CMAT 2026 Registration Closed, Candidates Now Await Correction Window

The CMAT 2026 registration window, managed by the NTA, officially closed on November 17, 2025. Candidates who successfully registered have a final opportunity to pay the application fee until November 18, 2025. All focus now shifts to the essential Application Correction Window, which will be active from November 20 to November 21, 2025. This brief, two-day period is critical for rectifying errors before the exam, which is tentatively scheduled for January 25, 2026. Management aspirants must use this time wisely and begin intensive preparation.

The first major administrative hurdle for management aspirants targeting admission to MBA/PGDM programs in 2026 has been successfully crossed. The National Testing Agency (NTA), the conducting body for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026, officially closed the online registration window yesterday, November 17, 2025. This closure marks the end of the application submission phase for the examination, which is tentatively scheduled to be held on January 25, 2026.

​However, a crucial window of opportunity remains open for registered candidates. The NTA has extended the deadline for the online payment of the application fee until November 18, 2025 (11:50 PM). Aspirants who completed their registration on time but encountered payment issues have this final 24-hour buffer to finalize their submission. Following this, the attention immediately turns to the Application Correction Window, a brief, but critical, period from November 20 to November 21, 2025. Candidates must utilize this opportunity to rectify any errors to ensure their application is processed correctly and their eventual admit card is flawless. CMAT scores are accepted by over 1,000 AICTE-approved institutions, including top colleges like Welingkar, BIMTECH, and Great Lakes, making accurate application processing paramount.

​ Final Fee Payment & Essential Correction Window Timeline

​The NTA has provided a well-defined, strict schedule for the concluding administrative steps. It is imperative that candidates treat these dates as hard deadlines, as the NTA rarely offers extensions, particularly for the correction window.

• ​Application Registration Closure: November 17, 2025 (11:50 PM) 
  • ​Status: This window is now closed. No new registrations are possible.
• ​Final Application Fee Payment Deadline: November 18, 2025 (Up to 11:50 PM) 
  • ​Action: Candidates who have registered but not paid must complete the fee submission online via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI immediately. Fees vary by category (e.g., Male General typically ₹2,500; Female/Reserved categories typically ₹1,250).
• ​Application Correction Window: November 20, 2025, to November 21, 2025 
  • ​Importance: This two-day window allows candidates to edit selected fields in their application. Note: Critical details like the Candidate's Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Mobile Number are often locked and cannot be changed, emphasizing the need for accuracy during initial registration.
  • ​Editable Fields: Typically include Father’s/Mother’s Name, Category, Academic Details, and most importantly, the Choice of Examination Cities.

​ Key Areas for Verification During the Correction Window

​The correction window is the last chance to ensure that the candidate's application data aligns perfectly with the information required for admission and counselling. Candidates must systematically check the entire application, focusing on high-impact errors.

• ​Category Status and Documents:
  • ​OBC-NCL/EWS Status: Verify that the correct category has been selected and that the candidate possesses the required latest certificate (issued on or after April 1, 2025) in the NTA-prescribed format. Incorrect category selection can lead to cancellation during college admission.
• ​Academic Details: 
  • ​Ensure the passing year and percentage/CGPA details for Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation are accurately entered. Discrepancies here can cause major issues during the final college document verification.
• ​Photograph and Signature Uploads:
  • ​Check the quality and specifications of the uploaded images. The photograph should be recent, clear, and must match the candidate's appearance on the day of the exam. The signature must be clearly visible against a white background. Faulty images can lead to the rejection of the application and problems in issuing the Admit Card.
• ​Selection of Test City: 
  • ​Recheck the order of preference for the four Test City choices. While the NTA aims to allot the first choice, candidates should ensure that the remaining cities are geographically convenient options for the expected exam date of January 25, 2026.

​Pacing Your Preparation Towards the January Exam

​With the administrative tasks concluding on November 21, 2025, the immediate focus for CMAT aspirants must transition fully to intensive preparation for the 180 \text{-minute} Computer Based Test (CBT). The CMAT exam is unique for its inclusion of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship section and requires a broad approach.

• ​Understanding the Exam Pattern:
  • ​The CMAT 2026 paper consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), divided into five sections (20 questions each): Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
  • ​Marking Scheme: +4 marks for every correct answer and -1 mark for every incorrect answer.
• ​Strategic Sectional Focus: 
  • ​General Awareness (GA): This section is highly volatile. Focus must be on static GK (History, Geography, Polity) and current affairs of the last 6-8 months (May 2025 onwards).
  • ​Innovation & Entrepreneurship: This is a crucial differentiator. Aspirants should study basic concepts of startup ecosystems, business models, and recent trends, as covered in the official NTA syllabus.
  • ​Quantitative & Logical Reasoning: These sections are high-scoring. Consistent practice of previous years' questions (PYQs) and mock tests is essential to build speed and accuracy.
• ​Mock Test Integration: 
  • ​Candidates should now initiate a rigorous schedule of at least 2-3 full-length CMAT mock tests per week. This is vital not just for testing knowledge but also for mastering the 3-hour time constraint and the sequencing of the five distinct sections.

​Conclusion

​The conclusion of the CMAT 2026 registration process on November 17, 2025, and the subsequent fee payment deadline today, November 18, 2025, definitively close the application stage. The final administrative step is the November 20-21, 2025 correction window, which must be treated with utmost seriousness. Management aspirants must complete all pending formalities immediately and then pivot entirely to preparing for the January 25, 2026 examination. Success in CMAT 2026 depends on maximizing speed and accuracy across its five unique sections.

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