The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the tentative exam date for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026. This exam is for students who want to join MBA and PGDM courses in top colleges across India. The CMAT 2026 exam is set to take place on January 25, 2026 . Students who plan to take this exam should start preparing now.
The NTA shared this schedule on December 4, 2025 . The CMAT exam will be held online, which means it is a Computer Based Test (CBT). Students will go to special test centres to take the exam on a computer.
CMAT 2026 Key Details
Here are some important details about the CMAT 2026 exam:
| Exam Name | Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Tentative Exam Date | January 25, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 180 minutes (3 hours) |
| Medium of Paper | English only |
About CMAT and What It Offers
CMAT is a national-level entrance exam. It helps students get admission into various management programmes like Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). These programmes are higher education courses after graduation that teach students how to manage businesses, teams, and projects. Many popular management colleges in India accept CMAT scores for admission. Getting a good score in CMAT can open doors to better job opportunities after completing these courses.
Who Can Apply for CMAT 2026?
To be eligible for the CMAT 2026 exam, candidates must meet certain conditions. The main requirement is to have a graduation degree. This means you must have completed a bachelor's degree in any field or discipline from a recognised university. Students in their final year of graduation can also apply, but they must complete their degree by the time of admission to the management course. There is no age limit to apply for the CMAT exam. This means students of any age can take the test as long as they meet the educational qualification.
Understanding the CMAT Exam Structure
The CMAT exam is designed to test a student's aptitude for management studies. The question paper will have 100 questions in total. These questions are divided into five main sections , with 20 questions from each section. The sections are:
- Reasoning: This section checks your ability to think logically and solve problems using patterns and rules.
- Quantitative Aptitude: This part tests your mathematical skills, including topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
- General Awareness: This section checks your knowledge about current affairs, general science, history, geography, and other common topics.
- Entrepreneurship: This new section focuses on business ideas, starting new ventures, and understanding the basics of entrepreneurship.
- Language Comprehension: This section tests your understanding of English language, including reading passages, grammar, and vocabulary.
Important Dates and Application Process
While the exam date, January 25, 2026 , has been announced, it is important to remember that it is tentative. This means the date could change later. The NTA will release a detailed official notification soon. This notification will have all the exact dates for application start and end, fee details, and other important information. Students who complete the application process by the deadline will receive an admit card. The admit card is a very important document that you need to carry to the exam hall. It is usually released about one week before the exam date .
How to Prepare and Stay Updated
Students planning to appear for CMAT 2026 should start their preparation based on the official syllabus. The NTA will provide a detailed syllabus in its official notification. It is important to study all the topics mentioned in the syllabus for each of the five sections. Since the exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT), it is also good to practice taking mock tests online to get used to the format.
To avoid missing any updates, candidates must regularly check the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA). All changes to the schedule, application dates, admit card release, and result announcements will be published there first. Make sure to visit the NTA website often for the latest news on CMAT 2026.
