With the CMAT 2026 exam set for January 25, management aspirants have entered a high-intensity revision phase focused on mock test practice. National Testing Agency (NTA) guidelines suggest that the city intimation slip and admit cards will be available shortly for all registered candidates. Experts recommend solving at least 5-10 full-length mock papers to master the five sections and improve speed ahead of the computer-based test.

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) has reached its peak, with only ten days remaining until the national-level entrance exam. Scheduled for January 25, the 2026 session is witnessing a surge in students engaging in daily mock test sessions to acclimate to the three-hour computer-based format. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed that the test will be held in two shifts across more than 120 cities, making the current week the most critical window for candidates to transition from conceptual study to full-length simulation.

The Role of Mock Test Practice in Final Prep

Strategic preparation in the final days is heavily reliant on a consistent mock test routine. Education experts suggest that aspirants should treat these practice sessions as real-time simulations to build the mental stamina required for the 180-minute duration.

• Familiarization: Taking a full-length mock test helps students navigate the interface of the computer-based test, reducing exam-day technical anxiety.
• Speed and Accuracy: Since there is no sectional time limit, a mock test allows students to experiment with different time-allocation strategies across the five sections.
• Weakness Identification: Immediate analysis following a mock test provides a clear picture of which areas—such as Quantitative Techniques or General Awareness—require a quick brush-up.
• Simulated Environment: Candidates are advised to sit for these tests at the same time as their assigned shift (9:00 AM or 3:00 PM) to align their peak concentration levels.

Sectional Revision and Strategy Focus

The 2026 CMAT pattern consists of 100 questions divided into five sections, each carrying 80 marks. During this intensified revision phase, top-performing aspirants are focusing on the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" and "General Awareness" sections, as these are often the deciding factors for a 99+ percentile.

• Conceptual Check: Revision should focus on key formulas in Mathematics and logical rules in Reasoning rather than learning new topics.
• Negative Marking: With a penalty of -1 mark for every wrong answer, candidates are using the revision phase to practice "intelligent guessing" and elimination techniques.
• GK Updates: Students are reviewing year-end roundups of 2025 and major events from early January 2026 to stay current for the General Awareness section.

Important Exam Logistics and Timeline

While the revision continues, the NTA is expected to release the Advanced City Intimation Slip by January 17, 2026. This document is a precursor to the admit card and will provide aspirants with the final location of their testing center.

• City Intimation: Registered students should log in to cmat.nta.nic.in to check their allotted city this weekend.
• Admit Card: The official hall ticket is expected to be available for download on January 20, 2026.
• Shift Assignment: Revision schedules should be adjusted once the candidate knows if they are in the Morning Shift (9 AM – 12 PM) or Afternoon Shift (3 PM – 6 PM).
• NTA Guidelines: The revision phase also includes a thorough reading of the exam-day instructions to ensure no prohibited items are carried to the center on January 25.

Conclusion

The final stretch leading up to the January 25 examination is defined by the quality of a candidate's mock test analysis and revision efficiency. By identifying gaps through a rigorous mock test schedule, aspirants can fine-tune their strategy to maximize their 400-mark potential. As the NTA prepares to release the admit cards next week, the focus remains on maintaining composure and refining the speed-accuracy balance that CMAT demands. Success in this revision phase will ultimately determine which students secure seats in the country's top-tier management institutes for the 2026-28 academic session.