KMAT Kerala 2026: Session 1 Registration (Open), Exam Date (Jan 25); Check Syllabus, Pattern, Preparation Tips

KMAT Kerala is a gateway for admissions to various management schools across the state of Kerala. The exam is conducted by the Commissioner of Entrance Exams, Kerala (CEE Kerala). The Kerala KMAT exam is held twice a year. The KMAT Kerala exam is conducted in two sessions. KMAT Kerala 2026 Session 1 exam will be on January 25, 2026. Check details in the table below. KMAT Kerala 2025 Session II is expected to be held in May, 2026. The exam is conducted in the computer-based test mode across various centres. Once the KMAT Kerala results have been declared, candidates will have to appear for a further selection process which includes Group Discussions and Personal Interviews.

Check out the table below to get an overview of the KMAT Kerala exam 2025

Kerala KMAT exam score is accepted by all the Kerala State Government MBA colleges, University colleges and most of the private colleges. A list of some of the top MBA colleges accepting Kerala KMAT score is shared below:

• University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
• Rajagiri Business School, Cochin
• SCMS Cochin School of Business, Cochin
• Saintgits Institute of Management, Kottayam
• Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) Kochi
• Amrita School of Business (ASB) Kochi
• Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies (RCBS), Kochi

KMAT Kerala Pattern is computer based of 3 hours duration. Language of the questions in KMAT Kerala Exam pattern is English. KMAT Kerala pattern consists of 4 sections in the exam. Total number of questions in Kerala KMAT question paper are 180. Each correct answer is awarded with +4 marks and each wrong answer is penalized with negative marking of -1 mark in KMAT Kerala Pattern. KMAT Kerala 2026 Answer Key is released 2-3 days after the exam date.

KMAT Kerala is an online exam that has four sections - English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, and Data Sufficiency and Logical Reasoning. There will be a total of 180 questions in the exam according to the KMAT Kerala exam pattern 2025. Each question carries four marks. Check the table below for highlights of the KMAT Kerala syllabus and exam pattern:

Section 1: English Language Usage and Reading Comprehension
Concentrate on Grammar, Usage, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks with appropriate word/phrase

Section 2: Quantitative Aptitude
Study Arithmetic more along with Algebra, Geometry, Equations, Functions, Trigonometry among others

Section 3: Data Sufficiency & Logical Reasoning
Study topics like Blood relations, seating arrangements, arguments, statements-conclusion, Bar Graph, Line Graph, Data Arrangements, tables, charts

Section 4: General Knowledge
Regularly read the newspapers. Read the topics related to Business, Sports, Culture, Economics, Government policies, national and international events, organizations, logos, appointments

KMAT Kerala eligibility criteria are the requirements that candidates need to fulfil to be qualified for admission to MBA/PGDM courses. The KMAT Kerala eligibility criteria 2026 mentions education requirements, minimum qualifying marks and age limit as under:

(1) Nationality & Domicile in KMAT Kerala Eligibility

• Indians and Non-Indians are eligible to apply
• Only Keralite candidates are eligible for all type of reservations and fee concession

(2) Educational Qualification in KMAT Kerala Eligibility

• Candidates must have graduated (three years of bachelor's degree) from a recognised university in any discipline.
• Candidates must have obtained the stipulated aggregate of all subjects by respective universities that they wish to apply to in their final year qualifying degree exam.
• Candidates who are in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply, however, they must provide their Graduation certificate at the time of admission as proof of qualification.
• There is no upper or lower age limit mentioned for appearing in KMAT Kerala.
• Candidates in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply.

(3) Age Limit in Kerala KMAT Eligibility

There is no age limit to apply and appear in KMAT Kerala exam.

KMAT Kerala Preparations should be completed well in advance so that you get time to practice on previous KMAT Kerala Question Papers; Mock tests and can gauge your preparation level for KMAT Kerala exam 2026.  But how to prepare well for Kerala KMAT before the exam date? The question needs answer with comprehensive preparation guide as per the time available from the date of starting the preparation and chalking out the strategy to complete your KMAT preparation before the exam. The 6 Point Kerala KMAT Preparation plan includes:

Starting your KMAT preparation is not a big question but adhering to preparation time line is very important. The Kerala KMAT exam preparation requires you to first check the revised KMAT exam pattern and then you should proceed with KMAT preparation as per the KMAT syllabus and exam pattern. Kerala KMAT exam preparation strategy needs equal focus on all the core sections. Accordingly, your KMAT Kerala exam Preparation 2024 should be focused on following key points:

• When and How to prepare for Kerala KMAT?
• Which are the Kerala KMAT Preparation Books?
• What Kerala KMAT preparation material is available apart from the books?
• Kerala KMAT Preparations- Tips by Toppers?
• Whether the KMAT Kerala exam preparation 2025 should be done through Coaching or should Self prepare - which is better?
• Kerala KMAT 2025 Exam Preparation Online
• Strategy - how to crack Kerala KMAT Exam with High score?   

