Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Score: State-Wise List of Top Tier Colleges
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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Uttar Pradesh, Greater Noida
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