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CMAT 2025: Exam Date Announced - January 25, Registrations Started; Check Important Dates, Exam Pattern

Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Prof. SK Agarwal

CMAT is a national level MBA Entrance Examination for admission to MBA/PGDM programs offered by 1000+ AICTE Approved PGDM Institutions, University MBA Departments and their Constituent/Affiliated Colleges across India. CMAT 2025 will be conducted on January 25, 2025. CMAT Exam 2025 Registrations are open and last date to register is December 13. CMAT 2025 exam duration is three hour and exam pattern is divided into five sections: Quantitative Technique, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Read this article for complete details on how to register for CMAT, overview of CMAT Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation, Centres and more. 

Table of Content

  • 1. What is CMAT Exam?

  • 2. CMAT 2025 Highlights

  • 3. CMAT 2025: Important Dates

  • 4. CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

  • 5. CMAT 2025 Exam Pattern

  • 6. Previous CMAT Exam Analysis: Pattern, Difficulty Level

  • 7. CMAT 2025 Exam Syllabus: Overall and Section wise syllabus

  • 8. CMAT 2025 Preparation? How to Prepare

  • 9. Role of CMAT Mock Tests in CMAT 2025 Preparation?

  • 10. CMAT 2025 Registration & Application Process

  • 11. CMAT 2025 Admit Card Release: How to Download?

  • 12. CMAT Exam Centers in India

  • 13. CMAT Accepting Colleges

  • 14. CMAT Registration Numbers

  • 15. CMAT Official Website, Helpline Number, Email

  • 16. CMAT Exam Day Tips, Documents Required, Dos and Donts

  • 17. CMAT Result

  • 18. FAQs on Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

1. What is CMAT Exam?

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a National Level MBA Entrance Examination for admission to 1000+ AICTE Approved PGDM Institutions, University MBA Departments and their Constituent/Affiliated Colleges across the country. However, IIMs and many top MBA colleges like MDI Gurgaon and XLRI Jamshedpur do not accept CMAT exam scores. Check list of MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT exam 2025 scores

Till 2018, CMAT Test was conducted by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). National Test Agency (NTA) is conducting this Test since 2019. CMAT exam official website is exams.nta.ac.in/cmat.  

CMAT 2025 will be conducted on January 25 as a three-hour entrance exam in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across India. More than 80,000 candidates are expected to apply for CMAT 2025 exam. CMAT Exam Pattern is divided into five sections: Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. 

A: The exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) created by Government of India, Ministry of Education.
A: CMAT is one of the largest and reputed MBA entrance exams although the number of applicants are fewer than CAT and XAT. Number of registrations in CMAT 2024 was more than 76000

2. CMAT 2025 Highlights

CMAT is not only one of the most accepted MBA entrance exams in India, it is the gateway to top MBA colleges. Following are the key CMAT Exam 2025 Highlights including CMAT Exam Details, CMAT Full Form, CMAT Form 2025 release date, CMAT Exam 2025 Dates, CMAT exam 2025 duration, overall and sectional CMAT exam structure, top MBA colleges accepting the exam among others.

CMAT Exam ParticularsDetails
CMAT Exam Full Form 2025Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) 2025
Who conducts CMAT Exam?National Testing Agency (NTA)
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CMATK J Somaiya, Welingkar, PUMBA, BIMTECH
CMAT 2025 Notification ReleaseNovember 14, 2024
CMAT 2025 Exam DateJanuary 25, 2025
CMAT Exam SlotsTwo Slot Exam of 3 Hrs Duration for each slot
Mode of CMAT examOnline Computer Based Test at Exam Centres
CMAT Official Websitehttps://exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT/
CMAT Exam Application FeesRs. 2500
Number of Candidates who registered for CMAT 2023 exam76,745
Total Questions in the Exam100
Number of Sections5 Sections with 20 Questions in Each Section
Section Names in CMATQuantitative Technique; Logical Reasoning; Language Comprehension; General Awareness; Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Number of Answer Options4
Scoring Pattern in CMAT exam+4 Marks for Each Correct Answer -1 Mark for Each Wrong Answer 0 Mark for Un-attempted Question
CMAT Sectional Time LimitNo Sectional Time Limit
Facility to Choose Order of SectionsYes, Attempt any question from any section within overall time limit
A: It is conducted once in a year. For the last few years, the exam is conducted in the month May.
A: CMAT is a computer based online test and is conducted at exam centres in more than 110 cities in India

