Management Colleges Gear Up to Analyse CMAT 2026 Performance for Shortlist Criteria.

Leading management colleges are preparing to set their CMAT 2026 shortlist criteria as the exam concludes this month. Institutes like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and K J Somaiya will evaluate the difficulty level of the January 25 exam to determine cutoff percentiles. Shortlisting will involve a combination of CMAT scores, academic history, and work experience for the 2026 batch. Stay informed about the evolving admission requirements of top B-schools accepting CMAT scores. With the CMAT 2026 exam now behind us as of January 29, 2026, premier management colleges across India have begun the process of defining their shortlist criteria. Admissions committees at top-tier institutes are currently analyzing the raw data and student feedback from the January 25 test to calibrate their cutoff scores. Since the difficulty level was reported as moderate, many management colleges are expecting a slight rise in the percentile required for the first round of calls .

For most reputed B-schools, the CMAT score is just one component of the shortlist criteria. Management colleges often use a weighted average that includes 10th and 12th-grade marks, graduation performance, and relevant work experience. Some institutes like GIM Goa and K J Somaiya also consider extracurricular achievements. This holistic approach ensures that the candidates shortlisted for the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds are well-rounded individuals.

• Score Weightage: Usually ranges from 50% to 70% of the initial shortlist.
• Academic Record: Consistently high marks often lower the required CMAT percentile.
• Diversity Factors: Some management colleges offer extra points for gender or academic background diversity.

Anticipated Cutoffs for Top Business Schools

Based on early trends, the most competitive management colleges are likely to maintain high thresholds. For example, JBIMS Mumbai traditionally requires a percentile in the 99.9+ range. Meanwhile, other established institutes may look at the 85-95 percentile bracket. The following table provides an estimate of the expected CMAT 2026 cutoffs for some prominent institutes:

Conclusion

As management colleges finalize their shortlist criteria, candidates should prepare their portfolios for the next stage of the admission cycle. Understanding how different institutes weigh the CMAT 2026 performance alongside other profile elements will be key to a successful application strategy. The announcement of these criteria usually follows the official result declaration by the NTA.

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