CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026 gives a quick view of how marks translate into percentile bands in the test. A score between 345 and 350 marks or a little higher will get you a perfect 100 percentile and secure you admission to a top MBA college.
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026: Formula, How to Calculate Marks
gives students a clearer idea of the score range needed for different percentile bands. Usually, those who aim for a perfect 100 percentile in CMAT 2026 need to score around 345 to 350. If you’re targeting the 90 to 99.99 percentile, the expected score range is roughly 281 to 340, and for the 81 to 89 percentile, a score between 201 and 280 may be enough. Additionally, a raw score of about 170 often lands somewhere near the 71 to 80 percentile.
Even if the trends suggest the above figures, to be on the safe side, always better to set sights on higher scores. While your
CM
AT
score indicates the marks earned as per the exam’s marking scheme, the percentile compares your performance with others. In this article, explore the complete
CMAT 2026 score vs percentile
breakdown.
CMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile
The CMAT 2026 score vs percentile analysis (expected) is available below based on the expert analysis. The analysis is based on the difficulty level and other parameters to provide an analysis of how the score vs percentile is this year. The CMAT score ranges are calculated out of 400 marks in CMAT, and the percentiles represent your relative performance compared to other test-takers.
Score (Out of 400) | Percentile Range |
|---|---|
345-350 | 100 |
281-340 | 90-99.99 |
201-280 | 81-89 |
171-200 | 71-80 |
141-170 | 61-70 |
116-140 | 51-60 |
Below 116 | Below 51 |
Percentile-wise CMAT Accepting Colleges
CMAT Cutoff for Top Colleges
What is CMAT Score?
A CMAT score is the sum of the correct and incorrect responses you marked on the exam. CMAT is divided into five sections: General Awareness, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Each section in CMAT comprises 20 questions of 4 marks each, which means that CMAT is conducted for 400 marks. However, there is a negative marking of -1 for each wrong answer. The total score in CMAT is calculated by totalling/ compiling the marks gained or lost in each question.
How to Calculate CMAT Score?
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The table below explains how to calculate CMAT 2026 score with examples. Have a look at it for a better understanding of the process:
Name of the Student | Questions Answered | No. of Correct Answers | No. of Wrong Answers | Marks Awarded for Correct Answers | Marks Deducted for Incorrect Answers | CMAT Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
X | 50 | 43 | 7 | 43 X 4 = 172 | -7 | 172 – 7 = 165 |
Y | 60 | 48 | 12 | 48 X 4 = 192 | -12 | 192 – 12 = 180 |
Z | 70 | 57 | 13 | 57 X 4 = 228 | -13 | 228 – 13 = 215 |
A | 80 | 75 | 5 | 75 X 4 = 300 | -5 | 300 – 5 = 295 |
As per the above example, students' wrong answers will have a negative impact on their overall CMAT score.
Also Read :
| What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026? | CMAT Passing Marks 2026 |
|---|---|
| CMAT Normalisation Process 2026 | CMAT Merit List 2026 |
What is a CMAT Percentile?
A CMAT percentile indicates your performance relative to other test-takers. It shows the percentage of exam takers who scored less than you in CMAT. This percentile helps institutions evaluate and compare applicants' positions on a common scale for admission into management programs.
How to Calculate CMAT Percentile?
Based on the rank secured by students in the exam, the percentile score is determined. The percentile score determines the score of the aspirants equal to or less than the scores of others in the exam. CMAT percentile is calculated by applying the following formula –
Percentile (P) = N (Total No. of Students Appeared in CMAT Exam) – Rank of the Student ÷ Total Number of Students × 100 |
|---|
Check the example below for a better understanding.
Example:
Let us assume that 50,000 exam takers appeared for the exam. The percentile of 5 students might be as follows:
Name of the Student | CMAT AIR (All India Rank) | CMAT Percentile (as per formula mentioned above) |
|---|---|---|
A | 1 | Percentile = 50000 – 1/50000 X 100 = 99.9 |
B | 7 | Percentile = 50000 – 7/50000 X 100 = 98.6 |
C | 11 | Percentile = 50000 – 11/50000 X 100 = 97.8 |
X | 22 | Percentile = 50000 – 22/50000 X 100 = 95.6 |
Y | 120 | Percentile = 50000 – 120/50000 X 100 = 76 |
Z | 230 | Percentile = 50000 – 230/50000 X 100 = 54 |
Note: Even though the CMAT percentile score is determined, the rank allotment is completely based on the overall score secured by the candidates.
