CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 (Shift 1 & 2 Available): Check Difficulty Level of Paper, Expected Cut Offs

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 19:16 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CMAT 2025 analysis - NTA conducted the CMAT exam today in two shifts. Difficulty level of both shifts was easy. Check below detailed CMAT 2025 exam analysis.

The CMAT paper analysis contains detailed discussion on difficulty level of the exam, topic wise questions asked, number of good attempts and expected CMAT 2025 cut offs. The CMAT 2025 exam analysis will help candidates in assessing their performance and estimating their exam scores.

CMAT 2025 Exam Analysis: Highlights

Given below are some key highlights of the CMAT 2025 exam:

CMAT exam 2025 was easy in terms of difficulty level.
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section of CMAT 2025 was easy.
Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 2025 was easy
Language Comprehension of CMAT 2025 was also easy.
General Awareness section of CMAT 2025 will have static GK and International events questions.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship questions was moderate and based on fundamental aspects of business.

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Sectional Break up

The CMAT 2025 question paper will have five sections having 20 questions each. Check section-wise CMAT difficulty level below.

CMAT 2024 section	Number of questions	Difficulty Level (expected)
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation	20	Easy
Logical Reasoning	20	Easy
Language Comprehension	20	Easy
General Awareness	20	Moderate
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	20	Moderate

Also Read:

CMAT 2025 answer key, question paper (shift 1 and 2) PDF download

CMAT Response Sheet 2025 PDF Free Download

CMAT 2025 student reactions and reviews

Commonly asked questions

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.

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Q: What is the difficulty level of CMAT exam?

CMAT is one of the easier MBA entrance exams. Despite having an extra section, the overall difficulty level of CMAT exam is generally moderate. However, it has been seen previously that some questions in Logical Reasoning and General Awareness sections of CMAT turn out to be more difficult than questions of Quantitative Techniques, Language Comprehension and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. If a candidate can solve about 70-75 of the total questions with about 80 per cent accuracy in each section, they can score well in CMAT. The sectional difficulty in CMAT is as follows: 1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: Moderate 2. Logical Reasoning: Easy to Moderate 3. Language Comprehension: Easy to Moderate 4. General Awareness: Moderate 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Moderate For the latest exam pattern and difficulty level of CMAT click here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cmat-exam-analysis.

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Q: Which section of CMAT question paper has the maximum weightage?

All the five sections of CMAT question paper has equal weightage of 20 questions. Each question carries four marks for correct attempt. One mark is deducted per incorrect entry. There is no marks deduction for unanswered question. Therefore, each section of CMAT will have equal weightage of 80 marks. Given below is the sectional weightage of CMAT exam. 1. English Comprehension: 20 questions, 80 marks 2. General Knowledge: 20 questions, 80 marks 3. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: 20 questions, 80 marks 4. Data Interpretation and Reasoning: 20 questions, 80 marks 5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: 20 questions, 80 marks Since, all the sections of CMAT have same weightage, it is important for candidates to prepare for each section well. If you will score equally will in every section, only then will your overall score will be good. Also, many colleges consider sectional scores as well for admission shortlist so it is important to perform equally well in all sections of CMAT.

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Table of content

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Section Wise
Expected CMAT 2025 Cut Offs for Admission
CMAT 2024 Analysis – Section wise Topics
CMAT Exam Analysis 2023: Section-wise Topics
Previous Years' CMAT Analysis
CMAT Analysis FAQs

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Section Wise

Check below section wise CMAT 2025 exam analysis. Also, know CMAT difficulty level of every section as well as number of good attempts:

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation

All 20 questions in this section of CMAT 2025 were easy. Arithmetic dominated with 10 questions. There was one question from Geometry, 2 questions each from Algebra, Numbers and Modern Math There was one Data Interpretation set (3 questions) which was based on Pie Charts. Around 16 – 17 attempts with 80% accuracy would be good in this section.

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Logical Reasoning

There were 16 non-verbal reasoning questions and 4 verbal reasoning questions. Non verbal reasoning questions were asked from Directions, Cubes, Counting the number of squares, Linear Arrangements, Family tree and clocks. Verbal reasoning questions pertained to Assertion Reason, Strong/Weak Argument, Assumption, and Conclusion. Around 15 – 16 attempts with 80% accuracy would be good in this section.

