Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Score: State-Wise List of Top Tier Colleges

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You can live anywhere in India and still appear for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) to seek admission to top MBA or PGDM institutions and universities. CMAT is more than just an exam; it is an opportunity to secure a seat in some of the best management schools across the country.

For fresh graduates as well as experienced professionals looking to gain admission to top MBA colleges based on their CMAT score, this article provides a breakdown of Tier-1 and Tier-2 B-schools known for their academic excellence, experienced faculty, and world-class infrastructure across the nation.

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About CMAT Exam and Why It Matters for MBA Admission

The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) is not just about proving your ability in problem-solving and critical thinking. This MCQ-based and computer-based examination is also a gateway to entering India’s top MBA and PGDM colleges. For many years, the Common Management Admission Test, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), has been one of the most preferred entrance examinations for management aspirants. Its score is accepted by more than 1000 MBA and PGDM colleges across the country, many of which are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

If the thought of studying in an AICTE-approved and academically rich institution excites you, then you should consider appearing for the CMAT exam with the aim of scoring 90 percentile or above to secure admission to top-tier colleges. The CMAT cut-off for leading institutes usually ranges between 80 and 99 percentiles. However, a score in the range of 60–70 percentile can still help candidates gain admission to several regional and mid-tier MBA/PGDM colleges. Below are the main highlights of the CMAT exam.

Feature

Details / Highlights

Full Form

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

Conducting Body

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Exam Level

National-level entrance exam

Mode of Exam

Computer-based test (online)

Total Questions

100 questions

Exam Duration

3 hours (180 minutes)

Marking Scheme

+4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer

Sections / Subjects

1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

2. Logical Reasoning

3. Language Comprehension

4. General Awareness

Purpose

For admission to AICTE-approved MBA / PGDM programs in India

Eligibility

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university; final-year students can also apply

Validity of Score

1 academic year

Acceptance

Accepted by 1000+ AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges across India

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Top Tier Colleges Accepting CMAT Score for Admission in MBA

Since the curriculum and syllabus of the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) are designed to test students in areas such as logical reasoning, general awareness, quantitative techniques, and language comprehension, the exam provides an important framework for evaluating a candidate’s aptitude for management studies. It helps students turn their dream of studying in the nation’s top MBA colleges into reality based on their CMAT score, along with other admission requirements such as group discussions, personal interviews, and academic performance. Mentioned below are some of the notable MBA colleges that accept CMAT scores for admission.

MBA/PGDM College

City/State

Program Name

Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS)

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Master of Management Studies (MMS)

SIMSREE – Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education

Mumbai, Maharashtra

MMS / PGDM

Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), Savitribai Phule Pune University

Pune, Maharashtra

MBA / PGDM

Great Lakes Institute of Management

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

PGDM / PGPM

K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management

Mumbai, Maharashtra

PGDM

Goa Institute of Management (GIM)

Goa

PGDM

BIMTECH – Birla Institute of Management Technology

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

PGDM

IMT Nagpur

Nagpur, Maharashtra

PGDM

IMT Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Telangana

PGDM

XISS – Xavier Institute of Social Service

Ranchi, Jharkhand

PGDM in HRM / General Management

XISS – Xavier Institute of Social Service

Ranchi, Jharkhand

PGDM in HRM / General Management

IFMR Graduate School of Business (Krea University)

Sri City, Andhra Pradesh

PGDM / MBA

Christ University – Faculty of Management

Bangalore, Karnataka

MBA / PGDM

Jaipuria Institute of Management

Noida / Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

PGDM / MBA

XIME – Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship

Bangalore, Karnataka

PGDM

NIBM – National Institute of Bank Management

Pune, Maharashtra

PGDM in Banking and Finance

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Tier 2 Colleges Accepting CMAT Score for Admission in MBA

Tier-2 colleges are emerging as an excellent choice for students who miss the opportunity to gain admission to top-tier MBA or PGDM colleges due to higher cut-offs or limited seats in particular programs. However, there is nothing to worry about if you score lower than the required cut-off of a top-tier college, as many Tier-2 institutions also boast a strong reputation, distinguished faculty, and successful alumni in the business world. In fact, a good score in the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) can open the door to admission in more than 700 Tier-2 colleges approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). These colleges offer quality management education, good infrastructure, and promising placement opportunities. Below is a list of colleges that accept CMAT scores for admission to their certified MBA programs.

