Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content
CMAT exam pattern 2025 has been released by the NTA. There is no change in the CAMT 2025 exam pattern. However, candidates have to prepare for CMAT 2025 in a short time because the exam will be conducted on January 25, 2025. Earlier, CMAT used to be conducted in April-May.
As per the CMAT 2025 exam pattern, the CMAT 2025 question paper will have 100 questions in MCQ format from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Read below to know more about the latest CMAT exam pattern.
Q: Â What is the latest CMAT exam pattern?
Q: Â What is the difficulty level of CMAT exam?
Q: Â What is the section wise weightage in CMAT?
CMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights
CMAT is a popular entrance exam among MBA aspirants as the score is accepted by over 1,300 B-Schools in India. The exam has simple structure but one needs to be able to handle all the sections equally well as weightage is equal for all of them. So, one needs to study all the subjects well. Given below are the highlights of CMAT exam pattern 2025 and test structure:Â
CMAT Exam Structure | Details |
---|---|
Number of sections |
5 (Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship) |
Mode of examination |
Online |
Duration of CMAT 2025 exam |
180 minutes |
Number of Shifts |
One |
Number of questions |
100 |
Total Marks |
400 |
Number of answer choices |
5 |
CMAT Marking scheme |
+4 marks for every correct answer -1 mark for every incorrect answer |
Language of paper |
English |
Q: Â Which section of CMAT question paper has the maximum weightage?
Q: Â What is the CMAT marking scheme?
Q: Â 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.
Explore subject-wise topics asked in CMAT
Select your preferred subject
CMAT Exam Pattern: What is the Section-Wise Break-Up?
In CMAT, there are 100 questions in MCQ format. There is no subjective type or Type in The Answer questions. Solving all 100 questions is not mandatory. However, candidates must solve 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CMAT 2025 for scoring a good overall percentile. Check below the sectional weightage of the latest CMAT question paper:
CMAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks Allotted |
---|---|---|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
20 |
80 |
Logical Reasoning |
20 |
80 |
Language Comprehension |
20 |
80 |
General Awareness |
20 |
80 |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
20 |
80 |
Also Read:Â How to prepare for CMAT exam
Q: Â What is the CMAT Syllabus?
The Syllabus of CMAT exam includes all the important topics of English Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Given below are important topics included in each of these subjects:
- Quantitative Aptitude Geometry, Algebra Alligation and Mixtures, Number System Pie Chart, Lines and Graphs, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Time-Speed-Distance, etc.
- Logical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, Analytical Reasoning, Family Tree, Coding-Decoding, etc.
- Language Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Fill in the Blanks Grammar, Word Meaning, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc.
- General Awareness, Science, Technology, Inventions, Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business.
Q: Â What is the CMAT Innovation and entrepreneurship syllabus? Which books to study?
Q: Â Which are the best books for CMAT Logical Reasoning preparation?
What is CMAT Marking Scheme?
In CMAT 2025, four marks will be awarded for every correct attempt and one mark will be deducted for every incorrect attempt. There will be no deduction of marks for skipping questions. There is no non-MCQ in CMAT so one needs to be extra careful in marking answers. Check the below table to understand CMAT marking scheme:
Status of answer |
Marks |
---|---|
Right answer |
+4 |
Wrong answer |
-1 |
Blank question |
No deduction |
CMAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key PointsÂ
- Candidates have to mark their answers on screen with the help of computer mouse
- Solving all 100 questions is not mandatory. About 75-80 questions in total will get a good score.
- Candidates must opt to attempt only those questions they can solve correctly to avoid negative marking.Â
- Negative marking can lead to unnecessary drop in marks which will effect overall percentile.
Also Read:
Q: Â If I am preparing for CAT, do I need to prepare separately for CMAT?
Q: Â Is CMAT syllabus the same as that of CAT?
Q: Â Can I prepare for CMAT from CAT books?
How to Prepare for CMAT 2025? Tips and Strategy
For CMAT exam preparation 2025, candidates must make a strategy that is practical and workable. Since CMAT is an exam of moderate difficulty level, starting exam preparation six months in advance will be good. The fact that it is conducted in May, starting from November onwards will be good. However, if you haven't studied Maths after Class 10, then you must start preparing for CMAT much before. If your English Comprehension is weak, then also you must start preparation for CMAT Language Comprehension much before. Read CMAT preparation articles below to prepare well for the exam:
- How to prepare for CMAT 2025 in six months
- How to prepare for CMAT 205 in three months
- CMAT 2025 preparation tips for cracking logical reasoning
- CMAT 2025 preparation tips for cracking language comprehension
- CMAT 2025 preparation tips for cracking QA-DI
- CMATÂ 2025 preparation tips for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- How to prepare for CMAT 2025 in one month
- Best books for CMAT preparation 2025
- CMAT preparation and exam day tips
- CMAT prep: Last minute tips for exam
Q: Â How can I master Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation topics of CMAT?
