The CMAT 2026 cutoff shows the minimum score or percentile needed to get admission into different management colleges. The exam is held in the last week of January, with the answer key released in early February, and results along with the cutoff declared later in February. The cutoff changes every year depending on the number of students appearing, the difficulty of the exam, and available seats in B-schools. Top colleges like JBIMS Mumbai, Goa Institute of Management, and KJ Somaiya accept scores above 90 percentile, while mid-level colleges like Welingkar, IFIM, and XISS accept scores between 80–85 percentile. Even students scoring 70–75 percentile can get admission into colleges such as BIMTECH, BIT Mesra, and Jaipuria. Candidates with 65 percentile can apply to colleges like Jaypee Business School and EMPI, giving opportunities to many students across different score ranges.
CMAT 2026 Cutoff: Key Dates
The CMAT 2026 exam is held in the last week of January, with the answer key releases in early February, and results along with the cutoff declare later in February 2026
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| CMAT 2026 Exam | last week of January 2026 |
| CMAT Answer Key 2026 | First week of February 2026 |
| CMAT Result 2026 | February 2026 |
| CMAT 2026 Cutoff | February 2026 |
Factors Determining CMAT 2026 Cutoff
CMAT cutoff marks change every year based on the total number of candidates appearing for the exam. The competition has been increasing due to a steady rise in registrations, which grew from 58,956 in 2022 to 75,209 in 2023, 76,745 in 2024, and 74,012 in 2025. Because of this increase, cutoff percentiles for top B-schools accepting CMAT scores also vary. The factors influencing CMAT 2026 cutoff percentiles are explained below.
- Total number of test takers appearing in the CMAT 2026 exam
- Total number of seats available at the top B-schools
- Previous years' cutoff trends
- Total passing Percentage of candidates in CMAT 2026
- Difficulty level of the CMAT question paper
CMAT 2026 Cutoff
Here’s an overview of CMAT 2026 cutoffs and top colleges accepting CMAT scores. The table below shows the previous year’s (2025) cutoff percentiles for popular B-schools, helping candidates gauge expected scores for admission.
| Top colleges accepting the CMAT score | CMAT Cutoff 2025 (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | 99.92 |
| Goa Institute of Management | 99.85 |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research | 99.20 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 99.06 |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi | 95 |
| IFIM Business School, Bangalore | 85 |
| Asia-Pacific Institute of Management | 85 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | 82 |
| KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar (KSOM) | 80 |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 80 |
| Amrita School of Business - DMS | 80 |
| DY Patil School of Management | 75 |
| SSN School of Management | 75 |
| XIME, Bangalore | 75 |
| Alliance School of Business | 75 |
| Christ University Institute of Management | 70 |
| Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai | 70 |
| D Y Patil University School of Management (DYPUSM) | 70 |
| Indus Business Academy, Bangalore | 60 |
| ISME, Bangalore | 60 |
| VIT Business School, Vellore | 60 |
CMAT Previous Years Cut-Off Trends (Percentile)
The table below highlights the CMAT cutoff trends (percentiles) of top B-schools over the past four years. This data helps aspirants understand the changing competition and score requirements, offering insights into expected cutoffs for CMAT 2026 and aiding in strategic preparation for admissions.
| Colleges | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 99.99+ | 99.99+ | 99.8 | 99.92 |
| Goa Institute of Management | 98.5 | 95-99 | 95-99 | 99.85 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | 98 | 95-99 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| SIMSREE, Mumbai | 99.96 | 99+ | 99.64 | 99.40 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 95 | 95-99 | 95-99 | 99.06 |
| BIMTECH, Greater Noida | 95 | 95 | 75 | 75 |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi | 70 | 95 | 80-85 | 95 |
| Dr. DY Patil School of Management, Pune | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
CMAT 2026 Cutoff: Colleges Accepting 90+ Percentile and Above
The table below lists top B-schools that accepted CMAT 2026 scores with a percentile of 90 and above. It provides aspirants with a clear idea of the leading colleges where high scorers can aim for admission.
| Top Colleges | CMAT Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| JBIMS, Mumbai | 99.90+ |
| Goa Institute of Management | 95-99 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | 95-99 |
| SIMSREE, Mumbai | 99.00+ |
| University of Pune, Dept of Management Sciences | 95-99 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 95-99 |
| Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi | 95 |
CMAT 2026 Cutoff: Colleges Accepting 80-85 Percentile
The table lists tier-2 B-schools that accepted CMAT 2026 scores in the 80–85 percentile range. It provides a clear idea of expected cutoff percentiles for candidates aiming for mid-level management colleges.
