CMAT Syllabus 2024 - PDF Download Latest Section-wise Syllabus, Important Topics Here

Updated By Tiyasa Khanra on 18 Mar, 2024 10:59

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CMAT Syllabus 2024

The CMAT syllabus 2024 is prescribed by the AICTE and is divided into five key sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a new addition to the syllabus since 2021, was made mandatory in 2022. 20 questions will be asked from each section and the difficulty level of the CMAT exam ranges from moderate to high.

Prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the official CMAT syllabus 2024 pdf will be issued along with the notification. Understanding the CMAT syllabus is crucial for candidates aiming to excel in this entrance aptitude test. Find out more about the CMAT 2024 syllabus and important topics below.

Also Read:

CMAT 2024 Predicted Question Paper

CMAT 2024 Important Topics

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CMAT 2024 Syllabus PDF Download (Latest)

CMAT syllabus 2024 is meticulously designed to assess candidates' proficiency, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of their management aptitude. Therefore, diligent preparation under the prescribed syllabus is essential for candidates aspiring to secure admission into their desired management programs. The link for the latest CMAT Syllabus 2024 PDF is provided below:

CMAT Syllabus 2024: Section-wise Weightage

The CMAT exam features five distinct sections, each receiving an equal allocation of questions as well as marks. For a clearer understanding of the section-wise weightage for CMAT 2024, refer to the table below:

CMAT 2024 Sections

No. of Questions

Section-wise Weightage

General Awareness

20

80

Logical Reasoning

20

80

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation

20

80

Language Comprehension

20

80

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

20

80

TOTAL

100

400

However, it's important to recognize that the questions within each section can cover various topics from the CMAT syllabus without a predetermined distribution. As a result, candidates are advised to comprehensively study the entire CMAT syllabus to ensure preparedness for any question.


Que: Will the CMAT section-wise weightage change this year?

Ans: No, it is unlikely that the CMAT section-wise weightage of questions will change this year. The CMAT question paper is divided equally among 5 sections with each section having 20 questions with a total of 100 questions overall. This exam pattern has been followed for the last few years.

Que: Is the Innovation & Entrepreneurship still optional?

Ans: No, the Innovation & Entrepreneurship section of the CMAT syllabus has been made compulsory since CMAT 2022. When the section was introduced in 2021, it was an optional section for all candidates.

CMAT Syllabus 2024: Language Comprehension

The Language Comprehension section of CMAT comprises 20 questions categorized into Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Typically, this section includes 2-3 short Reading Comprehension passages that are straightforward to read. Verbal Ability questions cover vocabulary and grammar. Key topics for the English Language section of the CMAT 2024 syllabus include:

English Grammar

Jumbled Para

Sentence Correction

English Usage Errors

Paragraph Completion

One-word Substitution

Idioms & Phrases

Synonyms & Antonyms

Sentence Improvement

Reading Comprehension

Important: There are no specific guidelines provided to candidates regarding the types of Reading Comprehension (RC) passages featured in CMAT 2024. However, based on previous exams, RC passages typically range from 500 to 600 words in length and are of moderate difficulty. Candidates with strong reading skills usually find navigating these passages relatively straightforward. The topics of the RC passages can vary widely.

Also Read:CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Language Comprehension

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CMAT Syllabus 2024: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

The Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section of the CMAT exam comprises 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Candidates must thoroughly prepare for this section, which covers a wide array of topics. Below is the CMAT 2024 syllabus for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, designed to aid aspirants in formulating their preparation strategy:

Tabulation

Pie Chart

Partnership

Bar Chart

Geometry

Pipes and Cisterns

Simple Interest and Compound Interest

Time-Speed-Distance

Probability

Allegation & Mixtures

Profit & Loss

Permutations & Combinations

Percentages

Quadratic and Linear Equations

Mensuration

Algebra

Averages

Fraction and Decimals

Graph

Number Systems

Ratios and Proportion of Line

Also ReadCMAT 2024 Preparation tips for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation 

