Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai News & Updates 2026: Notifications, Notice, Result

The CMAT 2026 expected cutoff for top B Schools ranges from the 95th to 99.99th percentile. It is the minimum marks that an aspirant needs to score to qualify for the next stages in the selection process of the CMAT 2026 participating institutes.

The National Testing Agency will conduct the CMAT 2026 exam on January 25, 2026, in two shifts. Please note that the NTA does not announce the CMAT 2026 cutoff; each institute decides the figure based on the difficulty level of the exam and seat availability.

The admission process for the 2026–28 MBA/ PGDM programs is expected to begin within a few weeks after the CMAT results and remain open until June/ July. If you clear the CMAT cutoff, you will be considered for further rounds in the CMAT selection process.

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What after CMAT 2026 Result is a common question among aspirants once the exam process is over. After the CMAT result is declared, students need to focus on checking how to apply for MBA admissions. shortlisting colleges, understanding cut-offs, and tracking application timelines.

Different MBA institutes follow varied admission processes, including GD-PI rounds, written ability tests, or centralised counselling. Knowing the correct sequence of steps helps avoid missed deadlines and last-minute confusion. From filling out application forms to attending selection rounds, to fee payment, every stage is important for final admission. Being prepared in advance allows aspirants to make informed decisions and plan their MBA journey more effectively.

CMAT 2026 will be conducted on January 25, 2026. Aspirants can check this article, which covers all the details regarding the admission rounds conducted after the result announcement.

Understanding what to expect in XAT is important as it enables candidates to plan their preparation efficiently and develop effective strategies. The exam pattern for XAT has remained consistent with the previous year's structure, comprising three parts, namely Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. The second part included mock keyboard testing, while the final part covered General Knowledge questions and Essay Writing.

MBA colleges accepting an 80-90 percentile in CAT 2025 include premier institutions such as Great Lakes Institute of Management, Bharathidasan Institute of Management, University Business School, and T.A. Pai Management Institute. If you achieve a CAT result 2025, which has been released on December 24, 2025, within the range of 80-90, you can also seek admission to several well-established and reputed MBA colleges and universities. These colleges may not be the top B-schools in India, however, a majority of these management institutes are ranked among the most reputable and promising colleges in the country. The MBA selection process for 80 to 90 percentile CAT colleges is similar to that of other B-schools accepting CAT 2025.

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The CAT Cutoff 2025 for private MBA colleges usually ranges from 90 to 100 percentile. Students must clear the CAT examination and score marks in accordance with the CAT cutoff. Apart from the IIMs, there are many private MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. Some of the top private MBA colleges for General, SC/ST, OBC, include XLRI, JBIMS, MDI, SPJIMR, NITIE, IMT Ghaziabad, and more. Students who make it to the CAT 2025 cutoff set by these institutes will be eligible to get admission to their MBA courses.

Many aspiring MBA students often wonder about an important question: Is the CAT exam compulsory for MBA? The simple answer is NO! Taking the CAT exam is not mandatory for enrolling in MBA programmes in India or abroad. However, it is important to note that the CAT is the most widely accepted and recognised entrance exam for MBA programs in India. You can certainly look at other alternatives to CAT like MAT, XAT, SNAP, or other entrance exams. That said, since the IIMs hold a coveted position, being considered the best for an MBA education within the country, it is given a good weightage. 

The CMAT 2026 expected cutoff for top B Schools ranges from the 95th to 99.99th percentile. It is the minimum marks that an aspirant needs to score to qualify for the next stages in the selection process of the CMAT 2026 participating institutes.

The National Testing Agency will conduct the CMAT 2026 exam on January 25, 2026, in two shifts. Please note that the NTA does not announce the CMAT 2026 cutoff; each institute decides the figure based on the difficulty level of the exam and seat availability.

The admission process for the 2026–28 MBA/ PGDM programs is expected to begin within a few weeks after the CMAT results and remain open until June/ July. If you clear the CMAT cutoff, you will be considered for further rounds in the CMAT selection process.

Also Read: 

Applying effective profile-building strategies is essential for cracking MBA admissions 2026 with an average CAT 2025 score. It is often believed that a CAT score below 80 percentile is worthless and only good for B-grade management institutes or lower. However, that is not the case in reality, and there are many Tier 1 B–schools in India that accept students with mediocre CAT scores. That being said, most of these students with average CAT scores that secure admission to top-tier B-schools have an excellent overall profile, which makes them prime applicants.

Let’s be real, choosing an MBA college in India is confusing. You have the elite IIMs on one side and thousands of colleges making tall claims on the other. If you are reading this, you probably missed the CAT cutoffs for the top tier or are looking for a solid backup plan. IBS Bangalore (ICFAI Business School) often pops up in this conversation. But with a price tag crossing INR 12 lakhs, the big question isn't just "Is it good?" but "Is it worth the money?"

Selecting the right business school is something like figuring out a Mumbai local at 9:00 AM. It is quick and jam-packed, and each choice feels heavy. If you plan to attend IBS Mumbai for the 2026-27 academic year, you are most likely weighing the "ICFAI" brand against the fact of living in the most expensive city in India. Is a PGPM here a genuine launchpad for your corporate career, or is it just an expensive two-year stay in Powai? With rising fees and a massive batch size, the question of whether it’s "worth it" depends entirely on your own career goals and how much you're willing to hustle.

Also Check - Is IBS Hyderabad worth it for MBA? Placements and ROI Insights

NTA is expected to release the CMAT City Intimation Slip 2026 in the third week of January 2026, usually around 10 to 15 days before the CMAT exam date 2026. Once released, the slip will be available on the official CMAT website at cmat.nta.nic.in.