Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content
CMAT books hold the key to smart preparation. Aspirants must choose only the best books for CMAT preparation having topic-wise explanations as well as sample questions of various difficulty levels for practice. Although the CMAT syllabus is similar to other MBA entrance exams, the type of questions asked are different. Thus, aspirants must make sure to study from the books that are specially recommended for CMAT exam 2025.Â
CMAT books are available in the market and can be purchased online as well as offline. So those preparing for CMAT 2025 exam, must get hold of the best books for CMAT. The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan and JS Rana is considered the best book for CMAT preparation. Apart from this book, you should also study from the CMAT books listed below.
Q: Â 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.
Q: Â How can I prepare for CMAT to secure 100 percentile?
Common Management Admission Test is an online computer based test conducted by the National Testing Agency, India. It is a national-level admission test for facilitating institutions to select suitable students for admission in all management programmes approved by AICTE. According to the exam pattern, the CMAT syllabus for MBA admission is divided into five sections namely, Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. If you plan to prepare for CMAT exam, then you have to at least put in four to six hours daily into studying. 345 to 350 marks are expected to secure the 100 percentile and those securing in the range of 285 to 340 marks will obtain 99 to 99.99 percentile. CMAT merit list will include names of all the aspirants scoring CMAT score vs percentile from 0.005 to 100 percentile. Speed is not an issue at all as you have ample time available. Solving 100 questions in 3 hours is quite easy; hence time is not as important as accuracy is. I have slept for 20 to 40 minutes after completing test every year! The range of topics covered has become very important.
Q: Â What is the latest CMAT exam pattern?
Q: Â Can I prepare for CMAT from CAT books?
- CMAT Books for Preparation: Syllabus to Cover
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Logical Reasoning
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Language Comprehension
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: General Awareness
- Additional CMAT Study Material
- FAQs on CMAT Books and Preparation
CMAT Books for Preparation: Syllabus to Cover
Before checking the list of best books for CMAT exam preparation 2025, check out the section-wise exam syllabus. Knowing the CMAT syllabus is important for making the preparation plan and arranging relevant study material, specially for, Innovation and Entrepreneurship section. Given below is the table indicating CMAT syllabus and important topics from which questions are asked.Â
CMAT Syllabus | CMAT Important Topics |
---|---|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Mensuration, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc. |
Logical Reasoning |
Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Venn Diagram, Blood Relationship Tests, etc. |
Language Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc. |
General Awareness |
Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
Optional paper having questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business |
Also Read:
Explore subject-wise topics asked in CMAT
Select your preferred subject
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
CMAT Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation section is moderately difficult and the questions are mainly asked from Arithmetic. Check the table below for CMAT books for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation preparation:
CMAT Books |
Author Name/Publisher |
---|---|
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
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 K Verma (Arihant) |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
NCERT Mathematics Books for Class 8, 9 and 10 |
NCERT |
Quantitative Aptitude |
Dr RS Aggarwal |
The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams |
Pearson |
Also Read: CMAT Preparation Tips: Cracking Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation
VARC Preparation Tips | DILR Preparation Tips | QA Preparation Tips |
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning questions of CMAT are easy to moderate. However, in this section practice is important for scoring well. Most of the questions are logic based so you need to know what to see and what to ignore. Check the table below for recommended CMAT books for Analytical and Logical Reasoning preparation:
CMAT Books |
Author Name/Publisher |
---|---|
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit K Sinha (Pearson) |
Also Read: CMAT Preparation Tips 2025: Cracking Logical Reasoning
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Language Comprehension
Language Comprehenshion section of CMAT is similar to CAT but has less number of RC passages. The passages are of low difficulty level. There are more grammar and vocabulary based question. Check the table below for CMAT books for Language Comprehension preparation:
CMAT Books |
Author Name/Publisher |
---|---|
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT |
Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Nishit K Sinha |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Dr RS Aggarwal |
For strengthening English Grammar and Vocabulary, the candidates must refer to the following books:
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Wren & Martin English Grammar
- Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary
- The Students’ Companion by Wilfred D Best
- Business English and Communication by John O E Clark
- A Communicative Grammar of English by Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik
Also Read: CMAT Preparation 2025: Cracking Language Comprehension
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Given below are some of the books that will help you to prepare for CMAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship section which was introduced in 2021.Â
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management by R Gopal
- Entrepreneurship - Robert D. Hisrich
- Manorama Year Book - Mammen Mathew
Also Read: CMAT Preparation 2024: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: General Awareness
To prepare for General Awareness section of CMAT exam, candidates must refer to GK Year Books. Apart from that, candidates must also read newspapers and current affairs magazines regularly. This will give them the exposure to current affairs and business news. Some of the magazines and journals recommended for CMAT 2025 preparation are:Â
- Economic Times
- Business Today
- The Financial Times
- Hindu Business Line
- Financial Express
- Business World
Additional CMAT Study Material
Apart from CMAT books, candidates should prepare for the exam through sample papers and mock test series. Given below are key benefits of practicing CMAT mock tests:
- Since CMAT is a speed-based test, candidates need to be capable of applying concepts and formulae to questions within a few seconds for solving them. This can be learnt only by solving sample papers and practicing CMAT mock test series.
- CAT mock tests are a replica of the actual exam. Practicing the CMAT mock test helps the candidate in not only developing speed of solving the question within a certain time limit, but also helps them in developing the skill of solving the questions with maximum accuracy.
- Practising CAT mock tests is also necessary to develop the skill of choosing the right questions in the exam. Candidates can judge their strong and weak areas by solving CMAT mock tests. They can assess which topics of the CMAT syllabus are easy to handle in the exam and which are not. This knowledge will help them in choosing only those questions which they can solve accurately, there by reducing the risk of negative marking.
- CMAT is an online test. The technology may slow down the first timers. If a candidate does not have a prior experience of a Computer-Based Test, they may end up wasting time in understanding the exam flow. But if they shall have practiced online CMAT mock tests before they will be able to navigate through the actual exam easily.
Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
CMAT Mock Test by Shiksha
CMAT_Mock_Test_1 | CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
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FAQs on CMAT Books and Preparation
Check here Frequently Asked Questions related to CMAT books:
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