CMAT 2026
National Testing Agency (NTA)
Written by L K Monu Borkala, Founder & Chief Strategist · Last updated 2 October 2026
CMAT 2026 was the National Testing Agency's computer-based management entrance, held on 25 January 2026 with score cards on 17 February 2026. It had 100 questions, 400 marks and 180 minutes, marked +4 and -1. No CMAT 2027 announcement was on the NTA site on 2 October 2026.
CMAT casts a wide net. Five sections of 20 questions each include one that most MBA tests skip, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and NTA says it plays no part in admission: candidates apply directly to each institution that accepts the score. Karnataka candidates also have KMAT as a state-level option, so many applicants keep both scores for different colleges.
CMAT 2026 key dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications | 17 October to 17 November 2025 (any later extension was not verified) |
| Exam | 25 January 2026 |
| Score card | 17 February 2026 |
Application fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, male | ₹2,500 |
| General, female | ₹1,250 |
| Gen-EWS, SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD | ₹1,250 |
Using the score in Karnataka
Shortlist institutions from MBA colleges in Bangalore, read the Karnataka MBA admission guide and compare top MBA and BBA colleges in Karnataka. Programme overviews for MBA and PGDM explain how they differ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CMAT 2026 exam pattern?
CMAT 2026 has 100 questions for 400 marks in 180 minutes, in English only. Five sections of 20 questions (80 marks) each cover Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Marking is +4 and -1.
When was CMAT 2026 held?
The exam date was 25 January 2026, and the NTA score card was posted on 17 February 2026.
What is the CMAT 2026 fee?
General male candidates paid ₹2,500. General female candidates and all other listed categories paid ₹1,250. Processing charges and GST were extra.
Does NTA conduct CMAT counselling?
No. NTA has no role in counselling for management programmes. Candidates apply separately to the institutions that accept CMAT 2026 scores.
Are CMAT 2027 dates announced?
No. As of 2 October 2026 cmat.nta.nic.in showed no CMAT 2027 announcement.
Sources: CMAT 2026 information bulletin (NTA) and the score card notice. More tests are on the exams page.
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This article is for informational purposes only. Dates and fees come from the official notices linked above and can change, so check the conducting body's site before you apply.
Bachelor's degree holders in any discipline, and final-year students whose results are declared before the 2026-27 admission, can appear in CMAT 2026. Indian citizenship is required.
Age: there is no age restriction.
The five sections are Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. NTA did not publish a separate syllabus statement on the pages we read, so check the CMAT website.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
180 minutes, English only, +4 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong one.
No cutoff data available.
No papers available.