Registration deadline for CMAT 2026 extended to tomorrow 24 November 2025 (11:50 pm)
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 registration deadline has been extended by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Aspirants now have until tomorrow, November 24, 2025, at 11:50 PM, to complete their online application. CMAT is the gateway to over 1,000 MBA colleges, including top institutions like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and K J Somaiya. This extension is a critical lifeline. Check the updated timeline, application process steps, and the essential 5-section exam pattern to prepare for the January 2026 examination.
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026, the national-level entrance exam for admission to MBA/PGDM programs across hundreds of AICTE-approved institutions, has provided a crucial last-minute reprieve to management aspirants. The National Testing Agency (NTA), the conducting body, has officially extended the registration deadline to tomorrow, November 24, 2025, until 11:50 PM.
This extension comes as a vital opportunity for candidates who missed the previous deadline due to technical issues, incomplete documentation, or late decisions. CMAT is a single-window examination opening doors to over 1,000 B-schools, including highly reputed institutions like Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) Mumbai, K J Somaiya Institute of Management, and PUMBA. Aspirants must use the next 24 hours judiciously to finalize their application on the official NTA website. The fee payment window is also extended until November 25, 2025.
Updated CMAT 2026 Timeline and Application Steps
The NTA has revised the schedule for the final stages of the application process. Candidates must adhere strictly to these new deadlines, especially for the fee payment and correction windows.
- Revised Key Dates:
- Online Submission of Application Form: Extended till November 24, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM).
- Last Date for Successful Fee Transaction: Extended till November 25, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM).
- Application Form Correction Window: November 26, 2025, to November 28, 2025. (A mandatory window to correct non-editable fields like educational details).
- Expected Exam Date: Tentatively January 2026 (Date to be officially announced soon, likely January 25, 2026).
- Quick Guide to CMAT Application:
- Step 1: New Registration: Visit the official NTA CMAT website (cmat.nta.nic.in) and create a new login ID using a valid email and mobile number. Note down the system-generated application number.
- Step 2: Fill Application Form: Log in to complete the application, filling in personal, academic (10th, 12th, Graduation), and contact details.
- Step 3: Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your passport-size photograph (10–200 KB, JPEG) and signature (4–30 KB, JPEG). Ensure the images meet the specified dimensions and clarity.
- Step 4: Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online. For General Male candidates, the fee is ₹2500, and for General Female/Reserved category candidates, it is ₹1250.
- Step 5: Final Submission: Download and save the Confirmation Page, which serves as proof of successful registration.
CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Preparation Focus
CMAT maintains its comprehensive, 180-minute structure, differentiating itself from other national-level exams by including General Awareness (GA) and Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) sections.
- Exam Structure Overview:
- Total Duration: 180 Minutes (3 Hours).
- Total Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Total Marks: 400 Marks.
- Marking Scheme: +4 Marks for every correct answer; -1 Mark for every incorrect answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.
- Sectional Breakdown (5 Sections):
- The paper is equally divided into five sections, with 20 questions and 80 marks allocated to each:
- Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QTDI): Focuses heavily on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and basic DI sets.
- Logical Reasoning (LR): Covers Analytical Puzzles, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, and Series.
- Language Comprehension (LC): Includes Reading Comprehension (RC), Grammar, Vocabulary, and Verbal Ability.
- General Awareness (GA): Tests static GK (History, Polity, Geography) and current affairs (Business, Economy, Awards).
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E): A unique section requiring knowledge of business concepts, startups, and innovation management.
- The paper is equally divided into five sections, with 20 questions and 80 marks allocated to each:
- Strategic Preparation in the Final Weeks:
- With the exam expected in January, aspirants must use the remaining time to focus on the GA and I&E sections, which often act as differentiators.
- Mock Tests: Take a minimum of 5-7 full-length CMAT mock tests to get comfortable with the three-hour duration and the flow between the five sections.
- Accuracy Focus: Given the negative marking, strategic skipping and maintaining high accuracy in the QTDI, LR, and LC sections are critical for maximizing the overall score.
High-ROI Opportunities: Top CMAT-Accepting B-Schools
CMAT is particularly crucial for gaining admission into high-ROI government and private institutes in Mumbai and other major business hubs, often requiring a percentile above 95.
- Elite B-Schools (99+ Percentile):
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai: The flagship institute of Maharashtra, whose admission is heavily influenced by CMAT for the All-India quota seats. Requires near 99.99+ percentile.
- Sydneham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), Mumbai: Another highly sought-after Mumbai institute.
- K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai: Requires a high percentile, typically 99+.
- Other Top Colleges (90-97 Percentile):
- Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool): Mumbai and Bengaluru campuses.
- PUMBA (Department of Management Sciences, Pune University): Known for its high ROI due to low fees.
- BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology), Greater Noida: Highly reputed for its PGDM programs.
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai/Gurgaon (for PGPM program): Accepts CMAT for certain programs/profile combinations.
- Maharashtra CAP Seats: CMAT is the primary exam for the Maharashtra Common Admission Process (CAP) rounds, which allot seats to top state-level colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and PUMBA under the state quota. Securing a CMAT score is mandatory for state-level domicile candidates seeking these coveted seats.
Conclusion
The NTA's decision to extend the CMAT 2026 registration window until November 24, 2025, provides a final, unmissable chance for MBA aspirants to secure their entry ticket to the 2026-28 academic session. Given the immense opportunities CMAT opens up for high-ROI B-schools, particularly in the Mumbai region, candidates must prioritize their application completion immediately. Do not delay; complete your registration tonight to avoid any last-minute technical glitches and focus entirely on your preparation for the January 2026 examination.
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