Updated By Sukriti Vajpayee on 02 Mar, 2021 18:23
Predict your percentile based on your CMAT performance
Predict NowEarlier, CMAT was scheduled to be conducted on February 22 and 27, 2021 but it has been postponed and a few changes have been made in the CMAT Exam Pattern. The optional ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ section has been introduced for the aspirants. It is very important to understand the entire CMAT exam pattern 2021 in order to be completely prepared prior to the exam day. The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is an online examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to PGDM and MBA courses.
Candidates who qualify the examination will become eligible for admission to various AICTE approved institutes across the country. The application process of CMAT was closed on January 30, 2021 but the NTA had reopened the CMAT 2021 application form filling window. Candidates could fill the application form again from February 10 to March 1.
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The CMAT exam pattern for 2021 consists of a few essential things that are visible on the question paper. These comprise the total number of questions, total marks, time duration, marking scheme, the number of questions section-wise, exam timing, etc. Understanding the exam pattern will help in better exam preparation. Candidates must also follow a strategic preparation plan for CMAT 2021, in order to clear the examination with excellent marks. Aspirants can check the detailed exam pattern of CMAT 2021 here to get a clear picture of the question paper and then start preparing for the examination systematically
National Testing Agency (NTA) has made some changes in the exam pattern of CMAT 2021. A new optional section (Innovation & Entrepreneurship) has been added for the candidates who are looking for admission in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship. This section will contain 25 questions carrying 4 marks each and the total duration of this section will be 30 minutes. 1 mark will be reduced for every incorrect answer in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship section.
CMAT is a computer-based online entrance exam, which is conducted over a duration of 180 minutes (three hours). CMAT tests candidates' abilities across various academic segments, and the ones who qualify get admission in MBA, PGDM and PGCM courses offered at the AICTE-approved B-schools in India. Check out the highlights of CMAT exam pattern 2021!
Total number of sections in the CMAT 2021 question paper | 4+1 (Optional) |
Number of questions in each section | 25 Questions |
Nature of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Total weightage of each section in CMAT 2021 examination | 100 Marks |
Weightage for each question | 4 Marks |
Is there negative marking in CMAT 2021? | Yes |
Deduction for each wrong answer given by the candidates | 1 Mark |
Total duration of CMAT 2021 examination | 3 Hours + 30 Minutes (Optional) |
Timings of the CMAT 2021 examination | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
Reporting time at the examination centre | 8:30 AM |
The section-wise exam pattern of CMAT 2021 can be checked below -
Name of the Section | Maximum Marks | Total Number of Questions |
General Awareness | 100 marks | 25 |
Logical Reasoning | 100 marks | 25 |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 100 marks | 25 |
Language Comprehension | 100 marks | 25 |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Optional) | 100 marks | 25 |
Total | 400 + 100 marks | 100 +25 questions |
There is no sectional time limit for CMAT exam. Candidates can attempt any section or any question as per their convenience within the overall time limit. Applicants have to wind up the CMAT exam in the duration of 180 minutes. Those who have opted for the optional ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ section will be granted extra 30 minutes to complete the exam.
Enlisted below are steps highlighting how to navigate between sections while answering the questions of CMAT.
Sections in the online question paper will be displayed on the top bar of the screen.
Questions in the desired section can be viewed by simply clicking on the section name.
The highlighted section will be the one that the candidate will be viewing at that time.
After clicking on the 'Save & Next' button on the last question for a section, candidates will be automatically taken to the first question of the next section.
Aspirants can shuffle between questions and sections anytime during the exam as there will be no sectional time limit.
Here is a figure depicting the above-mentioned explanation:
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The computer screen of the exam shows the options provided below and candidates can select any one of them to answer the CMAT questions.
Save & Next: This option will save the answer of the desired question and the next one will be displayed on the screen.
Clear: Candidates can choose this button to clear or deselect their already entered response of any desired question.
Save & Mark for the Review: Applicant can answer the question and mark it for review. Candidates can select this option in case of doubt of confusion. They are free to review, come back and make changes accordingly.
Mark for Review & Next: Candidate can mark a question for review without answering it and move on to the next one. Applicants can re-visit and attempt the question at any time.
Applicants will not be allowed to use the keyboard to answer the CMAT questions. They can only use the mouse to do so. Candidates will have the option to make changes or modify their answers anytime during the entire exam. Captured below are the different icons that will appear on the computer screen and their respective indications.
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Captured below is a brief analysis of CMAT vs other top MBA entrance exams in India:
Check out the basic difference between CMAT and CAT exam.
Components | CMAT | CAT |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | IIMs |
Exam Frequency | Twice/Year | Once/Year |
Total Sections | 03 | 03 |
Total Questions | 100+ 25 | 100 |
Total Marks | 400+ 100 | 300 |
Time Duration | 3 Hours+ 30 Minutes | 2 Hours |
Type of Questions | MCQs | 72-75 MCQs, rest Non-MCQs. |
Negative Marking | Yes | Yes |
Marks per Correct Answer | 04 | 03 |
Marks per Incorrect Answer | -1 | -1 |
Sectional Time Limit | No | 60 Minutes/ Section |
Given below are the components comparing CMAT and XAT exam.
Components | CMAT | XAT |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | XLRI Jamshedpur |
Exam Frequency | Twice/Year | Once/ Year |
Total Sections | 03 | 04 |
Total Questions | 100+ 25 | 100 |
Total Marks | 400+ 100 | 100 |
Time Duration | 3 Hours+ 30 Minutes | 3 Hours |
Type of Questions | MCQs | MCQs |
Negative Marking | Yes | Yes |
Marks per Correct Answer | 04 | 01 |
Marks per Incorrect Answer | -1 | -0.25 (GK MCQs does not follow the negative marking scheme) |
Sectional Time Limit | No | No |
Gathered here is information highlighting the similarities and differences between CMAT and SNAP.
