MBA Colleges Prepare Shortlists as CMAT Results and Percentiles Approach

With the CMAT 2026 response sheets officially out, top MBA colleges in India have begun preparing their preliminary shortlists for the 2026-28 batch. From JBIMS to BIMTECH, learn about expected cutoffs, the importance of profile-based selection, and the upcoming GD-PI schedule.

As the NTA concludes the answer key challenge phase today, the attention of the management education sector has shifted toward the shortlisting process for the 2026-28 academic session. Leading MBA colleges are already utilizing early score data to frame their merit criteria. With the official results expected in mid-February, the current atmosphere in B-school admission offices is one of intense preparation, as they aim to filter the top 5% of candidates for the next round of evaluation.

Expected Cutoffs for Top Institutes

The shortlisting benchmarks for flagship programs are expected to remain high due to a competitive applicant pool this year. Because the exam was a single shift, the scores are highly concentrated, making even a half-mark difference significant for ranking.

• Public Premier Institutes: JBIMS and SIMSREE Mumbai are anticipated to maintain a shortlisting cutoff of 99.9+ percentile for general category seats.
• Private Leaders: GIM Goa, K J Somaiya, and Great Lakes are likely to issue calls to candidates scoring in the 95th to 98th percentile range.
• Regional Favorites: Institutes like PUMBA (Pune) and various university departments are expected to begin their shortlisting at the 90th percentile mark.

Profile-Based Selection and Diversity Weightage

In 2026, MBA colleges are increasingly moving away from a score-only approach. While the CMAT percentile is the primary gatekeeper, many institutes are incorporating "Profile-Based Shortlisting" to ensure a diverse cohort of students.

• Academic History: High weightage (15-20%) is being given to marks obtained in Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation to reward consistent performers.
• Work Experience: Candidates with 24 to 36 months of relevant professional experience are seeing a "bonus point" system in many private MBA college applications.
• Gender and Academic Diversity: To promote inclusivity, several B-schools are offering dedicated points to female candidates and non-engineers during the shortlisting phase.

Preparing for Selection Rounds (GD-PI-WAT)

Once the official results are declared and the shortlisting is finalized, candidates will be called for the final hurdle. In February 2026, many institutes have opted for a hybrid selection model, combining virtual and physical interaction.

• Group Discussions (GD): While fading in some IIMs, GDs remain a staple for CMAT-accepting colleges to test teamwork and communication.
• Personal Interview (PI): The most critical component where candidates are grilled on their career goals, current affairs, and subject knowledge.
• Written Ability Test (WAT): Used to assess structured thinking and clarity of expression under time pressure.

Conclusion

The initiation of the shortlisting process marks a shift from standardized testing to individual personality assessment. As MBA colleges prepare their final lists, aspirants should use the next two weeks to polish their interview skills and stay updated on the latest MBA admission trends to ensure they convert their calls into final offers.

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