CMAT Exam Pattern 2026: Released; Check Latest CMAT Paper Pattern, Duration, Marking Scheme, Download PDF
The CMAT 2026 exam has been announced, and the exam pattern has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Like last year, the CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 consists of 100 objective-type (MCQs) questions, which are equally divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. CMAT 2026 exam duration is 180 minutes. CMAT 2026 Exam Date is January 25, 2026. Read the complete details of the CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 and the previous year CMAT papers below. CMAT Exam Pattern PDF download link is also given below.
CMAT Exam 2026: Key Highlights
CMAT is a government organized computer based national level MBA entrance examination for entry into 1000 AICTE approved management programmes (MBA/PGDM) all over India. More than 75,000 candidates apply for CMAT every year. Highlights of CMAT exam is given below.
CMAT 2026 Exam Highlights
| CMAT Exam Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CMAT Exam Full Form | Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) |
| Who conducts CMAT Exam? | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Top MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT | JBIMS Mumbai, SIMSREE Mumbai, Pune University PUMBA, NIA Pune, Welingkar Mumbai and BIMTECH Greater Noida |
| CMAT Exam Date | January 25, 2026 |
| CMAT Exam Slots | Two Slot Exam of 3 Hrs Duration for each slot |
| Mode of CMAT exam | Online Computer Based Test at Exam Centres |
| CMAT Official Website | cmat.nta.nic.in |
| CMAT Exam Application Fees | Male Candidates – Rs. 2500; Female Candidates – Rs. 1250 |
| Number of Candidates Registered | 75,000 |
| Total Questions in the Exam | 100 |
| Number of Sections | 5 Sections with 20 Questions in Each Section |
CMAT Exam Pattern 2026: Sections, Number of Questions, Maximum Marks
CMAT Exam Pattern is released by NTA in the CMAT Information Bulletin. CMAT 2026 exam duration is 180 minutes. There is no sectional time limit. Based on the previous year’s exam paper patterns, the CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 is given below.
CMAT Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Exam Sections | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks Section-wise |
| 1 | Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| 2 | Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| 4 | General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| 5 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
CMAT Marking Scheme 2026
CMAT marking scheme is also released by NTA in the CMAT information bulletin. Based on the previous year’s exam paper patterns, the CMAT Marking Scheme 2026 is given below.
i) Each question carries 04 (four) marks.
ii) For each correct response, the candidate will get 04 (four) marks.
iii) For each incorrect response, 01 (one) mark will be deducted from the total score.
iv) Unanswered/unattempted will be given no marks.
v) To answer a question, the candidate needs to choose one option as the correct one.
vi) However, after the process of Challenges of the Answer Key, in case there are multiple correct options or a change in the key, only those candidates who have attempted it correctly as per the revised Answer key will be awarded marks.
vii) In case a Question is dropped due to some technical error, full marks shall be given to all the candidates irrespective of the fact who have attempted it or not.
CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 for Language Comprehension Section
Out of the total 100 questions in CMAT, 20 questions are based on the Language Comprehension section. The Language Comprehension Section in CMAT is divided into 2 parts. The 1st part covers topics on Verbal Ability, and the 2nd Part covers Reading Comprehension passages. Check the type of questions that appeared in this section in the CMAT 2025 exam. Based on this, you can understand the CMAT language comprehension section exam pattern 2026.
CMAT 2025 Slot 1: Type of Questions in Language Comprehension Section
CMAT 2025 Slot 1 Language Comprehension section consisted of 5 Reading Comprehension questions and 15 Grammar and English language usage related questions. Details are given in the table below.
| Sub Section | Type of Question | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | RC Passage | 5 |
| Verbal Ability | Identify correct/Incorrect usage (Active/Passive, Speech, Verb Usage) | 4 |
| Idioms and meanings | 2 | |
| Assertion-Reason (Grammar Based – Simple Sentences, Adjectives) | 2 | |
| Choose the correct sentence (Adjectives, Verb usage) | 2 | |
| Match the following (Types of Pronouns) | 1 | |
| Jumbled Sentences | 1 | |
| Parajumbles | 1 | |
| Synonyms (Match the following) | 1 |
CMAT 2025 Slot 2: Type of Questions in Language Comprehension Section
CMAT 2025 Slot 2 Language Comprehension section also consisted of 5 Reading Comprehension questions and 15 Grammar and English language usage related questions. Details are given in the table below.
