How to Crack CMAT 2024 in First Attempt?

Mehak Arora

Updated On: April 02, 2024 09:09 pm IST

Scoring high in CMAT 2024 in one attempt is a wish of many aspirants. Being one of the most prestigious MBA entrance exams, the CMAT can only be cracked with the right strategy and preparation. To help you with it, we have curated the tips to crack CMAT 2024 in the first attempt. 
How to Crack CMAT in the First Attempt

How to Crack CMAT 2024 in First Attempt - One of the most prestigious tests for getting into an MBA course, the CMAT, can only be cracked with the right strategy and preparation. The CMAT 2024 exam will be administered on May 2024, by which, CMAT candidates should be adequately ready. You must aim to score between 250 and 350 out of 400 if you want to obtain a CMAT percentile ranging from 90 to 99. If you want to score 100 percentile, you should aim for a CMAT score of 345-350 or above. While some candidates will be taking the CMAT for the first time in 2024, others will be taking it again. If you are taking the CMAT for the first time, you may be wondering how to crack it on the first try.

Well, if you follow the right plan, you can certainly sail through the CMAT 2024 on the very first attempt. You need to know the basics well and be able to solve problems quickly. The CMAT is a timed test, so applicants only have a certain amount of time to answer each question. So, one of the most significant things a candidate needs to focus on is creating a plan for ways to answer quickly and effectively.

In addition, practicing CMAT sample tests or previous year question papers is the ideal way to learn how the test is set up. Scroll through to learn more about the exam along with tips to crack CMAT 2024 in the first attempt.

Also Read: Last One Month CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips

CMAT 2024 Highlights

The Common Management Admissions Test (CMAT) 2024 is accepted for admission to India's more than a thousand MBA programmes. Below are a few of the most salient aspects of the CMAT 2024:

Particulars

Details

Exam Name

Common Management Admission Test

Short Name

CMAT

Conducted by

National Testing Agency

Level

National

Frequency

Annual

Language

English

Mode

Online

No. of Colleges Accepting CMAT Score

1000+

CMAT difficulty level

Easy to Moderate

Exam Sections

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

Total number of questions in the CMAT Exam

100

Type of Questions

MCQs

Maximum CMAT Score Achievable

400 Marks for 100 Questions

Negative marking

1 mark will be deducted for all wrong answers

Also Read: What to Expect from CMAT 2024?

Section-wise CMAT Difficulty Levels

The candidates need to know the section-wise difficulty levels to perform well in the CMAT exam.

Name of the Section

Difficulty-Level

Logical Reasoning

Easy

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation

Moderate

General Awareness

Difficult

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Moderate

Language Comprehension

Easy to Moderate

Overall difficulty level of the CMAT Exam

Easy to Moderate

Ways to Crack CMAT 2024 in First Attempt

Candidates must keep the following points in mind to crack CMAT in the first attempt:

  • Establish Firm Principles: Ensure your principles are robust and well-defined, providing a clear foundation for your approach to CMAT preparation.
  • Diversify Study Resources: Expand your preparation beyond books by exploring various websites offering CMAT preparation resources. This multi-faceted approach enhances your understanding and exposure to different concepts.
  • Embrace Mock Tests: Take CMAT mock tests regularly to pinpoint your weaknesses and rectify them. Avoid the critical mistake of entering the actual exam without adequate mock test practice. Aim for a minimum of 10 mock tests of varying difficulty levels to thoroughly prepare.
  • Active Learning Approach: Instead of passively revisiting theory, adopt an active learning approach by immediately attempting questions. If you encounter confusion, revisit fundamental concepts to clarify your understanding and eliminate ambiguity.
  • Utilize Past Papers: Solve previous years' CMAT exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and types of questions commonly asked.
  • Join Test Series: Enroll in a respected test series specifically tailored for CMAT preparation. These programs provide structured guidance and targeted practice to enhance your readiness.
  • Focus on Key Areas: Allocate additional attention to CMAT Exam Quiz, Mock Tests, and different question types to ensure comprehensive preparation.
  • Thorough Analysis: Analyze each CMAT mock test meticulously, leaving no stone unturned in identifying areas for improvement.
  • Comprehensive Study: Explore CMAT preparation books and supplementary materials, ensuring thorough coverage of sectional and overall quizzes embedded within them.
  • Strategic Improvement: Identify both strong and weak areas and focus on enhancing weaknesses while maximizing strengths. Avoid over-investing time in weak areas and prioritize optimizing your strong points.
  • Set Definitive Goals: Establish a specific target score, considering the variability in question difficulty. Focus on achieving your target score rather than fixating solely on individual question grades.
  • Prioritize Rest: Maintain a healthy balance by avoiding excessive studying the day before the exam and ensuring adequate sleep of at least seven to eight hours.
  • Maintain Resilience: Stay resilient and composed, especially if you encounter a challenging start during the exam. Remember, there are no sectional time constraints or cutoff scores, allowing for potential recovery and optimization of performance.
  • Strategic Approach to Critical Thinking: Exercise caution when tackling critical thinking questions in the Language Comprehension section. Aim for quality over quantity, with around fifteen solid attempts typically sufficient for most candidates.

