CMAT 2025: Registration (Extended); Exam Date (Out), Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility, Prep Tips

Common Management Admission Test 2025 ( CMAT )

7 mins read41.4K Views5.9K Comments

Registration: 14 Nov '24 - 25 Dec '24

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 14, 2024 09:33 IST

CMAT 2025 exam will be held on January 25, 2025. Candidates can apply for CMAT 2025 till December 25, 2024. The CMAT score is accepted by over 1300 MBA colleges in India, including a some of the top ranked ones. Check here all about CMAT 2025 exam including dates, eligibility, fees, registration, syllabus, pattern, preparation and cut offs.  

CMAT 2025 exam

CMAT 2025 exam

CMAT 2025 exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on January 25, 2025 for admission to some of the top MBA colleges in India. Registration process for CMAT exam 2025 started on November 14 and the last date to apply was December 13, 2024. However, the NTA has extended CMAT 2024 registration deadline till December 25, 2024. 

For the past few years, the CMAT has been conducted on April-May, however, this year, the NTA has decided to conduct the exam as previously, in the month of January 2025. The CMAT exam was last conducted in January, in the year 2019. 

Explore colleges based on CMAT

Gurgaon
#11 NIRF
₹8.25 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges
Mumbai
#20 NIRF
₹9.5 L
Ranked in the top 50 by NIRF
Noida
#29 NIRF
₹6 L - 13.44 L
Ranked in the top 50 by NIRF
Jalandhar
#38 NIRF
₹8 L - 10 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Bangalore
#60 NIRF
₹4.8 L - 8.6 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges
Ghaziabad
#35 NIRF
NA
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges
Noida
#45 NIRF
₹14.75 L - 15.75 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges
Anand
#49 NIRF
₹13.6 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges
Dehradun
#59 NIRF
₹7.17 L
Ranked in the top 100 by NIRF
Kolkata
#56 NIRF
₹14 L
In Top 10 %ile by Average Salary of MBA Colleges
View allCollections

Q:   What is the latest CMAT exam pattern?

A:
The latest CMAT exam pattern as prescribed by the National Testing Agency NTA is as follows: The question paper carries 100 question. The format of questions is multiple choice type where for each question, four options are given to choose the correct answer from. The 100 questions are divided equally between five sections, Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Each of the five sections carry 20 questions. Earlier, there were only four sections in CMAT and each section has 25 questions. In 2021, Innovation and Entrepreneurship was added as the fifth section. The time limit for CMAT is 180 minutes without sectional time limit or break. As per the latest marking scheme, for every correct option 4 marks are awarded and for every incorrect option, one mark is deducted. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions.

Q:   What is the section wise weightage in CMAT?

A:
CMAT has five sections. Every section of the CMAT exam has 20 questions. Each question of the five sections carries four marks for correct answer and one mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Therefore, the total marks of each section is 80 and the total marks of the CMAT exam is 400. The CMAT percentile is calculated on the basis of marks scored by candidates on 400. Given below is the sectional break up of CMAT exam: 1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: 20 questions of 4 marks each 2. Logical Reasoning: 20 questions of 4 marks each 3. Language Comprehension: 20 questions of 4 marks each 4. General Awareness: 20 questions of 4 marks each 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: 20 questions of 4 marks each.

Q:   Which is the lengthiest section in CMAT?

A:
Since the Language Comprehension section of CMAT includes reading comprehension passages, it can be considered a lengthy section. However, there is a possibility of any other section to be lengthier. For example, Logical Reasoning questions or Data Interpretation questions can also be lengthy, due to multiple levels of calculations. The weightage of each section is same in CMAT I. e. 20 questions and 80 marks, so it doesn't really matter which section is lengthy as candidates have to meet sectional cut offs to be able to get a good overall score. It is not mandatory to solve all 100 questions in CMAT so candidates have the choice of dropping lengthy questions and solving easier questions. So, the best option is to skip the lengthy questions and solve other questions correctly. Doing so will ensure that the candidate doesn't fall short of time as well as good questions to solve.

CMAT 2025 exam will be conducted in computer based test mode at over 300 test centres in various cities across India. Graduates and working professionals can appear for CMAT exam.The CMAT score is accepted by over 1300 MBA Colleges in India. Top colleges that accept CMAT score include JBIMS, KJ Somaiaya, Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Great Lakes Institute of Management, KIIT School of Management, Amity University, BIMTECH, Goa Institute of Management, Xavier Institute of Management and Research, Gitam School of Management. In this article, you will read all about CMAT 2025 exam including dates, syllabus, pattern, registration process, application fees, cut offs and list of MBA colleges accepting CMAT exam score for admission.

Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates

IBSAT 2024 National Mock Test

10 Aug '24 - 16 Dec '24

NMAT 2024 Rescheduling Window

1 Aug '24 - 17 Dec '24

MU BAAT 2025 Round 1 Exam

16 Dec '24 - 17 Dec '24

ATMA 2024 Admit Card Release (...

18 Dec '24

Last date of application form ...

20 Dec '24

MICAT (I) result declaration

20 Dec '24

XAT 2025 admit card download starts

20 Dec '24

CAT

LIVE
SNAP 2024 session 3

21 Dec '24

KIITEE MBA 2025 Registrations

20 Sep '24 - 6 Jan '25

CMAT 2025 Important Dates

The NTA does not announce complete schedule of CMAT at once. However, for 2025 exam, it has announced all the important dates together including the CMAT exam date. 

CMAT 2025 Events

CMAT 2025 Dates

CMAT 2025 registration starts

14-Nov-2024

Registration ends

13-Dec-2024 (9:50 pm)

25-Dec-2024 (9:50 pm)

Fee payment window closing 

14-Dec-2024 (11:50 pm)

25-Dec-2024 (11:50 pm)

Form correction window

15-Dec-2024 to 17-Dec-2024

26-Dec-2024 to 27-Dec-2024

Announcement of city intimation

17-Jan-2025

CMAT admit card 2025 release

20-Jan-2024

CMAT 2025 exam

25-Jan-2025

CMAT 2025 answer key challenge

One week after the exam

CMAT 2025 result declaration

Three weeks after the exam

CMAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for CMAT 2025, candidates have to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria as given below:

  • Candidate should be a graduate or have an equivalent degree from a recognised university.
  • Students in their final year of bachelor’s degree awaiting their result can also appear for CMAT exam.
  • There is no minimum score requirement for CMAT 2025 in graduation and there is no age limit as well.

Also Read: CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

CMAT Registration and Application Process 2025

 CMAT registration and application process is online. The form can be accessed on the CMAT-NTA website. Given below is the CMAT 2024 application process:

  • Open CMAT 2025 website: https://exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/
  • Click on ‘registration link for CMAT 2025
  • Click on 'new registration'
  • Enter personal details and choose a password to create a login ID
  • Log in with the ID shared in mail
  • Fill the CMAT 2025 form will relevant details
  • Pay the fee via debit/credit card or net banking

The CMAT 2025 exam centres will be allotted to candidates as per their choice. Candidates can select up to four cities as their preferred CMAT test cities in the application form. 

CMAT 2025 registration window

CMAT 2025 registration window

Q:   What is the CMAT marking scheme?

A:
CMAT marking scheme is straightforward. If they can recall their attempts or have the answer key with them then they can calculate their CMAT raw score by adding and subtracting scores as per correct and incorrect attempts. Check CMAT marking scheme below: 1. For every correct attempt, 4 marks is awarded and for every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted. 2. For every unanswered question, the candidate will be marked zero. Given below is the process of calculating the CMAT score with the help of the CMAT answer key. Every section has 20 questions, so suppose in Quantitative Techniques section you got 14 questions right, 2 questions wrong and skipped 4 questions. So, your score will be 54 out of 80. Similarly, calculate the score of other sections. After the add all five to arrive as overall raw score. For example, you scored 54, 44, 75, 60 and 40 in five sections, then your sum total will be 203/400. You can read more about CMAT scoring process here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/cmat-score-vs-percentile-how-to-calculate-blogId-19977 https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/what-is-cmat-score-normalization-process-blogId-53987.

Q:   Is there any negative marking in CMAT?

A:

Yes, there is a negative marking in CMAT exam. For each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted. For example, if a candidate attempts 18 questions from Logical Reasoning and gets 15 questions correct but 3 questions incorrect. Then the candidate's score for this section will be 15x4-3, i.e. 57. However, no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.

Thus, candidates must choose only those questions to solve which they are sure of solving accurately. It is anyway not possible to solve all 100 questions, so candidates must weigh their options viz. Strength and weak areas and then choose questions carefully.

