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Table of Contents
What is KMAT?
KMAT (Karnataka Management Aptitude Test) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA) for admission to MBA, PGDM, and MCA programs offered by over 189+ AICTE-approved and university-affiliated self-financing colleges/institutes in Karnataka.
It is one of the most popular MBA entrance exams in Karnataka after Karnataka PGCET, known for its moderate difficulty level and high acceptance across private B-schools in the state.
KMAT 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) |
| Conducting Body | Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA) |
| Exam Level | State Level |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Exam | Online Remote Proctored (from home) OR Centre-based CBT |
| Courses Offered | MBA / PGDM / MCA |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 120 (1 mark per question) |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Participating Colleges | 189+ |
| Official Website | kmatindia.com |
KMAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative / Announced) |
| Notification Release | June 2026 |
| Application Start Date | June, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (without late fee) | August, 2026 |
| Last Date with Late Fee | September, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 5–7 days before exam |
| KMAT 2026 Exam Date | September, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result Declaration | Last week of September / First week of October 2026 |
| Counselling / Admission Process | October – December 2026 |
KMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Indian citizens only
For MBA/PGDM:
Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) from a recognized university
Minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST candidates from Karnataka)
Final-year students can apply (must complete degree before admission)
For MCA:
Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level
Minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST candidates from Karnataka)
No age limit
Candidates from outside Karnataka are eligible but will be treated under Open Category (no reservation)
KMAT 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit the official website: kmatindia.com
- Click on “KMAT 2026 Registration” or “Apply Now”
- Register using Name, Valid Mobile Number, Email ID, and Date of Birth, and select Course (MBA/PGDM/MCA)
- You will receive Login ID and Password on registered mobile and email
- Log in and fill the application form:
- Personal details
- Educational qualification details
- Communication address
- Select preferred exam mode: Remote Proctored (Home) or Centre-based
- Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications
- Pay the application fee online (Net Banking / Credit / Debit Card / UPI)
- Submit the form and take a printout of confirmation page
KMAT 2026 Application Fees
| Category | Fee (without late fee) | Late Fee (if applicable) |
| General / OBC / Others | ₹850 | ₹1,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD (Karnataka only) | ₹850 | ₹1,000 |
| All Female Candidates | ₹850 | ₹1,000 |
Note: Fee is same for all categories in KMAT. No concession.
Document Specifications for Upload
| Document | Format | Size | Dimensions (pixels) |
| Recent Passport-size Photograph | JPG / JPEG | 10 KB – 100 KB | 200 × 230 |
| Signature (black/blue ink on white paper) | JPG / JPEG | 5 KB – 50 KB | 140 × 60 |
| Class 10 Marksheet (optional for verification) | 50 KB – 500 KB | — |
KMAT Correction Window & Exam Centres
Correction Window: Usually open for 3–4 days after the last date (limited fields like photo, signature, name spelling, DOB can be corrected)
Exam Mode Options:
Remote Proctored Internet-Based Test (from home – most preferred)
Centre-based Computer-Based Test (in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubli, Mysuru, Belagavi, etc.)
Candidates opting for the centre-based exam must select their preferred city during registration
KMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode | Online Remote Proctored & Centre-based CBT |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct answer No negative marking |
| Medium | English only |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
Section-wise Breakup
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Difficulty Level |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 40 | 40 | Easy to Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | 40 | 40 | Moderate |
| Quantitative Ability | 40 | 40 | Moderate |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
KMAT 2026 Detailed Syllabus
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension (3–4 passages)
- Para-jumbles
- Sentence Completion / Fill in the Blanks
- One-word Substitution
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Idioms & Phrases
- Error Detection / Sentence Correction
- Vocabulary & Word Usage
2. Logical Reasoning
- Arrangement (Linear, Circular, Matrix)
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Syllogism
- Direction Sense
- Clocks & Calendars
- Logical Puzzles
- Statements & Assumptions / Arguments / Conclusions
- Analogy & Series
3. Quantitative Ability
- Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio, Averages, Mixtures)
- Number System (HCF, LCM, Divisibility)
- Algebra (Equations, Inequalities)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Modern Maths (P&C, Probability, Set Theory)
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar, Pie, Line Charts)
- Data Sufficiency
Best Books for KMAT 2026 Preparation
| Section | Book Name | Author/Publisher |
| Verbal Ability | How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay |
| Verbal Ability | Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| Quantitative Ability | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Ability | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Logical Reasoning | How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Logical Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Overall Practice | KMAT Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests | KPPGCA / Career Launcher / IMS |
How to Download KMAT 2026 Admit Card?
- Visit kmatindia.com
- Click on “Download Admit Card – KMAT 2026”
- Enter Application Number / Registered Mobile Number and Password / DOB
- The admit card will appear on the screen
- Verify all details (Name, Photo, Exam Mode, Date & Time)
- Download and print at least 2 copies (color print preferred)
Admit card is mandatory for both remote-proctored and centre-based exams.
