CMAT Score vs Percentile 2026: Formula, How to Calculate Marks

Sakunth Kumar

Updated On: September 18, 2025 03:34 PM

As per the CMAT score vs percentile 2026, you would typically need a score between 345 and 350 marks in order to achieve a perfect 100 percentile and increase your chances of getting admission into the top MBA colleges. 

CMAT 2026 Score vs Percentile

CMAT score vs percentile 2026 is a detailed analysis of what score is required to attain a certain percentile in the exam. To obtain a 100 percentile in CMAT 2026, you should have a score between 345 and 350. Similarly, for the 90-99.99 percentile, you must score 281-340, and for the 81-89 percentile, a score of 201-280 is required. A raw score of 170 in CMAT is equivalent to 65 percentile, and a raw score ranging from 251 to 342 corresponds to a percentile of 95 to 99.99.

The CMAT score is the total marks you secure in the exam based on its marking scheme. At the same time, the CM AT percentile represents your performance in the exam relative to the rest of the students who appeared in the same time frame, along with a few other parameters. Check out all the details related to the CMAT 2026 score vs percentile analysis mentioned below.

CMAT 2025 Score vs Percentile

The CMAT 2025 score vs percentile analysis is available below based on the expert analysis. They made the analysis based on the difficulty level and other parameters to provide an analysis of how the score vs percentile is this year. The CMAT score vs percentile 2025 has been provided in the table below.

Score (Out of 400)

Percentile Range

345-350

100

281-340

90-99.99

201-280

81-89

171-200

71-80

141-170

61-70

116-140

51-60

Below 116

Below 51

Percentile-wise CMAT Accepting Colleges

CMAT 2026 Percentile vs College CMAT Rank Wise Colleges List 2026
List of Top MBA Colleges Accepting 90+ CMAT Percentile List of MBA Colleges Accepting 70-80 Percentile in CMAT 2026
List of MBA Colleges Accepting 60-70 Percentile in CMAT 2026 List of MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CMAT 2026
List of MBA Colleges Accepting 80-90 Percentile in CMAT

CMAT Cutoff for Top Colleges

CMAT 2026 Cutoff for MBA Admission in Gujarat CMAT 2026 Expected Cut Off for Top B Schools
CMAT Cutoff 2026 for JBIMS CMAT 2026 Cutoff for MBA Admission in Madhya Pradesh (MP)
CMAT Cutoff 2026 for Welingkar Mumbai CMAT Cutoff 2026 for BIMTECH Noida
CMAT Cutoff 2026 for JAGSoM KJ Somaiya Expected CMAT Cutoff 2026
NL Dalmia Expected CMAT Cutoff 2026 CMAT 2026 Category-wise Cutoff
IRMA Expected CMAT Cutoff 2026

What is CMAT Score?

A CMAT score is the sum of the correct and incorrect responses you marked on the exam. CMAT is divided into four sections: General Awareness, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation. Each section in CMAT 2025 comprises 20 questions of 4 marks each, which means that CMAT is conducted for 400 marks. However, there is a negative marking of -1 for each wrong answer. The total score in CMAT is calculated by totalling/ compiling marks gained or lost in each question.

How to Calculate CMAT Score?

The table below explains how to calculate CMAT 2026 score with examples. Have a look at it for a better understanding of the process:

Name of the Student

Questions Answered

No. of Correct Answers

No. of Wrong Answers

Marks Awarded for Correct Answers

Marks Deducted for Incorrect Answers

CMAT Final Score

X

50

43

7

43 X 4 = 172

-7

172 – 7 = 165

Y

60

48

12

48 X 4 = 192

-12

192 – 22 = 170

Z

70

57

13

57 X 4 = 228

-13

228 – 16 = 212

A

80

75

5

75 X 4 = 300

-5

300 – 38 = 295

As per the above example, students' wrong answers will have a negative impact on their overall CMAT score.

Also Read :

What is a Good Score in CMAT 2026? CMAT Passing Marks 2026

CMAT Normalization Process 2026

CMAT Merit List 2026

What is a CMAT Percentile?

A CMAT percentile indicates your performance relative to other test-takers. It shows the percentage of candidates who scored less than you in the CMAT. This percentile helps institutions evaluate and compare applicants' positions on a common scale for admission into management programs.

How to Calculate CMAT Percentile?

Based on the rank secured by students in the exam, the percentile score is determined. The percentile score determines the score of the candidates equal to or less than the score of other candidates in the exam. CMAT percentile is calculated by applying the following formula –

Percentile (P) = N (Total No. of Candidates Appeared in CMAT Exam) – Rank of the Candidate divided by N multiplied by 100

Check the example below for a better understanding.

