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The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to management programs, conducted by the NTA since 2019. The exam consists of 100 questions across five sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Each section carries 20 questions for 80 marks. The total score is 400 marks, with a marking scheme of +4 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect answers in the Language Comprehension section. There is no negative marking for other sections.

 
Exam Illustration

Overview

 

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.

 
Particulars Details 

Conducting Body

National Testing Agency

CMAT 2023 exam date

4th May 2023

Exam Level

National

Exam Frequency

Once a year

Exam Mode

Online

Exam Duration

3 hours

Exam Syllabus

  • Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability
  • General Awareness
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Exam Pattern

100 questions in MCQ format

Language

English

Exam Purpose

Admission to 1,300 MBA colleges

Course Offered

MBA/PGDM

 

Eligibility criteria

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.

Category Passing Marks in Graduation
General/EWS/NC-OBC 50%
SC/ST/PwD 45%


3. There’s no age limit for CMAT.
4. The candidate must be a citizen of India.

Answer key of the official NTA CMAT exam:

The NTA posts the CMAT answer key on the exam website a week before the results are announced. The CMAT answer key includes the CMAT question paper as well as the response sheet. Using their login credentials, test takers can obtain the CMAT 2023 answer key from the exam website. The following is the procedure for downloading the CMAT answer key 2023:

  • Visit the CMAT-NTA website.

  • Click the 'CMAT 2023 Answer Key Download' button.

  • Enter your application number, date of birth, and password.

  • On the dashboard, click the 'Answer Key' option.

  • Get the CMAT answer key there.

The NTA also provides the option to contest the official answer key. Under this clause, any candidate may challenge the official answer key by completing an online form and submitting supporting documentation. If the claim is validated, the CMAT answer key will be updated. After reviewing the objections filed, the CMAT 2023 result and final answer key will be prepared.

CMAT Cut-off

Nearly 1,300 B-Schools in India accept the CMAT test result for admission to various  MBA/PGDM programs. Some of the most well-known MBA institutions that accept CMAT  results are listed below. 

 

College Name Cutoff %ile 
JBIMS 99.87
SIMSREE 99.6
KJ Somaiya 99.3
Welingkar Mumbai 99.01
SIES Mumbai 98.46
NL Dalmia 98.46
XAVIERS 97.61
MET 96.95
CHETNA 96.13
IES, MUMBAI 96.13
PUMBA, PUNE 96.13
LALA LAJPAT RAI 94.47

 

CMAT Syllabus 

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:

Section Topics Covered
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Tabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph, Probability, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Graph, Simple & Compound Interest, Percentages, Averages, Geometry, Profit and Loss, Mensuration, Ratios and Proportion, Work & Time, Time-Speed-Distance, Number Systems, In-equations, Allegation & Mixtures, Partnership, Algebra, Permutations & Combinations, Pipes & Cisterns
Logical Reasoning Analytical Reasoning, Cause and Effects, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Analogy Tests, Symbol-Based Problems, Statements Arguments, Blood Relationship Tests, Direction and Distance Tests, Statements and Conclusion, Number Series, Statements Assumptions, Inferences, Matrix Arrangements, Ranking Tests, Coding and Decoding, Sequencing
Language Comprehension English Grammar, Paragraph Completion, Sentence Improvement, English Usage Errors, Synonyms and Antonyms, Reading Comprehension, One-word Substitution, Jumbled Para, Idioms and Phrases, Sentence Correction
General Knowledge Literature, Current Affairs (National and International), Economy, History, Sports News, Science in Everyday Life, Politics, Geography, Culture, Economics, Trade Awareness, Personalities in News, Indian Constitution
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Concepts of Entrepreneurship, Overview of Entrepreneurship, Evolution of Entrepreneurship in India, Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development, Theories and Models of Entrepreneurship, Framework of Entrepreneurship Theories, Models of Entrepreneurship, Emerging Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship, Dimensions of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Entrepreneurial Culture, Rural Entrepreneurship, Women Entrepreneurship, Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship, Principles of Business Organisation, Motivation, Communication and Leadership
 
 
CMAT Exam Pattern

The exam Pattern of CMAT 2025 includes 5 sections with an equal number of questions in each section. The exam does not include a sectional time limit. Candidates have to answer all 100 MCQs within 3 hours. 

Year Registration Period Admit Card Download Exam Date
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation 20 80 No
Logical Reasoning 20 80
Language Comprehension 20 80

Yes,

+4.00 / -1.00

General Awareness 20 80
Innovation & Entrepreneurship 20 80
Total 100 400  
 

Marking scheme

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.

 
 
 
Admit Card

The CMAT 2023 admit card will be available on the exam's official website. Candidates who have successfully registered will be able to download their CMAT admission card. The following is the procedure for downloading the CMAT admission card from the NTA website:

1. Go to the official website

2. Click on admit card section

3. Enter your email ID and password

4. Download admit card

5. The CMAT admit card has the following details:

  • Photo
  • Name and signature of the candidate
  • CMAT Roll number
  • Test date
  • Time
  • Reporting time at the venue
  • Venue name
  • Venue address
  • Brief instructions for the candidate

The candidates are advised to check the details and take two printouts of the CMAT admit card. In case of any discrepancy or inability to take a printout, the candidates must contact the CMAT helpdesk at the following phone number:  011-69227700, 011-40759000

It is mandatory to carry a copy of the admit card to the exam center. Candidates not carrying their admit cards will not be allowed to appear in the exam. Thus, they must download their admit cards as hard copies of the same will not be sent to anyone.

The candidates are advised to keep their admit cards safely with them till the admission process is over.

Admission Process

CMAT comprises these steps:

STEP 1: Application process

To apply for CMAT, candidates need to register on the official CMAT website as new users. On successful registration, a login ID will be shared which can be used for all login purposes.

STEP 2: Admit Card

CMAT admit cards will be available for download on the official website, as per the schedule. Registered candidates can download their admit cards till the day before the exam.

Important Dates

Year

2024

Registration Dates 14 Nov’24 - 13 Dec’24
Application Correction Window Dates 15-Dec’24 - 17 Dec’24
Advance Exam City Intimation Slip 17 Jan’25 
Admit Card Release Date 20 Jan’25
Exam Date 25 Jan’25
Result Date To Be Determined

 

Preparation Strategy

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation:

  1. Prepare a formula book of Arithmetic and Algebra - questions are based on formula
  2. Refer LOD1 eBooks

Language Comprehension:

  1. Refer to CATKing 555 Wordlist, and Normal Lewis Word Power Made Easy Videos
  2. Prepare basic grammar, for eg, collective noun, has/had usage, singular/plural
  3. Learn some common foreign phrases

Logical Reasoning:

  1. Prepare all the different types of topics (Refer the given syllabus)
  2. Watch the shortcut videos by Krishna Sir

General Knowledge, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship:

  1. Start mugging up these two sections from the ebooks provided by the CATKing

Mock Strategy:

  1. Verbal, Quant, and Logical Reasoning - Aim for 60 correct questions
  2. GK & Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Aim for 8 questions each from both the sections
  3. Give at least 20 mocks