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CMAT 2026: Important Dates, Registration, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Counselling
January 9, 2026 | By BMU
TL; DR
- CMAT 2026 registration opened in October 2025 and the exam will be held on 25 January 2026.
- The exam includes five sections: Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
- It is a computer-based test with 100 questions to be completed in three hours.
- Graduates and final-year students from any discipline are eligible to appear for the exam.
- Regular practice, revision and mock tests play a key role in improving speed and accuracy.
Planning to pursue an MBA in India? CMAT 2026 is the exam that you can’t ignore.
Thousands of management students every year rely on the CMAT exam to get admission in AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM courses across the country. If you are someone who registered for this exam and wants to track important information like the CMAT exam date 2026, then this guide is for you!
This blog brings essential information about the CMAT exam 2026- from dates and eligibility to syllabus and preparation tips. This helps you plan your next steps with clarity as well as confidence!
CMAT 2026- Quick Highlights
| Aspects | Details |
| Exam | Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) |
| Conducted by | NTA |
| CMAT Exam Date 2026 | 25 January, 2026 |
| CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern | Five Sections with 20 Questions
● Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation ● Logical Reasoning ● Language Comprehension ● General Awareness ● Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Exam Language | English |
| Total Score | 400 |
Important Dates of CMAT 2026
The NTA (https://cmat.nta.nic.in/) has officially announced the CMAT exam dates and other essential dates of the exam. Below are the details of the MBA entrance exam-
| Event | Date |
| CMAT Notification Released | Mid-October 2025 |
| Registration Start Date | October 17th, 2025 |
| Last Date of Registration | November 24th, 2025 |
| Application Correction Date | November 26th, 2025 |
| Fee Paying Window Closing | November 25th, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| CMAT 2026 Examination Date | January 25, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | Expected in February 2026 |
What is the Pattern of the CMAT Exam 2026?
The NTA has already released the exam pattern as well as marking scheme for CMAT exam. The CMAT 2026 exam pattern consists 100 MCQs divided into five sections-
| S.No. | Exam Sections | No. of Questions | Max Marks |
| 1 | Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| 2 | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| 4 | General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| 5 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 | |
Let’s understand the CMAT 2026 marking scheme!
| Each question | 04 Marks |
| Each correct answer | 04 Marks |
| Each incorrect answer | 01 Mark Deducted |
| Unattempted or Unanswered | No Marks |
CMAT 2026 Syllabus
Below are the section-wise important topics included in the CMAT 2026 exam syllabus-
| CMAT Syllabus | Important Topics Included |
| Language Comprehension | Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Alligation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc. |
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc. |
| Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc. |
| General Awareness | Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business |
What is the Fee for CMAT 2026?
The CMAT 2026 fee is paid online at the time of CMAT registration via credit/debit card, UPI as well as net banking. Below is the detailed fee structure-
| Category | Fee |
| General / EWS/OBC-NCL (Male) | Rs 2,500 |
| Females, Third Gender and Reserved category students | Rs 1,250 |
CMAT Admit Card 2026- Release Date
After completion of CMAT 2026 registration, the admit card will be available on the CMAT-NTA official website for students to download. Basically, it will release around January 20 or during the third or fourth week of January. For the admit card download, you have to log in with your application number as well as your date of birth.
CMAT 2026 Exam Guidelines and Timelines
For a smooth exam day, you have to be aware of what is allowed and what is not. Below, we have combined the list of essential details that you have to keep in mind on the examination day-
| Item | Details for CMAT 2026 |
| Exam Timings |
|
| Reporting Time | Arrive 90 minutes before exam time because the gates close 15 minutes before start |
| Admit Card Requirements | ● 2 printed copies with photo and thumb impression
● Digital/photocopies not accepted |
| Photo & ID Proof | ● Carry 2 passport-size photos
● Valid original Govt ID (Aadhar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, DL) |
| Allowed Items | ● CMAT admit card
● ID proof ● Passport-size photos ● Blue/black ball-point pen ● Transparent water bottle |
| Restricted Items | Mobile phones, calculators, wristwatches, earbuds, books, bags, wallets, thick-soled shoes, metal accessories |
CMAT Answer Key 2026- Release Date
The answer key helps students to estimate their scores as well as performance before the official results are announced. The NTA releases the answer key for candidates on its official website. It will be available after 6-7 days after the exam and 10-12 days before the CMAT result declaration. You can easily access it by logging in to the official website with your application number as well as your password.
CMAT 2026 Result Declaration
The expected date of CMAT result 2026, which is released on the NTA official website, is February 12, 2026. If you want to check your result, you just need to log in to your account and your scorecard will appear on your screen.
Also Read: CMAT Score vs Percentile Calculator
How to Prepare for CMAT 2026?
Now, it's already time to make sure your CMAT 2026 preparation is on track as the exam is around the corner. Below are some helpful and effective preparation tips for CMAT exam-
- Understanding of CMAT syllabus and exam pattern for identifying what you need to practice
- Solve more CMAT mock exams and previous years' exam papers for time management
- Improve your study plan to work on your weakness
- Read newspapers and magazines daily to stay updated about latest news for general awareness section
- Boost your accuracy levels while maintaining speed to avoid negative marking in the exam
CMAT 2026 Counselling and Admission Timeline
Below is a clearer picture of the counselling as well as admission timeline for CMAT 2026 exam-
| Event | Expected Date |
| Result and Merit List Declaration | 13 February 2026 |
| Registration for Counselling | Mid Feb to March 2026 |
| Choice Filling & Locking | Mid to Late after Result |
| Seat Allotment | After Choice Submission |
| Document Verification & Reporting | Within One Week of Allotment |
| Payment and Admission Confirmation | After Verification Process |
Conclusion
CMAT 2026 remains a practical, flexible as well as widely accepted MBA entrance exam in India. With the right preparation strategy, clear understanding of dates, eligibility and timely registration, you can turn CMAT into a strong stepping stone for your management career.
Stay updated, practise consistently and don’t hesitate to explore programmes that match your ambitions. If you’re ready to move forward, start planning early and take the next confident step towards your MBA journey.
FAQs
CMAT 2026 is expected to be conducted on 25 January 2026.
Candidates with a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline are eligible for CMAT. Final-year undergraduate students can also apply, provided they complete their graduation before admission.
No, CMAT is conducted once a year.
A 70 percentile in CMAT generally corresponds to a score between 120 and 140, depending on exam difficulty and overall candidate performance that year.
Yes, you can clear CMAT in one month with focused preparation, daily practice, revision of basics and regular mock tests, especially if your fundamentals are strong.
CMAT is generally considered easier than CAT due to moderate difficulty levels, straightforward questions and a less intense competition pool compared to CAT.
You can fill the CMAT 2026 form online via the official NTA website by registering, completing personal and academic details, uploading documents and paying the application fee.
No, CMAT 2026 registration has already closed as the applications opened in mid-October 2025.
Based on NTA press release (https://nta.ac.in/Download/Notice/Notice_20250214122145.pdf), 74,012 candidates registered for the CMAT exam.