Strengthen your exam preparation with true MENTORSHIP
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a National Level Entrance Examination for admission to Management Programme(s) in the country. This Test facilitates AICTE affiliated participating Institutions to select suitable graduate candidates for admission to the Management Courses in such Institutions. CMAT score is accepted by about 1,300 MBA colleges in India which includes top colleges in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. CMAT exam is a moderate difficulty level exam so it is easier to score high in CMAT than CAT, XAT, IIFT, GMAT.
The three-hour online test is given in a single sitting and is designed to gauge a candidate’s proficiency in a variety of areas, including quantitative technique, logical reasoning, language comprehension, innovation & entrepreneurship and general awareness. Every AICTE-Approved Institution, Department of a University, Constituent College, and Affiliated College accepts the CMAT score. Around 1,300 B-schools in India, including both public and private institutions like Great Lakes Institute of Management, JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya, Welingkar, and PUMBA, accept the CMAT result.
Students who pass the exam can be assured of admission to a government-recognized institute that provides management programs. The Postgraduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET), which is administered by the state in thirteen states, is less likely than authorized government and private colleges, as well as prestigious business schools, to accept scores as the entrance to MBA admissions under the government quota. The following states: Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh will recognize test results. With the creation of the National Testing Agency (NTA), it is anticipated that a greater number of accredited B-schools would accept scores.
The CMAT exam is divided into four sections: quantitative techniques and data interpretation, logical reasoning, language comprehension, and general awareness. Last year, an extra section called Innovation and Entrepreneurship was added. The following are essential CMAT syllabus topics:
Sections | Important Topics |
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Algebra, Geometry, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Graph, Quadratic Equation, Linear Equations, Differential Equations |
Logical Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests |
Language Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Para–jumbles, Grammar, English Usage Errors |
General Awareness | Current affairs, Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Fundamental Concepts of Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
The CMAT exam consists of MCQs, with no time restriction per section. Candidates have the flexibility to move between the sections. Additionally, the applicants can choose between two options:
1. 4-section exam – 3 hours
2. 5-section exam – 3.5 hours
The merit score and % is calculated using only the first four parts. The CMAT scorecard shows the actual score out of 400/500, the sectional score, and the sectional and overall percentiles in the exam.
Exam Sections | No. of Qs | Max Marks | Marks per Q | Penalty per Q |
Language Comprehension | 25 | 100 | +4 | -1 |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 25 | 100 | +4 | -1 |
Logical Reasoning | 25 | 100 | +4 | -1 |
General Awareness | 25 | 100 | +4 | -1 |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Included only in 5- section exam) | 25 | 100 | +4 | -1 |
Total | 125 | 500 | – | – |
According to the CMAT 2023 marking scheme:
A candidate will be awarded +4 marks for each right answer.
A -1 mark will be deducted for each wrong response.
Unanswered/unattempted questions will receive no credit.
If a question is ignored or dropped, all students will receive a +4, regardless of whether the question was answered correctly or not.
The eligibility criteria for CMAT are:
1. The aspirant should be a graduate of any discipline.
2. Final year students of graduate courses (10+2+3) are also eligible for CMAT, provided the results are declared before the commencement of admission.
3. There’s no age limit for CMAT.
4. The candidate must be a citizen of India.