CMAT 2024 Syllabus: Logical Reasoning

Among all sections of the CMAT 2024 syllabus, this section is the simplest. The aim of Logical Reasoning (LR) is to evaluate the candidate's skill in recognizing patterns of relationships and deriving essential information. Reasoning encompasses a broad spectrum of topics that require thorough practice since there are no fixed formulas for mastering them. This section include the following topics:

Analytical Reasoning

Linear Arrangements

Statements Arguments

Sequencing

Matrix Arrangements

Number Series

Cause and Effects

Analogy Test

Blood Relationship Tests

Coding and Decoding

Inferences

Statements and Conclusion

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Symbol Based Problems

Direction and Distance Test

Ranking Tests

Statements Assumptions

Also ReadTips on How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning Section for CMAT 2024

CMAT Syllabus 2024: General Awareness

The CMAT General Awareness section encompasses diverse subjects such as current affairs, business, economics, geography, history, politics, and science & technology. Its questions aim to gauge candidates' understanding of recent events and their overall awareness of the world. The topics in this section include:

Literature

Indian Constitution

National and International Economy

Personalities

Sports

Economics

Science

Culture

History

Politics

Trade Awareness

Geography

Also ReadCMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for General Awareness 

CMAT 2024 Syllabus: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship section of CMAT evaluates candidates' comprehension of the entrepreneurial process. Despite being exclusive to the CMAT exam, achieving proficiency in this area is not daunting. The topics in this section covered include:

Concepts of Entrepreneurship

Theories and Models of Entrepreneurship

Overview of Entrepreneurship

Framework of Entrepreneurship Theories

Evolution of Entrepreneurship in India

Models of Entrepreneurship

Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship

Dimensions of Entrepreneurship

Principles of Business Organisation

Entrepreneurial Society

Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development

Entrepreneurial Culture

Motivation, Communication and Leadership

Rural Entrepreneurship

Emerging Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship

Women Entrepreneurship

Also ReadCMAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Innovation & Entrepreneurship 

CMAT 2024 Syllabus: Section-wise Important Topics

Considering the division of weightage given to each section, it becomes imperative for candidates to view section-wise important topics in the CMAT 2024 syllabus. The section-wise important topics can be found in the following table:

CMAT 2024 Sections

Important Topics

General Awareness

Sports, Economics, Business, Personalities, World Affairs, Science, Literature, Politics, and Trade Awareness

Logical Reasoning

Blood Relationship, Coding-Decoding, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, and Ranking Tests

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Time-Speed-Distance, Algebra, Profit & Loss, Mensuration, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Fraction and Decimals, Alligation & Mixtures, Averages, and Partnership

Language Comprehension

Paragraph Completion, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, Synonyms and Antonyms, English Grammar, and Reading Comprehension

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Topics and Concepts related to Business, Startups, Entrepreneurship, Business & Entrepreneurial Innovation, etc.

CMAT Syllabus 2024: Difficulty Level

The CMAT question paper typically presents a level of difficulty ranging from easy to moderate. The table below provides insights into the expected difficulty levels of CMAT 2024 sections, derived from the CMAT exam analysis of the previous year:

CMAT Section

Number of Questions

Difficulty Level

Quant & Data Interpretation

20

Moderate to High

Language Comprehension

20

Easy to Moderate

Logical Reasoning

20

Easy to Moderate

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

20

Moderate

General Awareness

20

Easy

Based on the analysis of the previous year's CMAT exam, the Language Comprehension section featured one Reading Comprehension (RC) passage accompanied by four questions. Additionally, the Verbal section consisted of 16 questions focusing on vocabulary, while the Reasoning section covered grammar-based questions. In the Quantitative Techniques section, five questions were dedicated to data interpretation, and 15 questions emphasized quantitative techniques involving tables and pie charts.

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Que: Is CMAT easier than CAT?

Ans: Yes, the CMAT is easier than CAT. The CMAT exam typically has an easy to moderate difficulty level, while the CAT exam often has a moderate to high difficulty level.

Que: Is CMAT easier than IIFT?

Ans: Yes, the CMAT is easier than IIFT. The CMAT exam typically has an easy to moderate difficulty level, while the IIFT exam often has a moderate to high difficulty level. The IIFT exam is similar to CAT in terms of difficulty level.

