CMAT 2026 Exam Date: Schedule, Registration, Admit Card & Result

The Common Management Admission Test is scheduled to be held on 25 January 2026 in Computer Based Mode in more than 120 exam centers in India. The CMAT exam will be held in two shifts and is conducted by NTA to offer admission to AICTE-approved management MBA and PGDM colleges across the country. The exam will be held for a duration of 3 hours and the question paper will be available only in English language. Scroll through the article to know complete details on CMAT 2026 exam timeline, including registration dates, admit card release date, result announcements and other important updates.  

CMAT 2026 Exam Overview

Candidates applying for the CMAT exam 2026 must know the important dates so they may not miss any important event related to the exam along with other key details for the CMAT exam.

Check about all the important details given in the table below along with the conducting body and official website.

CMAT 2026 Exam Date 2026 

NTA will conduct the CMAT exam 2026 on 25 January 2026 in Computer Based Test Online mode across in more than 100 exam centres in India. Candidates are advised to download the CMAT admit card and keep it ready once it is released as it is a mandatory document for entry to the CMAT exam centre.. The CMAT exam will be held in two shifts, including a morning shift and an afternoon shift and will be of total 3 hours.

The question paper will be available only in English and will include 100 multiple-choice questions from all the 5 sections. Each correct answer will carry +4 marks while -1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response and there is no negative marking in the entrance.

Check Latest NTA CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CMAT Registration 2026

The CMAT 2026 registration process has been started in online mode from October 17, 2025. Candidates can submit the application forms on the official CMAT website till November 17, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM) by filling in personal and academic details, uploading documents, and selecting exam city preferences. Candidates can pay the application fee till November 18, 2025 till 11:50 PM. Applicants are advised to complete the registration well before the deadline to avoid any last minute issues which may lead to rejection of the application forms.

CMAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date

The CMAT 2026 admit card is expected to be released around a week before the actual exam. The hall ticket will contain important details regarding the exam such as date of exam, exam shifts and timing, test centre name & address along with important instructions for the candidates to be followed inside the exam hall. Candidates must download and verify the admit card details so ensure everything is correct and in case of any issues can reach out to the helpline details available on CMAT official website to get it corrected.

CMAT 2026 Exam Schedule & Shift Timings

The CMAT 2026 entrance will be held in Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and will be conducted in two shifts in a single day. Shift 1 will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with reporting starting at 7:30 AM while the Shift 2 will be conducted from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM with reporting beginning at sharp 1:30 PM. Candidates must reach the CMAT exam centre well before the gate closuring time as the late comers will not be allowed entry inside the exam hall.

The CMAT exam duration is 3 hours with no sectional time limits, allowing candidates to switch between sections, including Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Check CMAT Syllabus & Section wise Breakdown

CMAT 2026 Result Date

The CMAT 2026 scorecard is expected to be announced within 2–3 weeks after the exam is conducted. Candidates will be able to check their scores and percentiles online by logging in with their application number and password on the CMAT official website. The result will be released in the form of a PDF which will include section-wise marks, total score, and overall percentile. Candidates are advised to download and save the CMAT result PDF as it will be required during the counseling and admission process.

CMAT 2026 Scorecard Validity 

The CMAT scorecard is valid for only for one year and is used by AICTE-approved institutes to shortlist candidates for admission in MBA/PGDM colleges. Each institute follows its own admission guidelines which may include Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), or Written Ability Test (WAT) after the test is conducted to finalize the seat to a candidate. Candidates should regularly check the official websites of their preferred colleges for cut off marks and counselling dates after the CMAT results is issued.

CMAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

Candidates appearing for CMAT entrance 2026 must follow these exam day instructions given by the conducting body to stay disciplined and exam focused during the test duration. Check the details given below.

• Carry a printed copy of the CMAT admit card
• Bring a valid photo ID proof (Aadhar card, PAN Card, Voter ID, DL, Passport)
• Reach the CMAT exam centre well before reporting time
• Follow all instructions given by invigilators inside the exam hall 
• Avoid carrying prohibited items such as calculators or mobile phones to avoid getting barred from the exam

CMAT Counselling 2026 

CMAT does not follow a centralized counselling process. After the results are announced by NTA  for the colleges participating in it will release their individual cut-offs marks and conduct admission rounds on their own in several rounds. Candidates need to apply separately to each college that accepts CMAT scores and stay updated with their selection norms and requirements.

CMAT Mock Test Series By Careers Adda