3. CMAT 2025: Important Dates

CMAT exam 2025 dates and timelines including CMAT 2025 Registration date; CMAT Exam 2025 Date, form filling dates, CMAT exam 2025 registration last date, Admit card download date, Answer key release date, result date and other important CMAT dates are as below:

CMAT 2025 Important DatesImportant Dates
CMAT 2025 Notification DateNovember 14, 2024
CMAT Registration Start Date 2025November 14, 2024
CMAT 2025 Registration Last DateDecember 14, 2024
CMAT 2025 Registration Fees Payment Last DateDecember 14, 2024
CMAT Admit Card ReleaseJanuary 20, 2025
CMAT 2025 Exam DateJanuary 25, 2025
CMAT Answer Key Release Date (Expected)January 28, 2025
CMAT Answer Key Objection Form Challenge Last Date (Expected)January 31, 2025
CMAT Result Date (Expected)February 20, 2025
A: CMAT 2025 exam date is not fixed. For the past few years CMAT is conducted in first or second week of May, earlier it was conducted in March/April and before that it was conducted in much earlier. As such the CMAT exam date 2025 is not fixed.
A: The registration begins from the date of release of Notification unless National Testing Agency (NTA) specifies some other start date for CMAT Registration.

4. CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

CMAT Eligibility Criteria requirement is that candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline. Candidates appearing for the final year of their Bachelor’s Degree exams, whose result will be declared before start of admission for academic year 2025-26, can also apply for CMAT-2025. Check other CMAT eligibility criteria 2025 in table below. 

CMAT 2025 Eligibility ComponentCMAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Academic QualificationCompleted Minimum 3 Years Bachelor’s Degree or should be in the Final Year of Bachelor’s Degree
CitizenshipThe candidate must be a citizen of India.
Maximum AgeThere is no age restriction for appearing in CMAT Exam
A: CMAT eligibility criteria do not cover the B-school admission criteria. You need to check for respective B-school eligibility criteria for admission separately
A: Yes you can write the exam provided the arrear is cleared

5. CMAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CMAT Exam Pattern has 100 questions of MCQ type divided in 5 sections. Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is online computer-based exam.  CMAT Exam 2025 is scheduled to be conducted in a single day in two slots.

  • •Total questions are 100 divided in 5 sections.
  • •All the questions are MCQ type
  • •Marks for every correct answer are +4 and -1 Negative Marking applies for wrong answer 
  • •No Marking for Unattempted questions 
  • •All the questions have four options with one correct option 

The table below shares the sectional order, number and type of questions in each section, questions for each section in the exam 

CMAT 2024 Exam SectionsNumber of QuestionsMaximum Marks Section-wiseOverall Time Duration: 180 Minutes (3 Hrs)
Language Comprehension2080No Sectional Time Limit
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation2080No Sectional Time Limit
Logical Reasoning2080No Sectional Time Limit
General Awareness2080No Sectional Time Limit
Innovation and Entrepreneurship2080No Sectional Time Limit
Total: Sections-5100400Total Time: 3 Hours
A: The exam will be conducted in a single day as a computer based test
A: The exam is likely to be conducted in two slots of 3 hours duration in a single day
A: It is a computer based test and is conducted at test centres. Last year the exam was conducted in more than 110 test cities.
A: CMAT is a moderate difficulty exam and is easier that CAT, XAT, SNAP
A: Yes, CMAT does not have individual sectional time limit

7. CMAT 2025 Exam Syllabus: Overall and Section wise syllabus

CMAT Exam Syllabus is divided into five sections. It tests the candidate on Language Comprehension, Quantitative Tehniques & Data Interpretation; Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The revised CMAT Exam 2025 Syllabus includes 100 MCQ type questions with 20 questions in each section. The weightage of each section in CMAT exam remains same at 20 percent. Detailed CMAT 2025 Exam Syllabus is given below: 

