With the CMAT 2026 exam scheduled for January 25, management aspirants have entered the final phase of their preparation. The National Testing Agency is expected to release the official admit cards today, following the recent issuance of the city intimation slips. Candidates are focusing on 180-minute full-length mocks to master the five sections, including the unique Innovation & Entrepreneurship segment. The 2026 session will be held in a computer-based format across 120 cities, requiring students to refine their time-management strategies for the upcoming Sunday test.

As the countdown to the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT 2026) enters its final 72 hours, management aspirants across the country are shifting their focus from conceptual learning to intensive mock practice. With the examination confirmed for Sunday, January 25, 2026, the atmosphere among the student community is one of high focus and strategic revision. As of today, January 22, students are primarily engaged in simulating the actual test environment to adapt to the three-hour examination duration, ensuring they are mentally prepared for the 100-question challenge.

Strategic Revision and Mock Analysis

The final week before CMAT 2026 is traditionally reserved for high-frequency testing. Experts suggest that performing mock practice during the actual exam time slots—9:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM—helps in aligning the body’s circadian rhythm with the test schedule. This year, the focus has particularly increased on the "Innovation & Entrepreneurship" and "General Awareness" sections, which often act as the tie-breakers for high percentiles in the management entrance cycle.

• Sectional Balancing: Aspirants are dedicating specific hours to master the 20 questions in each of the five segments.
• Speed vs. Accuracy: Given the negative marking of -1, the primary goal of the current mock practice is to reduce instinctive errors.
• Time Management: Students are practicing completing the Verbal and GK sections early to save more of the examination duration for complex Quantitative Techniques.
• Technical Familiarity: Utilizing the official NTA practice interface helps students get used to the navigation required for the computer-based format.

Admit Card Status and Exam Day Logistics

Parallel to their academic preparation, candidates are closely monitoring the official NTA portal for the hall ticket download link. While the city intimation slips were released on January 16, the final hall ticket is expected to be available for download today. This document is the most vital piece of paper for the management entrance, as it contains the specific venue address, seat number, and mandatory reporting instructions that every candidate must follow.

• Downloading Protocol: Candidates must log in using their application number and date of birth on the official NTA website.
• ID Requirements: Along with the printed hall ticket, an original government-issued photo ID is mandatory for center entry.
• Reporting Buffer: NTA guidelines suggest arriving at the center at least 90 minutes before the start to complete biometric registration.
• COVID-19/Health Norms: Basic safety protocols and self-declaration forms remains a part of the standard management entrance procedure this year.

Conclusion

The arrival of the final days before the CMAT 2026 marks the culmination of months of hard work for over 60,000 aspirants. The emphasis on rigorous mock practice is a testament to the competitive nature of the exam, which serves as a gateway to over 1,300 AICTE-approved institutions. As students await the release of their final hall ticket, the focus remains on maintaining a calm demeanor and a sharp analytical mindset. With the examination duration fixed at 180 minutes, the ability to stay composed and manage time effectively will ultimately determine the success of the 2026 cohort.