CMAT
What is CMAT?
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a prominent business aptitude examination administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India. This standardized test serves as a key gateway for admission into MBA (Master of Business Administration) and PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) programs across the country. Renowned for its significance in the realm of MBA entrance exams, CMAT witnesses the participation of around 70,000 candidates annually.
What sets CMAT apart is its widespread acceptance, with over 1,300 business schools, both government and private institutions, acknowledging CMAT scores for their admission processes. Esteemed establishments like Great Lakes Institute of Management, JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, and PUMBA consider CMAT as a valid and valuable metric for evaluating prospective students.
The CMAT question paper is meticulously crafted, featuring 100 questions distributed among five key sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This comprehensive coverage ensures that candidates are evaluated across a spectrum of skills and knowledge areas relevant to the business and management domain.
Highlights
Particulars | Details |
Name of the exam | CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) |
Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Exam Frequency | Once a year |
Exam Mode | Online Computer Based Test |
Medium of the exam | English |
Number of Questions | 100 |
Number of Sections | 5: Language Comprehension, Quant & DI, Logical Reasoning, GK, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
Type of Questions | Multiple Choice (MCQs) |
Marking Scheme | 4 marks for correct answer and 25% negative marking, i.e. 1 mark for every incorrect answer |
Total Marks | 400 |
Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
CMAT Exam Date 2024 NTA Official website | cmat.nta.nic.in |
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Admission Process
- Shortlisting of Candidates:Institutes shortlist candidates based on their CMAT 2024 scores. Each institute sets its own cutoff criteria for shortlisting candidates for the next stages of the admission process.
- Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) Rounds:Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Some institutes may conduct Essay Writing in place of GD.GD assesses a candidate’s communication skills, teamwork, and ability to express thoughts coherently in a group setting.PI evaluates a candidate’s personality, academic background, work experience (if any), and understanding of current affairs and business-related topics.
- Final Selection:The final selection of candidates for the MBA batch of 2024-26 is based on their performance in the GD and PI rounds, along with other parameters considered by the institute.Institutes may also take into account factors such as academic achievements, work experience, and diversity.
- Admission Form Submission:Candidates must ensure they fill the admission forms of their preferred institutes within the specified deadline. It is essential to follow the application procedures of each institute separately.
- Institute-Specific Admission Criteria:Each institute may have its unique admission criteria and weightage assigned to various components. Candidates should thoroughly check the admission policies of the institutes they are interested in.
Eligibility
- Academic Requirement:Applicants must possess a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.Candidates who are in the final year of their graduation and whose results will be declared before the commencement of the 2024-25 academic session are also eligible to apply.
- Minimum Marks in Graduation:There is no specified minimum aggregate marks required for filling the CMAT application form. Candidates from various academic backgrounds are welcome to apply.
- Nationality:Candidates must be Indian citizens to be eligible for CMAT.Valid proof of Indian citizenship is required, such as a passport, voter ID, Aadhar card, or any other government-issued ID.
- Age Limit:As of the latest CMAT eligibility criteria for 2024, there is no maximum age limit to appear for the exam. Candidates of all age groups are eligible to apply.
Documents Required
- Educational Documents:Scanned copy of your graduation mark sheet or certificate. This is to verify that you meet the educational eligibility criteria.
- Photograph:A recent passport-sized photograph in the prescribed format. The photograph should be clear, with a plain background, and meet the specified dimensions.
- Signature:Scanned copy of your signature. Ensure that the signature is done in black ink on a white paper and is clear when scanned.
- Category Certificate (if applicable):For candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC-NCL), a scanned copy of the category certificate may be required.
- PwD Certificate (if applicable):If you are a person with a disability (PwD), a scanned copy of the PwD certificate issued by a competent authority might be necessary.
- Valid ID Proof:A scanned copy of a valid government-issued ID proof. This could be Aadhar card, Passport, Voter ID, or any other accepted ID.
- Payment Confirmation:If the application fee is paid online, candidates may need to provide the payment confirmation or transaction ID.
