B-School Admission Cycles Progress Nationwide Using CAT and CMAT Scores

As of February 7, 2026, the management admission season in India has reached a critical juncture. With CAT 2025 results already out and CMAT 2026 results expected soon, top B-schools like IMI, BIMTECH, and Great Lakes are actively shortlisting candidates. The current phase focuses on Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI) for the 2026-28 batch. Prospective students are advised to track individual college deadlines as several private institutions keep their windows open until late February. The landscape of management education in India is buzzing with activity as the B-school admission cycle for the 2026-28 academic session enters its high-intensity phase. Today, February 7, 2026, marks a pivotal transition point where the focus shifts from national entrance examinations to the specialized selection procedures of individual institutions. Most premier institutes have already begun the shortlisting process based on CAT 2025 scores, while others are awaiting the imminent release of the CMAT 2026 results to finalize their interview calls.

The Post-CAT Admission Landscape

For aspirants who appeared for the Common Admission Test (CAT) in late 2025, the journey has moved into the "Second Stage" of evaluation. While the IIMs typically conclude their initial registration windows early, several high-ranking private B-school admission departments remain accessible. Institutes such as IMI Delhi and BITSoM Mumbai are currently processing applications, offering a second chance to those who have secured competitive percentiles.

• Interview Shortlists: Many Tier-1 and Tier-2 colleges have released their first lists for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
• Profile-Based Selection: A growing trend in the 2026 cycle is the emphasis on academic diversity and work experience, where a moderate NTA percentile can often be offset by a stellar professional background.
• Deadlines: Major deadlines for colleges like IMI Delhi are extended to late February 2026, providing a narrow window for final submissions.

The CMAT Factor and Regional Opportunities

While CAT remains the primary gateway for IIMs, the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) facilitates entry into over 1,000 AICTE-approved colleges. As the NTA CMAT portal prepares to declare results by mid-February, candidates are strategically aligning their applications with institutions like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and GIM Goa.

The B-school admission process via CMAT is unique because it often caters to specialized PGDM programs. For instance, colleges such as BIMTECH Greater Noida and TAPMI Manipal utilize a mix of scores to ensure a diverse classroom profile. Candidates holding an NTA percentile in the 80–90 range are currently finding significant opportunities in emerging private universities that offer strong industry placement links.

Strategic Planning for the GD-PI Phase

With the dateline of February 7, 2026, behind them, students must now pivot toward rigorous personality testing. The final B-school admission offer is rarely based on entrance scores alone; the composite score usually grants 30-50% weightage to the interview performance. Candidates are advised to keep their CAT 2025 scores and provisional certificates ready, as the verification of original documents will commence shortly during the physical interview rounds across various metro cities.

Conclusion

As the B-school admission season progresses, the synergy between CAT 2025 scores and upcoming results will define the cohort for the Class of 2028. The current window is a race against time for applicants to refine their portfolios and prepare for the qualitative challenges of the selection process. Whether through a high NTA percentile or a robust professional profile, the opportunity to secure a seat in India’s leading management institutions remains open for those who act before the late-February deadlines.

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