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Language Comprehension

There was only on RC passage with 2 questions in Language Comprehension section of CMAT 2025. Rest of the 18 questions were grammar and verbal ability based. In this section too, about 15-16 attempts with 80 percent accuracy will be considered good.

CMAT 2025 Analysis: General Awareness

This year, all the General Awareness questions in CMAT were based on Static GK. Most of the questions were based on Indian events from science, sports, Indian constitution, history, India and its culture. The questions were moderate and 10 to 11 attempts with 80 % accuracy would be considered a good attempt.

CMAT 2025 Analysis: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

In this section, questions were based on Bootstrapping, Startup valuation, Fabian entrepreneur, Angel investment, Lean startup, Trademark, Feasibility analysis, etc). Only 1 question was based on Business GK. In this section 11 to 12 attempts with 80% accuracy will be considered good attempt.

Commonly asked questions

Q: Which is the lengthiest section in CMAT?

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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.

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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.

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Expected CMAT 2025 Cut Offs for Admission

Listed below are CMAT cut off percentiles of some of the popular MBA colleges accepting CMAT score.

Colleges Accepting CMAT score	CMAT Expected Cut Off Percentiles
JBIMS, Mumbai	99.9+
Goa Institute of Management	95-99
KJ Somaiya Institute of Management	95-99
SIMSREE, Mumbai	99+
Great Lakes Institute of Management	95-99
IPE Hyderabad	90-95
University of Pune, Dept of Management Sciences	95-99
Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai	85
Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore	80
Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management	85
IFIM, Bangalore	85
IFMR, Chennai	85
NIBM, Pune	85
NL Dalmiya Institute of Management	85
IMT Hyderabad	80
IMT Nagpur	80
XISS Ranchi	80
ITM Navi Mumbai	80
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida	85

Also Read:

CMAT 2024 Analysis – Section wise Topics

CMAT 2024 saw no change in the exam pattern or test structure from previous years. The CMAT 2024 difficulty level was moderate. Check below, section wise CMAT exam analysis 2024:

CMAT 2024 Analysis: Language Comprehension

In the Language Comprehension section of CMAT 2024, the questions were majorly based on grammar. The RC passages were easy. Questions ranged from parajumble, fill in the blanks, idioms/phrases, nouns, pronouns, articles, adjectives, adverbs, vocabulary, etc. About 16-17 correct attempts will be considered good in this section.

CMAT 2024 Analysis: Quantitative Techniques

The Quantitative Techniques section of shift 1 of CMAT 2024 was moderate. The questions were asked from Arithmetic, Number System, Probability, Permutation & Combination, Set Theory, etc. About 16-17 correct attempts will be considered good in this section.

CMAT 2024 Analysis: Logical Reasoning

This section of CMAT 2024 had questions from arrangements, blood relations, series, statements, venn diagram, coding, statements, etc. Overall, the section was easy and 16-17 correct attempts will be considered good.

CMAT 2024 Analysis: Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Innovation & Entrepreneurship section of CMAT 2024 was easy as always. Questions were based on entrepreneurship, business affairs, corporate, new schemes, policies, markets and economy. 16-17 correct attempts will be considered good.

CMAT 2024 Analysis: General Knowledge

The GK section was moderate. There were questions on Lionel Messi's birth place, Kathakali dance, Asian Games 2026, father of Green Revolution, Author of My Life, panchayat system, constitution day, civilization, ancient empires, etc. About 10-12 correct attempts will be good in this section.

Also Read:

CMAT 2024 exam analysis - shift 1 and 2

CMAT 2024 answer key and question paper - shift 1 and 2 PDF

CMAT Exam Analysis 2023: Section-wise Topics

The CMAT question paper 2023 had questions from the usual topics which are asked every year. The questions were more or less evenly distributed across topics, which made the paper easy and doable for candidates. Check the table below for topics from which questions were asked in CMAT 2023 exam:

