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CMAT Score vs Percentile 2025 (prediction): A Complete Analysis
Overview
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national entrance exam for management programs conducted by NTA every May (in post Covid-19 pandemic era). It provides MBA/PGDM admission opportunities in over 1000 AICTE-approved institutes with their own CMAT cutoffs.
CMAT is a 3-hour MCQ-based online test in English that assesses candidates’ skills in Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Candidates must understand the difference between the CMAT Percentile and the Score. This article by Tarkashastra Exam Prep experts provides comprehensive insights into CMAT Score vs Percentile 2025.
What is the CMAT Score?
The CMAT score is determined by awarding marks based on candidates’ responses to the questions. The marking scheme for CMAT 205 was as follows:
- Each correct answer received 4 marks.
- Each incorrect answer incured penalty of -1 mark.
- Unanswered questions are not subject to negative marking.
- The total score is calculated by summing the correct and incorrect attempts.
CMAT Score Calculation Example:
Suppose in the Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section, you attempted 15 out of 20 questions. Of these, 10 answers were correct, while 5 were incorrect. Therefore, your score in the Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section would be calculated as 10×4-5 = 35. Thus, out of 80 marks in this section, your score is 35.
You can calculate the scores for each section similarly and estimate your overall CMAT score by summing them together.
What is the CMAT Percentile?
The relative scores determining a candidate’s rank are the CMAT percentile. In other words, the CMAT percentile is a metric for classifying candidates according to their performance. It reflects the position obtained by candidates on the merit list.
How is the CMAT Percentile Calculated?
The CMAT 2025 percentile score indicated the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a specific percentile in the exam. The top scorer in each session will achieve the same percentile.
Scores between the lowest and highest are converted to corresponding percentiles. Percentile scores are calculated up to 7 decimal places to minimize ties. A candidate’s percentile is calculated as follows:
Total Percentile (TP1) = 100 x (No. of candidates who appeared from the session with raw score EQUAL TO or LESS than T1 score/ Total No. of candidates who appeared in the session)
NOTE: The total percentile is not the sum or average of individual subject percentiles and does not equal the percentage of marks obtained.
CMAT Percentile Calculation Example:
We will use the QA (Quantitative Ability) section to calculate the percentile:
Step 1: Count CMAT 2025 candidates
Step 2: Note the candidate’s rank in QA among all CMAT 2025 participants.
Step 3: Use the formula provided
Suppose 10,000 candidates take CMAT 2025, and a candidate ranks 5th. Their percentile is calculated as:
- P = (10000-5)/10000*100
Thus, their CMAT 2025 percentile is 99.95.Note: Percentiles for other and overall sections use the same formula. Use our CMAT percentile predictor tool for accurate results.
Factors that Affect the CMAT Percentile
The CMAT percentile ranks candidates based on their exam performance, showing their position on the merit list compared to others.
This percentile is determined by a candidate’s score relative to others. It isn’t fixed and changes yearly due to the exam’s difficulty, the number of test-takers, and available institute seats.
The CMAT scorecard shows raw scores and All India Rank (AIR), not the percentile. Factors affecting the CMAT percentile include exam difficulty, number of test-takers, and total institute seats.
Candidates can use the CMAT percentile predictor to assess performance and estimate their cutoff.
CMAT Score vs Percentile | Overall Comparison for past 3 years
Score vs Percentile for CMAT 2025
Score vs Percentile for CMAT 2024
Score vs Percentile for CMAT 2023
| PERCENTILE | 2025 Score | 2024 Score | 2023 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
99.99
|
340+
|
380 |
360 |
|
99.50
|
300
|
303 |
299-306
|
|
99.25
|
285
|
~298
|
~295
|
|
99.00
|
270
|
293
|
292 |
|
98.00
|
260
|
280 |
283 |
|
95.00
|
245
|
270
|
265-271
|
|
90.00 |
205
|
260
|
250-258
|
|
85.00 |
190
|
240
|
238
|
|
80.00 |
180
|
205 |
206
|
|
75.00 |
178
|
190-200
|
193
|
|
70.00 |
175
|
180-188
|
179
|
FAQ's
What is the CMAT score?
The CMAT score is a candidate’s total marks on the exam based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. It is calculated by awarding 4 marks for each correct answer and deducting 1 for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions do not affect the score.
What is the CMAT percentile?
The CMAT percentile is a ranking metric that indicates a candidate’s performance relative to other test-takers. It reflects the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a particular score in the exam.
How is the CMAT percentile calculated?
The percentile score is calculated using the formula: Total Percentile (TP1) = 100 x (No. of candidates who appeared from the session with raw score EQUAL TO or LESS than T1 score / Total No. of candidates who appeared in the session). To avoid ties, this calculation is precise, up to seven decimal places.
What is the difference between CMAT score and percentile?
The CMAT score directly reflects a candidate’s answers, giving a total based on correct and incorrect questions. In contrast, the percentile ranks the candidate against others, indicating how they performed compared to all test-takers.
Can a high CMAT score ensure a high percentile?
While a high CMAT score generally leads to a high percentile, it is not guaranteed. The percentile depends not just on the score but also on the relative performance of all candidates in the exam session.
What score/ mark do I need to get 99+ percentile in CMAT?
To achieve over 99 percent in CMAT, candidates should target a score of 300 or higher.
How many marks are required to get 90+ percent in the CMAT?
An estimated score of around 340-345 is sufficient to surpass the 90th percentile in CMAT 2025. Candidates can refer to this article for insights into the correlation between scores and percentiles for CMAT 2025.
Why is the score vs percentile analysis of CMAT 2025, CMAT 2024 & previous CMAT Exams important?
Analyzing the CMAT Score versus Percentile is crucial as it offers students insights into previous years’ scoring patterns for the CMAT exam. This analysis aids aspirants in setting targets and achieving the optimal balance between speed and accuracy.
Does a certain mark in CMAT guarantee a fixed percentile?
A student’s percentile is determined by their rank relative to other students. Therefore, there is no specific CMAT score that ensures a particular percentile.
What is a good CMAT score for top B-schools?
A good CMAT score for top B-school admission typically ranges from 300 to 350. However, this can vary by institution and year, so it’s important to research the specific requirements of each school.
What is a good CMAT percentile?
A good CMAT percentile, especially for candidates aiming for top B-schools, would be above the 90th percentile. This ranking signifies strong performance relative to peers and boosts the chances of admission to prestigious programs.
Does the CMAT percentile depend on the difficulty of the exam?
Yes, the difficulty level of the exam can indirectly affect the percentile, as it influences the overall performance of candidates. A more challenging exam may result in lower overall scores but may not significantly shift rank positions, affecting percentiles.
Is there a negative marking in CMAT, and how does it affect the percentile?
Yes, CMAT has a negative marking, with 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer. This affects the overall score, which can impact the percentile ranking, stressing the importance of accuracy in the exam.
How can I improve my CMAT score and percentile?
Improving your CMAT score and percentile involves thorough preparation, consistent practice, and efficient time management. Focus on strengthening weak areas, taking regular mock tests, and developing a strategic approach to answering questions. Understanding past exam patterns and balancing speed with accuracy can significantly enhance performance.
Final Words
Understanding CMAT scores vs percentiles is a powerful tool in every aspirant’s arsenal. It not only aids in exam preparation but also informs strategic decisions during the MBA application process. With the right insights and preparation, you can unlock the doors to your dream B-school. For personalized guidance and resources, consider contacting Tarkashastra, India’s leading institute for MBA preparation.