Example:

Let us assume that 50,000 candidates appeared for the exam. The percentile of 5 students might be as follows:

Name of the Student

CMAT AIR (All India Rank)

CMAT Percentile (as per formula mentioned above)

A

1

Percentile = 50000 – 1/50000 X 100 = 99.9

B

7

Percentile = 50000 – 7/50000 X 100 = 98.6

C

11

Percentile = 50000 – 11/50000 X 100 = 97.8

X

22

Percentile = 50000 – 22/50000 X 100 = 95.6

Y

120

Percentile = 50000 – 120/50000 X 100 = 76

Z

230

Percentile = 50000 – 230/50000 X 100 = 54

Note: Even though the CMAT percentile score is determined, the rank allotment is completely based on the overall score secured by the candidates.

Also Read :

Top 10 CMAT Accepting Government Colleges Top 10 Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores in West India
Top 10 Colleges Accepting CMAT 2026 Scores in North India Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting CMAT Score in 2026
MBA Colleges for 300-320 Marks in CMAT 2026 MBA Colleges for 200 to 300 Marks in CMAT 2026

Factors Affecting CMAT 2026 Percentile

Understanding the factors affecting the CMAT percentile can help candidates better prepare for the exam and set realistic expectations for their percentile scores. The CMAT percentile is influenced by several key factors, including:

  • Performance of Candidates : The most direct factor affecting your CMAT percentile is your exam performance. This includes the number of correct answers, incorrect answers (considering negative marking), and unattempted questions.
  • Difficulty Level of the Exam : The overall difficulty level of the exam can significantly impact percentiles. If the exam is generally difficult, lower scores might still translate to high percentiles, and vice versa.
  • Number of Test Takers : The total number of candidates appearing for the CMAT also plays a crucial role. A higher number of test takers might lead to more competition and could affect the percentile distribution.
  • Distribution of Scores : How scores are spread among the test takers can impact individual percentiles. If most scores are clustered together, even small differences in scores can lead to large percentile changes.
  • Sectional Performance : While overall performance is important, excelling in particular sections can also influence your percentile, especially if many candidates find those sections challenging.
  • Yearly Variations : The factors mentioned above can vary each year, leading to fluctuations in how percentiles are calculated and distributed among the candidates.

CMAT Rank Allotment Process 2026

CMAT ranks are allotted based on the overall score secured by candidates in CMAT. If two candidates secure the same/ similar marks in CMAT, two candidates shall be allocated the same rank. However, the order in the rank list will be sorted out alphabetically. Here is an example of the CMAT rank allotment process that will help students figure out what happens if two or more students secure the same marks:

Name of the Student

CMAT Overall Score

CMAT AIR (All India Rank)

A

380

1

B

379

2

C

379

2

D

378

4

E

377

5

F

377

5

G

376

7

Previous Year CMAT Score Vs Percentile (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021)

Candidates can check the analysis from previous years to get an idea of CMAT score vs percentile 2025. Go through the table below for CMAT score vs percentile 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

CMAT Score vs Percentile 2024

Score Range Percentile Range
345-350 100
281-340 90-99.99
201-280 81-89
171-200 71-80
141-170 61-70
116-140 51-60
Below 116 Below 51

CMAT Score vs Percentile 2023

CMAT Score

CMAT Percentile

315-350

100

286-310

99.1 – 99.99

261-285

90-99

201-260

81-89

171-200

71-80

141-170

61-70

116-140

51-60

Below 116

Below 51

CMAT Score vs Percentile 2022

CMAT Score

CMAT Percentile

385

99.9980447

383

99.9960895

380

99.9941342

375

99.9784921

361

99.9452526

350

99.9159237

320

99.8044736

303

99.5033631

300

99.3919130

293

99.0184577

280

98.0212733

260

95.0668700

250

92.7205537

240

90.0066479

225

85.0011732

211

80.0132958

200

75.0703895

188

70.0316753

168

60.1282653

150

50.5142343

100

21.9849836

71

10.7871891

19

0.6119975

CMAT Score vs Percentile 2021

CMAT Score

CMAT Percentile

345-350

100

281-340

90-99.99

201-280

81-89

171-200

71-80

141-170

61-70

116-140

51-60

Below 116

Below 51

Related Links:

CMAT Response Sheet 2026

What After CMAT 2026 Result?

MBA Colleges for Low Percentile/Scores in CMAT 2026

Didn't Score Well in CMAT 2026? Here Are Some Alternatives to Look For
CMAT Rank vs Percentile 2026

If you have any queries about CMAT score vs percentile 2026, rank, and percentile mechanism, please ask your query through the Q&A Zone . Stay tuned with us for the latest updates on CMAT !