SectionSyllabus
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation (20 MCQ Type Questions)Questions in this section are usually single and are not based on sets. Major topics in this section are Arithmetic-Ratio, mixtures, work, average, percentage, Time & speed, Profit and loss, interest, basic statistics, Number properties, Probability, Counting principles, Geometry, Algebra, Derivatives ( Maxima-Minima). Data Interpretation questions are mostly in sets of 3-4 questions in the form of Table and pie chart, Bar diagrams and graphs, Charts
Language Comprehension (20 MCQ Type Questions)CMAT Language Comprehension section covers comprehensive English test which includes the test of grammar, tenses, vocabulary, jumbled paragraphs and reading comprehension. Key topics in CMAT Syllabus are Usage of Articles, Non-finites, Dangling Modifiers, Usage on Nouns & Pronouns, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositions – regular and followed, Verbs, Syntax, Subject-verb Agreement, Simple, continuous, Perfect tenses and Conditional-unreal past, Jumbled paragraphs, RC passages of 500-600 words. There is no fix rule on framing the questions based on Reading comprehension passage, which is followed by at least 4-5 questions each. The RC based Questions could be based on inference drawn, on the Central idea of the passage, on phrases, idioms, expression in the passage among others.
Logical Reasoning (20 MCQ Type Questions)Logical Reasoning section is a mix of the topics from arrangements like linear, seating, sequencing & arranging with conditions to coding. Major Topics in the Logical Reasoning Syllabus for CMAT are Statement-conclusion, Logical puzzle, Numerical puzzle, Venn Diagram, True/false statements, Visual Reasoning
General Awareness (20 MCQ Type Questions)General awareness section in CMAT Syllabus can be divided into three parts and each part has to be given due weightage - Conventional GK-available in books; Current GK- based on current reading of newspapers and periodicals; Business & Economics GK -for example changes in Fiscal and monetary policy, CRR, Repo Rate, Devaluation and up valuation of Rupee, Business, National and International events, Who’s who, Constitution of India, Currency and Capitals of the countries, States of India, International Organizations, Monetary and Fiscal tools, Emblem, Identification of personalities, companies among others.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (20 MCQs Type Questions)This section in CMAT exam covers comprehensive test on the knowledge regarding Innovative business practices, Government plans and policies, global entrepreneurs and personalities among others. Key topics are Government Publications, Policies and Practices on Innovation and Entrepreneurship for example who publishes Economic Survey of India; Publication of Gazettes; Process to Sell off the Assets of Bankrupt firm Launch of New Business Ventures with New Ideas like –Who launched the first live Payments Bank in India; Who launched Paytm, Ru Pay, UPI App based Tez, etc. Terminology-like Boot strapping, Liquidator, Mixed Economy, Tenacity, Neuroticism, Environmental Scanning, Innovation Management, Start Ups, Overtrading, Different among Proprietor, Partnership, Private Ltd firms and companies; Marketable Product, Patent, Trade Mark, Break Even Point, Latest Who’s Who, Places, Books in News. You should know basics of business viability; developing Business Plan.
A: CMAT 2025 syllabus remains on the lines of last year syllabus. It is not changed.
A: No, while NTA publishes CMAT exam and scoring pattern, it does not publish CMAT exam syllabus. You can find CMAT syllabus at MBAUniverse.com
A: All the five sections in CMAT exam have equal weightage. As such syllabus for all the five sections need to be covered to score well.
A: If you are devoting time and studying 2-3 hours a day, 3-4 months are considered sufficient to cover the syllabus.

8. CMAT 2025 Preparation? How to Prepare

Since CMAT exam is on January 25, 2025, complete CMAT Preparation should be high on priority of all serious CMAT 2025 aspirants. You can do self-preparation using online resources (like MBAUniverse.com) and CMAT preparation books, or enroll into CMAT coaching institute. Check list of best preparation books and online resources like CMAT Mock tests.

8.1 Best CMAT Exam Preparation Books
If you are self-preparing for the exam, the latest edition of the books listed below will help you prepare and score well in the exam.
CMAT Preparation Books for Language Comprehension

  • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT’- by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha

CMAT Preparation Books for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

  • How to prepare for Quantitative for the CAT by Arun Sharma, published by MGH Education
  • Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)

CMAT Preparation Books for Reasoning

  • ‘Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT’ - by Nishit K Sinha (Published by Pearson)
  • ‘How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT’ - by Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)

CMAT Preparation Books for General Awareness
One of the important sections for CMAT preparation is the General Awareness (GK). To prepare GK for CMAT, check these CMAT Exam GK material for different types of questions below. 