Also Read :
Factors Affecting CMAT 2026 Percentile
Understanding the factors affecting the CMAT percentile can help candidates better prepare for the exam and set realistic expectations for their percentile scores. The CMAT percentile is influenced by several key factors, including:
- Performance of Examinees : The most direct factor affecting your CMAT percentile is your exam performance. This includes the number of correct answers, incorrect answers (considering negative marking), and unattempted questions.
- Difficulty Level of the Exam : The overall difficulty level of the exam can significantly impact percentiles. If the exam is generally difficult, lower scores might still translate to high percentiles, and vice versa.
- Number of Test Takers : The total number of test takers appearing for the CMAT also plays a crucial role. A higher number might lead to more competition and could affect the percentile distribution.
- Distribution of Scores : How scores are spread among the test takers can impact individual percentiles. If most scores are clustered together, even small differences in scores can lead to large percentile changes.
- Sectional Performance : While overall performance is important, excelling in particular sections can also influence your percentile, especially if many candidates find those sections challenging.
- Yearly Variations : The factors mentioned above can vary each year, leading to fluctuations in how percentiles are calculated and distributed among the candidates.
CMAT Rank Allotment Process 2026
CMAT ranks are allotted based on the overall score secured by aspirants in CMAT. If two individuals secure the same/ similar marks in CMAT, both shall be allocated the same rank. However, the order in the rank list will be sorted out alphabetically. Here is an example of the CMAT rank allotment process that will help students figure out what happens if two or more of them secure the same marks:
Name of the Student | CMAT Overall Score | CMAT AIR (All India Rank) |
|---|---|---|
A | 380 | 1 |
B | 379 | 2 |
C | 379 | 2 |
D | 378 | 4 |
E | 377 | 5 |
F | 377 | 5 |
G | 376 | 7 |
Previous Year CMAT Score Vs Percentile (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)
You can check the analysis from previous years to get an idea of the CMAT score vs percentile. Figures are based on past year trends and vary per year depending on exam difficulty and student performance.
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2025
Below, you can explore the CMAT score vs percentile 2025.| Score Range | Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| 345-355 | 100 |
| 295-345 | 99-99.9 |
| 255-294 | 95-98 |
| 235-254 | 90-94 |
| 210-234 | 85-89 |
| 190-209 | 80-84 |
| 171-189 | 71-79 |
| 141-170 | 61-70 |
| 116-140 | 51-60 |
| ≤115 | Below 51 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2024
Here is the CMAT score vs percentile 2024:| Score Range | Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| 345-350 | 100 |
| 281-340 | 90-99.99 |
| 201-280 | 81-89 |
| 171-200 | 71-80 |
| 141-170 | 61-70 |
| 116-140 | 51-60 |
| Below 116 | Below 51 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2023
The overview of the CMAT score vs percentile 2023 is added below.CMAT Score | CMAT Percentile |
|---|---|
315-350 | 100 |
286-310 | 99.1 – 99.99 |
261-285 | 90-99 |
201-260 | 81-89 |
171-200 | 71-80 |
141-170 | 61-70 |
116-140 | 51-60 |
Below 116 | Below 51 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2022
Take a look at the CMAT score vs percentile 2022 analysis below.CMAT Score | CMAT Percentile |
|---|---|
385 | 99.9980447 |
383 | 99.9960895 |
380 | 99.9941342 |
375 | 99.9784921 |
361 | 99.9452526 |
350 | 99.9159237 |
320 | 99.8044736 |
303 | 99.5033631 |
300 | 99.3919130 |
293 | 99.0184577 |
280 | 98.0212733 |
260 | 95.0668700 |
250 | 92.7205537 |
240 | 90.0066479 |
225 | 85.0011732 |
211 | 80.0132958 |
200 | 75.0703895 |
188 | 70.0316753 |
168 | 60.1282653 |
150 | 50.5142343 |
100 | 21.9849836 |
71 | 10.7871891 |
19 | 0.6119975 |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2021
CMAT Score | CMAT Percentile |
|---|---|
345-350 | 100 |
281-340 | 90-99.99 |
201-280 | 81-89 |
171-200 | 71-80 |
141-170 | 61-70 |
116-140 | 51-60 |
Below 116 | Below 51 |
Related Links:
| What After CMAT 2026 Result? | |
|---|---|
| Didn't Score Well in CMAT 2026? Here Are Some Alternatives to Look For | |
If you have any queries about CMAT score vs percentile 2026, rank, and percentile mechanism, please ask your query through the Q&A Zone . Stay tuned with us for the latest updates on CMAT !
