The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a prominent nationwide entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India, aimed at facilitating admission to various management programs. The eligibility criteria for this examination stipulates that applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university, with final-year students also being permitted to apply.
The CMAT exam syllabus for MBA 2023 in India consists of five sections, namely Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
To ensure effective preparation for the exam, it is advised that candidates familiarize themselves with the syllabus. The exam features a total of 100 questions to be answered within a duration of three hours. Each correct response carries four marks, while an incorrect answer results in a deduction of one mark.
The CMAT exam is an essential component of the admission process for management programs in India. As such, aspirants must understand the exam’s eligibility criteria, the application process, the syllabus, and the marking scheme to optimize their chances of success.
Also Check:
| CMAT 2023 | CMAT Result | CMAT Score |
CMAT 2023 Syllabus
The MAT Exam syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude in various areas, including Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
| Sections | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
CMAT 2023 Syllabus: Section Wise
The CMAT Exam syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude in various areas, including Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Language Comprehension
This section is designed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in the English language. It includes questions on topics such as grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal ability.
| Section | Topics |
| English Grammar | Sentence Improvement, English Usage Errors, Sentence Correction |
| Paragraph Completion | Fill in the Blanks, Paragraph Completion |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | |
| Reading Comprehension | |
| One-word Substitution | |
| Jumbled Para | |
| Idioms and Phrases |
Logical Reasoning
This section is designed to test a candidate’s ability to think logically and analytically. It includes questions on topics such as coding-decoding, puzzles, analogies, blood relations, and critical reasoning.
| Section | Topics |
| Analytical Reasoning | Cause and Effects, Analogy Test, Symbol Based Problems, Statements Arguments, Statements and Conclusion, Statements Assumptions, Inferences, Ranking Tests, Coding and Decoding, Sequencing |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning, Blood Relationship Tests, Matrix Arrangements |
| Linear Arrangements | Linear Arrangements, Direction and Distance Test, Number Series |
Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation
This section is designed to assess a candidate’s numerical ability, mathematical aptitude, and data interpretation skills. It includes questions based on topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics.
| Section | Topics |
| Data Interpretation | Tabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph, Probability |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quadratic and linear equations, Graph, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Percentages, Averages, Geometry, Profit and Loss, Mensuration, Ratios and Proportion, Fraction and Decimals, Work and Time, Time-Speed-Distance, Number Systems, In-equations, Partnership, Algebra, Alligation & Mixtures, P & C, Pipes and Cisterns |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This section is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up ecosystem. It includes questions on topics such as business models, venture capital, funding, incubators, and accelerators.
| Section | Topics |
| Concepts of Innovation | Entrepreneur -definitions, Types, Theories of Entrepreneurship, Innovation Framework, Types of Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Challenges, Role of the Government in promoting Entrepreneurship, Marketing and growth strategy |
| Startup | Business models, Venture capital, Funding of startups, Incubators, and accelerators, The legal structure of startups |
General Awareness
This section is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of current affairs, general knowledge, and business-related news. It includes questions on topics such as politics, economics, sports, history, geography, and business.
| Section | Topics |
| General Awareness | Literature, Current Affairs of National and International Economy, History, Sports News, Science in everyday life, Politics, Geography, Culture, Economics, Trade Awareness, Personalities in News, Indian Constitution |
CMAT 2023 Syllabus: Exam Pattern
The CMAT exam pattern consists of five sections, namely Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The exam is conducted online, and the total duration of the exam is 3 hours.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of the exam | Online , Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total number of sections | Five sections of 20 questions each |
| Total number of questions | 100 |
| Duration of the exam | 180 minutes |
| Sections | Quantitative Technique and Data InterpretationLanguage ComprehensionLogical ReasoningGeneral AwarenessInnovation and Entrepreneurship |
CMAT 2023 Syllabus: Books
It is important to choose the right books that suit your learning style and needs. These books provide a comprehensive guide to the CMAT exam, including mock tests, solved examples, practice questions, and tips and tricks to crack the exam.
| Name of the Preparation Books | Author Name/Publisher |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Dr RS Aggarwal |
| NCERT Books for Maths Classes 8, 9 and 10 | NCERT |
| Pearson Guide to the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | Dr R S Aggarwal |
| How to Prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT? | Arun Sharma |
| Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA Examinations | TIME |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha (Pearson) |
| How to Prepare for the Logical Reasoning for the CAT? | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs | Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant) |
| How to Prepare for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT? | Arun Sharma |
CMAT 2023 Syllabus: Preparation
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is divided into three parts that test different skills. Understanding the breakdown of the exam will help you to focus on the areas that require more attention.
Concept-Driven Section
The first part of the exam focuses on concepts and includes Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation and select areas of Language Comprehension. It is essential to have a clear understanding of the key fundamentals in these areas to answer these questions.
Practice-Intensive Section
The Logical Reasoning section is purely practice-intensive, and it is directly proportional to practicing similar questions. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel when answering these types of questions.
Environment-Sensitive Section
The General Awareness and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship sections are environment-sensitive. These sections are best prepared by understanding the current and static awareness of the environment. A dichotomous approach to these sections will help you to view them as a makeup of current and static awareness.