| Sub Section | Type of Question | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | RC Passage | 5 |
| Verbal Ability | Identify correct/Incorrect usage (Active/Passive, Speech, Verb Usage) | 4 |
| Idioms and meanings | 2 | |
| Assertion-Reason (Grammar Based – Simple Sentences, Adjectives) | 2 | |
| Choose the correct sentence (Adjectives, Verb usage) | 2 | |
| Match the following (Types of Pronouns) | 1 | |
| Jumbled Sentences | 1 | |
| Parajumbles | 1 | |
| Synonyms (Match the following) | 1 |
CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Section
Out of the total 100 questions in CMAT, 20 questions are based on the Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section. It tests you on your ability in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and your skills to analyse the data from Graphs, Charts, Tables, etc. Checkthe type of questions that appeared in this section in the CMAT 2025 exam. Based on this, you can understand the CMAT Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation exam pattern 2026.
CMAT 2025 Slot 1: Type of Questions in Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
CMAT 2025 Slot 1 Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section consisted of 20 questions, of which only 3 questions were on Data Interpretation, and the remaining 17 were on Quantitative Techniques. A set of 3 questions on Data Interpretation consisted of questions based on pie charts. The questions on Quantitative Techniques were dominated by questions on Arithmetic. Out of 17 questions on Quantitative Techniques, 10 questions were on Arithmetic. There were 2 questions each of Modern Math, Numbers and Algebra, 1 question on Geometry. Check the detailed breakup in the table below.
| Area | No of Questions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| – | Total | – |
| Arithmetic | 10 | Time-speed-distance(3),Ratio-Proportion(2)Profit & Loss (2),SICI(1), Alligation and Mixtures(2) |
| Geometry | 1 | Triangles(1) |
| Modern Math | 2 | Probability(2) |
| Numbers | 2 | Surds(1) and indices(1) |
| Algebra | 2 | Quad equations(1), Linear equations(1) |
| Data Interpretation | 3 | 2 Pie charts (Set of 3 questions) |
CMAT 2025 Slot 2: Type of Questions in Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
CMAT 2025 Slot 2 Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section was similar to Slot 1. Check details in the table below.
| Area | No.of Questions. | Details |
|---|---|---|
| – | Total | – |
| Arithmetic | 8 | Percentages(2),Ratio-Proportion(1), Mixtures(1), Time & Work(1), Profit & Loss(2), SICI(1) |
| Geometry | 3 | Triangles(1), Mensuration(1), Circles(1) |
| Modern Math | 3 | Probability(2), Permutation – Combination(1) |
| Numbers | 3 | Surds(1) and Indices(2) |
| Algebra | 0 | – |
| Data Interpretation | 3 | Bar Graph (Set of 3 questions) |
CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 for Logical Reasoning Section
Out of the total 100 questions in the CMAT exam, 20 questions are based on the Logical Reasoning section. Check the type of questions that appeared in this section in the CMAT 2025 exam. Based on this, you can understand the CMAT Logical Reasoning exam pattern 2026.
CMAT 2025 Slot 1: Type of Questions in Logical Reasoning Section
In the CMAT 2025 Slot 1 exam, out of the 20 questions in this section, 14 were on Non-Verbal Reasoning, and 6 questions were on Verbal Reasoning. All the questions were standalone questions,s and there wereset-basedd questions. Check the detailed breakup in tthe able below.
| Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Directions (1), Cubes (2), Counting the number of squares (1), Linear Arrangement (1), Family tree (1), Clocks (1), Numerical Puzzle (1), Misc (1), Logical Venn diagram (1), Set theory (1), Number Series (1), Analogy based sequence (1), Alpha numeric (1) | 14 |
| Verbal Reasoning | Assertion Reason; Strong/Weak Argument; Assumption; Conclusion, Word-based Analogy and Odd one out | 6 |
| Total Questions | – | 20 |
CMAT 2025 Slot 2: Types of Questions inthe Logical Reasoning Section
In the CMAT 2025 Slot 2 exam, out of the 20 questions in this section, 12 were on Non-Verbal Reasoning, and 8 questions were on Verbal Reasoning. All the questions were standalone, and there were set-based questions. Check the detailed breakup in the table below.
| Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Directions (1), Series (1), Counting the number of triangles (1), Clocks (1), Set theory (1), Family Tree (1), Coding (1), Arrangements (Circular) (1), Numerical Puzzle (2), Cube (1), Dice (1) | 12 |
| Verbal Reasoning | Reverse Syllogisms, Logical Sequence, Strong/Weak Arguments, Assumptions, Conclusions, Assertion-Reason, Analogies | 8 |
| Total Questions | – | 20 |
CMAT Exam Pattern 2025 for General Awareness (GK) Section
CMAT 2025 Slot 1: Type of Questions in Logical Reasoning Section
In the CMAT 2025 slot 1 exam, all 20 questions were based on Static GK. The questions were on different sections like Science, Sports, the Indian Constitution, History, Culture of India, among others. Most of the questions were based on Indian GK; only a few questions were on international events.
CMAT 2025 Slot 2: Types of Questions inthe Logical Reasoning Section
In the CMAT 2025 slot 2 exam, out of the 20 General Awareness questions, 15 were based on Static GK. 5 questions were on Current Affairs. The questions were on Sports, Awards, India and its culture, constitution, history, books and authors, science, politics, geography, among others.
CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Section
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Section in the CMAT exam pattern tests the knowledge on Innovative business practices, Government plans and policies, global entrepreneurs and personalities, among others. Check the type of questions that appeared in this section in the CMAT 2025 exam. Based on this, you can understand the CMAT Logical Reasoning exam pattern 2026.
CMAT 2025 Slot 1: Type of Questions in Innovation & Entrepreneurship Section
Out of the 20 questions, 19 were based on Business and Entrepreneurship concepts (Bootstrapping, Startup valuation, Fabian entrepreneur, Angel investment, Lean startup, Trademark, Feasibility analysis). 1 question was on Business GK. Overall, this section was of a medium difficulty level.
CMAT 2025 Slot 2: Type of Questions in Innovation & Entrepreneurship Section
Out of the 20 questions, all 20 were based on Business, Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship concepts. Overall, this section was of a medium difficulty level.
Download CMAT Exam Pattern PDF
CMAT 2026 pattern PDF download link is given below. This document includes the CMAT Exam Pattern by section, as published in this article. Download the CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 PDF from the link below.
CMAT Exam Pattern Vs CAT Exam Pattern: A Comparison
CMAT Vs CAT exam pattern has many similarities as well as differences. A brief CMAT & CAT comparison is shared below:
CMAT Vs CAT Exam Pattern
| Component | CMAT 2025 | IIM- CAT 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total questions | 100 | 66 |
| The overall time limit to attempt the exam | 3 hours | 2 hours |
| Type of questions | All MCQs | 48 questions are MCQs, the remaining 18 are Non-MCQs |
| Answer options for MCQs | 4 | 4 |
| Marks awarded for each correct answer | 4 | 3 |
| Negative marking | -1 | -1 only for MCQs; No negative marking for Non-MCQs |
| Exam difficulty level | Moderate | Comparatively high |
| Number of sections | 5 | 3 |
| Name of section-1 with number of questions | Language Comprehension-20 | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- 24 |
| Name of Section-2 with the number of questions | Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation-20 | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20 |
| Name of Section-3 with the number of questions | Logical Reasoning-20 | Quantitative Ability-22 |
| Name of Section-4 with the number of questions | General Awareness-20 | NA |
| Name of Section-4 with the number of questions | Innovation and Entrepreneurship-20 | NA |
| Facility to choose the order of sections | Any section from the question paper | No, has to follow pre specified sectional order |
| Individual Sectional time limit | No | Each section with 40 minutes time limit |
In summary, the CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern consists of 100 objective-type (MCQs) questions divided into five sections. CMAT exam duration is 180 minutes. The CMAT 2026 exam will be held in January 2026. Read the complete details of the CMAT Exam Pattern 2026 in the above article. Also read: CMAT 2026 Exam Overview & Highlights and CMAT 2026 exam registration guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Request call back
