CMAT 2024 Question Paper, Previous Years Papers (2023-2018): Download PDF with Solutions

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

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. Logical Reasoning: Family Tree, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, Coding-Decoding, etc.
3. 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.
4. 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.

In top MBA exams such as NMAT, SNAP, CMAT and CAT, questions from previous years may not get directly repeated. MBA exams are known for its ever evolving question structure with changing economies. The exam authorities create new and innovative questions each year to assess candidates' problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and aptitude.

While questions may not get repeated exactly, it is possible to find similar concepts or patterns in different years. The focus of MBA entrance exams, such as NMAT, CAT, CMAT, or SNAP, is to test candidates' ability to think critically and apply their knowledge to solve unfamiliar problems. Therefore, practicing previous year's questions can be beneficial as it helps candidates familiarise with the exam format, identify common question types, and develop their problem-solving skills.

The syllabus of MBA entrance exams typically remains the same with DILR, VARC, and QA sections. While some exams may have an additional section for General Awareness. Therefore, candidates must go through the previous year's questions to get aware of the,   type of questions, important topics, and more.

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.