scores influences percentiles, with limited seats possibly affecting percentile distribution.

• CMAT Scorecard: While CMAT scorecards display raw scores and All India Rank (AIR), they do not include percentiles. Candidates can utilise the CMAT percentile predictor to gauge their performance and estimate expected cutoffs.

Previous Year's CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026

Below is the comparison of CMAT scores from the previous year alongside their corresponding percentiles, allowing candidates to assess their performance:

In summary, while the 2026 CMAT Passing Marks have no strict threshold, aiming for a minimum score of 120 is advisable. The CMAT college cut-off serves as the minimum score requirement for advancing to subsequent rounds of the MBA admission process, such as Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

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