  • Conventional GK: Manorama Year Book, Wikipedia
  • Current GK: Current reading of newspapers and periodicals; 
  • Business & Economics GK: Business and financial newspapers and websites   
  • Read regularly the news papers and create your own CMAT GK question bank. A good source of preparation for updated GK questions for CMAT is 

CMAT Preparation Books & Study Material for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The questions in CMAT exam in Innovation and Entrepreneurship section are framed on concepts of innovation and business; Innovation of the life cycle; Entrepreneurship and its development, Start-ups, Make in India, How to start a venture, Government policy and guidelines on Entrepreneurship. There is no book for this section. You can read National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, published by Govt of India. 

8.2 CMAT Online Preparation 
CMAT Mock Test: Mock Tests play very important role in exam preparation. CMAT Toppers are of the view that taking CMAT Mocks is of utmost importance. You can take Free CMAT Mock Tests online based on previous years CMAT papers on MBAUniverse.com.

CMAT Preparation Guide on MBAUniverse.com: XXXXX

Youtube Channels: Check youtube channels of top coaching institutes like IMS Learning and others are helpful.  

9. Role of CMAT Mock Tests in CMAT 2025 Preparation?

CMAT Mock Tests play very important role in CMAT preparation. CMAT Toppers are of the view that taking CMAT Mocks is of utmost importance as it is a very important preparation tool. If you are seriously preparing for the exam and wish to score high percentile, it is necessary to attempt more and more Mock Tests to get ready for the exam day. 

Take Free CMAT Mock Tests based on previous years CMAT papers on MBAUniverse.com. 

A: You should take a minimum number of 35-40 Mock tests before the exam of different difficulty level. To prepare for the exam, it is not only sufficient to take Mocks but more important is to analyse your mistakes in them and improve for future.
A: Although it is a computer based test, taking offline Mock can also help you in improving your score. Whenever, you are writing an Offline Mock, you should adhere to sectional time limit and overall time limit of three hours thirty minutes. This will give you actual exam feeling with time management and improving your score.
A: You can take Online computer based free Mocks at MBAUniverse.com as well as other websites including the websites of coaching institutes
A: The first step after writing Mock test is that, you should analyse it for your errors. Ensure that the errors are not repeated. Make sure to bring clarity on concepts and practice more mocks of similar pattern.

10. CMAT 2025 Registration & Application Process

CMAT Registration process can be completed online on CMAT official website cmat.ntaonline.in in simple steps. CMAT Exam Fees for registration is Rs. 2500 for General Male and the CMAT Exam Fees is Rs. 1250 for female candidates. CMAT registration process will be considered complete only after you have paid the requisite CMAT exam fees, submit the application and receive the confirmation message from National Testing Agency. Step by step process how to register for CMAT exam 2025 is given below:

CMAT 2025 Registration: Step by Step Process

CMAT Registration Steps
Description
Step-1: Register as New User
Register at CMAT Website cmat.ntaonline.in
Step 2: Fill Up CMAT Application Form
After Registration you will get User ID, Password to fill CMAT Application Form
 
 
Step 3: Pay CMAT Registration Fee
Fee should be paid online through net banking, debit/credit card, Paytm, UPI

After submission of CMAT application, you will get confirmation message. You can download and take print of your application only after getting this message.

Read complete details and step by step guide on how to register for CMAT exam.

11. CMAT 2025 Admit Card Release: How to Download?

CMAT Admit Card download will start from January 20, 2025. NTA will upload the Admit card on official NTA CMAT exam website 2025. Only successfully registered candidates can download the CMAT exam 2025 Admit card from CMAT exam website cmat.ntaonline.in. The last date to download the Admit Card is exam date. 
 
Three Steps to Download CMAT 2025 Admit Card

  • Go to CMAT 2025 website cmat.ntaonline.in 
  • At login page enter CMAT ID and password to view and download the CMAT Admit Card
  • Save the Admit Card and take print on A4 size paper 
A: You should check your mail from NTA that your application form has successfully been submitted. If yes and still you don’t receive the Admit Card you should immediately contact the help desk.
A: After a few minutes from the Admit card release, thousands of the candidates try to get access to website simultaneously due to which some technical glitches may come up. The best strategy at that time is to access the website after some time when the rush gets subsided.
A: You should view the Admit Card only using the recommended browsers and not from your mobile phone.
A: If the Admit Card is blank, you need not worry. If the candidate registers multiple times, NTA will consider only the most recent (last) registration as the official application. The Admit Card generated for you is for the most recent (last) registration. Thus, if you login by using User ID of earlier registration attempts, you may find your Admit Card as blank.
A: It is not necessary, you can also have Black &White print of your Admit card from laser printer. Don't forget to affix your photo on the hard copy of admit card in the space provided beside the printed photograph

