CMAT 2021 remains an online computer based test. The CMAT is a management aptitude test, its syllabus and pattern are similar to other MBA entrance exams. To prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude, the most important thing is to know the syllabus and pattern.
In this article, you will find all about CMAT preparation tips, Quantitative Aptitude syllabus, pattern, question papers, best books, section-wise, and many other useful strategies to crack the CMAT 2021 exam.
Given below are the section-wise topics that candidates must study while preparing for the CMAT exam. Each of the four sections carries an equal number of questions. However, the weightage of topics varies in each section.
The Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation section contains 25 questions in the MCQ format. The important topics of this section are given below:
Tabulation | Partnership | Geometry |
Pipes and Cisterns | Simple Interest and Compound Interest | Time-Speed-Distance |
Probability | Allegation & Mixtures | Profit and Loss |
Permutations & Combinations | Percentages | Work and Time |
In-equations | Quadratic and linear equations | Mensuration |
Algebra | Graph | Number System |
Ratio and Proportion | Line | Pie Chart, Bar Chart |
Check Preparation Material for Quantitative Aptitude
The Logical Reasoning section has 25 MCQs. Given below are the topics of the Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 202 :
Analytical Reasoning | Analogy Test | Direction and Distance Test | |
Linear Arrangements | Blood Relationship Tests | Ranking Tests | |
Statements and Arguments | Coding and Decoding | Statements Assumptions | |
Sequencing | Inferences | Statements and Conclusion | |
Matrix Arrangements | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Symbol Based Problems | |
Number Series | Cause and Effects | - |
The Language Comprehension section will be containing two sections i.e. verbal ability and reading comprehension. Both of the topics will have 25 questions altogether. Important topics for English Language section of CMAT 2021 are:
Reading Comprehension | English Usage Errors | Synonyms |
English Grammar | Paragraph Completion | Antonyms |
Jumbled Para | One-Word Substitution | Sentence Improvement |
Sentence Correction | Idioms | Phrases |
There will be 25 questions in the General Awareness section. It will be a mixed back of current affairs and static GK. Important topics of the General Awareness section of CMAT 2021 are given below:
Literature | Trade Awareness | Geography |
Indian Constitution | Politics | History |
Current Affairs of National and International Economy | Economics | Culture |
Personalities in News | Sports News | Science in Everyday Life |
CMAT is an online exam conducted in two sessions from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The CMAT question paper contains 100 MCQs with four options each to choose the right answer from. Given below is the CMAT exam pattern 2020:
CMAT Exam Pattern | Details |
---|---|
Number of sections | 4 (Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness) |
Mode of examination | Online |
Duration of exam | 180 minutes |
Number of Shifts | 2 (9:30 am to 12:30 am and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm) |
Number of questions | 100 |
Total Marks | 400 |
Language of paper | English |
Each section of CMAT exams carries 25 questions of 4 marks each totaling it to 400. There is negative marking so the candidates must answer the questions carefully. For each right answer, the candidate will be awarded 4 marks and for each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions.
The syllabus of CMAT is the same as the CAT exam, books recommended the latter are good study material for the former too. Below mentioned are the best books for CMAT.
Books for CMAT | Author Name/Publisher |
---|---|
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs | Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant) |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
NCERT Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10 | NCERT |
Quantitative Aptitude | Dr RS Aggarwal |
Books for CMAT | Author Name/Publisher |
---|---|
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha (Pearson) |
Books for CMAT | Author Name/Publisher |
---|---|
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education |
The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | Dr. R S Aggarwal |
Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA Examinations | TIME |
Besides these books, a candidate must also study from The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan, and JS Rana. This book is exclusively for CMAT preparation.
