CMAT Preparation 2024: How to Prepare for CMAT Exam? – (Tips, Tricks & Strategy)
CMAT, also known as Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), is an entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to select graduate candidates for admission to all management programs approved by the All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE). The exam preparation plan includes conceptual clarity and adequate practice.
Depending on the candidate’s progress with the exam syllabus, their CMAT preparation strategy should include long-term and short-term goals. Since CMAT is similar to XAT, CAT, and IIFT, it does not require the same degree of dedication and hard work if they have already taken those tests.
Get Access to Free CMAT Mock Tests by Signing Up for the CMAT @ Zero Fee Program. Also, get access to:
- 3+ hours of CMAT concept videos for revision
- 300+ CMAT practice questions
- 1 CMAT full-length mock test with detailed solutions
- Access to the myIMS portal and exclusive workshop
Click here to access your free CMAT mock test
How to Prepare for CMAT Exam 2024?
CMAT is conducted in online mode for a duration of three hours at multiple exam centers across India. It is a speed-based entrance test in which candidates are tested based on their quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, data interpretation skills, English language comprehension, general knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The preparation for CMAT should focus on the below key points step by step:
Step 1: Check CMAT 2024 Exam Pattern & Sectional Composition
Step 2: Read the complete CMAT syllabus
Step 3: Plan and choose your CMAT preparation mode
Step 4: Take into account the CMAT Exam Preparation Time: An Important factor
Step 5: CMAT Exam Preparation books
Step 6: Important CMAT preparation tips to prepare in 6 months, 3 months, and 2 months
Step 7: CMAT Preparation 2024 with mock tests
Listed below are a few more CMAT preparation tips to assist candidates in preparing for the exam thoroughly:
- Put in at least four to six hours a day of study to prepare for the CMAT exam.
- Choose the most difficult subject/area to begin with. It will be a lot easier if you master the skills required for the most challenging subject.
- Start with concept consolidation. Proceed to the next level by practicing key concepts across a variety of questions.
- Be aware of the latest GK and management-related developments.
- A series of revisions and tests will improve your understanding and familiarity with the test.
- Work on improving your test-taking strategies.
- Understand the CMAT exam pattern
- Practice previous year’s papers, mock tests, and sample papers of CMAT
- Plan your exam-taking strategy based on your strengths, improve your weak areas, and revise key formulas.
The CMAT question paper did not undergo any significant changes, which makes preparing for the exam relatively straightforward. However, CMAT exam experts and former test takers agree that a well-defined preparation plan is essential for success.
CMAT Exam Pattern
The CMAT 2024 preparation must take into account the new exam pattern. There will be 20 questions to attempt in each of the five sections of the CMAT 2024 exam. However, there is a maximum score of 400 for all five sections taken together.
Following information tabulated below that will help you understand the CMAT 2024 exam pattern in detail:
| Section Component | No. of Questions | Total Marks for each section |
| 1. Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| 2. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| 3. Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| 4. General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
| Time Limit | 180 Minutes |
Below are some of the key pointers that candidates should keep in mind regarding the CMAT 2024 exam:
- The paper contains a total of 100 questions
- All the questions are MCQ-type questions
- There are four marks assigned to each question in the paper
- For each incorrect attempt, a negative mark of one is deducted.
Latest changes in CMAT Exam Pattern
National Testing Agency has revised the CMAT paper pattern in the last two years. The innovation and entrepreneurship section was added as an optional paper in the CMAT exam pattern in 2021, with an additional 30 minutes for this section. In the year 2022, the same section on innovation and entrepreneurship has been added as a compulsory section. The number of questions in each section was also reduced from 25 to 20 by NTA. There will be 100 questions in all, divided into 5 sections (each question carrying 4 marks).
CMAT Syllabus 2024
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) releases the CMAT Exam Syllabus on its official website. The CMAT Exam syllabus includes topics like quantitative techniques, logical reasoning, data interpretation, language comprehension, general awareness, and innovation and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, the aspirants preparing for the CMAT exam 2024 should be familiar with the detailed exam syllabus and the exam pattern. Click on this link for a detailed CMAT Syllabus 2024.
CMAT Mock Tests 2024
The mock test practice is an essential part of exam preparation, and it enables candidates to develop time management skills and discover ways to answer calculation-intensive questions efficiently and accurately. The main aim of solving a CMAT mock test is to know the latest test structure, pattern, and type of questions. But through repeated practice, the candidates will become more proficient at reading long comprehension passages, identifying questions to attempt, recognizing the main points in a series of Logical Reasoning questions, understanding a Data Interpretation table, and performing mathematical calculations efficiently.