Components | CMAT | SNAP |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test | Online Test |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Symbiosis International Deemed University |
Exam Frequency | Twice/Year | Once/ Year |
Total Sections | 03 | 04 |
Total Questions | 100+ 25 | 100 |
Total Marks | 400+ 100 | 60 |
Time Duration | 3 Hours+ 30 Minutes | 1 Hour |
Type of Questions | MCQs | MCQs |
Negative Marking | Yes | Yes |
Marks per Correct Answer | 04 | 01 |
Marks per Incorrect Answer | -1 | -0.25 |
Sectional Time Limit | No | No |
Here are a few components outlining the key features of CMAT and NMAT exam.
Components | CMAT | NMAT |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | GMAC |
Exam Frequency | Twice/Year | Can be re-taken within the prescribed exam dates |
Total Sections | 03 | 04 |
Total Questions | 100+ 25 | 108 |
Total Marks | 400+ 100 | 0-360 |
Time Duration | 3 Hours+ 30 Minutes | 2 Hours |
Type of Questions | MCQs | MCQs |
Negative Marking | Yes | No |
Marks per Correct Answer | 04 | 01 |
Marks per Incorrect Answer | -1 | No |
Sectional Time Limit | No | 22 Minutes (Language Skills) 38 Minutes (Logical Reasoning) 60 Minutes (Quantitative Skills) |
Provided below are the basic highlights of CMAT and ATMA exams.
Components | CMAT | ATMA |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test | Online & Offline |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Association of Indian Management Schools |
Exam Frequency | Twice/Year | Five/ Year |
Total Sections | 03 | 06 |
Total Questions | 100+ 25 | 180 |
Total Marks | 400+ 100 | 180 |
Time Duration | 3 Hours+ 30 Minutes | 3 Hours |
Type of Questions | MCQs | MCQs |
Negative Marking | Yes | No |
Marks per Correct Answer | 04 | 01 |
Marks per Incorrect Answer | -1 | No |
Sectional Time Limit | No | 30 Minutes/ Section |
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct CMAT 2021 and is responsible for setting up the CMAT 2021 marking scheme and exam pattern for the examination. The examination previously was conducted by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
According to the official website, the exam pattern has not been changed from its previous version. As the examination is to take place in January 2021, candidates must now start preparing for it keeping in mind the latest exam pattern and marking scheme of CMAT 2021 along with the CMAT 2021 Syllabus.
The CMAT 2021 Marking Scheme will help candidates in understanding the weightage of marks per question and total marks, highlighting the marks deducted for every wrong answer. Here are a few pointers explaining the same.
The total mark for the exam is 400 and the total mark per section is 100.
There will be a total of 100 questions comprising 25 questions in each section and the marks allotted for each question is 4.
Candidates must also know that there will be negative marking for every incorrect answer.
1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer, whereas no deduction of marks will be carried out for the unattempted question/s.
Here are some important points regarding the CMAT 2021 exam that aspiring students must be aware of:
The exam will be held online at different certified examination CMAT centres.
Total time allocated for the CMAT 2021 examination is 3 hours (180 minutes) + 30 minutes (optional).
The test-takers will not be permitted to leave the examination room until the examination ends.
There will be no provision of breaks during the examination.
The examinees will be provided with separate computer desks with a plain paper for rough works.
Rough papers given are also to be submitted and no candidate shall carry it outside the exam centre. Candidates found guilty will have to face unavoidable consequences.
Candidates must most importantly remember to bring their CMAT 2021 Admit Cardwith a valid ID proof, without which no candidate will be entertained at the examination centre.
It is also important to note that the candidates are not supposed to bring any written or printed material apart from Admit Card and ID Proof.
Candidates found with any such document will be debarred from taking the examination.
Reporting 45 minutes before the issued timing is also recommended.
Want to know more about CMAT
Dear student,
That depends on your interest! What do you want to do in life? What is more important to you - a stable, comfortable life or a high-energy, busy life? Govt. jobs will be relatively relaxed as compared to a job that you get after completion of your MBA or even while you are pursuing your MBA! Back to back classes, projects, researches, group studies, tutorials - life is going to be very busy during MBA or after that. So really, you will need to ask yourself, at this moment, what is it that you really feel like doing? Are ...
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For BK School of Business Management admissions, you need to clear CMAT with at least minimum 50% aggregate. Once you qualify the CMAT cut off, you will get a call to appear for the centralised counselling. You can also take a look at the various colleges which offer admission on the basis of CMAT score below.
MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CMAT 2020
MBA Colleges accepting 60-70 Percentile in CMAT 2020
MBA Colleges accepting 70-80 Percentile in CMAT 2020
If you have any doubts regarding admissions, you can fill the Common Application Form (CAF) on our website ...
READ MORE...Typical response between 24-48 hours
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No, candidates are not allowed to leave before the end of the allocated 3 hours for the exam.
Yes, 1 mark is deducted for every incorrectly-entered answer in CMAT.
The total time duration for CMAT is 3 hours. The exam is conducted from 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM on the scheduled day.
CMAT contains a total of 100 questions, which are divided as 25 questions in each of the 4 sections in the exam.
No, there is no section-wise division of time in CMAT.
Yes, you are free to move between the different sections at any point during the CMAT exam.
Yes, the order in which the CMAT sections appear is (from first to last) -- Quant, Reasoning, Language Comprehension and General Awareness.
There are a total of 4 sections in CMAT -- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Logical Reasoning.
When checking the CMAT exam pattern, candidates should note the sections, the number of questions, time duration, marking scheme, mode of exam, the medium of exam etc.
The CMAT exam pattern is set and finalised by the National Testing Agencies (NTA).
