Contents
The CMAT syllabus and exam pattern are the same as the previous year. The CMAT Syllabus 2020 consists of four subjects – Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension and General Awareness. Prospective students of the CMAT exam must prepare all the important topics from these four subjects. In the sections below, the CMAT syllabus, the best books for CMAT, exam pattern, marking scheme and preparation tips are discussed.
The CMAT exam is scheduled to be held on January 28, 2020. The question paper will consist of 100 MCQs. For every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded four marks and for every incorrect answer, one mark is reduced.
Here are some of the most important topics from the four sections of CMAT. These topics carry more weightage in the CMAT question paper than the other topics.
| Sections | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, graph, Quadratic and linear equations, etc. |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc. |
| Language Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc. |
| General Awareness | Economy, business, world, politics, sports, culture, society |
Also Check CMAT Eligibility Criteria
Listed below are section-wise topics the candidates must go through while preparing for CMAT exam. Each of the four sections has the same number of questions but the weightage of topics vary in each section.
The quantitative techniques & data interpretation section has 25 questions in the MCQ format. Some of the main topics of this section are:
| Tabulation | Partnership |
| Pipes and Cisterns | Simple Interest and Compound Interest |
| Probability | Allegation & Mixtures |
| Permutations & Combinations | Percentages |
| In-equations | Quadratic and linear equations |
| Algebra | Graph |
| Ratio and Proportion | Line |
| Geometry | Time-Speed-Distance |
| Profit and Loss | Work and Time |
| Mensuration | Number System |
| Pie Chart, Bar Chart |
The logical Reasoning section has 25 MCQs. Most of the questions are logic-based, so you need to work on your basic concepts and formulae. Some of the topics of the Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 2020 are:
| Analytical Reasoning | Analogy Test |
| Direction and Distance Test | Ranking Tests |
| Linear Arrangements | Blood Relationship Tests |
| Statements and Arguments | Coding and Decoding |
| Statements Assumptions | Statements and Conclusion |
| Sequencing Inferences | Inferences |
| Matrix Arrangements | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Symbol Based Problems | Number Series |
| Cause and Effects |
Also Check How to register for CMAT?
The language comprehension section has two sections – verbal ability and reading comprehension, a total of 25 questions. Important topics for English Language section of CMAT 2020 are:
| Reading Comprehension | English Usage Errors |
| Synonyms | Antonyms |
| English Grammar | Paragraph Completion |
| Jumbled Para | One-word Substitution |
| Sentence Correction | Idioms |
| Sentence Improvement | Phrases |
The general awareness section has 25 questions from both current affairs and static GK. Important topics of the General Awareness section of CMAT 2020 are:
| Literature | Trade Awareness |
| Geography | History |
| Indian Constitution | Politics |
| Current Affairs of National Economy | Current Affairs of International Economy |
| Economy | Sports News |
| Culture | Science in the Everyday Life |
| Personalities in News |
Since the syllabus of both CAT and CMAT are the same, CAT books serve as good study materials for CMAT as well. Here are some of the best books for CMAT.
Best Books for CMAT: Quantitative Aptitude
| Books for CMAT | Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs | Sarvesh Kumar Verma (Arihant Publications) |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| NCERT Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10 | NCERT |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Dr RS Aggarwal |
Best Books for CMAT: Logical Reasoning
| Books for CMAT | Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education Publication) |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha (Pearson Publication) |
Best Books for CMAT: Language Comprehension
| Books for CMAT | Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education Publication) |
| The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | Dr R S Aggarwal |
| Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA Examinations | TIME |
Besides these books, The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan and JS Rana should also be referred to. This book is exclusively for CMAT preparation.
These are some books for vocabulary and grammar:
Best Books for CMAT: General Awareness
To have a good knowledge of Current Affairs and General Knowledge, aspirants must subscribe to the following newspapers and journals:
| The Hindu | The Financial Times |
| Wall Street Journal | Financial Express |
| Hindu Business Line | Economic Times |
| Business Today | Business World |
| Management Compass Career Launcher | Competition Success Review |
CMAT exam is conducted as an online examination and the questions are asked in MCQ format. Given below is the section-wise break-up of questions and the marks allotted to them. Also Read: CMAT exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 25 | 25x4=100 |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | 25x4=100 |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | 25x4=100 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 25x4=100 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
In 2019, the CMAT exam was conducted in two slots. Given below is the section-wise difficulty level of CMAT question papers of both the slots.
CMAT 2019 Question Paper: Slot 1
| Sections | Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 25 | Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
| General Awareness | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
CMAT 2019 Question Paper: Slot 2
| Sections | Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | Moderate |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
| General Awareness | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
The CMAT question paper in 2018 was moderately difficult with three sections being a little challenging. The data interpretation and logical reasoning part was tricky. However, there were no surprise questions. The general knowledge section was quite difficult.
| Sections | Questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
| Logical Reasoning | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
| Language Comprehension | 25 | Moderate |
| General Awareness | 25 | Moderate to difficult |
Also Check
A: Important CMAT topics are Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests. Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc.
A: The GK section has 25 questions of MCQ format.
A: Each section of CMAT has 25 questions and each question carries 4 marks. Therefore, each section has 100 marks and the total marks of the CMAT exam is 400.
A: Yes, there is negative marking in CMAT. For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
A: You need a minimum of three months to complete the CMAT syllabus. However, if you have appeared for CAT and IIFT then you can complete the entire CMAT syllabus in one month.
A: Yes, the syllabus is the same except for the GK section. There is no GK section in CAT.
A: Since the Language Comprehension section includes reading comprehension passages, it can be considered a lengthy section. However, other sections could be lengthier as well.
A: Solving about 20-22 questions in each section with an accuracy of 85% should ensure a good percentile.
A: Yes, you can use CAT books to prepare for CMAT. However, you should practice the mock tests and sample tests specific to CMAT.
Got a comment, question or input? Share it below!