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FAQs
Yes, the CMAT exam is generally considered to be easier than the CAT, primarily due to CMAT's less complex questions and lack of sectional time limits, which offers more flexibility compared to the CAT's higher difficulty and time-pressured format. While CAT is a gateway to IIMs and top business schools, CMAT provides access to a broader range of colleges with a less demanding entrance exam.
A CMAT score in the range of 330-360 (approximately 99th percentile and above) is considered excellent for the top-tier MBA programmes, while a score of 250-300 (around 90-95 percentile) is a good score for many well-known colleges, and a score around 200 (around 65-70 percentile) is considered average. The exact "good score" depends upon the specific institution, with top schools such as JBIMS requiring scores above the 98th percentile, and other reputable colleges such as GIM and KJ Somaiya requiring scores in the 95th percentile.
The CMAT percentile score of candidates is calculated using the following formula: Percentile (P) = N (Total No. of Candidates Appeared in CMAT Exam) – Rank of the Candidate divided by N multiplied by 100. The CMAT exam conducting authorities also use the CMAT normalization process to make sure that candidates who had a tougher CMAT question paper are not at a disadvantage.
The CMAT rank is calculated based on the CMAT percentile score of candidates. Candidates from each session of the CMAT exam are taken into account when calculating the percentile rank of a particular candidate. CMAT normalization is also used to make sure that CMAT candidates of one session are not at an advantage due to easier CMAT question paper.
The 99.99 percentile marks in CMAT means that the candidate has scored better than nearly all the CMAT test takers in that particular academic year. Only a few candidates are able to achieve 99.99 percentile score in CMAT each year. Candidates must achieve a raw score of 350 or more in the CMAT exam to fall in the 99.99 percentile.
A good percentile in CMAT is a score that enables candidates to secure admission to their choice of MBA college that accepts CMAT scores for admission. Candidates must aim to score 90 percentile or more in CMAT to be eligible for the MBA admission process of some of the top colleges accepting CMAT like JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, SIMSREE, Welingkar, etc.
The raw score for 90 percentile in CMAT is 280 or more. Aspirants who wish to fall in the 90 percentile in CMAT must aim to score above 280-300 as raw score on the exam. Candidates must also consider factors like exam difficulty level, total number of CMAT test takers, and other parameters before setting a goal for themselves before the CMAT exam.
The score required for 85 percentile in CMAT is 250 or more in terms of raw score. Candidates must note that based on a variety of factors like exam difficulty level, total number of CMAT candidates, previous year cutoff trends, etc. a raw score of 250 may fetch a higher or lower percentile score and acheiving a percentile score of 85 may be tougher or even easier than last year.
Candidates who score 300 marks in CMAT will achieve a percentile score of 90 or above easily. A raw score of 300 marks has even lead to a percentile score of 99 and above in CMAT 2023 due to the increased difficulty level and the high number of candidates appearing for the exam. Therefore, candidates can also expect to achieve a very high percentile score if they can score a 300 marks in the CMAT exam.
The score required for 95 percentile in CMAT is 300 or more. Scoring 95 percentile will require candidates to achieve a very high raw score and complete each section of the CMAT question paper with remarkable accuracy. Achieving 95 percentile in CMAT will allow candidates to secure admission to some of the top MBA colleges in India including JBIMS, SIMSREE, Great Lakes, etc.
The score that is required for 80 percentile in CMAT is 201 or more. Aspirants must note that every year the CMAT raw score and its corresponding percentile score will change due to different factors like exam difficulty level, total number of candidates, previous year trends, etc. However, candidates can expect that scoring above 201 will be enough for 80 percentile in CMAT.
71 percentile in CMAT is a decent score since it puts you above 70% of the total candidate pool in CMAT. however, if you wish to secure admission in some of the top colleges in India accepting CMAT scores, you must aim to score above 85 percentile since the CMAT cutoff for top MBA colleges in India falls in 85-90 percentile range or more.
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