CMAT exam has remained a popular MBA entrance exam for students, and it is expected that with the development of a specialized testing corporation - NTA - the exam will provide admission opportunities in even more B-schools than previously. Here are five critical factors to consider before deciding whether or not to take the exam:
Among the 500 MBA schools that accept test results are JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA, K J Somaiya, GIM Goa, BIMTECH, Great Lakes, and IFMR. The cut-offs for these B-schools are likewise not very high.
| Section Name | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
The exam will remain reasonably difficult, consisting of 100 basic questions divided into four sections: quantitative techniques and data interpretation (25 questions); language comprehension (25 questions); logical thinking (25 questions); and general awareness (25 questions) (25 Qs). The CMAT's MCQ-style questions are of moderate difficulty, and the response options are directly related to the question. For example, the questions after the RC paragraph in the exam are clearly related to the text content and can be answered quickly, as opposed to the CAT and XAT, where the questions are indirectly related to the text and you must derive the answer from the information in the passage.
Also read: How to Score 300+ Marks in CMAT Avoid these Mistakes to Crack CMAT Exam CMAT Strategy for GK
All AICTE-approved management universities are included on the list of score-accepting colleges. On the NTA/AICTE website, the list of B-schools and Universities offering admission exclusively includes universities that offer UGC/AICTE-recognized MBA/PGDM programs. Students who pass the exam can be assured of admission to a government-recognized institute that provides management programs. In thirteen states, authorized government and private universities, as well as highly regarded business schools, are more likely than the state-administered Postgraduate Common Entrance Test, to accept scores as the entrance to MBA admissions under the government quota (PGCET). Test scores will be recognized in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh. It is expected that a higher number of authorized B-schools will accept scores with the establishment of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
CMAT scores are accepted by a huge number of AICTE-approved institutes and state/private universities across India. This gives candidates a wide range of B-schools to choose from.
CMAT is considered much more approachable than CAT, XAT, IIFT, or NMAT. With the right strategy, candidates can achieve a high percentile without extreme difficulty.
Anyone who has completed graduation or is in their final year can apply. There is no age limit, and the criteria are straightforward.
Many reputed B-schools accept CMAT, such as:
JBIMS (depending on admission year and policies)
KJ Somaiya
Welingkar (WeSchool)
PUMBA
NIBM, NIA
And several strong regional institutes
This makes CMAT a useful alternative route to excellent management programs.
With one CMAT score, you can apply to a large number of colleges — saving time, money, and effort compared to writing multiple entrance tests.
CMAT has maintained a stable pattern of 100 questions across 5 sections. This helps candidates plan section-wise preparation more efficiently.
Because the difficulty level is moderate and the pattern predictable, smart preparation can quickly boost your score and percentile.
CMAT is conducted later in the exam season, giving candidates more time to prepare and recover after appearing for CAT/XAT.
CMAT is useful not just for general MBA programs but also for:
HR
Finance
Marketing
Operations
Analytics
Entrepreneurship
Insurance
Banking
Many strong regional institutes rely on CMAT scores, making it a great option for students seeking:
Lower fees (high ROI)
Specialized management areas
Local placement opportunities
Unlike IIMs, which have a high-cost structure ranging from Rs.16 lakhs to Rs.22 lakhs, CMAT-accredited MBA/PGDM universities offer equivalent management programs at a reasonable fee ranging from Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.15 lakhs. All of these business schools provide two-year full-time residential MBA/PGDM programs. Some university-affiliated MBA colleges under CMAT, such as Mumbai University and others, have cost structures as low as Rs.2 to 3 lakhs.
It is a higher-level national MBA admission exam than the MAT and ATMA. It allows for advancement to the next level. They offer admission to higher-level MBA/PGDM programs. Many MBA programs in India do not recognize MAT or ATMA scores but do accept scores from other exams. DTE-Maharashtra, for example, stated that all 400 MBA colleges linked with the Maharashtra government would accept grades for admission instead of prior MAT and other assessments.
1. What is the CMAT exam?
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as a gateway to AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM programs in more than 500 B-schools across India, including reputed institutes like JBIMS, K J Somaiya, GIM Goa, and Great Lakes.
2. How difficult is the CMAT exam compared to CAT or XAT?
The CMAT is moderately difficult. Its questions are direct and concept-based, unlike CAT or XAT, which involve more analytical and inference-based reasoning. Candidates with a strong grasp of fundamentals in Quant, Logical Reasoning, and English can perform well with consistent practice.
3. How many questions are there in CMAT and what is the marking scheme?
The CMAT exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions divided equally across five sections:
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
Logical Reasoning
Language Comprehension
General Awareness
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Each question carries 4 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
4. What is the duration and mode of the CMAT exam?
CMAT is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted over 3 hours (180 minutes). Candidates must answer 100 questions within this duration across all sections.
5. How many MBA colleges accept CMAT scores?
More than 500 AICTE-approved colleges accept CMAT scores. Some of the top CMAT colleges include:
JBIMS, Mumbai
K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
GIM Goa
BIMTECH, Greater Noida
IFMR, Chennai
PUMBA, Pune
6. What is a good CMAT score for top B-schools?
A score above 300 (98+ percentile) is considered excellent and can help secure admission in top CMAT-accepting institutes like GIM Goa, and K J Somaiya. Candidates aiming for mid-tier colleges should target a score between 250–280.
7. Is CMAT accepted by government universities?
Yes, CMAT is accepted by several government and private universities across states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. Many of these institutions prefer CMAT over state-level entrance exams like PGCET.
8. What is the fee range for CMAT-accepting colleges?
The MBA/PGDM fees for CMAT colleges range from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs, making it one of the most cost-effective routes to pursue quality management education compared to exams like CAT or XAT.
9. How should I prepare for CMAT 2025?
To prepare effectively for CMAT 2025:
Focus on concept clarity in Quant and Logical Reasoning.
Practice previous years’ CMAT papers and mock tests regularly.
Read daily news and business updates for General Awareness.
Review Innovation & Entrepreneurship concepts from NTA’s official syllabus.
Joining a guided program like CATKing CMAT Courses can help you strategize effectively with expert mentorship and personalized mock analysis.
10. Does CMAT have sectional cutoffs?
No, CMAT does not have sectional cutoffs. Admissions are based on your overall CMAT score and percentile, followed by group discussions and personal interviews in most B-schools.
11. Is CMAT a good option for MBA aspirants?
Absolutely. CMAT provides access to hundreds of AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges with moderate difficulty, lower competition, and reasonable fees. It’s a great choice for aspirants seeking quality education without the high pressure of exams like CAT or XAT.
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