Key features of CMAT Mock Test 2024
1. Every CMAT practice test comes with detailed solutions and explanations.
2. Practice full-length mock tests designed by experts to help you succeed on the CMAT.
3. The CMAT test series can be solved on both PC and mobile phones and is based on the latest exam pattern and covers the exam syllabus.
Free CMAT Mock Test 2024
The candidates are provided with a free mock test for CMAT 2024 to determine the value and usability of the test. Taking the free mock test will allow them to gauge their preparation for the target percentile. The candidates can also take an All India Live Scholarship Test for CMAT as part of the online CMAT Test series module.
Benefits of CMAT Mock Test
1. Manage your time constructively
The key to succeeding in any exam is proper time management. Thus, by practicing multiple questions under time-bound circumstances, the aspirants (candidates) can cover many topics in less time and achieve greater results.
2. Revision Strategies That Work
The proper revision will allow candidates to gain more clarity on topics. It will increase their confidence and enable them to do well in the exam. Exam preparation requires regular revision of the syllabus. As a result, it requires complete focus, which the CMAT tests provide.
3. Retention of concepts
Practicing the CMAT mock exam will enable candidates to retain concepts more effectively and longer test series regularly. By doing
so, they will be able to recall any topic easily and feel more confident when taking a real exam.
4. Attempt more CMAT mock tests:
The more CMAT mock tests one attempts, the better one will be at applying formulae and theorems.
5. Discover tricks and shortcuts:
One way to solve CMAT questions faster is to practice regularly. By doing so, you can increase your speed and accuracy in solving the questions.
6. CMAT mock tests aid in understanding the actual exam pattern:
The CMAT mock test aids candidates to gain a better understanding of the actual exam pattern, the topic-by-topic weighting
of questions, and the types of questions asked last year.
7. Gather extra info about a particular topic:
Candidates can gather more information about a particular topic by taking mock tests for the CMAT exam. The exam pattern
added innovation and entrepreneurship as an optional paper in 2021, with an additional 30 minutes.
8. Analyze weak and strong points:
CMAT exam tests help candidates identify their weak and strong points.
CMAT Preparation Books
The aspirants should refer to the best CMAT preparation books for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The books are a primary study resource for candidates who are trying to get into well-known business schools.
Below is the list of best books for CMAT preparation 2024:
1. CMAT Books for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
Intensive mathematical calculations are required in this section of the CMAT exam. The following are some of the best CMAT Preparation books for quantitative techniques and data interpretation.
| Name of the book | Author/Publisher |
| 1. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Sharma |
| 2. How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
| 3. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
| 4. Quantitative Aptitude | RS Aggarwal |
| 5. How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
2. CMAT Books for Logical Reasoning
Candidates are tested on their reasoning skills and ability to analyze data in this section. CMAT aspirants can prepare for the logical reasoning section of the exam by referring to the following CMAT books.
| Name of the Books | Author/ Publisher |
| 1. How to prepare for logical reasoning for CAT? | Arun Sharma |
| 2. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT | Nishit K Sinha |
| 3. A modern approach to logical reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| 4. Concepts of LR- Logical Reasoning for CAT & other MBA exams | Gajendar Kumar |
Books for CMAT Language Comprehension
The aim of this section is to evaluate a candidate’s vocabulary, grammar, and language skills. Here are a few of the best books that candidates can use to prepare for CMAT 2024.
| Name of the books | Authors/Publisher |
| 1. How to prepare for verbal ability and reading comprehension for the CAT | Sharma and Upadhyay |
| 2. How to prepare for verbal ability and reading comprehension for the CAT | Arun Sharma |
| 3. A modern approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| 4. High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
CMAT Books for General Awareness
The general awareness section is one of the most exciting sections of the CMAT exam. The questions are divided into separate sections namely, the Static GK and Current Affairs.
Below are some of the recommended books for CMAT preparation for the general awareness section.
| Name of the Books | Author/ Publisher |
| 1. General Knowledge 2022 | Manohar Pandey |
| 2. General Knowledge | Disha Experts |
| 3. Manorama Year Book | Mammen Mathew |
| 4. Objective General Knowledge | Lucent’s |
| 5. India Today | Business Line |
| 6. Economic Times | Business Today |
| 7. Financial Express | Yojana |
| 8. Magazines/ Newspapers for Current Affairs | |
| 9.The Hindu | The Indian Express |
CMAT Book for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The candidates are evaluated on their grammar, language, and vocabulary abilities in the language comprehension section.