All candidates seeking admission to the course on the basis of KMAT should apply online through the website www.cee.kerala.gov.in of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations. Application can be submitted in online mode only. There are 5 steps for the online submission of application and all the steps are mandatory. Candidates should complete all steps and the candidates are advised to keep a soft copy or print out of the Application Acknowledgement Page for future reference.

For the online submission of application, candidate has to visit the website www.cee.kerala.gov.in where he/she can find the link “KMAT 2026 - Online Application”. Take these five steps to register for the exam.

1. Registration: This is a one time online process during which the candidates will get a system generated ‘Application Number’. The candidates should give necessary basic data and create a strong password during the registration process. Candidates are advised to create a strong, unique password. The requirements of a strong password are: a minimum length of 8 characters, a minimum of one alphabet character [a-z or A-Z], a minimum of one number (0-9), a minimum of one symbol [! @ # $ % ^ &*]. Don’t use a shared password or disclose the password to others. Be informed that the application number and password will be required till the end of the admission process.

2. Fill Application: All the basic information required for processing application are to be filled in by the candidates at this stage. Before filling the details, candidates are required to read the Information Bulletin.The data provided here will be used for processing the application. Any mistake in filling this page or providing false/incomplete/wrong information will affect the candidate’s eligibility for examination. It is obligatory that the candidate fills all the mandatory fields in the application.
Candidates should take utmost care while filling the Online Application. Applicant should ensure that the data provided are correct before proceeding to next step. If the candidate is sure that the information provided in step 2 are correct, click the link ‘Save and
Finalize’.
Note: No modification will be possible after the Final submission.

(3) Pay Application Fee:
Application fee for General and SEBC candidates is Rs.1000 (Rupees Thousand only) and Rs.500 (Rupees Five Hundred Only) for SC candidates. ST candidates are exempted from the payment of application fee. Application fee can be paid in online mode only.

KMAT Kerala Admission process after declaration of KMAT Kerala Exam result requires the candidate to adhere to following:

• Check KMAT Kerala 2026 answer key which is released after the exam
• Check KMAT Kerala 2026 Results which are released after a week from the date of release of Kerala KMAT answer keys
• Download your KMAT Kerala score card from official KMAT exam website by login with your Kerala KMAT registration Id and password which is your date of birth in dd/mm/yyyy format
• Check KMAT Kerala 2026 cut off for the respective category.
• Take print out of your KMAT Kerala Score card and approach your preferred university/MBA college in Kerala for admission
• Participate in the KMAT Kerala 2026 Counselling process comprising GD-PI for final selection
• After getting admission offer, pay admission fee

The admission to the MBA programme will be based on the marks of the Entrance Examination, group discussion and interview giving the following weightage.

Check out some of the exam day guidelines mentioned below:

• Carry the KMAT Kerala admit card to the exam centre as it is a mandatory document to enter the exam hall.
• Candidates must carry a valid ID proof - passport/driving license/institute ID Card/Voter ID/Aadhar Card issued by the Government of India.
• Candidates must carry a blue or black ballpoint pen only to the exam centre. No other stationery is permitted to the exam centre.
• No electronic gadgets such as calculators, mobile phones, watch calculators, etc. are allowed inside the exam hall.
• Candidates will not be given extra time, hence, they must reach the exam centre an hour before the exam to complete the frisking formalities.
• All the sections of the KMAT Kerala question paper are mandatory to attempt.

KMAT Kerala result will be released within a few days after the exam. Before the release of result, KMAT Kerala answer key will be released. Candidates who appear for the exam can download their scorecards online using their login credentials once the results are out. Given below are the steps to know how to download the KMAT result

• Visit the official website of CEE
• Click on the Result tab
• Click on 'K-MAT 2026: Candidate Portal'
• Enter the application number and password along with the access code
• Download and save the KMAT Kerala scorecard 2026

Check top MBA colleges accepting KMAT Kerala Score 2026 and apply to the colleges that meet your criteria.

The KMAT Kerala admit card will be released a few days before the exam date in January, 2026. Students who register successfully and pay the application fee can download the KMAT Kerala admit card using their login credentials. Given below is the process to download the KMAT Kerala admit card 2026:

• Visit the official website of CEE Kerala
• Login using the user name and password.
• Click on the admit card link.
• Read the instructions, click on the check box and take a printout of the KMAT Kerala admit card 2026.

Candidates can contact CEE for any issues related to their registration or admit card on the following contact details. 

Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE)

Address: 7^th Floor, KSRTC Bus Terminal Complex, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram-695 001.

E-mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 0471 – 2525300, 2332120, 2338487

In summary, KMAT Kerala 2026 exam date is January 25, 2026. KMAT Kerala registration is open from December 22, 2025 till January 15, 2026. KMAT Kerala is a gateway for admissions to top MBA colleges in Cochin and Kerala. KMAT Kerala exam pattern has 180 questions divided into four sections. Know exam pattern, registration process, preparation, best colleges accepting KMAT exam scores in the article below.