Tier‑2 MBA/PGDM College

Location

Program

Typical CMAT Cut‑Off (Approx.)

K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research

Mumbai

PGDM

~85–92 percentile (often converted to marks)

Great Lakes Institute of Management

Chennai

PGDM

~85–90 percentile

Goa Institute of Management (GIM)

Goa

PGDM

~90 percentile (varies yearly)

Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool)

Mumbai

PGDM

~80+ percentile

Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME)

Bangalore

PGDM

~75–85 percentile

Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS)

Ranchi

PGDM

~80+ percentile

Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR)

Chennai

PGDM

~70 percentile

Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH)

Greater Noida

PGDM

~75–85 percentile

IMT Nagpur / IMT Hyderabad

Nagpur / Hyderabad

PGDM

~75+ percentile

Christ University Faculty of Business and Economics

Bangalore

MBA

~75–80 percentile

IPE – Institute of Public Enterprise

Hyderabad

PGDM / MBA

~70–80 percentile (varies)

Note: The list of required CMAT score mentioned above is subject to change at the discretion of the university. For the latest updates or any possible changes in fees, please check the university's official website.

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State-Wise Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Score

The true allure of the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) lies in its nationwide acceptance. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the exam is accepted by a large number of colleges and institutions across all 28 states and 8 Union Territories of India. Therefore, no matter which state you live in, if you score high in the CMAT exam, you become eligible to apply for admission to top MBA colleges in your state as well as in other parts of the country. In this way, the CMAT entrance exam connects students with a vast network of MBA and PGDM colleges and universities that offer quality management education. Highlighted below are the state-wise top MBA colleges that accept CMAT scores for admission.

State / Region

Top MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT Score

Maharashtra

Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies Research and Entrepreneurship Education, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Department of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University (PUMBA)

Delhi NCR

National Institute of Industrial Management (NDIM), JIMS Rohini, FIIB, IILM University

Karnataka

Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME, Bangalore), Christ University Faculty of Business and Economics, Acharya Institute of Management Sciences

Tamil Nadu

Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai), SRM Institute of Science and Technology, VIT Business School

West Bengal

Xavier Business School (Kolkata), NSHM Knowledge Campus (Kolkata)

Odisha

IIT School of Management (Bhubaneswar)

Telangana

Institute of Public Enterprise (Hyderabad), IPE Hyderabad

Uttar Pradesh

Jaipuria Institute of Management (Noida / Lucknow)

Gujarat

Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (Note: also listed among government colleges accepting CMAT in Western India)

Jharkhand

Xavier Institute of Social Service (Ranchi)

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Admission Process Through CMAT in MBA Colleges

While the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) score is considered important for students seeking admission to participating institutions, it does not guarantee a seat. In reality, the complete profile of the candidate is taken into account during the admission process. In other words, factors such as academic records, personal achievements, communication skills, and overall personality also play a crucial role in securing admission to an MBA program. Below is a quick overview of the admission process through CMAT.

 

Step

Description

CMAT Exam Registration

Candidates register online on the official CMAT website.

Appear for CMAT Exam

Computer-based, multiple-choice test.

CMAT Score Declaration

NTA releases the scores and percentile.

Shortlisting by Colleges

Colleges shortlist candidates based on CMAT percentile/score.

Group Discussion (GD) / Written Ability Test (WAT)

Selected candidates participate in GD or WAT rounds.

Personal Interview (PI)

Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview.

Final Selection

Colleges prepare a merit list based on CMAT score + GD/WAT + PI + academic record.

 

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Writen By:

Pawan Rawat

Pawan Rawat

Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.

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