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FAQs

Is CMAT easier than CAT?

Yes, the CMAT exam is generally considered to be easier than the CAT, primarily due to CMAT's less complex questions and lack of sectional time limits, which offers more flexibility compared to the CAT's higher difficulty and time-pressured format. While CAT is a gateway to IIMs and top business schools, CMAT provides access to a broader range of colleges with a less demanding entrance exam.

What is a good score on the CMAT?

A CMAT score in the range of 330-360 (approximately 99th percentile and above) is considered excellent for the top-tier MBA programmes, while a score of 250-300 (around 90-95 percentile) is a good score for many well-known colleges, and a score around 200 (around 65-70 percentile) is considered average. The exact "good score" depends upon the specific institution, with top schools such as JBIMS requiring scores above the 98th percentile, and other reputable colleges such as GIM and KJ Somaiya requiring scores in the 95th percentile.

How to calculate CMAT percentile score?

The CMAT percentile score of candidates is calculated using the following formula: Percentile (P) = N (Total No. of Candidates Appeared in CMAT Exam) – Rank of the Candidate divided by N multiplied by 100. The CMAT exam conducting authorities also use the CMAT normalization process to make sure that candidates who had a tougher CMAT question paper are not at a disadvantage.

How is CMAT rank calculated?

The CMAT rank is calculated based on the CMAT percentile score of candidates. Candidates from each session of the CMAT exam are taken into account when calculating the percentile rank of a particular candidate. CMAT normalization is also used to make sure that CMAT candidates of one session are not at an advantage due to easier CMAT question paper.

What is 99.99 percentile marks in CMAT?

The 99.99 percentile marks in CMAT means that the candidate has scored better than nearly all the CMAT test takers in that particular academic year. Only a few candidates are able to achieve 99.99 percentile score in CMAT each year. Candidates must achieve a raw score of 350 or more in the CMAT exam to fall in the 99.99 percentile.

What is a good percentile in CMAT?

A good percentile in CMAT is a score that enables candidates to secure admission to their choice of MBA college that accepts CMAT scores for admission. Candidates must aim to score 90 percentile or more in CMAT to be eligible for the MBA admission process of some of the top colleges accepting CMAT like JBIMS, KJ Somaiya, SIMSREE, Welingkar, etc.

What is the raw score for 90 percentile in CMAT?

The raw score for 90 percentile in CMAT is 280 or more. Aspirants who wish to fall in the 90 percentile in CMAT must aim to score above 280-300 as raw score on the exam. Candidates must also consider factors like exam difficulty level, total number of CMAT test takers, and other parameters before setting a goal for themselves before the CMAT exam.

How much score is required for 85 percentile in CMAT?

The score required for 85 percentile in CMAT is 250 or more in terms of raw score. Candidates must note that based on a variety of factors like exam difficulty level, total number of CMAT candidates, previous year cutoff trends, etc. a raw score of 250 may fetch a higher or lower percentile score and acheiving a percentile score of 85 may be tougher or even easier than last year.

What is the percentile for 300 marks in CMAT?

Candidates who score 300 marks in CMAT will achieve a percentile score of 90 or above easily. A raw score of 300 marks has even lead to a percentile score of 99 and above in CMAT 2023 due to the increased difficulty level and the high number of candidates appearing for the exam. Therefore, candidates can also expect to achieve a very high percentile score if they can score a 300 marks in the CMAT exam.

How much score is required for 95 percentile in CMAT?

The score required for 95 percentile in CMAT is 300 or more. Scoring 95 percentile will require candidates to achieve a very high raw score and complete each section of the CMAT question paper with remarkable accuracy. Achieving 95 percentile in CMAT will allow candidates to secure admission to some of the top MBA colleges in India including JBIMS, SIMSREE, Great Lakes, etc.

How much score is required for 80 percentile in CMAT?

The score that is required for 80 percentile in CMAT is 201 or more. Aspirants must note that every year the CMAT raw score and its corresponding percentile score will change due to different factors like exam difficulty level, total number of candidates, previous year trends, etc. However, candidates can expect that scoring above 201 will be enough for 80 percentile in CMAT.

Is 71 percentile in CMAT a good score?

71 percentile in CMAT is a decent score since it puts you above 70% of the total candidate pool in CMAT. however, if you wish to secure admission in some of the top colleges in India accepting CMAT scores, you must aim to score above 85 percentile since the CMAT cutoff for top MBA colleges in India falls in 85-90 percentile range or more.

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