CMAT 2024 Exam Pattern

The CMAT 2024 exam has five main sections: quantitative techniques, language comprehension, logical reasoning, general awareness, and innovation/entrepreneurship. Below is a comprehensive overview of the CMAT 2024 exam pattern, detailing the number of questions, total marks, and duration for each section. 

Name of the Section

No. of Questions

Total Marks

Duration

General Awareness

20

80

180 minutes

Logical Reasoning

20

80

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation

20

80

Language Comprehension

20

80

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

20

80

TOTAL

100

400

180 Minutes

Best Books for CMAT 2024 Preparation

Merely going through the entire CMAT syllabus 2024 won't guarantee thorough preparation unless candidates utilize appropriate study resources. It's crucial to use the best books tailored for CMAT exam readiness. Discover the top-recommended CMAT preparation books in the table below:

Exam Sections

Best Books for CMAT 2024

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

NCERT Mathematics Books

The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams

Logical Reasoning

How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT

Language Comprehension

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT

The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT

A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Laxmi Publications

Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Arvind Kumar Bhatt

General Awareness

Journals & Magazines

The Hindu

Economic Times

The Financial Times

Wall Street Journal

Business Today

CMAT 2024 Syllabus: Preparation Guide

There are various methods for CMAT preparation, each with its effectiveness. Candidates should carefully select their approach as it can significantly impact their performance in the exam. Explore the links below to discover the best strategies for CMAT preparation and other helpful tips.

Additionally, to excel in the CMAT 2024 exam, it's essential to develop a strategic approach that covers the entire syllabus. Planning your preparation on a day-to-day basis, allocating time for each topic, and balancing your focus across different sections are crucial steps toward achieving a good score. Consistent practice is key, so make use of question banks and mock tests to practice and track your progress. Candidates can make use of the links in the table below:

CMAT Syllabus 2024: Key Points for Preparation

Preparing for the CMAT 2024 exam requires a strategic approach to ensure thorough understanding and optimal performance. To assist you in your preparation journey, here are some essential guidelines to consider. From dedicating specific study hours to mastering challenging subjects and staying abreast of current affairs, these pointers aim to streamline your preparation process and enhance your readiness for the exam. Here are some guidelines to consider when preparing for CMAT 2024:

  • Establish a Study Routine: Dedicate four to six hours each day for study sessions as you gear up for the exam.
  • Prioritize Subjects: Start with the most challenging subject or area first, mastering its skill set to streamline your preparation process.
  • Build a Strong Foundation: Begin by solidifying concepts, then progress to practicing questions that require applying these concepts.
  • Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Stay informed about the latest developments in general knowledge and management-related topics.
  • Engage in Revision: Regularly review and participate in test series to improve understanding and become familiar with exam patterns.
  • Improve test strategies: Lastly, concentrate on refining your test-taking strategies to maximize performance during the exam.

In the CMAT 2024 syllabus, certain areas, such as Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation and specific aspects of Language Comprehension, require a strong grasp of fundamental concepts to tackle challenging questions effectively. Logical Reasoning demands intensive practice for proficiency, while the General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship sections necessitate a balanced approach, incorporating both current and static awareness due to their sensitivity to environmental factors.

CMAT Syllabus: Previous Years' Analysis

Candidates will now  be able to understand the difficulty-level and the types of questions asked in the CMAT exam. In previous years, the Quant and DI sections have been observed to be toughest. Also, the section on Innovation and Entrepreneurship was of moderate difficulty with a greater focus on current affairs. The detailed analysis of the CMAT previous year papers have been provided below.