Registration Process
Online Registration:
- Visit the official CMAT website and navigate to the registration section.
- Fill in the required details to create a new account. This may include personal information, contact details, and academic qualifications.
- After successfully filling in the details, submit the registration form.
Login Credentials:
- Upon successful registration, a confirmation message is usually sent to the registered email address or mobile number.
- Login credentials, including a username and password, are provided. These details are crucial for accessing the CMAT application form and other related services.
Filling the Application Form:
- Log in using the provided credentials to access the CMAT application form.
- Complete the application form by providing accurate information, including personal details, educational qualifications, and other relevant information.
- Upload the required documents, such as a photograph and signature, in the specified format.
Application Fee Payment:
- Pay the prescribed CMAT application fee through the available online payment modes. This may include credit/debit cards, net banking, or other accepted methods.
- Once the payment is successful, a confirmation of the fee payment is generated.
Print Application Form:
- After completing the application and fee payment, candidates are usually advised to download and print a copy of the completed application form for future reference.
Syllabus
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation:
- Speed, Time and Distance
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentages
- Averages
- Profit
- Tables
- Bar Graphs
- Line Charts
- Venn Diagrams
- Pie Chart
Logical Reasoning:
- Logical Sequence
- Number and Letter Series
- Binary Logic
- Direction Sense
- Clocks & Calendars
- Puzzles
- Syllogism
- Seating Arrangement
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
Language Comprehension:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Grammar
- Vocabulary-based
- Parajumbles
General Awareness:
- Current Affairs of National and International Economy
- Personalities in News
- Indian Constitution
- Sports News
- Politics
- History
- Culture
- Geography
- Economics
- Science in Everyday Life
Innovation & Entrepreneurship:
- Important Events
- Budget & Economic Survey
- Business & Corporate affairs
- New Investments & Schemes
- Policies related to Entrepreneurship and Business Promotion
- Startups
- General Economy
- Current Affairs
Exam Pattern
Section | Number of questions |
Language Comprehension | 20 |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 |
Logical Reasoning | 20 |
General Awareness | 20 |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship (optional) | 20 |
Total | 100 |
Application Fees
Category | Fees |
For General Male Candidates | INR 2000 |
For General Female/ SC/ ST/ NC-OBC/ PwD/ EWS/ Third Gender candidates | INR 1000 |
Preparation Strategy
- Know Your Syllabus:Begin by thoroughly understanding the CMAT syllabus. Identify the topics in each section and understand the level of difficulty expected.
- Collect Study Materials:Gather the right study materials, including textbooks, reference guides, and online resources. Ensure that the study materials cover all the topics in the CMAT syllabus.
- Organize Notes:Take detailed notes while studying. Creating concise notes helps in quick revision before the exam. Focus on key concepts, formulas, and important facts.
- Create a Schedule:Develop a realistic and well-structured study schedule. Allocate specific time slots for each section of the exam. Stick to the schedule to ensure comprehensive coverage of the syllabus.
- Solve Previous Years’ Question Papers:Practice solving previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern, question types, and time management. Analyze your performance and identify areas that need improvement.
- Mock Tests:Take regular mock tests to simulate exam conditions. This helps in improving time management, enhancing problem-solving skills, and building confidence.
- Identify Strengths and Weaknesses:After each practice test, assess your performance. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Devote more time to areas where improvement is needed.
- Optimize Revision:Allocate sufficient time for revision. Regularly revisit important topics and practice problems. Revision helps in reinforcing concepts and enhances retention.
- Stay Updated:Keep yourself updated with current affairs, especially in the General Awareness section. Read newspapers, magazines, and follow reliable news sources to stay informed.
- Healthy Lifestyle:Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. A healthy body and mind contribute to better concentration and performance.
CMAT Top Colleges
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
- L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai
- Sydenham Institute of Management Studies and Research And Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), Mumbai
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
- Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune (PUMBA)
- Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa
- IFMR Graduate School of Business at KREA University
- K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR), Mumbai
- Xavier Business School (XBS), St Xavier’s University, Kolkata
- Prin L N Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research