Tips for Preparing for CMAT 2023
To prepare for the CMAT 2023 exam, keep the following points in mind:
- Allocate Enough Study Time
- To prepare adequately, plan to spend at least four to six hours a day studying. It is crucial to dedicate enough time to each section.
- Begin with the Toughest Subject
- Start with the subject or area you find the most challenging. By mastering the skill set for the toughest subject, it will be easier to tackle the other sections.
- Consolidate Concepts
- Start with consolidating the concepts before moving to the next level. This way, you can build a strong foundation and gradually progress to more advanced concepts.
- Stay Updated on the Latest Developments
- Stay aware of the latest General Knowledge (GK) and management-related developments. This will help you to be well-prepared for the environment-sensitive sections.
- Revise and Take Practice Tests
- Constant revision and taking a series of practice tests will help you to better understand the test format and improve familiarity with the questions.
- Improve Test-Taking Strategies
- Work on improving your test-taking strategies. This includes time management, identifying patterns in the questions, and knowing when to skip a question to save time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques – How much does each section of the CMAT exam weigh in total?
Ans – In the CMAT exam, there are five sections, namely Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Each section of the exam consists of 20 questions, and every question carries four marks for a correct answer. Therefore, each section is worth a total of 80 marks, and the entire CMAT exam is worth a total of 400 marks.
Ques – Are there yearly changes to the CMAT syllabus?
Ans – The overall structure and sections of the CMAT exam tend to remain consistent year-to-year. Candidates can expect the same pattern in CMAT 2023 as in the previous years, with Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a compulsory section. Candidates should familiarize themselves with the syllabus and exam pattern for the year they plan to take the exam to ensure they are fully prepared.
Ques – Is the syllabus for the CAT and CMAT exams the same?
Ans – The syllabus for the CAT and CMAT exams differ from each other. While both exams have sections on Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Language Comprehension/Verbal Ability, there are additional sections in the CMAT exam that are not present in CAT. For instance, the CMAT exam has a section on General Awareness, which covers current affairs and events from various fields such as politics, economics, and sports. Additionally, in CMAT 2023, Innovation and Entrepreneurship have been made a compulsory section, which is not present in CAT. Therefore, it is important for candidates to be familiar with the specific syllabus and exam pattern of each exam before starting their preparation.
Ques – Is the syllabus for the CMAT and MAT exams the same?
Ans – No, the syllabus for the CMAT and MAT exams is not entirely the same. While both exams have sections on Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Language Comprehension, they may differ in their question types and level of difficulty. The CMAT exam also has sections on General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which are not present in the MAT exam. Therefore, it is essential to check the specific syllabus of each exam while preparing for them.
Ques – How challenging is the CMAT test overall?
Ans – The CMAT exam is generally considered to be moderately difficult by most candidates who take it. However, it is worth noting that some students have found certain questions in the Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation section to be challenging in previous years. Therefore, it is advisable for students to prepare well in advance and familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and syllabus. By doing so, they can improve their chances of performing well on the CMAT exam and achieving a high percentile score.
Ques – How many days will it take to fully cover the CMAT Syllabus?
Ans – The CMAT exam consists of 5 sections covering multiple topics that require thorough study. Ideally, candidates should set aside at least 4-5 months to cover the entire CMAT syllabus. However, if you have already appeared for exams such as CAT and GATE, you may be able to complete the syllabus in 2 months. It is important to note that the time required to cover the CMAT syllabus may vary depending on your familiarity with the exam content and your individual study habits.
Ques – Does CMAT have negative marking for wrong answers?
Ans – Yes, CMAT has a negative marking system for wrong answers. For each incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted from the total score of the candidate. It is important for candidates to be careful while attempting the questions and only answer those they are sure of. However, if a candidate is unable to answer a question, it is better to leave it unanswered rather than taking a risk and facing negative marking. It is important to note that no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions. Therefore, candidates should focus on attempting only those questions that they are confident about, and avoid guessing as it may lead to a reduction in their overall score.
Ques – Which section in the CMAT exam is the longest?
Ans – Among the five sections in the CMAT exam, the Language Comprehension section can be considered the lengthiest. This is because it includes reading comprehension passages that can be quite lengthy and time-consuming to read and understand. However, it is important to note that the length of the section may vary from year to year and can also depend on the difficulty level of the questions. Logical Reasoning or Data Interpretation also have lengthy questions that may take up more time to solve. Therefore, it is advisable for candidates to allocate their time wisely and carefully while attempting each section to ensure that they can attempt as many questions as possible within the given time limit.
Ques – Are there any specific mathematical topics covered in the CMAT syllabus?
Ans – Yes, the CMAT syllabus includes mathematical topics such as probability, quadratic and linear equations, graph, simple interest and compound interest, percentages, averages, geometry, profit and loss, mensuration, ratios and proportion, fraction and decimals, work and time, time-speed-distance, number systems, in-equations, allegation & mixtures, partnership, algebra, permutations & combinations, and pipes and cisterns.