CMAT

The CMAT percentile is determined by the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or less than you. Specifically, the formula takes the number of students in your session with a raw score below yours, divides it by the total session attendees, and multiplies by 100.

In case there are multiple shifts and exam papers, CMAT exam normalization process protects students in a hard session versus an easy session. For example, in Slot 1, if the paper was so difficult that the top student only managed a raw score of 290 out of 400, that student still receives a 100 percentile. In Slot 2, where the paper was much simpler, the top student might score 350 out of 400, and he/she will also receive a 100 percentile. This ensures that the student who faced the harder paper is not penalized. This is how CMAT normalization 2026 process helps students.

Based on previous year trends, CMAT score of 280 is equal to 99 percentile. You can get admission into top CMAT colleges like JBSIM, SIMSREE and KJ Somaiya with 280-300 score. CMAT score of 250 is equal to 95 percentile. With this score, you can get admission into flagship programs for reputed CMAT colleges like IMI Kolkata, MDI Murshidabad, NIA Pune, BIMTECH, Welingkar Mumbai.

CMAT Cut Off is the required CMAT percentage/marks for admission into top MBA colleges accepting CMAT exam. 99 percentile is required for admission into top CMAT colleges like JBSIM, SIMSREE and KJ Somaiya. 85-95 percentile is required for other best CMAT colleges like IMI Kolkata, MDI Murshidabad, NIA Pune, BIMTECH, Welingkar Mumbai.

Top government-affiliated colleges accepting CMAT include JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, and PUMBA (Pune University). These institutions are highly sought after due to their low fee structures, which ranges from Rs. 1.50 Lakhs to Rs. 8.50 Lakhs, and good placements.

JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, Pune University PUMBA, NIA Pune, Welingkar Mumbai, BIMTECH and NISM Mumbai are the top MBA colleges accepting CMAT scores in 2026.

Preparation requires studying theoretical business concepts and staying updated with current affairs. Students should solve previous year papers to understand application-based questions, focus on real-world business scenarios, and familiarize themselves with famous entrepreneurial personalities and recent Indian startup stories.

Candidates are tested on terms like Bootstrapping, Lean Startup, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and Unicorns. Questions often assess the difference between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, as well as specific entrepreneurial personas like Fabian entrepreneurs who prefer traditional business practices over rapid technological changes.

The syllabus covers entrepreneurship concepts, business models, startup ecosystems, and government schemes like Stand-up India. Key sub-topics include intellectual property rights, types of entrepreneurs, funding options such as angel investing or venture capital, and the evolution of entrepreneurship within the Indian economic environment.

The CMAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship section consists of 20 multiple-choice questions worth 80 total marks. This segment carries 20% weightage of the overall exam, where each correct response earns four marks and each incorrect answer results in a one-mark deduction from the final score.