CMAT 2026 Expected Cutoff for JBIMS, GIM, Somaiya and PUMBA: Score Range You Need

For CMAT 2026, you need a score of 340 or above (99.99 percentile) for JBIMS, at least 300 marks (98+ percentile) for K.J. Somaiya, around 260 marks (95+ percentile) for GIM, and 255 marks (90+ percentile) for PUMBA — based on 2024–25 cutoff trends.

CMAT 2026 was conducted by NTA on January 25, 2026, with results declared on February 17, 2026. With 41,872 students appearing from 53,453 registered, competition was strong across all score bands. Now that results are out, students are comparing their CMAT scores against the expected cutoffs of top accepting colleges. JBIMS Mumbai, GIM Goa, K.J. Somaiya, and PUMBA Pune are four of the most sought-after CMAT-accepting institutes — each with a distinct cutoff driven by seat intake, applicant strength, and previous year admission data.

• CMAT 2026 carries a total of 400 marks (100 questions, +4 for correct, −1 for incorrect answers).
• JBIMS Mumbai remains the most competitive, with an expected open-category cutoff above 99.99 percentile (approximately 340+ marks out of 400).
• K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management is expected at 98+ percentile, around 300–325 marks, reflecting its sharply rising reputation.
• GIM Goa shortlists students at approximately 95+ percentile (260–290 marks) for its PGDM programme.
• PUMBA Pune is expected around 90–95 percentile (255–285 marks) for open-category seats.
• Category-wise relaxations apply at all four institutes; SC, ST, OBC, and EWS students qualify at lower cutoffs.

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CMAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Overview

The table below summarises the expected cutoff percentile and approximate score range for each of the four institutes, based on 2024–25 admission trends. These are expected figures — official shortlists from each college will confirm the actual cutoffs once admissions open.

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JBIMS Expected Cutoff 2026 (Category-Wise)

JBIMS Mumbai is consistently the highest-cutoff MBA college accepting CMAT scores in India. The institute admits students through the Maharashtra MBA CET Cell, with CMAT accepted as one of the qualifying scores for open-merit seats. The open-category cutoff has historically stayed at 99.99 percentile — at this level, even a two-mark difference can determine whether you receive a shortlist call.

Students who clear the JBIMS CMAT cutoff move to Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. Your GD-PI performance builds the composite score used for the final merit list. Maharashtra domicile is required for most JBIMS seats; a limited All India quota exists with separate cutoff thresholds.

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GIM Expected Cutoff 2026

Goa Institute of Management (GIM) accepts CMAT scores for its PGDM programme, with an expected 2026 cutoff at 95+ percentile — approximately 260–290 marks out of 400. GIM is one of the premier management schools in western India, attracting strong CMAT scorers each year. In 2024–25, the first-round shortlist cutoff was reported at approximately 95 percentile for the general category.

GIM’s selection process includes a Written Ability Test and a Personal Interview after the CMAT shortlisting. A strong academic record and relevant work experience can improve your composite score and overall admission chances beyond the cutoff threshold.

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K.J. Somaiya Expected Cutoff 2026

K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management in Mumbai is expected to shortlist students at 98+ percentile (approximately 300–325 marks) for CMAT 2026, based on recent trends. Somaiya’s growing placement record and industry reputation have pushed its CMAT cutoff significantly higher over the past two years. Students targeting K.J. Somaiya should aim for at least 300 marks out of 400 to be competitive.

K.J. Somaiya evaluates students through a Written Test, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview after the CMAT cutoff round. Your composite score across all stages determines your position in the final merit list.

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PUMBA Expected Cutoff 2026

PUMBA (Department of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University) is expected to set its open-category CMAT 2026 cutoff at 90–95 percentile, around 255–285 marks out of 400. As a government management programme in Pune, PUMBA is highly sought-after for its affordable fees and strong Pune-based industry placements. Students with Maharashtra domicile and a CMAT score above 255 are advised to apply.

PUMBA admissions are processed through the Maharashtra CET Cell. After clearing the CMAT cutoff, students attend GD and PI rounds on the Pune University campus. Maharashtra domicile is mandatory for most PUMBA seats.

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Factors Affecting CMAT 2026 Cutoff

CMAT cutoffs are not fixed in advance — they are determined each year by a combination of factors. Understanding these helps you set a realistic score target and plan backup applications:

• Number of applicants: CMAT 2026 saw 41,872 students appear from 53,453 registered. Higher applicant volume raises competition and can push percentile cutoffs upward.
• Exam difficulty: A tougher paper compresses raw scores at the top, which can shift the marks equivalent of a given percentile downward slightly.
• Seat intake: JBIMS’s limited intake of around 120 seats keeps its cutoff far above colleges with larger batch sizes like Somaiya and PUMBA.
• Previous year movement: Cutoffs at established institutes rarely shift by more than 1–2 percentile points year-on-year, making past data a reliable benchmark.
• Category reservation: Seats reserved under SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PWD categories carry lower qualifying cutoffs at each institute, and each category’s cutoff moves independently.
• Composite score weightage: Colleges that weight CMAT alongside GD, PI, and academic scores may shortlist students slightly below the headline cutoff when their overall profile is strong.