Exams
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 |
|
|
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:
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Visit the CMAT-NTA website.
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Click the 'CMAT 2023 Answer Key Download' button.
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Enter your application number, date of birth, and password.
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On the dashboard, click the 'Answer Key' option.
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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.
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 |
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:
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A candidate will be awarded +4 marks for each right answer.
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A -1 mark will be deducted for each wrong response.
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Unanswered/unattempted questions will receive no credit.
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If a question is ignored or dropped, all students will receive a +4, regardless of whether the question was answered correctly or not.
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 ProcessCMAT 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:
- Prepare a formula book of Arithmetic and Algebra - questions are based on formula
- Refer LOD1 eBooks
Language Comprehension:
- Refer to CATKing 555 Wordlist, and Normal Lewis Word Power Made Easy Videos
- Prepare basic grammar, for eg, collective noun, has/had usage, singular/plural
- Learn some common foreign phrases
Logical Reasoning:
- Prepare all the different types of topics (Refer the given syllabus)
- Watch the shortcut videos by Krishna Sir
General Knowledge, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship:
- Start mugging up these two sections from the ebooks provided by the CATKing
Mock Strategy:
- Verbal, Quant, and Logical Reasoning - Aim for 60 correct questions
- GK & Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Aim for 8 questions each from both the sections
- Give at least 20 mocks