KMAT 2026 Exam Day Instructions
For Remote Proctored (Home):
Stable internet (minimum 1 Mbps), webcam, microphone mandatory
Login 30 minutes before exam
Keep original Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Driving License)
No books, mobile phones, calculators, or electronic devices allowed
Sit in a well-lit, quiet room with plain background
For Centre-based Exam:
Report 60 minutes before exam time
Carry printed admit card + original photo ID
Electronic gadgets, watches, stationery (except black ball-point pen) prohibited
Rough sheet will be provided (to be returned/submitted after exam)
KMAT 2026 Result & Score Card
- The result is declared on the official website within 10–15 days of the exam
- Scorecard contains section-wise and overall marks + percentile
- No re-evaluation or re-checking facility
- Score valid only for the 2026–27 admission cycle
- Download steps: Login → Result section → Enter credentials → Download PDF
KMAT Previous Years Cut-off Scores (for Top Colleges)
| College | 2024 Cut-off (Score) | 2023 Cut-off | 2022 Cut-off |
| Christ University, Bangalore | 90+ | 88+ | 85+ |
| Alliance University, Bangalore | 85+ | 82+ | 80+ |
| IFIM Business School | 80+ | 78+ | 75+ |
| Kristu Jayanti College | 75+ | 72+ | 70+ |
| Presidency University, Bangalore | 75+ | 70+ | 68+ |
| CMS Jain University | 70+ | 68+ | 65+ |
| General Good College | 60–70 | 58–68 | 55–65 |
KMAT 2026 Counseling & Admission Process
- KMAT is not centralized counseling. Each college conducts its own admission process.
- After result, colleges release their own merit list / cut-off on their website.
- Typical process:
- Apply separately to desired colleges (application fee ₹500–₹2000 per college)
- Shortlisting based on KMAT score
- GD / WAT / Personal Interview round
- Final merit list and fee payment
- Admission starts from October and continues till December/January.
Top Colleges Accepting KMAT 2026 Score with Approx. Fees
| Rank | College Name | Location | Course | Avg. Annual Fee (₹) | Approx. Placement (LPA) |
| 1 | Christ University | Bangalore | MBA | 4.65 – 5.25 Lakh | 7–9 LPA |
| 2 | Alliance University | Bangalore | MBA / PGDM | 4.50 – 7.50 Lakh | 7–8.5 LPA |
| 3 | IFIM Business School (JAGSoM) | Bangalore | PGDM | 6.50 – 8.00 Lakh | 7–10 LPA |
| 4 | Kristu Jayanti College | Bangalore | MBA | 4.20 – 4.80 Lakh | 5–7 LPA |
| 5 | Presidency University | Bangalore | MBA | 3.50 – 4.25 Lakh | 5–7 LPA |
| 6 | CMS Jain (Jain University) | Bangalore | MBA / PGDM | 5.00 – 6.50 Lakh | 6–8 LPA |
| 7 | St. Joseph’s Institute of Management | Bangalore | PGDM | 4.75 – 5.50 Lakh | 7–9 LPA |
| 8 | MS Ramaiah Institute of Management | Bangalore | PGDM | 4.00 – 4.80 Lakh | 6–7.5 LPA |
| 9 | AIMIT Mangalore (St. Aloysius) | Mangalore | MBA | 3.80 – 4.50 Lakh | 5–6.5 LPA |
| 10 | Adarsh Institute of Management | Bangalore | MBA / PGDM | 3.00 – 4.00 Lakh | 4.5–6 LPA |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes, final-year students can apply, provided they complete their degree with the required marks before admission.
- No age limit.
- Yes, but they will be treated under the General/Open category (no reservation).
- No, the KMAT score is accepted only by colleges in Karnataka.
- Yes, select both options during registration (same paper).
- ₹850 for all categories (₹1,000 with late fee).
- No, the fee is the same for everyone.
- Yes, a limited correction window (usually 3–4 days) is provided.
- No negative marking.
- No limit; you can appear every year.
- Yes, the difficulty level is moderate and similar to MAT.
- 90+ for Christ/Alliance, 75–85 for other top private colleges.
- Yes, with focused preparation and daily mock tests.
- Retrieve using registered mobile/email from the login page.
- Last week of September or first week of October 2026.
- No normalisation; raw score = final score.
- No, each college conducts its own GD/PI and admission.
- Yes, most colleges charge a ₹500–₹2000 application fee.
- Some colleges offer direct admission above 90–95 score.
- No, but most top colleges have good hostel facilities (₹80k–1.5 Lakh per year).
- KMAT is accepted by more private colleges; PGCET is for government seats.
