Common Management Aptitude Test or CMAT is organised by NTA. It is one of the few tests in India on the basis of which, management colleges across the nation give admissions. Currently, more than 850 colleges participate in CMAT. In the previous year, more than 75,000 students participated in the test.
CMAT is designed for testing the skills of the candidates which they will use in their management careers. Hence, the test is designed in a specific manner and has been divided in relevant sections. In this article, you will get to know about the syllabus of CMAT and what topics are to be covered for it’s preparation, some suggested readings and FAQs.
CMAT Syllabus – Sections
CMAT is an MCQ-type test designed to measure the overall strength, knowledge and critical thinking abilities of the candidates. Hence, the exam is divided into 4 sections namely:
- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
- Logical Reasoning
- Language Comprehension
- General Awareness
- Note: Each section will have 25 questions. Each question will carry 4 marks and for every incorrect answer 1 mark will be deducted. Hence, CMAT score is calculated out of 400 marks.
CMAT Syllabus – What topics will be asked under each section?
For each section, questions from the following topics will be asked:
To know if you are eligible for the exam, read CMAT eligibility here.
| Sections | Topics |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | Tabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph |
| Probability | |
| Quadratic and linear equations | |
| Graph | |
| Simple Interest and Compound Interest | |
| Percentages | |
| Averages | |
| Geometry | |
| Profit and Loss | |
| Mensuration | |
| Ratios and Proportion | |
| Fraction and Decimals | |
| Work and Time | |
| Time-Speed-Distance | |
| Number Systems | |
| In-equations | |
| Alligation & Mixtures | |
| Partnership | |
| Algebra | |
| Permutations & Combinations | |
| Pipes and Cisterns | |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning |
| Cause and Effects | |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | |
| Linear Arrangements | |
| Analogy Test | |
| Symbol Based Problems | |
| Statements Arguments | |
| Blood Relationship Tests | |
| Direction and Distance Test | |
| Statements and Conclusion | |
| Number Series | |
| Statements Assumptions | |
| Inferences | |
| Matrix Arrangements | |
| Ranking Tests | |
| Coding and Decoding | |
| Sequencing | |
| Language Comprehension | English Grammar |
| Paragraph Completion | |
| Sentence Improvement | |
| English Usage Errors | |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | |
| Reading Comprehension | |
| One-word Substitution | |
| Jumbled Para | |
| Idioms and Phrases | |
| Sentence Correction | |
| General Awareness | Literature |
| Current Affairs of National and International Economy | |
| History | |
| Sports News | |
| Science in everyday life | |
| Politics | |
| Geography | |
| Culture | |
| Economics | |
| Trade Awareness | |
| Personalities in News | |
| Indian Constitution |
CMAT Syllabus – Suggested Reading for CMAT preparations
There are a number of books out there which cover the topics mentioned above. However, shuffling between those books and deciding on which preparation material to be used can be quite confusing. So, here we are giving a list of books and suggested reading material which over the years have proved to be the right choice for the students.
| Sections | Suggested Readings |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education), Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant), Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education), NCERT, Dr RS Aggarwal |
| Logical Reasoning | Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education), Nishit K Sinha (Pearson) |
| Language Comprehension | Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education, Nishit K Sinha, Dr R S Aggarwal, TIME |
| Vocabulary and grammar | Wren & Martin English Grammar, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, Business English and Communication by John O E Clark |
| General Awareness | The Financial Times, Hindu Business Line, Business World, Competitive Success Review |
How to prepare for CMAT and what is its difficulty level?
- The strategy to prepare for CMAT is similar as of any other management test. Students should consider taking each section individually and focusing more on the ones which feel weak to them, For eg if some student is strong in logical reasoning but lacks in communication skills, he/she should focus more on that particular section.
- An applicant must read as much as he/she can about current affairs and general awareness. This is not only crucial for clearing the test but also helps a lot in the personal interview round. Students should read daily newspapers and prominent social and political magazines.
- CMAT level of difficulty will be somewhere between easy to medium in comparison to the other management tests.
- Applicants should also join a mock test series to prepare for the examination. This is one of the most effective methods of improving your performance in the exam. Many publishers provide mock test series on the pattern of the real test. These mock tests help in preparing the student metally and test his/her knowledge as well. These mock tests also help students to learn how to manage time during the exam and how to approach the question paper.
- To cover all the topics, students must go through the suggested readings and should make a strong knowledge base. Other things to be covered are communication skills, personal motivation and drive, leadership skills, competitiveness and other such traits which are crucial for management.
CMAT Syllabus – FAQs
Q. What are the important topics for CMAT preparations?
For a competitive exam like CMAT, it is difficult to point out topics more important than others. However, questions from algebra, time-speed-distance, geometry, graphs, analytical reasoning, linear arrangements, number series, matrix arrangements, blood relationship tests, reading comprehension, grammar, English usage errors, parajumbles, etc. are all considered important in the CMAT exam.
Q. Is there negative marking in CMAT?
Yes, for each wrong answer in CMAT, 1 mark will be deducted. On the other hand, for each correct answer, 4 marks will be awarded.
Q. Is the syllabus of CMAT the same as that of CAT?
Yes, the syllabus of CMAT is the same as that of CAT, except the GK section. There is no GK section in the Common Admission Test.
Q. How many marks in CMAT are good enough for getting admission at a good college?
22-23 marks in each section of CMAT with 85-90% correct answers is considered as a good attempt.