Determine the Mode of CMAT Preparation

Candidates can prepare for the CMAT 2024 exam in two ways:
  • CMAT Preparation with Coaching: The professors, teachers, and coaches are going to monitor the students who choose to attend a coaching institute for CMAT preparation. Teachers will give CMAT study materials and mock test series while assisting students with challenging concepts and questions. However, students must spend 6 to 8 hours a day in the class.
  • CMAT Preparation through Self-study: Candidates who are unable to attend classes regularly must opt for self-study. Firstly, they must attempt to acquire online study material provided by various institutes. Connecting with online study groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Telegram, etc is also a viable option. Candidates must download specific applications on their phone which will help them prepare for the exam. The most important strategy is to purchase the best books for CMAT preparation. Finally, to score exceptionally well on the CMAT, candidates must develop a month-wise preparation strategy.

Important Tips to Crack CMAT 2024 in First Attempt

Applicants will find here some of the most important strategies that may aid them in comprehending how to crack CMAT 2024 in the first attempt.

Get an Early Start

First-time test takers are required to start their preparations at least a year before the CMAT exam date, although repeat test takers just need a few months to go over the material. If this is followed, adequate time will be available to guarantee that all of the materials are covered and mock tests are attempted. Ensure that you have a clear goal in mind after the process. It should not be done just to pass the CMAT but to crack it with a good score. Although the CMAT is a challenging exam, anybody can score in the top 99%ile, provided they put in the necessary amount of practice and effort.

Make a Timetable

Create a plan, and don't deviate from it! Creating a plan with the intention of not following through with it is a self-defeating objective that makes no logical sense. A timeline needs to contain the number of hours that you want to devote to studying daily, in addition to the anticipated dates of completion for certain topics.

Establish a short-term goal for each week, and do everything in your power to ensure that you can achieve it. Having a goal gives you something to work towards, and if you achieve it, you get a proper dose of dopamine. To crack CMAT in the first attempt, you will need to follow a well-crafted preparation plan that you have to stick to religiously.

Find Good Study Material

If you have the right CMAT books, you will end up saving a lot of time and effort. Your study material should be able to assist you in every step of the process. It must have elements that will drive you to get the target score. There is a wide variety of materials accessible, ranging from fundamental concept materials to complex preparation materials, and from application-based learning methods to more traditional learning procedures. Make sure to buy the right one for you.

Take Mock Exams

Taking practice or mock tests is very necessary to clear the CMAT exam. The more exams you take, the better your chances of achieving a higher total score. Mocks of sufficient quality are not easy to come by, but once you have acquired some, you will experience an overwhelming sense of fulfillment upon completing them and seeing the outcomes of your efforts.

Focus on Your Own Shortcomings

Only by using your practice test scores to gauge how well you are preparing for the CMAT, can you expect to benefit from them. There will be feedback loops built into the sectional tests to assist you to hone in on exactly what needs your attention. Results that are below average in certain courses suggest that a review of the fundamentals is in need.

Learn Time Management

Every topic is significant, and each section demands an equal amount of work. Divide the time between the topics according to your timetable and approach, which should take into account both your strengths and weaknesses. Spend a bit more time on the things that require more focus than the topics that only require a brief glance. The schedule should also include the maximum amount of time that can be assigned to each section. Give each question no more than 2.5 minutes. It is best to set aside and return to the time-consuming questions later.

Enhance speed and accuracy

Analyze as many practice exams, model papers, and test questions as you can. Try to get better in the subjects where you take longer or make more mistakes.

Revise Properly

The final few days before the test are when revision is most crucial. At this point in the preparation process, choosing additional subjects to learn might be detrimental. Focus on your areas of strength and develop confidence in the subjects you have already studied. Spend some time revising your notes' grammar, tables, and other material.

Create Flashcards

To go over what you have learned so far, prepare flashcards for a last-minute, rapid review.

Also Read: CMAT 2024 Important Topics - Subject-Wise Weightage

Best Books to Crack CMAT 2024 in First Attempt

Given below is the list of best books to be referred to for cracking CMAT 2024 on the first attempt. 

CMAT Books

Author

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT

Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)

Quantitative Aptitude

Dr RS Aggarwal

Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs

Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant)

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

Abhijit Guha (McGraw 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 RS Aggarwal

Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA Examinations

T.I.M.E.