Other useful books to improve vocabulary and grammar for CMAT exam are given below:
To strengthen Current Affairs and General Knowledge aspirants must subscribe to the following newspapers and journals:
Newspapers and Journals | |
---|---|
The Hindu | Financial Express |
Economic Times | The Financial Times |
Wall Street Journal | Hindu Business Line |
Business Today | Business World |
Management Compass Career Launcher | Competition Success Review |
CMAT exam is conducted in online mode and the question type is MCQ. The table tabulated below is the section-wise break-up of questions and marks allotted to them.
Name of CMAT Test Section | Number of questions | Type of questions | Level of difficulty |
---|---|---|---|
Language Comprehension | 25 | Multiple choice objective type (MCQs) | Moderate (3-4 questions are difficult) |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 25 | Multiple choice objective type (MCQs) | DI more difficult; Quant –moderate |
Logical Reasoning | 25 | Multiple choice objective type (MCQs) | Moderate to difficult |
General awareness | 25 | Multiple choice objective type (MCQs) | Easy to moderate |
There are plenty of websites available on the internet with accurate and precise material for CMAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation. Candidates should refer to such websites to make themselves comfortable with the computer-based test format of CMAT Exam. While every preparation portal has its own forte, candidates are suggested to refer multiple websites to acquaint with different forms of questions. Here is the list of websites offering preparation material for the Quantitative Aptitude section of CMAT Exam.
Study Material | Mock Tests | Question Bank/Practice Papers |
---|---|---|
Mba.hitbullseye.com | Pathshala.com | Collegedunia.com |
Mbarendezvous.com | Mbauniverse.com | Youth4work.com |
Examrace.com | Oliveboard.com | - |
Also Check Preparation Tips for Logical Reasoning
How to start CMAT preparation at home?
CMAT preparation should be started at home now without waiting any further. CMAT toppers studying at top AICTE approved CMAT score accepting colleges advise to start self-preparation at home without being dependent on any coaching. Some of the CMAT preparation tips are given below :
First of all, make a six-month preparation plan for the CMAT exam. If you plan to take coaching all your needs will be taken care of but if you plan CMAT 2021 preparation by self-study, start with the following.
The next step towards six months CMAT preparation has been divided the duration into phases. The first phase should be spent in covering the syllabus, the second phase should be spent in practicing sample papers and mock tests and the final phase should be spent in revision and exam day preparation. Here's how to prepare for CMAT 2021 in six months.
Starting from July, you will have over six months to prepare for CMAT 2021. So, dedicate July, August, and September in covering the CMAT syllabus.
Look at all the topics of Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and start with the topic that you find toughest. Most students begin with brushing up their basics of Maths for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation. The candidate should start reading from the beginning to strengthen Language Comprehension. Since all four sections have equal weightage, he/she needs to focus on each of them equally well.
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
The questions of Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation are usually of moderate difficulty. Most of the questions are asked from Arithmetic, Geometry, Modern Math, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Numbers. The Data Interpretation questions are based mostly on tables and charts.
To prepare for this section, begin with revisiting the basics of Mathematics. In this section, the key is to have conceptual clarity and the ability to apply theory on various types of problems. After completing a topic, solve a few questions to know how well you have understood it.
Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning section of CMAT comprises Coding-Decoding, Blood Relation, Series Completion, Venn Diagram, Number Grid, Directions, and Visual Reasoning. Key to cracking Logical Reasoning is practice, the more you practice, the better you’ll get at unraveling puzzles and breaking down patterns to identify commonality.
Language Comprehension
Start reading books, novels, newspapers, and magazines in English right from the very beginning. This will help you in cracking dense Reading Comprehension passages. For Grammar, study from Wren & Martin and pay equal focus on Verbal Ability. Most of the questions in this section are on Synonyms/Antonyms, Word-Definition, Para-Jumbles, Spelling, Sentence Correction, Idioms, and Grammar-based questions.
Practice a good number of sectional mock tests to have a grip on different types of RC passages and verbal ability questions.
General Awareness
General Awareness section of CMAT divided into Current Affairs and Static GK. Since this section only requires memorizing topics, you can start preparing for it after completing Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Language Comprehension.