Q: Â Can I prepare for CMAT in 6 months?
Yes, 6 months are a decent time duration to prepare for CMAT exam, if one does it with dedication and discipline. Candidates who have appeared for CMAT or any other MBA entrance exam before, will find 6 months more than enough to prepare for the exam. Those, who are appearing in CMAT for the first time, can also prepare in 6 months but they will have to give extra time to it. If you plan a CMAT preparation in six months, make a three stage plan. In the first stage, which will be of 3 months, complete the CMAT syllabus, in the second phase, which will be of 2 months, practice sample papers and mock tests. In the third stage, which will be of 1 months, do revision of important topics and gain control over all that you have studied before. Keep in mind to solve enough number of CMAT mock tests (30-35) for better preparation in short time. Read More: CMAT preparation in 6 months
Q: Â What is the benefit of solving official CMAT question papers?
CMAT Mock Test
Practicing in the real time environment is very important for scoring well in a time bound entrance test such as CMAT. Shiksha has prepared a free CMAT mock test for aspirants based on the latest exam pattern and latest difficulty level. CMAT 2025 aspirants can take this mock test free of cost to check their preparation level.
CMAT Mock Test 1 | CMAT Mock Test 1 Solutions |
CMAT Mock Test 2 | CMAT Mock Test 2 Solutions |
Read More:
FAQs Regarding CMAT Exam Pattern 2025
Check Below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CMAT pattern:
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 How can I prepare for CMAT?
Q: Â What is the section wise weightage in CMAT?
Q: Â What is the time duration of CMAT exam?
News & Updates
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CMAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
MAT 2025 is scheduled to be held on January 25, 2025, almost four months ahead of previous years. The CMAT exam is usually held in March-April, but in 2023 and 2024, it was held in May. The last time CMAT was held in January was in the year 2019.Â
The NTA has announced registration dates via an offi
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Arihant MCA Entrances 2025
As per my opinion this book is best for MCA.
N
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a week ago
Top MBA colleges offering average CTCs above 12 LPA, with ST out-of-state reservations and accepting CMAT or XAT scores, include XLRI Jamshedpur (32 LPA, XAT), XIM Bhubaneswar (20 LPA, XAT), Great Lakes Institute of Management (15–17 LPA, CMAT/XAT), Goa Institute of Management (14–15 LPA, CMAT/XAT),
Answered 2 weeks ago
An 85 percentile in CMAT is considered a good score and can make you eligible for a PGDM scholarship at GIBS Business School. GIBS typically offers scholarships to students with strong academic records or good performance in entrance exams like CMAT. With an 85 percentile, you are likely to be consi
B
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, I can suggest colleges in Gujarat that accept CMAT score for admission to MBA
Colleges are :-Â
- Adani Institute of Infrastructure management
- Bk School of business managementÂ
- Amrut modi School of managementÂ
- Shanti Business School
- Indus UniversityÂ
- Graduate School of management studiesÂ
- Centre for manag
Answered 2 weeks ago
Depends on exam results, the CMAT cutoff for BLDEA's A S Patil College of Commerce changes depends on the admissions method. Two methods are available to candidates for admission: the Management Quota, which uses CMAT/KMAT scores, or the Government/Merit Quota, which uses CMAT scores through KEA cou
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
You can join BLDEA's A S Patil College of Commerce for MBA or PGDM programs even if you haven't taken the CMAT. The college also accepts other entrance exams like Karnataka PGCET and KMAT.
Admission Process:
- Students are primarily admitted based on merit through these exams, followed by a counseling p
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Hii, The difficulty of XAT, CAT, or CMAT depends on individual aptitude and preparation, but generally:
- CAT: Considered the toughest, with high competition and emphasis on VARC, DILR, and Quant.
- XAT: Moderate, with an additional Decision-Making section and essay writing, testing analytical thinking.
- CM
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Indeed, CMAT results are accepted for admission to the MBA programme at the Best MBA college in Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), located in Bangalore. Candidates who have taken the CMAT may apply to GIBS's MBA programme as long as they fulfill the requirements. A group discussion and in-
G
Contributor-Level 9
1402 Institutes accepting CMAT
- Total Fees: ₹ 7.80 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
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- Total Fees: ₹ 8.00 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
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- Total Fees: ₹ 15.75 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Full Time
When will CMAT 2025 be conducted?