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CMAT Score Normalization 2026: Process, Percentile & Merit List Explained
CMAT Score Normalisation 2026: This year, the CMAT 2026 exam will be held in a single shift. Previously, the CMAT exam was held in two shifts, and the CMAT results were normalised, meaning the marks of candidates who appeared in the easy paper were reduced, while those of candidates who appeared in the difficult paper were increased. Normalisation was the process of negating the differences between difficulty levels in the question papers of different shifts by adjusting the scores of the candidates. The process is used to make sure that no candidates get an undue advantage or disadvantage because of the difference in difficulty level of the question papers. Read this article to understand the CMAT score normalisation process 2026 to apply for MBA programmes.
This Story also Contains
- What is the CMAT Score Normalisation Process?
- CMAT Merit List 2026
- CMAT Percentile Scores
- Preparation of CMAT Result and Merit List
Candidates who got relatively rigorous question papers in the CMAT exam were at risk of obtaining lower marks than those who got relatively easy question papers. Therefore, to ensure that there were no pros or cons for any candidate due to the different difficulty levels of the CMAT, the NTA used the CMAT score normalisation procedure to prepare the merit list. But this year, NTA has decided to conduct the CMAT 2026 exam in a single shift, hence there will be no requirement for the normalisation process.
What is the CMAT Score Normalisation Process?
CMAT normalisation was a procedure for comparing the performance of candidates in multiple session papers and is similar to that adopted in other national-level entrance tests conducted in India. For normalisation across sections, the NTA used a percentile balance. To understand the CMAT normalisation process, let us first understand the CMAT percentile calculation.
When the exam was conducted in multiple sessions, the NTA used a normalisation process to prevent any students from getting undue benefits due to the difficulty level. The NTA used the normalisation process to prepare CMAT scores. It is a tried and tested process used in many MBA entrance exams in India. Through CMAT normalisation, the scores of the students who had difficult question papers will be increased, and the scores of those who got easy question papers will be reduced.
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CMAT Merit List 2026
CMAT results will be published in the form of a scorecard that includes sectional marks, total marks and NTA sectional and overall scores. The candidates need to apply to CMAT colleges with their CMAT score. On the basis of the scores, candidates will be selected for the GD and PI rounds to be held separately by the CMAT score-accepting colleges.
CMAT Percentile Scores
CMAT percentile scores are based on the comparative performance of all the candidates in the exam. Basically, the marks obtained by each candidate are converted from 100 to 0 for the exam.
The CMAT percentile score refers to the percentage of candidates who scored EQUAL TO OR BELOW (raw scores) a certain percentile in the CMAT exam. Therefore, the first place (highest scorers) in the exam will get 100 percent. Scores obtained between high and low scores are also converted into the appropriate percentile. The formula for CMAT percentile calculation is:
Number of candidates (in the exam with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than the candidate) X 100
The total number of candidates who appeared in the exam
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CMAT Normalisation: How the CMAT 2026 Result is Prepared
CMAT 2026 results will be prepared in the form of;
- Raw Scores
- Percentiles Scores of Total raw scores
The percentages for each candidate will be calculated by the formula given below.
Total Percentile (TP1) = 100 x (No. of candidates who appeared in exam with raw score EQUAL TO or LESS than T1 score/Total No. of candidates who appeared in the exam)
Preparation of CMAT Result and Merit List
The CMAT results will be calculated based on the final answer key. The actual raw score of a candidate will be considered for the computation of CMAT 2026 results. Candidates will be able to download the CMAT results 2026 from the official website. After the CMAT 2026 results are out, no reevaluation or rechecking will be done by NTA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is CMAT Score Normalization Process?
A:
CMAT Normalization Process was used by the National Testing Agency to adjust the scores of students according to the difficulty level of their CMAT question paper in their shift.
Q: Who conducts the CMAT Normalization Process 2025?
A:
CMAT Score Normalization Process was conducted by the National Testing Agency, the conducting body for the CMAT exam 2025, in case of multiple sessions in the exam.
Q: Why is the CMAT Normalization Process important?
A:
CMAT Score Normalization Process ensured that no students benefited or were put at a disadvantage due to the difference in the difficulty level of the question paper for their shift.
Q: What is the NTA CMAT Score?
A:
NTA CMAT score is the merged normalized percentile score across two shifts. It is used to identify the merit and for the CMAT 2025 seat allocation process.
Q: What is CMAT Percentile?
A:
CMAT Percentile of a student is the percentage of students who have a score equal to or below that student in any particular shift.
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