CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit, Reservation Criteria, Educational Qualification

Common Management Admission Test 2025 ( CMAT )

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Registration: 14 Nov '24 - 25 Dec '24

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Nov 16, 2024 14:09 IST

CMAT eligibility criteria is Graduation or equivalent degree. There is no minimum score required to apply for this exam. Check below, complete eligibility criteria for CMAT 2025 and reservation policy to apply for CMAT 2025.

CMAT eligibility criteria

CMAT eligibility criteria is graduation which is the minimum admission requirements to be fulfilled by candidates for appearing in this national level MBA entrance exam. The eligibility criteria for the Common Management Admission Test or CMAT as prescribed by National Testing Agency (NTA) is considered by all AICTE approved B-school offering admissions to MBA/PGDM courses on basis of CMAT scores. Read this article to check complete CMAT eligibility criteria 2024 including educational qualification, age limit and reservation policy.

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CMAT 2025 exam registration process has begun and the last date to apply is December 13, 2024 and the CMAT application form 2024 is available online at NTA website. The CMAT 2025 exam will be conducted on January 25, 2025 and only those candidates will be allowed to appear in the exam who will meet the eligibility criteria. 

Q:   What are the benefits of appearing in CMAT?

A:

There are several benefits of appearing in the CMAT exam. It is easier than other exams and accepted by many B-schools. Check below some of the key benefits of CMAT.

  • CMAT is conducted at the end of MBA entrance exam season, so MBA aspirants don't have to study much as the previous experience of exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP comes in use.
  • CMAT score is accepted by about 1,300 MBA colleges in India which includes top colleges in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. 
  • CMAT exam is a moderate difficulty level exam so it is easier to score high in CMAT than CAT, XAT, IIFT, GMAT.
  • CMAT cut offs for admission to top colleges are not exceptionally high, so you can get a good MBA college with a decent CMAT score.
  • There's no 50 per cent aggregate criteria for CMAT application. Candidates with passing marks in graduation can also appear for the exam. 
  • CMAT application fee for women and reserved category candidates is only INR 1,000 which is quite less as compared to CAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP fees.

Q:   When can I apply for CMAT?

A:

The next CMAT exam will be held on January 25, 2025. The NTA has started registration process for the same most on November 14, 2024. Those interested in appearing for the exam are required to register for it at CMAT-NTA website and fill the online application form before December 25, 2024. The score of CMAT will be valid for one year only, so if you appear for CMAT 2025, you must take admission in the same academic year.

Apart from 1300 B-schools, the CMAT score is also valid for admission through MAH CET CAP. The Maharashtra State CET Cell conducts MBA/MMS admissions for 300 colleges in the state. It is followed by a common counselling process called CAP. CMAT test takers can also participate in MAH MBA CET CAP and secure a seat in MBA/MMS course offered by over 300 colleges in Maharashtra.

Q:   What is the eligibility criteria for admission to colleges accepting CMAT score?

A:
Although there is no minimum graduation marks criterion for appearing in the CMAT exam, the criterion applies for admission through CMAT. As per the AICTE recommendation, the candidate must have completed graduation from a recognised university with a minimum score of 50 per cent in aggregate (45 per cent for Reserved category students) to be eligible for admission to a UGC recognised MBA/PGDM course. Apart from academic criteria, candidates have to also fulfil the CMAT cut off criteria. CMAT cut offs are different for different institutes. The CMAT cut offs are fixed by the institutes individually on the basis of several parameters. Only those candidates are shortlisted for admission who meet the minimum cut off criteria. If a candidate does not meet the CMAT cut off, they will not be considered for Group Discussion and Personal Interview round or direct admission. Meeting CMAT cut off is the prerequisite for admission to the MBA institutes. Candidates must visit their preferred institute website and check the CMAT cut off percentile required, before applying for admission.

Also Read: CMAT 2025 registration started, apply now

 CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

  • Candidates applying for the CMAT 2025 must be an Indian resident.
  • Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree of minimum three-year duration or equivalent in any stream from AICTE approved institute/university.
  • Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply for CMAT exam provided their result will be declared before admission for academic year begins.
  • There is no minimum score criteria for CMAT 2025. Candidates must have passing marks in graduation.
  • However, the minimum score requirement of maximum CMAT participating colleges is 50 % (45% for reserved categories).
  • There is no upper age limit for applying and appearing in CMAT exam.

Also Read: CMAT preparation tips and strategy 2025

CMAT Reservation Criteria 2025

There is no reservation policy for CMAT exam but for admissions, the B-schools accepting CMAT scores will be considering reservation criteria as prescribed by Government of India. To avail reservation benefits at the time of admission, the candidates must mention their reservation status (caste/PwD category) in the CMAT application form.