CMAT 2023 section	Topics
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation	Percentages, Time-speed-distance, Time-work, Ratio-Proportion, Profit & Loss, Compound Interest, Averages, Mensuration, Triangles, Probability, Properties of Numbers, Table and Pie Chart
Logical Reasoning	Directions, Series Completion, Number Relations, Linear Arrangement, Family Tree¸ Coding, Misc Arrangement, Set Theory and Verbal Reasoning, Simple Equations
Language Comprehension	Reading Comprehension, Idioms, Spelling, Antonym/Synonym, Fill in the Blanks, Direct Speech, Identify the Correct Statement and Parajumble
General Awareness	Sports, Constitution, History, Books and Authors, Awards, Physics, Geography
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	RC, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business Personalities

Also Read:

CMAT 2023 answer key, question paper PDF download

CMAT 2023 exam analysis, shift 1

CMAT 2023 exam analysis, shift 2

CMAT 2023 student reactions and reviews

Also Read:

In-depth CMAT 2022 exam analysis

CMAT 2022 student reactions and reviews

Commonly asked questions

Q: Which are the top colleges for MBA with CMAT score of 65-75 percentile?

Candidates with CMAT score of 65-75 percentile, must not feel bad about their comparatively low score. There are number of good MBA colleges in India which accept CMAT scores in this range for their postgraduate management courses. Some of the college that accept CMAT score of 65-75 percentile include, BIMTECH-Greater Noida, BIT-Mesra, DY Patil School of Management-Pune, DY Patil School of Management-Pune, Calcutta Business School, New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM) New Delhi, Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) Chennai, IES Management College And Research Centre, Mumbai, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, FIIB Delhi: Fortune Institute of International Business, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII Ahmedabad), VESIM Mumbai, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies, Delhi School of Business, EMPI Business School New Delhi, Jaypee Business School (JBS) Noida, International Institute of Management Studies (IIMS) Pune among others.

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Q: Which are the top colleges for MBA with CMAT score of 80 to 85 percentile?

If you score between 80 to 85 percentile CMAT you need not worry about admission. There are a large number of MBA colleges that accept candidates with CMAT score in the range of 80 to 85 percentile. A number of government as well as private institutes with good infrastructure and placements are within your reach. Some of those popular colleges include, Welingkar Institute of Management-Mumbai, Welingkar Institute of Management-Bangalore, Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, IFIM-Bangalore, IFMR- Chennai, NIBM-Pune, NL Dalmiya Institute of Management, IMT Hyderabad, IMT Nagpur, XISS Ranchi, ITM Navi Mumbai, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, Xavier Business School-Xavier University, Great Lakes Institute of Management-Gurgaon, BIMTECH-Greater Noida, XIME-Bangalore, ISBM-Pune, Jaipuria Institute of Management Lucknow, KIIT School of Management, IPE Hyderabad, SIES College of Management Studies-Navi Mumbai and Chetana Institute of Management and Research-Mumbai among others.

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Q: Which are the top colleges for MBA with CMAT score of 95 plus percentile?

95 percentile and is a very good score in CMAT if you are looking for a college with decent reviews, placements and moderate fees. Some of the top MBA colleges which accept candidates with CMAT score of 95 percentile and above include Jamnlal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies-Mumbai, Goa Institute of Management (GIM) Goa, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management-Mumbai, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE) Mumbai, Great Lakes Institute of Management-Chennai, University of Pune, Dept of Management Sciences and Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi to name a few. Admission process of these colleges include personality assessment test which may include group discussion and Personal Interview . or only Personal Interview . Candidates must check the admission dates and academic eligibility criteria before applying to the MBA courses offered by these colleges.

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Previous Years' CMAT Analysis

Check here previous years' CMAT exam analysis to know the exam pattern and difficulty level of the exam over the years.

Section-wise CMAT 2021 analysis

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

Commonly asked questions

Q: How many questions are asked in GK section of CMAT?

There are 20 questions from General Knowledge in CMAT. All the questions are in MCQ format. Four options are given for each question to choose the right answer from. The General Knowledge section of CMAT is usually of a higher difficulty level but as it is a memory based section, it can be completed in maximum 15 minutes. The questions pertain to static GK and Current Affairs. Topics included in CMAT GK section are business, politics, awards, inventions, Science and technology, sports, society, world, advertising, trade, books and authors, arts, entertainment, history, geography and politics. Candidates should attempt the GK section in the end as the main criteria for MBA are English Quantitative Aptitude Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation. The candidate's main focus should be on getting maximum questions correct in these three sessions. GK can be handled at the end.

