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CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026
After the CMAT exam on January 25, 2026, one question always comes to mind- “Did I perform well?” And on 31 January 2026, NTA released the key. Now, after going through the response sheet new question arises: “Is my score good enough?”
The answer depends not only on your marks but also on your percentile. Many students get confused between these two terms. Your score is the marks you get out of 400. Your percentile shows how you performed compared to other students.
CMAT is a national-level MBA entrance exam accepted by 1000+ AICTE-approved colleges. So, competition is high. Even a small score difference can change the percentile significantly. That is why understanding the CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026 relationship helps you set realistic college targets and plan your admission strategy calmly.
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026
Based on previous year trends and difficulty levels, experts predict the following score range for CMAT 2026.
Percentile | Score 2026 |
|---|---|
99.99 | 325+ |
99.9 | 300 |
99.5 | 276 |
99 | 261 |
98 | 247 |
95 | 225 |
90 | 204 |
85 | 185 |
80 | 175 |
70 & below | 160 & below |
These numbers can change slightly depending on paper difficulty and the number of candidates.
Important Note to CMAT 2026 Aspirants:
- Objection window closed by Feb 2, 2026-So, in case any answers or questions look wrong or mistaken, you must hurry and fill the objections form.
- Once the objection window closes, NTA won’t accept requests anymore. But also make sure you have proper proofs.
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026: Previous Year Analysis
Looking at CMAT's past trends gives you better clarity about how the score translates to the percentile.
Percentile | 2025 Score | 2024 Score | 2023 Score | 2022 Score |
99.99 | 330+ | 340+ | 360 | 380 |
99.5 | 290 | 310 | 306 | 303 |
99 | 270 | 280 | 296 | 293 |
95 | 245 | 250 | 265 | 260 |
90 | 205 | 225 | 250 | 240 |
80 | 190 | 195 | 220 | 211 |
70 | 170 and above | 190 | 190 | 180 |
You can see that the 99th percentile mark usually stays above 270–280. Scores change slightly every year due to exam difficulty and total exam attendees.
Read Also, CMAT 2026 Results OUT
CMAT Score Required for 99, 95, 90 Percentile
Many students aim for specific percentile targets. Here is a simple idea of the score you should target.
Target Percentile | Safe Score Range |
99+ | 261+ |
95+ | 225+ |
90+ | 204+ |
A score above 300 usually puts you in the top league. In case you are in this range, you can start planning your college personal interview process.
Read Also, CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis
How CMAT Percentile Is Calculated from Raw Score
Your percentile is not just your marks. It depends on how others performed. CMAT has 100 questions and a maximum score of 400.
Section | Questions | Marks |
Quant & DI | 20 | 80 |
Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
Small improvements in accuracy can raise the percentile sharply.
CMAT Marking Scheme
- +4 for correct answer
- -1 for incorrect answer
- 0 for unanswered
Percentile Formula
Percentile = 100 × (Number of candidates with score ≤ your score / Total candidates)
Example:
If 10,000 students appear and you score higher than 9,900 students, your percentile is 99.
So, percentile is a ranking measure, not just a score measure.
Is Your CMAT 2026 Score Good Enough for Top Colleges?
Let’s connect percentile with college opportunities.
If your score is above 270, you can target top-tier colleges. A score near 200 still gives good options in reputed institutes.
Rank | College / Institute | CMAT Cut-off | Fee Details | Average Placement |
1 | Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai | 99.99%ile | 6 Lakhs | 26.12 LPA |
2 | SIMSREE, Mumbai | 99.96%ile | 1.5 Lakhs | 15.59 LPA |
3 | Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune (PUMBA) | 99+%ile | 1.5 Lakhs | 8.85 LPA |
4 | K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai | 99+%ile | 21 Lakhs | 12.32 LPA |
5 | BIMTECH Greater Noida | 95%ile | 14 Lakhs | 11 LPA |
6 | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) | 90%ile | 14.50 Lakhs | 9.50 LPA |
7 | IMT Nagpur | 90%ile | 14.5 Lakhs | 10.81 LPA |
8 | IFMR Graduate School of Business, KREA University | 85%ile | 14.56 Lakhs | 13.50 LPA |
9 | Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow | 85%ile | 12.80 Lakhs | 8.95 LPA |
10 | Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai | 85%ile | 13 Lakhs | 12.01 LPA |
11 | IMT Hyderabad | 80%ile | 13.77 Lakhs | 12 LPA |
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026 : Conclusion
CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026 is not just numbers. It shows your standing among thousands of students. A high score is good, but percentile matters more for college calls.
Aim for accuracy, not just attempts incase of thinking to going fro any other MBA exam in the future. Even 10 extra marks can move you into a higher percentile bracket. Understand trends, set realistic goals, and choose colleges wisely.
Your CMAT score is the starting point of your MBA journey, not the final destination. Use the objection window wisely. For more updates, follow our social media handles.