CMAT Exam Year

CMAT Exam Analysis

CMAT 2023 Exam  Analysis

  • Shift 1 was easier compared to Shift 2. The overall difficulty level of shift 1 was similar to that of CMAT 2022 (single slot).
  • There was no sectional timing in the CMAT 2023 exam.
  • The difficulty level of each section was as follows:
  1. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Moderate and Tricky
  2. General Awareness: Moderate to Difficult
  3. Logical Reasoning: Easy to Moderate and Lengthy
  4. Language Comprehension: Easy to Moderate
  5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Moderate
  • The good attempts ranged from 75-80 in shift 1 and from 73-78 in shift 2.
  • Topics with high weightage in the QA/DI section were Time-speed-distance, Ratio-Proportion, Profit & Loss, SICI, Average, Partnership, Triangles, Probability, Surds, HCF LCM, Quad equations, Quad inequality, and Tables
  • Topics with high weightage in the LR section were Blood relations, Coding/ Decoding, Syllogisms, Directions, Series Completion, Number of squares & triangles, etc.
  • Vocabulary questions were from Synonym, antonym, FIBs, idioms, match the following, etc.
  • In Grammar, questions were from FIB, Identify the correct statement, direct/indirect speech, classify the sentence, question tag, Para Jumble (PJ), etc.
  • Out of the 20 questions in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship section, 16 were based on Business and Entrepreneurship concepts (Nascent Entrepreneur; Phases of funding; Reasons for failure etc.), and 4 questions were on Business GK.

CMAT 2022 Exam Analysis

  • For the first time, 5 sections were made mandatory.
  • 63-70 overall attempts were regarded as good.
  • The QA/DI, LR, and Language Comprehension sections were easy. 16-17 attempts were considered good in these sections.
  • The difficulty level of the GA and IE sections was high. 8-10 questions were considered as good attempts in these sections.
  • In the QA section, questions were asked on Percentages,       Time-speed-distance, Time & Work, Ratio-Proportion, Profit & Loss, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Averages, Mensuration, Triangles, Probability, Properties of Numbers, Tables, Pie-Charts. The QA & DI questions had 3-4 lengthy and tricky questions.
  • In the LR section, Reasoning-based questions were on assumptions, assertion-reason, analogy, odd word. Other questions were on Directions, Series Completion, Number relations, Linear Arrangement, Family Tree, Coding, Set Theory, etc.
  • The RC passage was based on Organization and Development of megacities and 4 questions were asked from it.
  • 10 questions were asked from Antonyms, synonyms, FIBs, idioms, spellings, etc.

CMAT 2021 Exam Analysis

  • The overall difficulty level was moderate.
  • The Innovation & Entrepreneurship section was optional in 2021.
  • 25 questions were asked from each section and the marks for each section was 100. Thus, the total marks of the CMAT 2021 exam was 500.
  • 65-70 attempts out of 100 were considered good and 15-16 questions out of 25 questions in the IE section were regarded as good attempts.
  • The difficulty level of the General Awareness section was high with more questions on Static GK. Questions from the Education system, New Education policy, History and other topics dominated this section.
  • The difficulty level of the Quant section was moderate. Questions were found from Mixtures & Allegations, Work Pipes & Cisterns, Partnership, Quadratic equations, Linear Equations, Function, Probability, Permutation - Combination, Venn Diagram, etc.
  • In the LR section, questions were based on Coding-decoding, Series, Analogies, Blood Relations, Matrix Arrangement, Counting number of figures, Syllogisms, Odd One Out, Sequential output etc. 
  • In the IE section, a passage on entrepreneurship of ethnic minorities and minority institutions was found that was easy to moderate to read.

CMAT 2020 Exam Analysis

  • The overall difficulty level was moderate.
  • Many questions were from the Ratio, Percentage, Interest, Time and Work, Percentage, Interest in the QA section.
  • The questions on Data Interpretation were a bit lengthy.
  • In the LR section, most questions were based on topics such as distribution, arrangement, coding/ decoding, blood relations, directions, cube, sequence, clocks and calendars, statement conclusion, statement argument, reasoning & assertion, etc.
  • VA questions were based on idiom/ phrase, word analogy, fill in the blanks, antonym and synonym, identify correct sentence, etc.
  • In the GA section, questions were based on the Indian Constitution, Recent Acts of Parliament, Appointments, Famous personalities, etc.