If candidates are not sure of answering a question correctly or it is taking too much time, then they should leave that questions and move to next as they also need to keep a tab on the time limit.

CMAT Fees 2025

The fee is to be paid before the last date of CMAT form submission. If the fee remains unpaid, the CMAT 2025 application form will not be accepted. 

  • INR 2,500 for General / EWS/OBC-NCL (Male)
  • INR 1,250 for Females, Third Gender and Reserved category students

 

CMAT Exam Pattern 2025

CMAT exam pattern is prescribed by the NTA on the basis of AICTE guidelines for MBA entrance exams. Check the table below for the latest CMAT exam pattern:

CMAT Exam Pattern

Details

Number of sections

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Logical Reasoning

Language Comprehension

General Awareness

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Mode of examination

Online

Duration of exam

180 minutes

Sectional time limit

No

Number of questions

100 

Total Marks

400

Number of answer choices

4

CMAT Marking scheme

4 marks for correct answer

-1 mark for incorrect answer

CMAT Syllabus 2025

CMAT syllabus is similar to other MBA entrance exams, and include important topics from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical ReasoningLanguage Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Check below the table for important topics of CMAT.

CMAT Syllabus

Important Topics

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Alligation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc.

Logical Reasoning

Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc.

Language Comprehension

Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc.

General Awareness

Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business

DFP-Banner

CMAT Preparation 2025

CMAT 2025 preparation will require an elaborate plan as the exam syllabus is vast. So, it is a good idea to start CMAT preparation at least six to nine months before the exam, so that you get enough time to cover the entire CMAT syllabus and get good enough time for practice papers and mock tests.

Check below, some useful CMAT 2025 preparation articles:

CMAT Admit Card 2025

CMAT admit card 2025 will be released online a week before the exam day. It will be available for download from the CMAT 2025 website through login. To download the CMAT 2025 admit card, the candidate will have to follow the below given process.

  • Visit the CMAT-NTA website
  • Click on 'CMAT 2025 admit card' tab
  • Enter CMAT application number and date of birth
  • Enter security pin and click on login
  • Click on CMAT admit card and download the PDF

CMAT Answer Key 2025

CMAT answer key 2025 will be released 2-3 days after the exam. It will be accompanied by candidate response sheet. Check below steps to download CMAT 2025 answer key and response sheet.

  • Visit CMAT 2025 website
  • Click on 'CMAT 2025 answer key and response sheet' option
  • Enter application number and password
  • Click on 'answer key' to download it

NTA gives option to candidates to raise objection against the official answer key, if they feel any answer given by the authority is incorrect. They can challenge the official CMAT answer key by filling an online form and paying INR 200 per question as fees at the exam website. 

Also Read: CMAT 2025 answer key 

CMAT Result 2025

CMAT result 2025 will be declared online after 15-20 days of the exam. Test takers will be able to download their CMAT 2025 result cum scorecard from the official website by using their login credentials. Check the below steps to download the CMAT result 2025:

  • Go to CMAT-NTA website
  • Click on CMAT scorecard tab
  • Enter CMAT application number and date of birth
  • Click on CMAT scorecard and download the PDF

Also Read: 

CMAT Cut Offs for MBA Admission 

Listed below are top MBA colleges accepting CMAT score and their cut offs between the range of 85 to 99 percentile.

Colleges Accepting CMAT score

CMAT Cut Off Percentiles

JBIMS, Mumbai

99.9

Goa Institute of Management

95-99

KJ Somaiya Institute of Management

95-99

SIMSREE, Mumbai

99

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

95-99

University of Pune, Dept of Management Sciences

95-99

Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi

95

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 Dalmiya Institute of Management

85

Also Read: Institute-wise CMAT cut offs

MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT Score

Check out some of the popular MBA colleges in India which accept CMAT score for admission:

Top CMAT accepting MBA colleges

Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra

Indus Business Academy, Bangalore

Christ University, Bangalore

Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) Mumbai

BIMTECH, Greater Noida

Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Hyderabad

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai

Goa Institute of Management, Goa

KIIT School of Rural Management, Bhubaneshwar

LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai

Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME), Bangalore

N L Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai

Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education, Mumbai

Xavier Institute of Social service, Ranchi

KIIT School of Management

Check CMAT cut offs and predict calls from colleges accepting CMAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CMAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict CMAT Admission Calls
About the Author
author-image
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

Download Important Dates for MBA/PGDM Exams

News & Updates

Latest NewsPopular News

Explore Other Exams

20 Dec '24

XAT 2025 admit card download s...

5 Jan '25

XAT 2025 Exam

21 Dec '24

SNAP 2024 session 3

8 Jan '25

SNAP 2024 result announcement

18 Dec '24 -

22 Dec '24

MAT 2024 Admit Card Download C...

22 Dec '24

MAT 2024 CBT 2

Dec '24

CAT 2024 result announcement

3 Dec '24 -

5 Dec '24

CAT 2024 answer key challenge

6 Nov '24 -

17 Dec '24

NMAT 2024 Retake Registration

1 Aug '24 -

17 Dec '24

NMAT 2024 Rescheduling Window

1 Jul '24 -

18 Dec '24

IBSAT 2024 Registration

4 Nov '24 -

29 Dec '24

IBSAT 2024 Exam Slot Booking

Jan '25

MAH CET 20245 registration pro...

Mar '25

MAH MBA CET 2025

18 Dec '24

ATMA 2024 Admit Card Release (...

22 Dec '24

ATMA 2024 December Session

17 Oct '24 -

5 Dec '24

IIFT 2025 registration and app...

Jan '25

IRMASAT 2025 Last Date of Appl...

Feb '25

IRMASAT Personal Interviews

The list of exams are recommended based on what other exams do the students in your area show interest in
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered Yesterday

Top MBA colleges offering average CTCs above 12 LPA, with ST out-of-state reservations and accepting CMAT or XAT scores, include XLRI Jamshedpur (32 LPA, XAT), XIM Bhubaneswar (20 LPA, XAT), Great Lakes Institute of Management (15–17 LPA, CMAT/XAT), Goa Institute of Management (14–15 LPA, CMAT/XAT),

...more

59928193
Amit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

An 85 percentile in CMAT is considered a good score and can make you eligible for a PGDM scholarship at GIBS Business School. GIBS typically offers scholarships to students with strong academic records or good performance in entrance exams like CMAT. With an 85 percentile, you are likely to be consi

...more

B

Bhavani

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 5 days ago

Yes, I can suggest colleges in Gujarat that accept CMAT score for admission to MBA

Colleges are :- 

  • Adani Institute of Infrastructure management
  • Bk School of business management 
  • Amrut modi School of management 
  • Shanti Business School
  • Indus University 
  • Graduate School of management studies 
  • Centre for manag

...more

71271179
Sankalp Anand

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a week ago

Depends on exam results, the CMAT cutoff for BLDEA's A S Patil College of Commerce changes depends on the admissions method. Two methods are available to candidates for admission: the Management Quota, which uses CMAT/KMAT scores, or the Government/Merit Quota, which uses CMAT scores through KEA cou

...more

K

Kritika Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

You can join BLDEA's A S Patil College of Commerce for MBA or PGDM programs even if you haven't taken the CMAT. The college also accepts other entrance exams like Karnataka PGCET and KMAT.

Admission Process:

  • Students are primarily admitted based on merit through these exams, followed by a counseling p

...more

S

Suyash Pandey

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

Hii, The difficulty of XAT, CAT, or CMAT depends on individual aptitude and preparation, but generally:

  1. CAT: Considered the toughest, with high competition and emphasis on VARC, DILR, and Quant.
  2. XAT: Moderate, with an additional Decision-Making section and essay writing, testing analytical thinking.
  3. CM

...more

A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Indeed, CMAT results are accepted for admission to the MBA programme at the Best MBA college in Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), located in Bangalore. Candidates who have taken the CMAT may apply to GIBS's MBA programme as long as they fulfill the requirements. A group discussion and in-

...more

G

Guna

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, you will not require giving the exam of CMAT for the course of mass communication and journalism from Gujarat University. The CMAT is basically an entrance examination that can be cleared by students who want to undergo an MBA course from one of the B schools. For courses in mass communication a

...more

S

Shejal agrawal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

RKDF University accepts CMAT exam scores for admission to its MBA programme. The exam schedule for 2025 has not been released by NTA yet. However, this exam is usually conducted in the month of March or April.

However, in 2023 and 2024, it was held in May. Thus, CMAT 2025 is expected to be held in Ma

...more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, admission to RKDF University MBA is made based on performance in the accepted entrance exam, i.e., CMAT. Thus, it is essential that candidates seeking admission register and apply for the CMAT exam. It is a national-level exam that is accepted by many institutions for admissions to MBA programme

...more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10