Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai News & Updates 2026: Notifications, Notice, Result

The CMAT 2026 expected cutoff for top B Schools ranges from the 95th to 99.99th percentile. It is the minimum marks that an aspirant needs to score to qualify for the next stages in the selection process of the CMAT 2026 participating institutes.

The National Testing Agency will conduct the CMAT 2026 exam on January 25, 2026, in two shifts. Please note that the NTA does not announce the CMAT 2026 cutoff; each institute decides the figure based on the difficulty level of the exam and seat availability.

The admission process for the 2026–28 MBA/ PGDM programs is expected to begin within a few weeks after the CMAT results and remain open until June/ July. If you clear the CMAT cutoff, you will be considered for further rounds in the CMAT selection process.

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What after CMAT 2026 Result is a common question among aspirants once the exam process is over. After the CMAT result is declared, students need to focus on checking how to apply for MBA admissions. shortlisting colleges, understanding cut-offs, and tracking application timelines.

Different MBA institutes follow varied admission processes, including GD-PI rounds, written ability tests, or centralised counselling. Knowing the correct sequence of steps helps avoid missed deadlines and last-minute confusion. From filling out application forms to attending selection rounds, to fee payment, every stage is important for final admission. Being prepared in advance allows aspirants to make informed decisions and plan their MBA journey more effectively.

CMAT 2026 will be conducted on January 25, 2026. Aspirants can check this article, which covers all the details regarding the admission rounds conducted after the result announcement.

Understanding what to expect in XAT is important as it enables candidates to plan their preparation efficiently and develop effective strategies. The exam pattern for XAT has remained consistent with the previous year's structure, comprising three parts, namely Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. The second part included mock keyboard testing, while the final part covered General Knowledge questions and Essay Writing.

MBA colleges accepting an 80-90 percentile in CAT 2025 include premier institutions such as Great Lakes Institute of Management, Bharathidasan Institute of Management, University Business School, and T.A. Pai Management Institute. If you achieve a CAT result 2025, which has been released on December 24, 2025, within the range of 80-90, you can also seek admission to several well-established and reputed MBA colleges and universities. These colleges may not be the top B-schools in India, however, a majority of these management institutes are ranked among the most reputable and promising colleges in the country. The MBA selection process for 80 to 90 percentile CAT colleges is similar to that of other B-schools accepting CAT 2025.

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The CAT Cutoff 2025 for private MBA colleges usually ranges from 90 to 100 percentile. Students must clear the CAT examination and score marks in accordance with the CAT cutoff. Apart from the IIMs, there are many private MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. Some of the top private MBA colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC, include XLRI, JBIMS, MDI, SPJIMR, NITIE, IMT Ghaziabad, and more. Students who make it to the CAT 2025 cutoff set by these institutes will be eligible to get admission to their MBA courses.

Many aspiring MBA students often wonder about an important question: Is the CAT exam compulsory for MBA? The simple answer is NO! Taking the CAT exam is not mandatory for enrolling in MBA programmes in India or abroad. However, it is important to note that the CAT is the most widely accepted and recognised entrance exam for MBA programs in India. You can certainly look at other alternatives to CAT like MAT, XAT, SNAP, or other entrance exams. That said, since the IIMs hold a coveted position, being considered the best for an MBA education within the country, it is given a good weightage. 

UoH MBA Admission 2026: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has started the online registration process for MBA Admission 2026, seeking applications for its two-year MBA course (2026-28 batch). Candidates interested in pursuing a management course can now apply through the official admission portal of the university. The total number of seats available for the course is 75. Candidates interested in the course are required to apply online on or before January 31, 2026. The admissions will be conducted based on the eligibility criteria and performance in the selection process, as announced by the university.

The list of MBA colleges accepting 60-70 percentile in CMAT 2026 highlights recognised names such as DY Patil Mumbai, Universal Business School, Institute of Management Christ University, Jagannath International Management School Delhi, IMS Ghaziabad, etc. These institutes usually grant admission to the management programmes based on a CMAT percentile range between 60 and 70 and are known for providing quality education through the latest academic frameworks and industry-oriented exposure.

A CMAT score ranging from 141 to 170 out of 400 generally corresponds to the 60–70 percentile bracket. Although these colleges may not be the first choice for those scoring above 90 or 95 percentile, aspirants securing a percentile in the said band still have access to several respectable MBA options. Majority of these colleges provide career-focused programmes, practical learning opportunities, regular industry exposure, and well-maintained campus facilities.

The list of MBA colleges accepting 80-90 percentile in CMAT 2026 features names such as Welingkar, Great Lakes Institute of Management, St. Xavier’s University, and IMT Nagpur. These institutes are known for industry-relevant MBA programmes, having experienced faculty, reliable campus facilities, and strong placement assistance. Although they may not be among the options available in the 99+ percentile category, they remain strong options for aspirants seeking a recognised and career-focused management degree.

The CMAT 2026 exam was conducted by NTA on January 25, 2026, across more than 100 CMAT exam centres nationwide. CMAT 2026 results are likely to be launched in the second/ third week of February 2026. Having an idea of this 80-90 percentile-based college list is especially useful for shortlisting options for CMAT aspirants.

BHU MBA-IB 2026 Registration is ongoing, and the last date to submit your applications is January 31, 2026. Banaras Hindu University, through its Management Institute, offers an MBA in International Business. It is a two-year full-time program for executives who want to build a comprehensive global management perspective. This program focuses on different specializations such as Global Business Operations, Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, and Operations Management. There are currently 59 seats available for the MBA-IB program for the 2026 batch.

If you’ve been wondering what is a good score in CMAT 2026 exam, the general benchmarks are already quite clear. A score in the bracket of 295 and 345+ is considered good enough to secure a 90 to 99.99 percentile, which is widely regarded as an excellent performance. Those seeking to join institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, SIES, BIMTECH, JAGSoM, etc, must note that the target score is typically higher, typically between 290 and 360 marks, which often aligns with a 98 to 99.99+ percentile.

The CMAT 2026 exam was conducted on January 25, 2026, and was of an easy-to-moderate level. Knowing the CMAT cutoff trends helps them to prepare accordingly and know a realistic range to gain admission to their desired college. Also, it helps them understand how different score ranges translate into percentile brackets and which colleges fall within each band. 

In this article, let's explore what counts as a competitive score for CMAT 2026.