CMAT 2019 Exam Analysis

  • The RC passages were based on World Trade Organisation and UN agencies about the state of developing countries; vulnerable Languages (Eg: Greek and Latin); Parenting and culture-related systems. The questions were factual and easy to answer.
  • The VA section was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level and had questions on Sentence Correction, Grammar Error, Idioms, one Para Jumbles, and Sentence Completion. 
  • No set-based questions in the QA section, and questions were based on Algebra, Modern Math, etc. that were moderately difficult to answer.
  • VA questions were based on Analogy, Sequence, Coding/Decoding, Blood relation, etc.
  • There were around 8 questions from Current Affairs. 
  • Static GK questions dominated the paper and there were questions from Science, Awards, Politics, etc.
  • The LR section was difficult and lengthy.

CMAT 2018 Exam Analysis

  • Questions were quite predictable and no questions were out of the blue.
  • The overall difficulty level was moderate. However, Data Interpretation, LR and GA were slightly difficult.
  • The LR section was reported to be difficult and lengthy.
  • The Quant and RC sections were found to be easy to comprehend.

CMAT 2017 Exam Analysis

  • The overall difficulty level was easy to moderate.
  • The GA section was difficult. Questions were related to current economic developments and government policies.
  • Topics like Demonetization, Digital India initiatives, Ease of Doing Business, and the Nobel Prize for Music dominated the paper. 
  • There were 3 passages that were short in length (about 400 words) while 1 was lengthy.
  • Maximum number of questions were from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number system, and Modern Math.
  • All questions were independent in the LR section. No set-based questions have been found.

Want to know more about CMAT

FAQs about CMAT Syllabus

What subjects are covered in CMAT 2024?

The subjects covered in CMAT 2024 include Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. These subjects comprehensively cover essential topics integral to MBA entrance exams in India.

Where can I find the latest CMAT Syllabus 2024 PDF?

You can access the latest CMAT syllabus 2024 PDF on the official website of NTA, cmat.nta.nic.in. The syllabus is typically released alongside the exam schedule, usually in February.

What are the number of questions for each section in CMAT 2024?

The number of questions for each section in CMAT 2024 comprises 20 questions with a total of 400 marks. The sections are General Awareness, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship, each carrying 80 marks.

What are the important topics for each section in CMAT syllabus 2024?

The important topics for each section include:

  • General Awareness: Sports, Economics, Business, Politics, Science, Literature, etc.
  • Logical Reasoning: Blood Relationship, Coding-Decoding, Analytical Reasoning, etc.
  • Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss, Algebra, etc.
  • Language Comprehension: English Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Synonyms & Antonyms, etc.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Concepts of Entrepreneurship, Models of Entrepreneurship, Business & Entrepreneurial Innovation, etc.

What is AICTE CMAT Quant Syllabus?

The AICTE CMAT Quant Syllabus includes the following: 

Arithmetic

  • Profit Loss & Discount
  • Simple Interest/Compound Interest
  • Time Speed & Distance
  • Time & Work
  • Mixtures & Alligation
  • Percentage & Ratios

Geometry & Mensuration

  • Triangles
  • Circles
  • Parallelograms
  • Polygons
  • Mensuration – 2D and 3D

Algebra

  • Functions
  • Inequalities
  • Polynomial expressions
  • Surds and Indices
  • Quadratic Equations

Numbers

  • Highest Common Factor (HCF)
  • Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
  • Number Series
  • Comparison of Numbers
  • Number of Zeros
  • Remainder Theorem
  • Unit’s digit

Is CAT and CMAT syllabus same?

The syllabus for CAT and CMAT are largely similar across three sections: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Reading Comprehension, and Verbal and Logical Reasoning. However, CMAT includes two additional sections: General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

What is Innovation and Entrepreneurship in CMAT?

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship section of CMAT 2024 primarily focuses on business knowledge. To excel in this section, candidates must understand concepts related to innovation and business, including the innovation life cycle.

How much time is needed to cover CMAT syllabus 2024?

The time needed to cover the CMAT syllabus 2024 for a comprehensive preparation requires a minimum  3 to 4 months. 

What level of Math is asked in CMAT?

The Quantitative Aptitude section of CMAT includes questions on Arithmetic, Geometry, Modern Math, Numbers, Algebra, and Data Interpretation. These questions typically pose a moderate level of difficulty. 

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