Read Competition Success Review for static GK and keep yourself abreast of Current Affairs by watching News. Note down important events and dates.
The candidate’s second phase of CMAT preparation should start from October and end in November. Dedicate these two months in practicing CMAT mock tests and sample papers. Practicing sample questions is a very important aspect of exam preparation, as it strengthens conceptual clarity achieved in the first phase. It also helps the candidate gaining confidence. Check below some key benefits of CMAT mock tests.
No exam preparation is complete without revision. So dedicate December and parts of January in revising the syllabus and memorizing static GK.
Start with the topics you found tough at the beginning of CMAT preparation. Go through each concept and formulae and attempt a few questions based on them. If you have confusion regarding any concept or are stuck on a problem, reach out to a mentor or a friend.
Dedicate the last phase in tying up loose ends but at the same time keep revising topics which are your strength.
CMAT 2021 registrations will begin in November and the exam is expected to be held in the fourth week of January. CMAT 2021 dates will be announced soon. Stay tuned for CMAT news and updates.
To make an effective three-month CMAT preparation plan, the candidate should know his/her strength and weakness. Look at the CMAT syllabus, go through the topics one by one, and assess yourself on each one of them. In the English, Quant, and General Awareness sections, you will find many topics that you may have had studied in school. All you need is to brush up the knowledge.
The second step in making a three-month preparation plan is to get hold of CMAT books and study material. You can avail of study material and books from either a coaching center or collect them separately from online or offline sources.
After collecting the study material for CMAT 2021, the three months task-wise.
Divide the three months into three phases and start with working on the syllabus. The table given below is the month-wise plan to prepare for CMAT in three months.
Phase | Task |
---|---|
Second week of October to the first week of December | Complete the CMAT syllabus |
Second week of December to the first week of January | Practice CMAT question papers and mock tests |
The second week of January till exam day | Revision |
CMAT syllabus consists of various topics of the following subjects:
Start with the topic you find toughest. Study it thoroughly and solve practice questions to understand the application. If you were good at Maths in school, you may not need to face problems in the Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation section. Brush up all the algebraic formulae and geometry theorems, go through mensuration and all arithmetic formulae.
To tackle Reading Comprehension questions in Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability, develop the habit of reading business blogs, newspapers, and current affairs magazines. Work on your comprehension skills as sometimes RC passages can be data-heavy or abstract. Reading dense paragraphs in less time increases the chances of silly mistakes. For verbal ability strengthen your grammar and practice sample questions.
Logical Reasoning section of CMAT, like all other MBA entrance exams, is logic-based, and all that matters in this section the deep understanding of patterns. So, be through with the formulae and practice a variety of logical reasoning sections.
General Awareness should be the last part of your phase I plan. Prepare static GK from Manorama Year Book and prepare current affairs by reading newspapers/watching the news daily.
CMAT preparation is incomplete without practicing sample questions and attempting mock tests. No amount of preparation viz the CMAT syllabus will get you the desired result if you haven’t practiced CMAT questions. Solving the previous year’s CMAT question paper will not only help you understand the pattern of the exam, but also the trend of types of questions asked and their difficulty level. Similarly, the mock test will prepare you for the actual exam. A mock test is a replica of the actual exam, so the more mock tests you attempt the better you get at the time and speed management.
So, give yourself a month to solve all types of CMAT questions. And analyze your performance after each mock test. The motive of solving sample questions is to improve your performance. Listed below are benefits of practicing mock tests:
The last 15 days of CMAT preparation should be spent in catching up with what was missed in the first phase. Go back to the topics, one by one. Revise them and assess which of them are still your pain points. Rework on them. Go through all the formulae and theorems of Quant and Logical Reasoning. Revise GK and English grammar.
Start with the toughest subject. Since the time is less, focus on the subject you find toughest. Check the CMAT syllabus and make a list of topics starting from the toughest to easiest. Divide time accordingly and start the preparation.
