Management: CMAT Exam

One of the major entrance exams for an MBA is the CMAT (Common Management Admission Test), earlier it was conducted by AICTE, but now it is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) commonly in April- May. In the year 2023 approx. 70,000 candidates applied for the exam while approx. 58,000 appeared for the same.

CMAT is the second largest entrance exam conducted for MBA and PGDM programs, also it is easier than CAT and has a lower cut-off than the same, the questions are also simpler than CAT. CMAT score is accepted by 1300+ B Schools in India. The question Paper comprises 100 questions from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The level of the exam is moderate as compared to the CAT. 

To know more about the exam read the further article.

Table of Content

Important Dates

Eligibility Criteria

Exam Pattern

Exam Syllabus

Candidates applied for CMAT 2023

How to Prepare for the CMAT exam?

Section- Wise Best Books for CMAT

Colleges accept CMAT

Important Dates

Eligibility Criteria

CMAT is like other MBA entrance exams conducted for admission, the candidates need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:-

• Must have a graduation or equivalent degree to graduation from a recognized university.
• Students in the final year are also eligible for the exam.
• The degree can be in any educational mode (online/ offline) and can be from any stream.
• Must have qualified for the bachelor’s degree (there is no minimum percentage limit).
• There is no age limit.

Exam Pattern

It is an online computer-based test of 3 hours and contains 100 compulsory questions from 5 different sections. English is the medium of answer:-

The total marks for CMAT is 400, with 4 marks for every correct answer, there is a negative marking, and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

Exam Syllabus

Candidates applied for CMAT 2023

How to Prepare for the CMAT exam?

We know the CMAT exam is easier than the CAT, but still, it needs preparation and hard work. We people generally know about the exam and its toughness level but still, sometimes it becomes very hard to score good marks because we don’t have any study plan and we get confused about which books to read or which portion we can start from. A lot of question occurs in our minds. So below are a few preparations regarding tips:-

• • First you need to go through all the syllabus and know your strengths and weaknesses so that you can focus more on your weaknesses along with your strengths.

• Search for the best books for CMAT.

• Dedicate at least 4 to 6 hours daily for the preparation.
• If working try to manage at least 2 hours daily and utilize your weekends sufficiently.
• Choose the most challenging topics to begin with, it will be easy if you master the skills more challenging to you.
• Be aware of GK and current affairs, management-related-development.
• Appear in mock tests as much as possible.
• Then plan your exam-taking strategies, and work on weaknesses and strengths. 
• Go through PYQs to know which types of questions are frequently asked.

Section- Wise Best Books for CMAT

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation

• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)

Logical Reasoning

• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CATby Nishit K Sinha (Pearson)

Language Comprehension

• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by Dr. R.S. Aggarwal
• The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
• “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis
• “A Communicative Grammar of English” by Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik
• “Business English and Communication” by John O E Clark

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management by R Gopal
• Manorama Year Book by Mammen Mathew

General Awareness

General awareness skills can be enhanced by reading some top-class and informative articles and newspapers, you can consult various GK books for preparation and also maintain a regular habit of newspaper reading and keep an eye on current affairs. Below are a few magazine and newspaper recommendations:-

• Hindu Business Line
• Business Today
• Economic Times
• Business World
• The Financial Times
• Financial Express

Colleges accepting CMAT 

• Amity University, Noida
• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
• LPU
• GIM
• Jaipuria Noida
• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon