The KMAT Kerala 2026 (Kerala Management Aptitude Test) is a premier state-level entrance examination conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. It serves as a mandatory gateway for aspirants seeking admission into MBA and PGDM programs across various prestigious management institutes in Kerala.
KMAT Kerala 2026 is a state-level management entrance test conducted through the Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala. The KMAT score is used for MBA admissions in Kerala for the academic year 2026, and the test is scheduled in computer-based mode.
KMAT Kerala 2026: Overview
KMAT Kerala 2026 is the Kerala Management Aptitude Test conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala for admission to MBA programs in the academic year 2026. The exam is held as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and is used by various universities, departments, and management colleges in Kerala (including autonomous colleges) as part of their MBA selection process.
| Exam Name | Kerala Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) Kerala 2026 |
| Exam Level | State-Level Entrance Exam |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year (Session I and Session II) |
| Conducting Body | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala |
| Courses Offered | MBA, PGDM |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Questions | 180 (Objective type) |
| Total Marks | 720 |
Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer |
| Score Validity | Only for MBA admissions for academic year 2026 |
| Official Website | https://cee.kerala.gov.in/kmatonline2026/ |
| Helpdesk | 0471-2332120, 2338487 |
ceekinfo.cee@kerala.gov.in |
Important Dates (Session I)
Candidates must adhere to the official schedule to ensure their applications are processed successfully. Below are the key dates for the first session of 2026:
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 22/12/2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15/01/2026 (up to 4:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 25/01/2026 |
| Admit Card | January 2026 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | February/March 2026 |
Exam Details
The KMAT Kerala 2026 is an objective-type examination conducted for a total duration of 3 hours (180 minutes). It is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) that requires candidates to answer 180 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The score obtained in this exam remains valid only for the academic year 2026. The final selection process usually assigns a weightage of 80% to the entrance score, 10% to the Group Discussion (GD), and 10% to the Personal Interview (PI).
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Type | Objective (MCQ) |
| Mode | CBT |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Correct Answer | +4 marks |
| Wrong Answer | -1 mark |
| Unattempted | 0 mark (no penalty) |
| Qualifying Marks (General/SEBC) | 10% of 720 72 marks |
| Qualifying Marks (SC/ST/PD) | 7.5% of 720 54 marks |
| Centre Preference | Choose 4 city codes (priority order) |
| Centre Allotment Note | Centre may change if candidate count is low in a chosen city |
Eligibility Details
To be eligible for KMAT Kerala 2026, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
Nationality: Both Indian and Non-Indian nationals can apply. However, reservation benefits and fee concessions are strictly limited to Keralite candidates.
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed a Bachelor’s degree of minimum three years’ duration (Arts, Science, Engineering, Commerce, Management, or equivalent) from a recognized university.
Appearing Candidates: Students in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they submit their qualifying certificates at the time of admission.
Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age restriction for appearing in the exam.
Qualifying Marks: Candidates must meet the minimum aggregate marks as prescribed by the specific university or institute they are applying to.
Participating Institutes
KMAT Kerala scores are accepted by numerous government and private management colleges across the state. Some prominent participating institutes include:
Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies, Kochi
SCMS School of Technology and Management, Kochi
Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME), Kochi
Saintgits Institute of Management, Kottayam
TKM Institute of Management, Kollam
Albertian Institute of Management
Government and Aided MBA Colleges under Kerala University, MG University, and Calicut University.
Selection / Weightage (Used by Institutions)
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Entrance Test Score | 80% |
| Group Discussion (GD) | 10% |
| Personal Interview (PI) | 10% |
Note: Qualifying KMAT does not guarantee admission. Final admission depends on the rules and procedures of the concerned university/college and Government/University/Institution criteria.
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid exclusively through online mode (Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card).
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / SEBC | Rs. 1,000 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | Rs. 500 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Exempted (No Fee) |
How to Apply for KMAT Kerala 2026
The application process is entirely digital and involves five mandatory steps:
Step 1: Registration: Visit the official website and click on the “KMAT 2026 – Online Application” link. Provide basic details like name, email, and mobile number to generate a unique Application Number.
Step 2: Fill Application: Log in using your Application Number and password to fill in academic, personal, and communication details.
Step 3: Pay Application Fee: Complete the payment using the online gateway as per your category.
Step 4: Upload Images: Upload a clear passport-size photograph and your signature in the prescribed JPG format (Photograph: 15-100 kb; Signature: 4-100 kb).
Step 5: Print Acknowledgement: After final submission, download and print the “Application Acknowledgement Page” for future reference.
Exam Pattern
The question paper is structured into four sections to test diverse skill sets. Each correct answer earns +4 marks, while 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect response.
| Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| English Language Usage & Reading Comprehension | 50 | 200 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 200 |
| Data Sufficiency & Logical Reasoning | 40 | 160 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 40 | 160 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
Qualifying Cut-off:
- General/SEBC: 10% of total marks (72 marks).
- SC/ST/PwD: 7.5% of total marks (54 marks).
Official Links
- Official Website: https://cee.kerala.gov.in/
- Application Portal: https://cee.kerala.gov.in/kmatonline2026/
- Information Bulletin: Download Official PDF
