CMAT
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
CMAT is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to AICTE-approved management programmes across India.
It is a 3-hour test with five equal sections, including Innovation & Entrepreneurship and General Awareness.
CMAT at a glance
- CONDUCTED BY
- National Testing Agency (NTA)
- WHEN
- Once a year (January in the 2026 cycle)
- MODE
- Computer-based test
- DURATION
- 180 minutes
- QUESTIONS
- 100 (400 marks)
- NEGATIVE MARKING
- −1 per wrong answer
Sections and marking
- +4 for every correct answer
- −1 for a wrong answer
- No marks lost for questions left unanswered
- No sectional time limits
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 |
| General Awareness | 20 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 |
What the exam rewards
Arithmetic, algebra and data sets at a moderate level.
Standard reasoning and reading questions, usually easier than CAT.
Current affairs, business and static GK.
Start-ups, business models, innovation concepts and related schemes.
A simple preparation plan
- 01
Don't skip GK and I&E
Together they are 40% of the marks and need a separate reading plan.
- 02
Use the time
180 minutes for 100 questions gives room to recheck answers.
- 03
Mind the penalty
At +4/−1, educated guesses can pay off, but random ones cost marks.
- 04
Practise full mocks
Take full-length CMAT mocks to build stamina for 3 hours.
Colleges that accept CMAT
In Maharashtra, scores from CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA and GMAT can be used for All India seats in the MBA/MMS Centralised Admission Process (CAP) alongside MAH-CET, subject to that year's admission rules.
CMAT mocks in CET Plus
CET Plus includes 15 mocks across MAT, ATMA and CMAT, along with 20 CET mocks and 10 CET masterclasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is CMAT marked?
+4 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one. Unanswered questions score zero.
How many sections are in CMAT?
Five sections of 20 questions each, for 100 questions and 400 marks in 180 minutes.
Can CMAT be used for Maharashtra MBA admissions?
Yes, for All India seats in the MBA/MMS CAP, subject to that year's admission rules.
Who conducts CMAT?
The National Testing Agency (NTA).
Patterns, dates and accepted colleges can change each year. Always confirm the latest details on the official website: exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT.