CMAT Exam Pattern 2023 comprises of five sections- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and General Awareness. There are 20 objective-type/MCQs-based questions asked from each section. The CMAT Question Paper consists of 100 compulsory MCQs. There is no optional section in CMAT Exam Pattern 2023.
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023: Check Revised CMAT Question Pattern, Marking Scheme, Duration, Syllabus
What is the pattern of CMAT 2023?
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023: CMAT Exam Pattern was revised by NTA last year. No new changes are expected to be introduced in the CMAT Exam Pattern 2023. CMAT exam time duration is fixed at 3 hours. The number of questions is decreased to 100 compulsory questions. Section 5 on Innovation & Entrepreneurship is changed from an optional to a compulsory section.
- CMAT exam total marks for CMAT 2023 is 400. As per the CMAT marking scheme, each question carries 4 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect answer.
- CMAT 2023 Exam Date is going to be announced soon by NTA. CMAT 2023 is going to be conducted in an online Computer-Based test (CBT) mode.
- CMAT 2023 aspirants must begin CMAT 2023 Exam Preparation as per the latest CMAT Exam Pattern and CMAT Syllabus 2023.
- Candidates should solve CMAT Previous Year Papers and CMAT Mock Papers to get acquainted with the revised exam pattern.
Check CMAT Syllabus 2023
CMAT Exam Pattern
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Sectional Time Limit | No |
| Nature of Questions | Objective Type (MCQs) |
| Number of Choices | Four Choices, out of which only one choice will be correct |
| Number of Sections | 5 |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 400 Marks |
| Marks Awarded | +4 for every correct answer |
| Negative Marking | -1 for every wrong answer |
| Medium | English Only |
Quick Links:
| CMAT 2022 Question Paper with Solutions | CMAT 2021 Question Paper with Solutions |
| CMAT 2020 Question Paper with Solutions | CMAT 2019 Question Paper with Solutions |
CMAT Pattern Key Changes
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023: Key Changes Introduced
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023 has been revised and as per the new paper pattern, there will be 5 compulsory sections in CMAT 2023 exam. The changes introduced are mentioned below:
| Particular | CMAT Exam Pattern (Old) | CMAT Exam Pattern (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Sections | 4 or 5 | 5 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Section 5) | Optional | Compulsory |
| Test Duration | Choice between 3 hours or 3½ Hours | Fixed to 3 Hours |
| Total Questions | 125 Questions (Option to attempt 100 or 125 questions) | Fixed 100 Questions |
| Additional Time | 30 Minutes additional time for Section 5 | No additional time for Section 5 |
| Weightage of Section 5 | Section 5 score not counted for percentile calculation to prepare merit list | Section 5 score counted for percentile calculation to prepare merit list |
| No. of questions in each section | 25 Questions in Each of the five Sections | 20 Questions in Each of the five Sections |
| Sectional Time Limit | No sectional time limit and candidates can attempt any question in any section within the time limit of 3½ hours | No sectional time limit and candidates can attempt any question in any section within the time limit of 3 hours |
| Application for new Course | Candidates had to apply for the new course of Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Candidates need not apply for the new course of Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
| Exam Cities | 153 exam cities | 124 exam cities |
Students also need to remember the below-mentioned points regarding CMAT Exam Pattern 2023:
- Scores obtained in all the sections will be considered for the calculation of the final CMAT 2023 Score.
- As mandated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, NTA is going to provide Test Practice Centers for candidates (especially in rural and remote areas) to help them practice and be comfortable with the CBT test pattern.
- CMAT 2023 exam is going to be conducted in CBT mode and as per the rules, candidates are going to be provided A4 size sheets for rough work.
Quick Links:
CMAT Section-wise Exam Pattern
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023: Section-wise Weightage
As per CMAT Exam Pattern 2023, there are 5 sections in the exam carrying an equal weightage of 80 marks.
| Section | Number of questions |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | 20 |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 |
| General Awareness | 20 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Candidates must take note of the following points regarding the CMAT exam pattern:
- Candidates can switch between sections at their convenience. However, it is recommended that candidates complete a section before moving on to the next one.
- Candidates can attempt the questions in any order. There is no restriction on going back and forth in the CMAT question paper.
- There is no sectional time limit in CMAT 2023 as per the latest question paper pattern.
Candidates must go through the below-mentioned table to know about the types of questions and important topics for each section in the CMAT exam:
| Section | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | Para-jumbles, fill in the blanks, identification of word meaning by selecting correct synonyms and antonyms, idioms, sentence correction, identification of correct sentences, etc. |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | Bar graphs, pie charts, tables, Arithmetic operations, Modern Maths, Geometry, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Number Systems, Fractions, and Decimals, |
| Logical Reasoning | Puzzles, Statements and Conclusions, Cause and effect, Assumptions and Conclusions, and missing term |
| General Awareness | Conventional, Current, and Business & Economics General Knowledge |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Economic Survey, Business current affairs, Startups & Innovation, RBI, Banking regulation and reforms, government schemes, and economic current affairs. |
CMAT Marking Scheme
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme
Candidates need to be aware of the CMAT Marking Scheme for CMAT 2023. The details of the marking scheme as per CMAT Test Pattern 2023 are tabulated below:
| Particulars | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|
| For Every Correct Response | +4 |
| For Every Wrong Response | -1 |
| For Unattempted Question | 0 |
People Also Ask
Ques. Is there any negative marking in CMAT exam?
Ans. Yes, there is a provision for negative marking in CMAT exam. For every incorrect response, 1 mark is deducted. For correct responses, 4 marks are awarded and no mark is deducted for unanswered questions.
Ques. In which languages will CMAT 2023 be conducted?
Ans. CMAT exam is conducted only in English. All the questions in CMAT 2023 question paper will be in English only.
Ques. Which section will have the maximum weightage in CMAT 2023 question paper?
Ans. All sections will have an equal weightage in CMAT 2023 exam. Each section will comprise 20 MCQs worth 80 marks.
CMAT Syllabus
CMAT Syllabus 2023
It is extremely important to go through the entire syllabus for CMAT exam before starting with the preparations. Given below are the topics that cover the complete CMAT Syllabus 2023:
| Section | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Language Comprehension | Jumbled Paragraphs, Reading Comprehension, English Grammar, Sentence Correction, Paragraph Completion, \ Idioms and Phrases, English Usage Errors, Sentence Improvement, One-word substitution, Synonyms, Antonyms, Phrases |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | Number Systems, Fraction and Decimals, Geometry, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Tabulation, Partnership, Simple Interest, and Compound Interest Probability, Profit and Loss, Percentages, Mensuration, Averages, Work and Time, Graph, Ratios and Proportion of Line, Pipes and Cisterns, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegations and Mixtures, Permutations and Combinations, Algebra Pie Chart, Bar Charts |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning, Statement Assumptions, Analogy Test, Inferences, Statement Arguments, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Cause and Effects, Statement and Conclusion, Blood Relationship, Symbol Based Problems, Sequencing, Matrix Arrangements, Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Direction and Distance Test, Ranking Tests |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs of National and International Economy, Personalities in News, Indian Constitution, Sports News, Trade Awareness, Politics, History, Culture, Geography, Economics, Sports Science in Everyday Life |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Budget & Economic Survey, Business current affairs, New Investments & Opportunities, Important Events & Developments related to the financial & economic sectors, Schemes and Policies related to Entrepreneurship and business promotion, Startups & Innovation, Banking regulation, organizations & reforms, general economy, and current affairs. |
CMAT Paper Analysis
CMAT Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level and Good Attempts
CMAT paper is usually of moderate level. As per the analysis of CMAT previous year paper 2022, the following can be deduced about the difficulty level and the number of good attempts:
| Section | Number Of Questions | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 25 | 20-22 | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | 22-23 | Easy to Moderate |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | 18-20 | Easy |
| General Awareness | 25 | 12-14 | Difficult |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 25 | 15-17 | Easy to Moderate |
| Total | 125 | 87-90 | Moderate |
Check detailed CMAT Paper Analysis
CMAT Preparation Tips
CMAT 2023 Preparation Tips
- Go through CMAT exam pattern & syllabus 2023 thoroughly to ensure that your preparation strategy is in line with the updated CMAT test pattern.
- Solve at least 2 CMAT Mock Test 2023 every week. Initially, your score may be less but eventually, it will improve with more and more practice.
- Maintain consistency in CMAT exam preparation and prepare a fixed schedule to ensure optimum utilization of time.
- Take regular breaks of 1 hour between two study periods to freshen up your mind and retain what has been learned.
- To Improve vocabulary and reading speed, one must definitely start reading newspapers, journals, online articles, etc., and make notes of new words encountered during the process.
- Prioritize CMAT Preparation 2023 for areas that need more time and effort on your part.
- Refer to some leading youtube preparation channels to learn short tricks and formulas to save time during the actual CMAT exam 2023.
Must Read:
Best Books for CMAT 2023
| Subject | Book Name | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | RS Agarwal |
| Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha | |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation Data Sufficiency | Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan | |
| Logical Reasoning | A modern approach to logical reasoning | RS Agarwal |
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT | Arun Sharma | |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit Sinha | |
| Language Comprehension | The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability | Sujit Kumar |
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension? | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay | |
| CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Gautam Puri | |
| General Awareness | General Knowledge | Disha Experts |
| Face To Face MAT With 19 Years | BS Sijwali | |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Manorama Year Book | Mammen Mathew |
| India Year Book | Rajiv Mehrishi | |
| Budget & Economic Survey | - |
Check Complete List of Best Books for CMAT Exam Preparation
CMAT Recommended Newspapers/Magazines
| Type | Papers |
|---|---|
| Newspapers | The Hindu |
| Business Standard | |
| The Indian Express | |
| Financial Express | |
| Economic Times | |
| Hindu Business Line | |
| Magazine | Business Today |
| Business World | |
| Manorama Year Book | |
| Competition Success Review | |
| Arihant GK | |
| Lucent’s GK |
People Also Ask
Ques. What will be the format of questions in CMAT 2023 exam?
Ans. CMAT question paper will comprise 100 MCQs. Each question will have 4 options out of which only 1 will be correct.
Ques. What is considered a good attempt in CMAT exam?
Ans. The number of good attempts for CMAT depends on the difficulty level of the exam. CMAT cut off is usually in the range of 90-99 percentile for top colleges like JBIMS, K J Somaiya, PUMBA, etc. Hence, attempting 70+ questions will be considered a good attempt in a moderate-difficult exam to clear the cut-offs.
Ques. What are the changes introduced in the CMAT Exam Pattern 2023?
Ans. CMAT exam underwent major changes in its exam pattern in the year 2022. These changes are also effective in the CMAT 2023 Exam Pattern. The details of the changes in the CMAT Exam Pattern are discussed below:
| Particular | CMAT Exam Pattern (Old) | CMAT Exam Pattern (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Sections | 4 or 5 | 5 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Section 5) | Optional | Compulsory |
| Test Duration | Choice between 3 hours or 3½ Hours | Fixed to 3 Hours |
| Total Questions | 125 Questions (Option to attempt 100 or 125 questions) | Fixed 100 Questions |
| Additional Time | 30 Minutes additional time for Section 5 | No additional time for Section 5 |
| Weightage of Section 5 | Section 5 score not counted for percentile calculation to prepare merit list | Section 5 score counted for percentile calculation to prepare merit list |
| No. of questions in each section | 25 Questions in Each of the five Sections | 20 Questions in Each of the five Sections |
| Sectional Time Limit | No sectional time limit and candidates can attempt any question in any section within the time limit of 3½ hours | No sectional time limit and candidates can attempt any question in any section within the time limit of 3 hours |
| Application for new Course | Candidates had to apply for the new course of Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Candidates need not apply for the new course of Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
| Exam Cities | 153 exam cities | 124 exam cities |
CMAT Question Paper
CMAT Previous Year Papers
It is very important to practice CMAT previous year papers as they are extremely beneficial in devising the right preparation strategy. Practicing CMAT mock tests is also of utmost importance for all candidates appearing for CMAT exam 2023. Attempting CMAT previous year papers help in:
- Increasing speed and accuracy to mark all the correct answers within the specified time frame
- Get a real-time idea of CMAT exam pattern & important topics of CMAT syllabus
- Understand the difficulty level of CMAT exam
- Understand the difficulty level of CMAT exam
| CMAT Previous Year Question Papers | PDF Link |
|---|---|
| CMAT 2021 Question Papers with Solutions | Download |
| CMAT 2020 Question Papers with Solutions | Download |
| CMAT 2019 Question Papers with Solutions | Download |
| CMAT 2018 Question Papers with Solutions | Download |
CMAT vs XAT vs CAT vs SNAP
XAT vs CAT vs SNAP vs CMAT Exam Pattern - A Comparative Analysis
Given below is a comparative analysis of CMAT exam pattern with that of other management competitive exams.
| Component | XAT 2023 | CAT 2022 | SNAP 2022 | CMAT 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test |
| Number of Questions | 101 | 66 | 60 | 100 |
| Total Time Duration | 190 minutes | 120 minutes | 60 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Type of Questions | 100 MCQs + 1 Descriptive | MCQs and NATs | MCQs | MCQs |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for a correct answer | +3 mark for a correct answer | +1 mark for a correct answer | +4 mark for a correct answer |
| - 0.25 mark for an incorrect answer | No Negative Marking for subjective questions | - 0.25 mark for an incorrect answer | - 1 mark for an incorrect answer | |
| Beyond 8 unanswered questions, 0.10 marks are deducted for each unanswered question. | -1 marks for every wrong answer in objective questions | |||
| Sectional Time Limit | Part 1- 165 minutes Part 2- 25 minutes | 40 hour for each section | None | None |
| Sections | Verbal & Logical Ability | Verbal and Reading Comprehension | Analytical & Logical Reasoning | Language Comprehension |
| Quantitative Ability and DI | Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Logical Reasoning | |
| Decision Making | Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | General English: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability | General Awareness | |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | ||||
| General Knowledge & Essay | Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
Check Other Top MBA Entrance Exams:
CMAT Exam Pattern FAQs
CMAT Exam Pattern 2023 FAQs
Ques. Has the Exam Pattern for CMAT 2023 changed?
Ans. NTA has revised CMAT exam pattern. The section on Innovation & Entrepreneurship has been made mandatory and the number of questions in each section has been reduced to 20. There will be 100 MCQs divided equally between 5 sections. No change has been made in the time limit.
Ques. Is there any sectional time limit in CMAT exam?
Ans. No, there is no sectional time limit in CMAT exam. You will be provided 180 minutes for attempting all four sections and you can divide your time for each section accordingly.
Ques. What are some of the most important topics in the GK section of CMAT?
Ans. CMAT GK section is the most dynamic as there is no definite syllabus. Based on previous year papers, candidates should try to focus on current affairs, history, economy, and personalities in news the most.
Ques. How long should I study GK to prepare for CMAT 2023?
Ans. CMAT Toppers advise candidates to prepare daily for the GK section beginning 3-4 months prior to the exam. This can be done alongside preparation for other exams and can be mixed with preparation for other topics.
Ques. I am appearing for multiple management exams. How should I divide my preparation?
Ans. Those who are appearing for many management entrance exams such as XAT, CAT, IIFT, SNAP, NMAT, and MAH CET, aside from CMAT must utilize the below-mentioned preparation strategy:
- After completing a certain section, he would take section-wise mock tests to figure out his weaknesses.
- After working rigorously on his faults, he would take full-length mock tests.
- His main objective in completing mock tests included getting comfortable with the test environment.
- For preparation, he used material provided by T.I.M.E institute, as well as Quantum Cat by Sarvesh Sharma, MBA Entrance Examinations by Nishit Sinha, Six Weeks to Words of Power by Wilfred Funk, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.
- For GK, he mainly kept himself updated by reading several different newspapers. Guesswork isn’t useful in this section since the applicant either knows the answer or doesn’t.
Ques. What strategy should I use for revising for CMAT 2023?
Ans. Don’t give a lot of mock tests for the sake of completing mock tests. Make sure that whenever you complete a test, you fully analyze it.
- If you are completing a full CMAT mock test, it is important to maintain your concentration for 3 hours so that you can replicate the test environment.
- Do not create a very time-sensitive timetable, there should be space for flexibility.
- A subject should preferably be studied for 1-2 hours and not more than that.
Ques. What is the duration of CMAT 2023 exam?
Ans. The total duration of CMAT 2023 is 180 minutes or 3 hours. There is no section-wise division of time. Candidates have to attempt 100 MCQs in this overall time limit.
Ques. What sections will be there in CMAT 2023 exam?
Ans. As per the updated CMAT Exam Pattern, the 2023 exam will comprise 5 sections:
- Language Comprehension
- Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
- General Awareness
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
Ask your question
Answered Questions
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SG
Here’s a list of some of the best CMAT accepting colleges.
| Colleges accepting CMAT score | CMAT 2022 cutoff (expected) | Fees (in INR) |
| Asia-Pacific Institute of Management | 85 percentile | 8.75 Lakhs |
| KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar (KSOM) | 80 percentile | 10.10 Lakhs |
| XIME, Bangalore | 75 percentile | 11.5 Lakhs |
| IMS Ghaziabad | 70 percentile | 7.95 Lakhs |
| Institute of Management, Christ University | 70 percentile | 7.70 Lakhs |
| Welingkar Mumbai | 70 percentile | 13 Lakhs |
| Welingkar Bangalore | 70 percentile | 13 Lakhs |
| Universal Business School | 70 percentile | 8.48 Lakhs |
| DY Patil University School of Management | 70 percentile | 8.40 Lakhs |
| NSB Academy, Bangalore | 70 percentile | 7.50 Lakhs |
Here are the top colleges accepting MAT score.
| Colleges accepting MAT score | MAT 2022 cutoff (expected) | Fees (in INR) |
| Pumba, Pune | 90+ | 1.29 Lakhs |
| Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow | 70-80 | 11 Lakhs |
| TA Pai Management Institute, Manipal | 70-80 | 16 Lakhs |
| BIT, Mesra | 70-80 | 5.89 Lakhs |
| XIME, Bangalore | 95+ | 11.5 Lakhs |
| NIT, Warangal | 70-80 | 1.64 Lakhs |
| Amity Business School | 90-95 | 7.80 Lakhs |
| SIMREE | 85-90 | 1.36 Lakhs |
| BIMTECH, Noida | 80-90 | 12 Lakhs |
| Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad | 85-95 | 8 Lakhs |
| Alliance Bangalore | 80-90 | 14 Lakhs |
If you are preparing for CMAT 2022/MAT 2022, these are the colleges that you can consider.
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PS
Candidates belonging to Maharashtra can apply through MAH CET MBA whereas, outside Maharashtra, candidates can apply through CMAT/CAT or MAH CET MBA scores. Candidates who will meet the minimum cutoff criteria will be able to appear for the counseling rounds.
PUMBA, CMAT Cutoff 2020 for General Category is listed below. The overall cutoff for CMAT is 90 percentile.
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There are two courses available in management studies
- PGDM (fully autonomous)
- MMS (autonomous affiliated to Mumbai university)
The PGDM course requires a separate form to be filled out if you are applying through CAT/CMAT/XAT or other All India Entrance exams. PGDM course doesn't have any kind of reservation criteria but you need only an All India Level Entrance exam score to apply.
The MMS course does not require you to fill out a separate form for applying through MHT-CET/CMAT/CAT because they are under DTE. One thing that you need to know is that this course is a Gujarati linguistic minority course where
- 51% of seats are reserved for Gujarati Speaking students
- 49 % don't have any caste-based quota,
- Out of the total intake in MMS 15% is reserved for All India Entrance exams like CAT, XAT, etc.
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SD
Yes, you have a good chance to get shortlisted in some of the top B-Schools in Pune with a score of 125 in CMAT 2022. Here are some of the top MBA colleges in Pune that accept CMAT scores.
| Colleges | CMAT cutoff (expected) |
| PUMBA | 80-100 |
| Balaji Institute of International Business | 80-100 |
| IIMS Pune | 80-100 |
| ISBM Pune | 80-100 |
| IBS Pune | 60-70 |
You can consider these colleges for an MBA.
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RS
JBIMS Mumbai is one of the prestigious management colleges which is also affiliated with Mumbai University. The institute offers admission on the basis of score in MAH CET score. Apart from the MAH CET score, the institute also accepts CAT and CMAT scores in the selection process.
If you are applying through a score other than MAH CET, then you have to fulfill the minimum cut-off score set by the institute.
The institute offers Masters in Management Studies (MMS program) and certain parameters are considered before offering the final admission letter.
| Parameter | Weightage |
| CAT/MAH CET/CMAT/GMAT Score | 60% |
| Class 10, 12, and Graduation marks | 15% |
| Work Experience | 20% |
| Diversity | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
The entrance test is the major criteria to get into JBIMS, Mumbai. Therefore it is important to have a good score in any one of the above-mentioned exams. Five specializations are available in the MMS program. The specialization is:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations
- HR
- System
On the basis of your score in the entrance and the number of seats in each specialization, admission will be granted. You need to be among the top scorers in CMAT to get admission to the institute. Usually, candidates with 95% and 100 scores in CAT and CMAT respectively can get admission.
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