12. CMAT Exam Centers in India

CMAT Exam Centres are located across all the States in India. National Testing Agency will conduct CMAT exam 2025 in 107 cities across the country. A candidate can choose four most preferred CMAT test cities at the time of filling the CMAT application form. Check list of CMAT Exam Cities in India CMAT Exam Cities in India

A: You can choose a maximum number 4 exam cities
A: Yes, NTA will open Application error correction window after close of last date of application submission for 2-3 days. During this period you can change your test city preference
A: No, the exam cities can be increased or decreased before release of admit card. After release of admit card, test cities can neither be increased nor decreased.
A: The details of exam city and test venue with exam slot is mentioned in admit card. As such, you will know all the details about your exam center after release of admit card.

13. CMAT Accepting Colleges

Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting CMAT Score 2025 are K J Somaiya Mumbai, Welingkar Mumbai, BIMTECH Greater Noida, IFMR Krea University, IMI Bhubaneswar and WOXSEN Hyderabad. CMAT 2025 participating Institutes accept CMAT Score for Admission 2025. Remember, CMAT admission process is not central. You need to apply separately to CMAT 2025 participating Institutions (list below) with your CMAT Score 2025 after the exam. Thereafter, CMAT accepting institution will release their own CMAT Scores Cut Offs to qualify for admission. Once qualified, the you need to appear in selection procedure of interested Institution. Check complete list of MBA colleges accepting CMAT 2025 scores.

14. CMAT Registration Numbers

Total number of candidates who registered for CMAT 2024 was 76,745. However, only 65,127 candidates actually took CMAT 2024 exam. CMAT 2025 Registration Numbers are expected to remain the same as in previous two years. CMAT Registration Numbers for last few years are as below:

Year
Candidate Registrations
CMAT Test Takers
CMAT 2025
To be released in January, 2025
--
CMAT 2024
76,745
65,127
CMAT 2023
75,209
58,035
CMAT 2022
58,956
51,144

15. CMAT Official Website, Helpline Number, Email

In case of any emergency regarding CMAT exam registration or admit card, you can contact NTA Helpdesk using following details: 

Official Website: exams.nta.ac.in/cmat

Email: cmat@nta.ac.in 

Phone No.: 011-40759000 (09: 30 AM to 06:00 PM)

16. CMAT Exam Day Tips, Documents Required, Dos and Donts

CMAT Exam date is January 25, 2025. Candidates must carry following documents to the CMAT examination center:

1. Printed copy of Admit Card downloaded from NTA website.

2. One passport size photograph (same as uploaded on the Online Application Form) for pasting on the specific space in the Attendance Sheet at Centre during the Examination. 

3. Any one of the authorized photo IDs (must be original, valid and non- expired) – PAN card/ Driving License/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card (With photograph)/ Aadhaar Enrolment No/ Ration Card). The name on the photo identification must match with the name as shown on the Admit Card.

If required, PwD certificate/UDID Card issued by the Competent Authority, if claiming the relaxation under PwD category. If required, PwD certificate/UDID Card issued by the Competent Authority, if claiming the relaxation under PwD category below 40% category.

17. CMAT Result

CMAT 2025 Result will be released soon after the exam in early February. 

18. FAQs on Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

A: CMAT is a moderate difficulty exam and is easier that CAT, XAT, SNAP
A: The exam is conducted annually preferably in the month of May every year.
A: NTA releases all the details about the exam in leading news papers in January/February. The process to register and apply for the exam starts simultaneously.
A: Despite being a highly competitive and important MBA entrance exam in India, the difficulty level of the CMAT exam is considered moderate.
A: Each correct answer in the exam is awarded with +4 marks. The raw score obtained in the exam is converted to scaled score and then converted to percentile score after allowing for equating and normalizing the scores for all the question paper sets. Top MBA colleges consider All India Rank, exam score and percentile awarded in the exam to shortlist the candidates for final selection round.
A: No, but the onscreen calculator is available throughout the exam. You can use that
A: The MCQs carry a penalty of -1 mark for each wrong answer. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions.
A: Yes, you can attempt any question in any section of the question paper within the overall exam time duration.
A: No, the paper cannot be submitted before the test duration is over. You can neither leave your seat, nor can leave the test centre early
A: CMAT is a computer based entrance test of three hours duration
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