SLOT WISE DETAILED ANALYSIS : CMAT 2025
CL Team June 04 2026
CMAT EXAM 2026 DETAILED ANALYSIS
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026, a national-level MBA entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of AICTE, was successfully conducted on 25 January 2026. The exam was held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple test centres in India.
CMAT is the qualifying entrance exam for admission into AICTE-approved MBA and PGDM programmes for the 2026–27 academic year. The question paper consisted of 100 multiple-choice questions divided into five sections. There was no sectional time limit, allowing candidates to attempt questions in any order within the total duration.
This CMAT Exam Analysis 2026 is prepared based on the official exam pattern, previous year trends, and feedback shared by candidates and subject experts after the exam. The analysis reflects the overall exam experience and will be further updated once shift-wise and memory-based questions are compiled.
CMAT Exam Analysis 2026: Overview
|
Exam Particular |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) |
|
Conducting Authority |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
|
Exam Date |
25 January 2026 |
|
Exam Mode |
Computer Based Test |
|
Exam Duration |
180 Minutes |
|
Total Questions |
100 |
|
Total Marks |
400 |
|
Sections |
5 |
|
Questions per Section |
20 |
|
Marking Scheme |
+4 for correct answer |
|
Negative Marking |
−1 for incorrect answer |
|
Sectional Time Limit |
No |
CMAT Section-Wise Exam Analysis 2026
|
Section |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Topic Coverage |
Analysis |
Expected Good Attempts |
|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
20 |
Easy to Moderate |
Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time & Work), Basic Algebra, Data Interpretation (Tables and Charts) |
Questions were calculation-oriented but not time-consuming; DI sets were simple and direct; No lengthy or complex calculations |
16 – 18 Questions |
|
Logical Reasoning |
20 |
Moderate |
Coding-Decoding, Series & Analogies, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Statement-based Questions |
Majority of questions were standalone; Focus was on logical thinking rather than puzzle-heavy sets; Manageable with basic reasoning skills |
15 – 17 Questions |
|
Language Comprehension |
20 |
Easy to Moderate |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction |
RC passages were short and easy to understand; Grammar and vocabulary questions tested basic language usage; Ideal scoring section for most candidates |
15 – 17 Questions |
|
General Awareness |
20 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Current Affairs, Static GK, Business & Economy, Sports, Awards & Science |
Mix of static GK and current affairs; Static questions increased unpredictability; Accuracy played a crucial role |
10 – 12 Questions |
|
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
20 |
Moderate |
Entrepreneurship Fundamentals, Startup Ecosystem, Government Initiatives, Business Awareness |
Concept-based and application-oriented questions; Beneficial for candidates with basic business understanding |
11 – 13 Questions |
CMAT Exam Analysis 2026: Difficulty Level
|
Section |
Difficulty Level |
|
Quantitative Techniques & DI |
Easy to Moderate |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Moderate |
|
Language Comprehension |
Easy to Moderate |
|
General Awareness |
Moderate to Difficult |
|
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
Moderate |
|
Overall Exam |
Moderate |
CMAT Exam Analysis 2026: Good Attempts
Good attempts refer to questions answered with high accuracy, keeping negative marking in mind.
|
Section |
Expected Good Attempts |
|
Quantitative Techniques & DI |
16 – 18 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
15 – 17 |
|
Language Comprehension |
15 – 17 |
|
General Awareness |
10 – 12 |
|
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
11 – 13 |
|
Overall |
70 – 75 |
Attempting 70 to 75 questions with strong accuracy is considered a competitive performance in CMAT 2026.
CMAT 2026 Percentile vs Score Analysis
|
Percentile |
Expected Score Range (Out of 400) |
Performance Level |
Expected College Opportunities |
|
99.9+ |
340+ |
Exceptional |
JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya |
|
99.5 |
320 – 339 |
Excellent |
Top Tier CMAT Colleges |
|
99 |
300 – 319 |
Very Strong |
Great Lakes, Welingkar, IFMR |
|
95 |
260 – 299 |
Strong |
PUMBA, BIMTECH, XIME |
|
90 |
230 – 259 |
Good |
ITM, IPE, Jaipuria |
|
85 |
210 – 229 |
Above Average |
Tier-2 MBA Colleges |
|
80 |
190 – 209 |
Average |
Decent Private B-Schools |
|
70 |
160 – 189 |
Moderate |
Mid-Level Colleges |
|
60 |
130 – 159 |
Below Average |
Limited Good Calls |
|
50 |
100 – 129 |
Low |
Few College Options |
Section-Wise Safe Attempts for High Percentiles
|
Section |
Good Attempts |
Target Accuracy |
|
Quantitative Techniques & DI |
16 – 18 |
80%+ |
|
Logical Reasoning |
15 – 17 |
80%+ |
|
Language Comprehension |
15 – 17 |
85%+ |
|
General Awareness |
10 – 12 |
70%+ |
|
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
11 – 13 |
75%+ |
CMAT 2026 was generally considered an easy to moderate exam overall with a balanced mix of conceptual and application-based questions.
Most sections were manageable, and students with strong basics could attempt a high number of questions with good accuracy.
Quantitative Techniques and Language Comprehension were comparatively easier and became major scoring areas.
Logical Reasoning focused more on standalone logic questions rather than lengthy puzzle sets.
General Awareness remained the most unpredictable section due to the mix of current affairs and static GK.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship included practical business-oriented questions and was moderate in difficulty.
Overall, CMAT 2026 rewarded speed, accuracy, and smart question selection, making it a student-friendly paper for well-prepared candidates.
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