CMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Check CMAT Paper Pattern, Duration, Marking Scheme

The CMAT is a national-level entrance exam accepted by all AICTE-approved universities and institutions. The CMAT exam pattern has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam conducting body at the time of exam registration. Every student is advised to go through the CMAT exam pattern thoroughly. There have been no major changes to the CMAT exam pattern this year.

According to the latest CMAT exam pattern, the question paper of CMAT 2025 will include subjects like logical reasoning, quantitative techniques and data interpretation, language comprehension, general awareness, and Innovations and Entrepreneurship. Moreover, it will consist of 100 questions in MCQ format, i.e., 20 questions per section.

Candidates should be familiar with different aspects of the CMAT exam pattern, including the marking scheme, the exam duration, negative marking, total duration, and sections from which questions will be asked.

CMAT exam pattern – Highlights

The Common Management Aptitude Test is a sought-after entrance exam amongst MBA aspirants as the score is accepted by more than 1,300 B-schools in India. 

Below are the highlights of the CMAT exam pattern 2024 and the test structure. 

Latest changes 

1. CMAT exam patterns have been revised twice in the last few years by the NTA. 
2. In 2021, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship section was added as an optional paper, and an additional 30 minutes were allocated to it. Then, this section became mandatory in 2022. 
3. NTA reduced the number of questions in each section from 25 to 20. There will be 100 questions in all, divided into five sections (each question will carry four marks). 
4. The CMAT 2025 exam will have five sections. 
5. The CMAT time duration has been reduced and fixed to three hours. 
6. There is no additional time for the fifth section. 
7. The fifth section score is counted for percentile calculation to prepare the merit list. 
8. There will be 20 questions in each of the five questions. 

CMAT 2025 Important Dates 

The National Testing Agency has announced the key CMAT 2025 dates, which are as follows:

CMAT exam pattern – FAQs

1. Does the CMAT Exam Pattern include any optional papers?

The CMAT exam pattern does not include an optional paper. However, the paper titled Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which was introduced as an optional paper last year, has now been declared compulsory. Consequently, candidates planning to take the upcoming exam should prepare for the following five sections:
1. Logical Reasoning
2. Quantitative Techniques
3. General Awareness.
4. Language Comprehension
5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

2. How many questions are there in each section of the CMAT exam pattern?

According to the most recent CMAT exam pattern update, there will be 100 questions total, with 20 sectional questions. However, the number of questions in the section has been reduced since innovation and entrepreneurship are now mandatory sections.

3. Who decides the CMAT paper pattern?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) determines CMAT exam patterns and is also responsible for conducting the examination.

4. Will the CMAT paper pattern 2025 be changed further?

There has been no change in the CMAT exam pattern for 2025 as of now.

5. What is the CMAT time duration?

The candidates have to solve 100 questions in 180 minutes CMAT time duration. Additionally, the questions will be asked from:
1. Language Comprehension
2. Quantitative techniques and data interpretation
3. Logical Reasoning
4. General Awareness
5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship

6. Is CMAT marking negative?

For each incorrect answer, one mark is deducted from the total score.

7. What is the maximum possible CMAT score?

As per the applicant’s choice, the maximum score is 400. 

8. What is the passing score for CMAT?

CMAT does not require a qualifying score. However, the most prestigious business schools have a cut-off of 95+ percentile, which is equal to 280+ marks.

9. Which is better, CMAT or MAT?

CMAT is a higher-level national MBA entrance test than MAT or ATMA. Moreover, it offers admission opportunities to colleges offering higher-level MBA/PGDM programs.

10. Who is eligible for CMAT?

CMAT is open to candidates in their final year of graduation or who have completed their bachelor’s degree. 

Read more about CMAT Eligibility 2025 – Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Marks, Reservation & Fees

Conclusion:

The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), the national-level test conducted by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for admission to all management programs in AICTE-accredited institutions, will be held in January 2025.

To ace the CMAT exam on the first attempt, the candidate should have a thorough understanding of the CMAT exam pattern 2025. This will give the candidate a clear picture of the paper format and aid in understanding the subject-wise key topics, which are important to be prepared to score well in the exam.

Read more about CMAT Preparation 2024 – How To Prepare For CMAT Exam? – (Tips, Tricks & Strategy)