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CMAT Reservation Policy

Category

Reservation (in percentage)

Scheduled Caste

15%

Scheduled Tribe

7.5%

Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer)

27%

General/Open

50.5%

PwD

5% in each category

CMAT Reservation under Persons with Disabilities

Candidates suffering 40 per cent or more disability (from listed disabilities) can claim admission under PwD category. The PwD list of disabilities are:

  1. Blindness and low vision
  2. Deaf and hard of hearing
  3. Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy
  4. Autism, intellectual disability, specified learning disability and mental illness, and
  5. Persons suffering multiple disabilities from (1) to (4)
  6. Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in RPwD Act 2016

Candidates can change their category in the CMAT application form only till the last date of application submission. After that no change will be allowed.

Q:   Is there any age restriction to take CMAT exam?

A:
There is no age bar for appearing in CMAT exam. Any person at any phase of their career, from any field, fresher or working professionals, can appear for CMAT. However, the candidate should have completed graduation. The education mode can be full-time or correspondence but the university should be affiliated to the UGC. A graduation degree is normally completed by the age of 20 so the candidate must be at least 20 years old at the time of appearing in the CMAT exam. So, yes one can say that there is a minimum age limit but not maximum age limit for appearing in CMAT. A large percentage of CMAT applicants is of fresh graduates as it suits them better to continue education in full-time mode. However, many working professional also appear for the CMAT exam to purse executive MBA, Online MBA, Distance MBA or Part-Time MBA from reputed institutes.

Q:   What are the reservation criteria for CMAT?

A:
There are no reservation criteria for the Common Management Admission Test. However, Common Management Admission Test participating institutes have to abide by reservation criteria for educational institutions set by the GoI (Government of India) during the admission process. Students planning to pursue a Master of Business Administration can check the reservation criteria for the particular college at its official website of the Common Admission Test and fill out the application form accordingly. For more information, you may visit the Shiksha CMAT exam page. (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cmat-exam). I hope this will help you.

Q:   I belong to SC category. Is there any marks relaxation in CMAT for SC students?

A:

There is no minimum marks criterion for appearing in CMAT exam. Any candidate who has passed a Bachelor's degree programme from a recognised university can apply. Final year candidates are also eligible to apply for CMAT if they scored passing marks in their first and second year of Bachelor's degree programme. However, there is a minimum score requirement at CMAT accepting colleges for admission. All the UGC and AICTE approved institutions have the minimum score requirement of 45 per cent in aggregate in graduation for candidates for Scheduled Caster/ Scheduled Tribe and Person with Disability categories. Thus, you must ensure that you have an aggregate score of at least 45 per cent in your graduation to be able to get admission into a full-time MBA programme at a government recognised institution.

Q:   Can I appear for CMAT at any test centre?

A:

No, you cannot appear for the CMAT exam at any test centre. You can appear for the test at the centre mentioned in your CMAT admit card. Entry at every CMAT test centre is given to candidates only after thorough scrutiny of the hall ticket and ID proof. If you attempt to gain entry in any other test centre, you will be disqualified. Thus, candidates must make sure that they check the location of their allotted test centre beforehand and reach there on exam day on time.  If they reach the test centre after the gates have been closed they will not be allowed entry under any circumstances. CMAT test centre gates close 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.

Q:   Is CMAT required for College of Engineering, Trivandrum?

A:

Yes, CMAT scores are recognized for admission to the MBA program at College of Engineering, Trivandrum.

Candidates can also submit CAT or KMAT scores for admission to the MBA program. The eligibility criteria for the MBA program is graduation with 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized university.

The college has a total of 120 seats for the MBA program, and the tuition fee payable for the whole MBA program is Rs 1.5 Lakhs payable in six installments.

CMAT Eligibility for Scribe/Reader

Candidates with disabilities under category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected BA) and cerebral palsy, can avail the facility of scribe/reader/lab assistant on CMAT exam day. Such candidates need to submit a request in writing to the CMAT Test Centre Superintendent for their requirements of Scribe/Reader along with disability certificate issued by the authorised Medical Officer.

  • CMAT Test Centre Superintendent will provide a scribe/ reader who is at least one year junior to the candidate academically.
  • Candidates availing scribe/reader can request Centre Superintendent to meet the allotted scribe a day before the examination to verify their suitability and general acquaintanceship.
  • Candidates availing scribe/reader will be provided extra 60 minutes beyond the test duration of CMAT exam.

Read More:

CMAT Question Papers PDF

CMAT Syllabus 2025

CMAT Pattern 2025

CMAT Mock Test 2025

CMAT Books for Preparation

CMAT admission process 2025

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
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Vipra Shrivastava
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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

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