NCERT Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10

NCERT

How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT

Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT

Nishit K Sinha (Pearson)

Preparation Strategy Shared by CMAT Toppers

To help you further with your CMAT 2024 preparation, here are some tips gathered from previous year CMAT toppers:

  • Only the most recent version of the CMAT preparation books should be considered.
  • Concentrate on problem areas and work on improving them by tackling more and more practice problems.
  • Due to the comprehensive character of the books written by Arun Sharma and Nishit K. Sinha, you should not overlook them while preparing for the CMAT.
  • If you decide to take the coaching route for your preparation, make sure you study the materials that they suggest.
  • Read the newspaper and several periodicals regularly to expand your vocabulary.
  • Do not spend any more time than necessary on subjects that seem challenging and need a great deal of time to prepare than essential.

If you consistently get a perfect score on the same sections or topics, it may be time to look for more challenging questions or explore a different area. Examine your core competencies and figure out where you can make changes or where you can focus your efforts. The right tools can help you analyze what you need to know to ace the test. Time, difficulty, level of thought, and accuracy should all be recorded for each question.

Mistakes to Avoid During to Crack CMAT 2024 in First Attempt

Candidates must avoid making the following mistakes to crack CMAT in the first attempt:

  • It's crucial to know the optimal number of questions to attempt in the CMAT exam to avoid potential pitfalls. Aim for clarity on your attempt strategy, targeting approximately 70 questions out of the total 100.
  • While confidence is essential, overconfidence in attempt numbers can be detrimental. The CMAT emphasizes prioritizing accuracy over quantity. Candidates attempting more than 70 questions may either excel or face significant challenges. Avoid the temptation to answer every question.
  • Avoid over-preparing for the General Knowledge (GK) section and refrain from undue concern. This section exhibits a high degree of unpredictability, with your score reflecting both your overall awareness and established reading habits. Focus on maintaining a balanced approach to preparation for this component.

For more tips and strategies on CMAT 2024, connect with our exam experts at 1800-572-9877 or drop your queries on the CollegeDekho QnA zone.

Related Articles:

CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for General AwarenessCMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips Quantitative Techniques and Data InterpretationTips on How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning Section for CMAT 2024
CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Language Comprehension

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FAQs

How do I prepare for Language Comprehension in CMAT 2024?

To prepare for Language Comprehension in CMAT 2024, one must follow the tips below:

  • Refer to only 1-2 best books for preparation.
  • To improve your vocabulary and grammatical abilities, you should begin reading newspapers, articles, and other forms of reading material every day.
  • Reading on a computer screen will benefit you because it will familiarize you with the test format and increase your rate of comprehension.

How do I prepare for General Awareness in CMAT 2024?

To prepare for General Awareness in CMAT 2024, candidates must be aware of all novel schemes run by the Indian government and major statutory bodies in the areas of economy, environmental degradation, financial sector, sports news, political events, social events, famous awards, their recipients, and major international news.

  • It is critical to not rely solely on one source of information and to consult multiple books for comprehensive information.
  • You should prepare for general knowledge in a holistic manner, so watch videos, movies, and read the newspaper in addition to focusing on textual material.

Can I self-prepare for CMAT 2024?

Yes, you can self-prepare for CMAT 2024. If you intend to prepare on your own,  follow the steps outlined below:

  • Examine the most recent syllabus and exam pattern and make a list of all the important topics.
  • Make a timetable based on the books and study materials needed for each section.
  • Utilize online resources such as YouTube and other study channels.
  • Mock overall and sectional tests to constantly assess your performance and growth.

How to improve time management skills for the CMAT 2024 exam?

To improve time management skills for the CMAT 2024 exam, one must note that the exam requires you to answer 100 questions in 180 minutes. It requires speed and accuracy, so time management is a necessary skill that must be developed while preparing. The best way to manage time is to solve mock tests and sample papers. Learning short tricks and formulas can also help you save time during the exam. Try not to limit yourself to one question and leave time for revision.

​​​​​​​How many hours should I dedicate to CMAT 2024 Preparation?

The number of hours that you should devote to CMAT 2024 preparation will be determined by your conceptual clarity. If your fundamentals are strong and you are well-versed in the most recent exam pattern and syllabus, 3-4 hours per day should suffice. However, if you are a beginner, you will need to study the basics and practice questions for 7-8 hours per day.

Can an average student crack CMAT 2024?

Yes, an average student can also CMAT 2024. Having said that, achieving a percentile of 95 or 96 or higher on any competitive exam, such as the CMAT, takes months of focused study and practice. It is impossible to achieve a CMAT score in the top 97 percentile without any preparation.

Do CMAT questions repeat?

No, the CMAT exam does not repeat the questions. However, the overall level of difficulty remains nearly the same, which ranges from easy to moderate.

Can I clear CMAT 2024 in 1 month?

In order to prepare for the CMAT 2024 in one month, you will need to quickly cover the syllabus and put in a lot of practice. In addition to this, you need to place a strong emphasis on timed reviews and practice tests. If you have already taken the CAT, SNAP, XAT, or IIFT exams, the only thing you need to do to prepare for the CMAT is to practice mock exams and study general knowledge.

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