CMAT exam pattern is almost similar to other MBA exams, i.e. MCQs on Quant, Reasoning, English, and GK so the books and study material will be the same. Since the time is less, the candidates must start practicing CMAT mock tests and previous year’s question papers simultaneously while covering the syllabus.
Given below are some of the useful tips for last month’s preparation for the CMAT exam.
Mock Test: Practicing previous years’ CMAT question papers and mock tests will help you strengthen your grip on topics and discover short cuts of solving calculation heavy equations. In the last month of CMAT 2021 preparation, practice one CMAT mock test on alternate days. Make it a point to analyze the result of each mock test and work upon the gaps.
Revision: Start chapter-wise revision 14 days before the exam. No amount of exam preparation will be useful if you appear for the exam without ample revision. Take out an hour to go through all the concepts and formulae in the last 14 days. This is also the time to revise GK. If you have been following the news, the current affair will not be an issue. For static GK topics, the best approach is regular revision. Make short notes – write them down in a notebook. Go through the notes a day before the exam.
Focus on exam day strategy: Make sure you understand the CMAT exam pattern properly i.e. know the section-wise break-up, topic-wise weightage, and difficulty level. The choice of questions plays an important role in overall scoring. CMAT has negative marking and it is better to skip the question instead of answering it incorrectly. Develop the skill of identifying the questions you can solve with 100 percent accuracy.
Time Management: Another aspect of CMAT preparation, you need to focus on is learning time management. CMAT will have 100 questions and the duration of the exam is 180 minutes, which means you will get 1.8 minutes for each question, including reading exam related instructions, RC passages, mathematical calculations, etc. So, develop pace and accuracy in solving sample questions in the last one month.
Given below are some of the last-minute tips
The overall difficulty level of CMAT exam 2020 was moderate and according. Among the four sections, Logical Reasoning was the easiest. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation sections were moderately difficult. The maximum questions were on Arithmetic. Language Comprehension section was also moderately difficult however, many students felt the General awareness section was tricky.
The first slot of the CMAT 2019 exam was moderately difficult. The Data Interpretation section was tricky and the verbal section was a bit tough. The second slot of the exam was also of moderately difficult with tricky logical reasoning and tough verbal questions.
In CMAT 2018, the quantitative techniques and data interpretation section were moderate to difficult. The logical reasoning section mostly had easy to moderate questions and a few tricky questions. The language comprehension section was easy to moderate with more vocabulary related questions. The general awareness section was predictable, having questions from current affairs, static GK, and other conventional topics.
CMAT question papers and sample papers form a crucial part of the exam preparation plan. One can say, the preparation is not complete without practicing previous years CMAT questions. The candidates must solve previous years CMAT question papers at least 3-4 times. They should also practice from CMAT sample papers and on mock test series to improve speed and accuracy in solving the questions.
Listed below are some benefits of practicing previous years’ CMAT question papers and sample papers:
For a smooth and successful CMAT 2021, keep the following points in mind:
Ques. What are the important topics of CMAT syllabus?
Ans. Important topics CMAT are Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests. Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc.
Ques. How many question will be asked from GK in CMAT?
Ans. There will be 25 questions from GK in CMAT. All the questions will be in MCQ format.
Ques. What is the weightage of each section in CMAT exam?
Ans. Each section of CMAT has 25 questions and each question carries 4 marks. Therefore, total marks of each section is 100 and total marks of the CMAT exam is 400.
Ques. Is there any negative marking in CMAT?
Ans.Yes, there is negative marking in CMAT. For each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
Ques. Where can I get complete syllabus of CMAT in PDF format?
Ans.CMAT syllabus in PDF format can be downloaded from Shiksha.
Ques. In how many days can I cover CMAT syllabus completely?
Ans. The candidate must keep a minimum three months aside for completing the CMAT syllabus. However, if they have appeared for CAT and IIFT then they can complete CMAT syllabus in one month.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.