
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:

The list of MBA colleges accepting 80-90 percentile in CMAT 2026 includes well-known institutes such as Welingkar, Great Lakes Institute of Management, St. Xavier’s University, and IMT Nagpur. These colleges are known for experienced faculty, solid infrastructure, programmes aligned with industry expectations, and strong placement support. While these institutes may not fall under the 99+ percentile bracket, they continue to be suitable choices for aspirants aiming for quality MBA education.
The CMAT 2026 exam will be conducted by NTA on January 25, 2026, across more than 100 test cities in India. CMAT 2026 results are expected in the second/ third week of February 2026, making this percentile-based college list especially useful for shortlisting options.

With a CAT 2025 score in the 70-80 percentile range, you can explore admission opportunities in reputable MBA colleges such as BIMTECH Noida, Welingkar Mumbai, IMT Nagpur, and XIME Bengaluru. Each of these institutions sets its admission cutoffs based on factors like program specialisation, location, and current applicant competition. For instance, BIMTECH expects CAT 2025 cutoffs around 70-75 percentile, Welingkar generally requires 70-80 percentile, IMT Nagpur's cutoff is higher, near 85 percentile, and XIME Bangalore usually sets it between 75-80 percentile. Because these thresholds can change yearly, it is essential to verify the specific eligibility criteria and cutoff details of your targeted colleges before applying to ensure your CAT 2025 score meets their requirements.

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.
Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Pune (Maharashtra)
Pune (Maharashtra)
Pune (Maharashtra)
Pune (Maharashtra)