<p>There is a growing interest in developing training content that effectively fosters entrepreneurial intention. This study introduces a model that clarifies how and when cognitive adaptability influences entrepreneurial intention, making it applicable for designing effective entrepreneurship training programs globally. Unlike previous research, this study uniquely conceptualizes and investigates cognitive adaptability as a unified higher-order construct alongside two key traits: risk-taking propensity and entrepreneurial competence. To evaluate the roles of cognitive adaptability and these two entrepreneurial traits as mediators in forming entrepreneurial intention, this study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings suggest that cognitive adaptability significantly influences entrepreneurial intentions when combined with entrepreneurial competence and risk-taking propensity. However, its direct impact appears to be insignificant. Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate both risk-taking propensity and entrepreneurial competence alongside cognitive adaptability when designing and implementing entrepreneurship training programs. This approach can more effectively promote entrepreneurial intentions among management students.</p>