CMAT 2024: Last Minute Tips and Exam Strategy

Q: Is there any negative marking in CMAT?

Yes, there is a negative marking in CMAT exam. For each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted. For example, if a candidate attempts 18 questions from Logical Reasoning and gets 15 questions correct but 3 questions incorrect. Then the candidate's score for this section will be 15x4-3, i.e. 57. However, no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions. Thus, candidates must choose only those questions to solve which they are sure of solving accurately. It is anyway not possible to solve all 100 questions, so candidates must weigh their options viz. Strength and weak areas and then choose questions carefully. If candidates are not sure of answering a question correctly or it is taking too much time, then they should leave that questions and move to next as they also need to keep a tab on the time limit.

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Registration: 14 Nov '24 - 25 Dec '24

Vipra Shrivastava

Senior Manager - Content

Updated on May 14, 2024 12:07 IST

CMAT 2024 exam is a speed based test and a lot depends on your preparation for the exam day. It is critical to use all of 180 minutes judiciously so that you make maximum correct attempts for an optimum performance.

CMAT 2024 exam will be held on May 15, 2024 and with only one day to go, it is time for the final preparation. You need to be thorough with the CMAT dos and don'ts for exam day because at times not big but small mistakes that cost a lot. CMAT 2024 admit card has already been released, so download it today (if you haven't done so already) and check all the guidelines mentioned on it.

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CMAT experts recommend that you should not study too much just before the exam. The important thing to do is free your mind from stress. Take a break so that you can perform with a relaxed mind in the CMAT exam. However, do not ignore the last few tasks. There are few things that can help candidates perform better in CMAT exam 2024. Take a look at some CMAT last minute tips below.

Q: What is the latest CMAT exam pattern?

The latest CMAT exam pattern as prescribed by the National Testing Agency NTA is as follows: The question paper carries 100 question. The format of questions is multiple choice type where for each question, four options are given to choose the correct answer from. The 100 questions are divided equally between five sections, Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Each of the five sections carry 20 questions. Earlier, there were only four sections in CMAT and each section has 25 questions. In 2021, Innovation and Entrepreneurship was added as the fifth section. The time limit for CMAT is 180 minutes without sectional time limit or break. As per the latest marking scheme, for every correct option 4 marks are awarded and for every incorrect option, one mark is deducted. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions.

Q: What is the section wise weightage in CMAT?

CMAT has five sections. Every section of the CMAT exam has 20 questions. Each question of the five sections carries four marks for correct answer and one mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Therefore, the total marks of each section is 80 and the total marks of the CMAT exam is 400. The CMAT percentile is calculated on the basis of marks scored by candidates on 400. Given below is the sectional break up of CMAT exam: 1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: 20 questions of 4 marks each 2. Logical Reasoning: 20 questions of 4 marks each 3. Language Comprehension: 20 questions of 4 marks each 4. General Awareness: 20 questions of 4 marks each 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: 20 questions of 4 marks each.

Q: Which is the lengthiest section in CMAT?

Since the Language Comprehension section of CMAT includes reading comprehension passages, it can be considered a lengthy section. However, there is a possibility of any other section to be lengthier. For example, Logical Reasoning questions or Data Interpretation questions can also be lengthy, due to multiple levels of calculations. The weightage of each section is same in CMAT I. e. 20 questions and 80 marks, so it doesn't really matter which section is lengthy as candidates have to meet sectional cut offs to be able to get a good overall score. It is not mandatory to solve all 100 questions in CMAT so candidates have the choice of dropping lengthy questions and solving easier questions. So, the best option is to skip the lengthy questions and solve other questions correctly. Doing so will ensure that the candidate doesn't fall short of time as well as good questions to solve.

1. Revise from short notes

Do not overload your brain before the CMAT exam with heavy notes. Do not start studying a new topic or try new questions at this time. Revise concepts, theorems, formulae, shortcuts and tricks from your notes prepared earlier. Assimilate all you have studied in last few months of CMAT preparation 2024.

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2. Accuracy and time management

You have to keep a tab on the time while solving the CMAT exam paper. There are 100 questions in CMAT, to be attempted in 180 minutes. Even though, you don't have to solve all the questions, maintain a fair ratio of correct attempts in all the sections of CMAT exam to ensure good sectional as well as overall scores. A judicious approach towards the CMAT question paper and a perfect exam strategy can help accomplish the goal. For example, the GK section is memory based and 8-10 correct attempts will be enough so you will not need more than 10 minutes to solve it. Keep an eye on the onscreen timer.

