What to Expect from CMAT 2024?

Updated On: April 02, 2024 03:00 pm IST | CMAT

Candidates can expect 5 sections in the CMAT 2024 question paper which include Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques, Data Interpretation, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Check what to expect from CMAT 2024 below

Table of Contents

CMAT 2024 Exam Pattern Highlights
Expected Question Paper & Difficulty Level of CMAT 2024
Preparation Tips to Ace CMAT 2024 Exam
Colleges Accepting CMAT 2024 Score and Expected Cutoff
Faqs

What to Expect from CMAT 2024: CMAT 2024 exam will be conducted in May 2024, at multiple test centers in 124 cities in India. There will be 5 sections in total in the CMAT 2024 question paper which include Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques, Data Interpretation, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Previously, there were 25 questions in each section, but now 20 questions will be asked in each section with a total of 100 questions to be solved in 180 minutes. There will be 5 answer choices for each section out of which the most appropriate answer must be chosen by the candidates. The exam will be conducted online and the total marks for the exam will be 400. 4 marks will be awarded for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. The difficulty level of the exam may vary from moderate to high.

Meanwhile, candidates preparing for the CMAT exam can go through the Previous Year's Question Paper. The scores of the CMAT are expected by some of the top B-schools in India including JBIMS, Great Lakes Institute of Management, KJ Somaiya, Mumbai, etc. Also, check out the exam pattern for CMAT 2024 and the syllabus before preparation. Candidates must also focus on practicing mock tests and sample papers. Students are advised to regularly visit the official website to stay updated with all the latest happenings related to the exam. Candidates in this article will find the detailed exam pattern, expected difficulty level, and section-wise distribution of marks for the CMAT 2024 exam. Candidates can also gain some tips and strategies to plan their preparation to ace the exam.

Also Read: CMAT 2024 Exam Day Guidelines

CMAT 2024 Exam Pattern Highlights

The exam question paper is expected to be divided into five sections. The exam is expected to have separate section-wise questions. All the questions will carry equal marks (+4 for correct answers and -1 for negative answers). Take a look at the exam pattern mentioned below:

Exam Pattern	Detailed Information
Sections	Language Comprehension Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning General Awareness Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Total Questions	100
Total Marks	400
Exam Duration	3 hours or 180 minutes
Difficulty Level	Moderate to Difficult (Expected)
Sectional-time limit	No
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct answers -1 for wrong answers

Expected Question Paper & Difficulty Level of CMAT 2024

Based on the Previous Years Question Paper, the CMAT 2024 question paper is expected to be moderate to difficult. According to the trends of the previous years, the Logical Reasoning section has always been regarded as the difficult section. Candidates aspiring to appear for the exam can collect a gist of what to expect in the upcoming question paper by taking a look at the expected list section-wise and the difficulty level:

Sections	Number of Questions	Total Marks	Considerably Good Attempt	Expected Difficulty Level
Language Comprehension	25	100	22-24	Easy-Moderate
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation	25	100	20-22	Moderate-Difficult
Logical Reasoning	25	100	18-20	Moderate-Difficult
General Awareness	25	100	16-18	Easy-Difficult
Total	100	400	75-90	Moderate

Also Read: CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Language Comprehension

Preparation Tips to Ace CMAT 2024 Exam

The difficulty level of the exam is always considered to be Moderate. Hence, there are high possibility to score exceedingly well in the CMAT exam in comparison to other MBA Entrance Exams. However, that does not mean that candidates can crack the exam without preparation. With dedication, good preparation, and a well-planned strategy, it becomes easier to ace the exam. Here are some tips to follow to ace the exams:

It is recommended that candidates follow a proper CMAT preparation strategy to complete the preparation.
Candidates should start their preparation six months before the examination to ensure the completion of the preparation plan for the exam.
The first step, while preparing should be to complete the entire syllabus for the exam. Candidates must refer to the best books for CMAT 2024 to prepare for the exams.
All the sections of the exam should be prepared individually. Avoid skipping any difficult or easy topics, out of pressure or confidence. Make sure to touch on all the topics during the preparation.
Memorize all the formulae, theorems, and concepts ahead of time, and revise them daily.
Candidates must practice the Mock Tests and check out the previous year's question paper for reference. The marking scheme and question format will remain the same, hence, it will help the candidates to take references from.
The question paper can be tricky and may consist of decision-making questions. Hence, candidates should prepare well for such situations.
Finally, make it a habit to revise the entire syllabus before the exam day, and avoid starting any new topics.
Check out the last-minute tips and CMAT 2024 exam guidelines before the exam day to ace the exam.

Also Read: Tips on How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning Section for CMAT 2024

Colleges Accepting CMAT 2024 Score and Expected Cutoff

Candidates can check out the participating colleges and their expected cutoff for CMAT 2024 after the CMAT 2024 Results are declared. Prepare well in advance to secure seats in your desired colleges and institutes accordingly.

Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores	Expected CMAT 2024 Cutoffs
Goa Institute of Management	95-99
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida	85
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow	80
SIMSREE, Mumbai	99+
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai	95-99
IPE Hyderabad	80
JBIMS, Mumbai	99.9+
University of Pune, Dept. of Management Sciences	95-99
Xavier Business School, Xavier University	85
Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management	85

Also Read: Top 10 Colleges that Accept CMAT Scores In India

Candidates must prepare well for the upcoming exam. Aspirants are advised to reach allocated test centres two hours before the exam and follow all the instructions stated by the exam authorities. Take a printout of the admit card for the exam day and carry any one of the documents such as an Aadhar card, PAN card, Voter ID card, Passport, Driver’s license, and College/University ID card. Prepare well in advance for the exams and get excellent results to get admission to your preferred college/institute.

Related Articles:

What is a Good Score in CMAT 2024?	Importance of Time Management for CMAT 2024
Mistakes to Avoid on CMAT 2024 Exam Day	7 Tips to Beat CMAT 2024 with a Bang!

For any queries related to CMAT 2024, fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) or write through the Q and A zone. Stay tuned with us for all the latest updates on CMAT 2024!

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

FAQs

What is the marking scheme followed for CMAT?

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the CMAT examination every year is also in charge of creating the CMAT 2023 marking scheme and test structure. The CMAT exam used to be administered by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The major highlights of the CMAT 2023 marking scheme are as follows:

There will be a total of 100 questions, with 20 questions in each section. Each question is worth 4 marks.
For each incorrect response, one mark is subtracted; however, there is no mark reduction for a question or questions that are not attempted.

Which CMAT section has the highest weightage?

No one CMAT section has a higher weight than the other in the exam. Each multiple-choice question (MCQ) on the CMAT exam is worth four marks, and the total weightage of the exam is equally distributed. Each unsuccessful attempt results in a loss of one point, which is present in all sections. The CMAT exam is worth 400 points overall, with each section worth a total of 100 points.

Can the CMAT result be submitted for revaluation?

No, revaluation or re-checking of the CMAT results is not permitted by the organization responsible for administering the exam (National Testing Agency). Once the exam results have been released, the CMAT conducting authority prohibits the rechecking or revaluation of the answer sheets. The candidates' scores listed on the scorecard serve as the final scores for that CMAT exam. A candidate must retake the exam in the following session if they want to raise their CMAT score.

What are the top colleges accepting CMAT scores for MBA admission?

Over 1,300 colleges in India accept CMAT scores for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. Some of the most popular colleges accepting CMAT scores are mentioned below:

KJ Somaiya Institute of Management
SIMSREE, Mumbai
JBIMS, Mumbai
Goa Institute of Management
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi
Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai
Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management
NL Dalmiya Institute of Management
Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore
Xavier Business School, Xavier University
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon
BIMTECH, Greater Noida
XIME, Bangalore
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow
KIIT School of Management
SIES College of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai
Woxsen University, Hyderabad

What is the validity of CMAT scores?

The results of the CMAT exam are valid for a year. Candidates will be eligible for admission to MBA/PGDM programs for the academic years 2024–2026 if they take the CMAT in 2024. If candidates decide to apply for admission after a year, they will need to retake the CMAT exam.

Are candidates with less than 50% graduation marks eligible for CMAT?

Yes, candidates who received less than 50% of their grade point average at graduation are qualified to take the CMAT. There is no minimum score requirement for graduation from the CMAT exam set by the CMAT conducting authorities. Candidates only need to have earned their diploma from an accredited university or an equivalent degree. Candidates should be aware that the MBA colleges have minimum graduation score requirements of 50% overall (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) before granting admission to applicants, so they must maintain at least a 50% grade point average.

How many times is the CMAT exam conducted in a year?

The CMAT exam is conducted only once a year. The Common Management Admission Test, or CMAT, is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for MBA/PGDM admission into AICTE institutions. It is a national-level aptitude test. Every year, in the months of April or Match (tentatively), NTA administers the CMAT Exam. The exam is held at various testing facilities in 124 Indian cities. The test city of your choice is completely up to you. To register for the CMAT, applicants must fill out an online application form. Anyone who has earned a bachelor's degree in any field is eligible to apply for the CMAT exam.

Which are some of the best books for CMAT preparation?

It is crucial that candidates use the best resources possible to get ready for the CMAT exam. A candidate will suffer the consequences during the final exam if they spend their time and energy studying from inferior books. Having said that, listed below are some of the top books for CMAT preparation:

Quantitative Aptitude by Dr. RS Aggarwal
NCERT Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10 by NCERT
The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)
The Hindu, Economic Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Express, Business World, etc. (For General Awareness preparation)

What is the exam pattern for CMAT?

The CMAT exam is divided into five sections, including Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship, in accordance with the test's format. The exam has four sections, each worth 100 points, for a possible overall score of 400. Each section has 20 questions, for a total of 100 questions. Each inquiry is worth four points. One mark is subtracted for each incorrect answer.

What are some of the most important topics in the CMAT syllabus?

Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship are the five broad categories that make up the CMAT syllabus. Each of these sections contains some topics that are given more weight than others. Grammar, English Usage Errors, Reading Comprehension, Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Geometry, Parajumbles, Graphs, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, and Blood Relationship Tests, etc. are some of the most crucial topics in the overall CMAT syllabus.