CMAT 2026 category wise cutoff
for an MBA or PGDM will certainly differ from one college to another. While the cutoff for the General or Open category is the highest, the same for reserved categories, including SC and ST, is the lowest. While the General category cutoff usually ranges between 80 and 100 percentile, the reserved category cutoff can go as low as 50 percentile.
The CMAT exam will be conducted on January 25, 2026, for students aiming for further studies in a suitable management institute in India. The test assesses the calibre of students in quantitative techniques, logical reasoning, language comprehension, general awareness, and innovation & entrepreneurship.
Read through the article below to learn more about CMAT 2026 category-wise cutoff percentile for OBC, General, SC & ST.
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Expected CMAT 2026 Cutoff Category-wise
The CMAT is a vital entrance test for MBA and PGDM courses in India that is considered by thousands of candidates every year. The CMAT 2026 cutoff, mentioned within the categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD, will differ. Check out the category wise CMAT 2026 expected cutoff percentile and marks below:
Category | Expected Percentile | Expected Score Range |
|---|---|---|
General (Open) | 95-99.9 | 260-360+ |
Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 80-98 | 215-310 |
Scheduled Caste (SC) | 60-80 | 160-215 |
Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 50-70 | 140-195 |
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 85-97 | 230-280 |
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 50-85 | 120-220 |
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Expected CMAT 2026 Category-wise Cutoffs for Top Colleges
The CMAT works as a doorway that opens into the best management colleges for you in India. Annually, CMAT aspirants compete with one another to get admission into elite institutions across the country.
The table below provides insight into the expected CMAT 2026 cutoff percentiles for the leading institutions, of which JBIMS, SIMSREE, and K J Somaiya could be cited as examples. These cutoffs, primarily classified for general candidates, provide sights into the competitive benchmarks for admission into these top colleges.
College Name | Location | General Category CMAT Cutoff (Approx.) | Reserved Category CMAT Cutoff (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai | Mumbai | 99.9 | 95 |
Sydenham Institute of Management Studies (SIMSREE) | Mumbai | 97 | 95 |
K J Somaiya Institute of Management | Mumbai | 95 | 90 |
Goa Institute of Management (GIM) | Goa | 90 | 85 |
Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai | 90-95 | 85 |
PUMBA (Department of Management Sciences) | Pune | 97 | 92 |
Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) | Bangalore | 85-90 | 80-85 |
Welingkar Institute of Management | Mumbai/Bangalore | 85-90 | 80-85 |
IFMR Graduate School of Business | Andhra Pradesh | 85 | 80 |
Christ University, Bangalore | Bangalore | 80-85 | 80 |
Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM) | Pune | 80-85 | 80 |
IES Management College and Research Centre (IES MCRC) | Mumbai | 75-80 | 50 |
Percentile-wise CMAT Accepting Colleges
CMAT Cutoff for Top Colleges
CMAT 2026 results will tentatively be released in the last week of February 2026, while cutoffs for colleges accepting the exam will be released likely in March 2026. Post that, if you get shortlisted, you will have to participate in the further rounds of Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI) and Essay Writing. That said, it is important to note that not all colleges will have the same selection process.
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Use our CMAT 2026 Percentile Predictor and CMAT Colleges Predictor 2026 to have an idea of the percentile you will score and the colleges, you can get into. For further doubt clearance, drop your questions in the Q&A zone , or you can call us at 1800-572-9877.
FAQs
Top colleges like JBIMS Mumbai (99.9), SIMSREE (97), and K J Somaiya (95) accept CMAT scores.
General category cutoffs usually range from 80-100 percentile, while reserved categories can go as low as 50 percentile.
CMAT cutoffs are influenced by factors such as the number of applicants, exam difficulty level, seat availability in top colleges, and reservation policies. For example, a higher number of applicants or limited seats often leads to elevated cutoffs, whereas tougher exams may lower the required scores.
Colleges like DY Patil School of Management, Christ University, and Universal Business School accept CMAT scores in the range of 60-75 percentiles. These colleges provide quality management education at relatively affordable tuition fees, making them an option for candidates with moderate CMAT scores.
Candidates targeting top CMAT colleges in 2026 should focus on achieving percentiles between 90 and 99.9. Institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and K J Somaiya have high cutoffs, so thorough preparation in all exam sections and consistent academic performance are critical to meeting these competitive benchmarks.
The CMAT 2026 category-wise cutoffs vary significantly, with the General category expected at 95-99.9 percentiles, while SC/ST and PwD candidates may require 50-70 percentiles. These indicative cutoffs, based on previous trends, help candidates from different backgrounds set realistic preparation goals for admission.
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