3. Learn from your mistakes

Those who are appearing for the first time in CMAT, must take a look at their performance in CMAT mock tests. Make sure not to repeat the mistakes of mock tests in the exam. Aspirants appearing in CMAT for the second time must recollect all the mistakes made earlier and make sure not to make the same errors this time. This is the chance to improve the score for admission to the desired B-school.

Q: What is the CMAT marking scheme?

CMAT marking scheme is straightforward. If they can recall their attempts or have the answer key with them then they can calculate their CMAT raw score by adding and subtracting scores as per correct and incorrect attempts. Check CMAT marking scheme below: 1. For every correct attempt, 4 marks is awarded and for every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted. 2. For every unanswered question, the candidate will be marked zero. Given below is the process of calculating the CMAT score with the help of the CMAT answer key. Every section has 20 questions, so suppose in Quantitative Techniques section you got 14 questions right, 2 questions wrong and skipped 4 questions. So, your score will be 54 out of 80. Similarly, calculate the score of other sections. After the add all five to arrive as overall raw score. For example, you scored 54, 44, 75, 60 and 40 in five sections, then your sum total will be 203/400. You can read more about CMAT scoring process here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/cmat-score-vs-percentile-how-to-calculate-blogId-19977 https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/what-is-cmat-score-normalization-process-blogId-53987.

Q: Is there any negative marking in CMAT?

Yes, there is a negative marking in CMAT exam. For each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted. For example, if a candidate attempts 18 questions from Logical Reasoning and gets 15 questions correct but 3 questions incorrect. Then the candidate's score for this section will be 15x4-3, i.e. 57. However, no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.

Thus, candidates must choose only those questions to solve which they are sure of solving accurately. It is anyway not possible to solve all 100 questions, so candidates must weigh their options viz. Strength and weak areas and then choose questions carefully.

If candidates are not sure of answering a question correctly or it is taking too much time, then they should leave that questions and move to next as they also need to keep a tab on the time limit.

Check out free CMAT mock test by Shiksha

CMAT_Mock_Test_1	CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
CMAT_Mock_Test_2	CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

4. Set a defined strategy

Do not get caught up in 'how to do it'. You must have a clear vision on how to attempt CMAT 2024 question paper. Finalise an exam strategy. Attempt your exam with that strategy. Focus on the questions you can solve with maximum accuracy. Do not spend too much time on questions that don't come to you naturally or select questions from your strong areas to solve. Focus on achieving sectional cut offs first and then capitalise on it if time permits. Also, save some time for revision before submitting the test.

CMAT expert Mikin Shah suggests “have a clearly defined strategy and sequence of attempts. My recommendation is to go for GK, Verbal, Maths and Reasoning. The General Knowledge (GK) section can easily be tackled in 10 minutes and the Verbal section can be allotted a time of about 40 minutes. This would leave the candidates with two hours to solve the Maths and Reasoning sections.”

5. Do not mug up for GK

Mugging up facts, dates and names for General knowledge section a day before the exam is of no use. You won’t be able to retain the information for long. It’s better to revise notes made on static GK and current affairs.

6. Have a fair idea of number of attempts for each section

It is important for you to have a fair idea of number of minimum questions to be attempted in each section of CMAT. You have to devote a specific amount of time to each section to score well in the exam. CMAT 2024 will have 20 questions each in all five sections so the target should be 15-17 correct attempts. Practice: CMAT Question Papers of Previous Years

7. Sort everything well in advance

Surely, you don't want to commit any blunder on the CMAT exam day. Nothing can be worst than reaching your CMAT exam centre late. You will not get the entry if the gates have been closed already. Arrange transportation well in advance before the exam day. You can also visit the test centre a day before to see the location. Remember to get a print out of your CMAT 2024 admit card before the exam day. Also, remember to carry a photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Ration Card, PAN Card, etc.

Check CMAT Cut offs and predict calls from colleges accepting CMAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CMAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict CMAT Admission Calls

About the Author

Vipra Shrivastava

Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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