Below are CMAT books that will aid you in preparing for Entrepreneurship and Innovation section:
| Name of the book | Author/Publisher |
| 1. Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management | R. Gopal |
| 2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Peter F. Drucker |
| 3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Arvind Kumar Bhatt |
Other best books for CMAT Preparation 2024
Below are some of the other CMAT books that candidates can follow at the time of preparation.
| CMAT Books | Authors/Publication |
| 1. High School English & Grammar | Wren & Martin |
| 2. NCERT Books | NCERT |
| 3. Complete Reference Manual for CMAT | SK Sinha |
| 4. Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| 5. MBA Solved Papers | Gautam Puri |
| 6. 50+ Solved Papers MBA | Arihant Publication |
FAQs on CMAT Preparation
1. Can I prepare for CMAT without coaching?
Yes, you can study for the CMAT by yourself, if you maintain a proper schedule and follow it strictly. There are various free online resources available for CMAT preparation.
2. When should I start preparing for CMAT?
You should invest atleast 3-5 months for CMAT preparation. There are four main steps to achieving a good score on CMAT 2024.
1. Understand the CMAT exam pattern.
2. Develop strong conceptual clarity of the main topics of the CMAT syllabus.
3. Practice last year’s sample papers and mock tests of CMAT.
4. Work on revising key formulas, developing an exam-taking strategy that is based on strengths, and addressing weak areas.
3. Are sectional cut-off scores considered in CMAT?
CMAT does not usually have sectional cut-offs. Some participating institutes, however, establish a cut-off score for each section.
4. What is the purpose of the CMAT exam?
The CMAT is used for admission to MBA/PGDM programs offered by AICTE-affiliated institutions
5. Is CMAT easier than the CAT exam?
Yes. CMAT is much easier than CAT. It does not have a sectional time limit. Therefore, candidates will not be under any pressure to complete a given section within a specified period of time. The number of applicants taking the CMAT entrance exam is less than one lakh. As a result, it is easier to achieve a high percentile.
6. What is a good score in CMAT?
The top B-schools set the CMAT score cut-off between 95 and 99 percentiles. This is equivalent to 250-300 marks. Therefore, aiming for a score above 300 is essential for getting into a good institution. Furthermore, the aspirants will be able to achieve their desired score if they attempt 70 or more questions with high accuracy
7. How can I prepare for CMAT to get 100 percentile?
CMAT is an online computer-based test conducted by National Testing Agency, India. If you plan to prepare for the CMAT exam, then you should put in 4 to 6 hours daily studying. Those scoring 345 to 350 marks will likely secure 100 percentile, and those scoring 285 to 340 marks will get 99 to 99.99 percentile. Solving 100 questions in three hours is very easy if you are accurate.
8. How difficult is CMAT exam preparation?
The CMAT preparation strategy, or how to prepare for the exam over the years is based on two important factors namely, the CMAT previous year’s test papers and the anticipated CMAT exam Pattern. The fundamentals of CMAT question papers have not changed, so there is no need to struggle. The preparation for the CMAT exam should be clearly defined, according to experts and past toppers. CMAT preparation time is your preparation strategy.
9. What are the eligibility requirements for taking the CMAT?
The candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. The candidates appearing for the final year of their Bachelor’s degree will be declared before the start of admission for the academic year 2024-25, and can also apply for CMAT-2024.
10. How to start CMAT preparation at home?
Aspirants can start CMAT preparation at home now without accepting any further.
Below are some tips to start CMAT preparation at home:
1. Browse through the revised CMAT exam pattern.
2. Read thoroughly the CMAT syllabus 2024.
3. Choose your strong and weak areas in all four sections.
4. Gather the best books and preparation materials for the CMAT exam.
5. Improve on weak areas and monitor improvement regularly.
6. Practice CMAT mock tests during your preparation for the CMAT 2024 and analyze each mock test.
7. To improve in the VARC section, read a variety of articles and novels, converse with your friends in English, and watch English television series and films.
8. The best way to learn new words is to write them down after reading at least five or six newspaper articles per day.
9. Practice data interpretation questions daily.
Conclusion
CMAT is conducted in online mode and is a speed-based entrance test in which candidates are tested on their data interpretation skills, quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, English language comprehension, etc. With this comprehensive guide, you can get a head start on your CMAT preparation. If you need more assistance and guidance, you can check out our CMAT-CET Xclusive Live 2024, NMAT-SNAP-CMAT- Self Learning Program 2024, NMAT-SNAP-CMAT-CET Comprehensive Live 2024, and NMAT -SNAP-CMAT Comprehensive 2024. Several B-schools ranked among the top 50 prefer this test because it is accepted by many of them.