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Q: How many questions should I solve to get a good score in CMAT?

Since every section of CMAT has 20 questions in total, solving 15-18 questions in each section with 80 per cent accuracy is considered a good attempt in CMAT and it can ensure good percentile in the exam. In GK section, about 10-12 correct attempts will be enough. Out of 100 questions, candidates must try to solve about 70-75 questions to get 99 percentile. However, candidates must aim to solve higher number of questions with maximum accuracy and minimise on negative marking. To be able to achieve this target, candidates need to prepare for the CMAT in a dedicated and disciplined manner. The candidate must keep minimum three months aside for completing the CMAT syllabus as they have to study five subjects and their numerous topics. If they have appeared for CAT XAT and IIFT exam then they can complete the CMAT syllabus in one month too. However, it is advised that candidates spend at least three months on the CMAT syllabus for complete preparation.

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Q: What is the time duration of CMAT exam?

The CMAT exam is conducted for three hours or 180 minutes. There is no sectional time limit in CMAT unlike in CAT or XAT. No break is given to candidates in between the exam. Extra 30 minutes are granted to PwD candidates for completing the paper. Candidates must manage the three hours in such a way that they get enough time to spend on every section of CMAT exam. Candidates can divide time among all five sections of the CMAT question paper according to their convenience. They must make a time management strategy ahead of the exam so that they are able to solve a good number of questions in each section and reach the sectional cut off. GK is a memory based section and you need to get 8-10 questions correct to get meet the sectional cut off. So attempt it in the end and not spend more than 10 minutes on it.

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CMAT Analysis FAQs

Check here Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CMAT Analysis

Commonly asked questions

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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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.

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Q: Is CMAT easier than CAT?

Yes, CMAT is much easier that CAT exam. Despite the fact that CMAT and CAT syllabus are same and that CMAT has two more sections than CAT the former is much easier than the latter. The CAT exam is usually of moderate to high difficulty level, whereas the CMAT exam is of easy to moderate difficulty level.

There are key differences between CMAT and CAT which make the former easier. There is no sectional time limit in CMAT so candidates do not face the pressure of completing a given section within certain time limit. In CAT there are 4-5 Reading Comprehension passages which are 500-600 words, and 12-14 question.

In CMAT there is usually, only one Reading Comprehension passage, having 4 questions. The Quantitative Aptitude questions of CMAT are also easier than CAT and so are Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation questions. It is easier to score high percentile in CMAT as the number of applicants is more than one Lacs less in CAT.

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Q: What is the section wise weightage in CMAT?

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Q: What are the important topics of CMAT syllabus?

CMAT has five sections - Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Important topics of CMAT across all the five sections are listed below:

Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Time-speed-distance, Ratio-Proportion, Profit and Loss, SICI, Average, Partnership, Triangles Probability Surds, HCF-LCM, Quad equations, Quad inequality, Graphs, Tables, Bar, Pie Chart.
Logical Reasoning: Family Tree, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, Coding-Decoding, etc.
Language Comprehension: Synonym, Antonym, Fill in the Blanks, Idioms, Match the Following, Reading Comprehension, Identify the Correct Statement, Direct/Indirect Speech, Classify the Sentence, Question Tag, Parajumble.
General Awareness: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Concepts of Entrepreneurship, Overview of Entrepreneurship, Evolution of Entrepreneurship in India, Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development, Theories and Models of Entrepreneurship, Framework of Entrepreneurship Theories, Models of Entrepreneurship, Emerging Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship, Dimensions of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Entrepreneurial Culture, Rural Entrepreneurship, etc.

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Q: How to download CMAT results and scorecards?

Once released, candidates who have appeared for the CMAT exam must follow the below-mentioned step by step procedure to download results and scorecards:

Step 1: Visit the official website of CMAT at cmat.nta.nic.in.

Step 2: Scroll down to Student Activity notification box and click on 'CMAT Score Card'

Step 3: On the next page, fill in details including, Application Number, Date of Birth and Security Pin.

Step 4: After entering all details mentioned in step 3, click on 'Login'

Step 5: On the next, check details regarding CMAT scores.

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