| Colleges | CMAT Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai | 85 |
| Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore | 80 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management | 85 |
| IFIM, Bangalore | 85 |
| IFMR, Chennai | 85 |
| NIBM, Pune | 85 |
| NL Dalmia Institute of Management | 85 |
| NDIM Delhi | 85 |
| IMT, Hyderabad | 80 |
| IMT, Nagpur | 80 |
| XISS, Ranchi | 80 |
| ITM, Navi Mumbai | 80 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | 85 |
| Xavier Business School, Xavier University | 85 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon | 85 |
| BIMTECH, Greater Noida | 80 |
| XIME, Bangalore | 80 |
| ISBM, Pune | 80 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow | 80 |
| KIIT School of Management | 80 |
| IPE Hyderabad | 80 |
| SIES College of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai | 80 |
| Chetana Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai | 80 |
CMAT 2026 Cutoff: Colleges Accepting 75 Percentile and Below
Even if candidates score lower in CMAT, they can still get admission to good colleges. For instance, BIMTECH Greater Noida, BIT Mesra, Calcutta Business School, DY Patil Pune, Jaipuria, and XIME accept scores in the 70–75 percentile. Candidates with around 65 percentile can apply to Jaypee Business School and EMPI.
| Colleges | CMAT Cutoff Percentiles |
|---|---|
| BIMTECH, Greater Noida | 75 |
| BIT, Mesra | 75 |
| Calcutta Business School | 75 |
| DY Patil School of Management, Pune | 75 |
| NIA Pune: National Insurance Academy | 75 |
| IES Management College & Research Centre, Mumbai | 75 |
| NDIM New Delhi | 75 |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | 75 |
| XIME Chennai | 75 |
| VESIM Mumbai | 70 |
| Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies | 70 |
| EDII Ahmedabad | 70 |
| Delhi School of Business | 70 |
| Fortune Institute of International Business, Delhi | 70 |
| Jaypee Business School (JBS) | 65 |
| EMPI Business School, New Delhi | 65 |
CMAT 2026 FAQs
What are the key dates for the CMAT 2026 exam?
The CMAT 2026 exam is held in the last week of January, the answer key is released in the first week of February, and results along with the cutoff are declared in February 2026.
How is the CMAT 2026 cutoff determined?
The CMAT 2026 cutoff is determined by factors such as total test takers, number of seats at B-schools, previous years’ cutoff trends, passing percentage, and difficulty level of the exam.
Which colleges accept CMAT 2026 scores above 90 percentile?
Colleges accepting CMAT 2026 scores above 90 percentile include JBIMS Mumbai, Goa Institute of Management, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, SIMSREE Mumbai, University of Pune, Great Lakes Chennai, and Xavier Institute of Social Service.
Which colleges accept CMAT 2026 scores in the 80–85 percentile?
Tier-2 B-schools like Welingkar Mumbai and Bangalore, Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, IFIM Bangalore, IFMR Chennai, NIBM Pune, NDIM Delhi, IMT Hyderabad and Nagpur, XISS Ranchi, and others accept 80–85 percentile.
Can candidates with 70–75 percentile get admission in CMAT 2026 participating colleges?
Yes, colleges such as BIMTECH Greater Noida, BIT Mesra, Calcutta Business School, DY Patil Pune, Jaipuria, and XIME accept candidates scoring in the 70–75 percentile.
Are candidates with 65 percentile eligible for CMAT 2026 admissions?
Candidates with around 65 percentile can apply to colleges like Jaypee Business School (JBS) and EMPI Business School, New Delhi.
What was the CMAT 2025 cutoff percentile for JBIMS Mumbai?
The CMAT 2025 cutoff percentile for JBIMS Mumbai was 99.92.
How have CMAT previous years’ cutoff trends changed over time?
CMAT cutoff trends fluctuate based on registrations and competition. For example, JBIMS Mumbai consistently had 99.8–99.99+ percentile over 2021–2024, while other colleges like BIMTECH and Xavier Institute show varied trends.
What is the CMAT 2026 cutoff for colleges like Welingkar Mumbai?
The CMAT 2026 cutoff for Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai is 85 percentile, while Welingkar Bangalore accepts 80 percentile.
How does the difficulty of the CMAT 2026 exam affect the cutoff?
Higher difficulty in the CMAT 2026 exam can lower the percentile cutoff, while an easier exam can increase the cutoff, impacting admissions to B-schools accordingly.