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CMAT Preparation 2024

Last Updated on by Prof. SK Agarwal

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is one of the top national MBA entrance exams for admission to MBA/PGDM programs offered by 1000+ MBA Colleges in India CMAT 2024 exam will be conducted on 15th May 2024. Check this in-depth article for complete information on CMAT Preparation Strategy, How to Prepare for CMAT Exam, CMAT Preparation Books and more.

Important Note: To help you prepare for CMAT exam, MBAUniverse.com has published CMAT Mock Tests based on previous CMAT Exam Papers. Take Free Online CMAT Mock now by clicking on the links below.

Table of Content

  • 1. How to Prepare for CMAT 2024? Step by Step Planning

  • 2. CMAT Preparation: Choose Your Mode

  • 3. CMAT Exam Preparation Books

  • 4. Important CMAT Preparation Tips to Prepare in 6 Months, 3 Months, 2 Months…

  • 5. CMAT Preparation 2024 With Mock Tests

  • 6. CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips

1. How to Prepare for CMAT 2024? Step by Step Planning

How to prepare for CMAT 2024 is not a big question as the preparation pattern can be kept same on the basis of revised CMAT exam pattern and syllabus. CMAT exam is divided into five sections and the preparation strategy needs equal focus on all these five sections which have equal weightage. Accordingly, your CMAT exam Preparation should be focused on following key points:  

1.1 CMAT 2024 Exam Pattern

You must be aware about the Changed CMAT 2024 exam pattern as NTA has brought many changes year after year in CMAT exam pattern. With a changed exam pattern, the CMAT preparation requires a well devised preparation plan. Candidates appearing in CMAT 2024 exam will find 20 questions to attempt in each of the 5 sections with equal weightage. The maximum score for all the five sections taken together is 400 marks.  

1.1.1 CMAT 2024 Pattern: Sectional Composition and Questions

Type of questions
No. of questions
Maximum Marks
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
20
80
Logical Reasoning
20
80
Language Comprehension
20
80
General Awareness
20
80
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
20
80
Total
100
400


1.2 CMAT Marking Scheme

As shared above, according to CMAT Marking Scheme, four marks will be awarded for each right answer and one mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. There will be no deduction of marks for leaving the question unanswered. Check the below table to understand CMAT marking scheme:

Status of answer
Marks
Right answer
+4
Wrong answer
-1
Blank question
No deduction


1.3. CMAT 2024 Syllabus

  • CMAT Syllabus for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: This section is divided under the headings geometry, arithmetic, number systems, algebra, and modern maths. Details below. 
  • CMAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning: In In the logical reasoning section, the students are assessed for their logical thinking and verbal/reasoning ability. The logical reasoning section of the CMAT Syllabus 2024 includes topics ranging from verbal reasoning, analytical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Details below
  • CMAT Syllabus for Language Comprehension: The CMAT syllabus for language comprehension includes questions on vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. Details below
  • CMAT Syllabus for General Awareness: The section covers General Awareness and Current Affairs questions.

2. CMAT Preparation: Choose Your Mode

Now that you know about the CMAT exam pattern, key changes in it and the CMAT syllabus now get ready to plan your preparation and devise the study plan taking into account following factors:

2.1 Whether to Opt for CMAT Coaching or Go for CMAT Self-Preparation

After synchronizing the CMAT preparation time, you need to find out whether to go for CMAT coaching or prepare for CMAT at home. One of the important CMAT exam preparation tips for beginners is to come out of this dilemma of moving between CMAT coaching and preparation at home after analyzing following points:

2.1.1. Carefully Choose Coaching

If you wish to prepare with CMAT Coaching, it is important to find out the best coaching for CMAT exam. Even the best coaching for CMAT exam may have its draw backs in regard to imparting CMAT coaching on certain topics. So along with your preparation through the best CMAT coaching, you should find out an individual best expert coach for CMAT preparation for the topics that need your greater attention.

2.1.2 Select Best CMAT Coaching

CMAT coaching helps you overcome many weak areas. Choose for the best coaching for CMAT preparation, if you wish to prepare for CMAT with the help of coaching. Some of the best CMAT test coaching institutes are TIME, CL, IMS.

CMAT coaching online is a good answer to the working professionals who find it difficult to attend regular class room coaching for CMAT. During the past few years preference for CMAT online coaching has gone up many times. In fact, CMAT online preparation through online coaching for CMAT is more cost effective, less time consuming and offers you more time to practice CMAT question papers and CMAT exercises. 

2.2Plan Self Preparation for CMAT

If you wish to self-prepare for CMAT, you need to understand first how to prepare for CMAT exam at home with the help of right books for CMAT preparation 2024 and other appropriate CMAT material. So instead of getting involved into CMAT exam coaching, CMAT preparation with best books for CMAT Test recommended by toppers, like CMAT preparation books by Arun Sharma, CMAT exam book by Nishit Sinha, abundantly available good CMAT preparation material, CMAT Study material online, freely available CMAT preparation online facility, CMAT exam Quiz 2024, CMAT Mock test 2023 that can hone your preparation and make you aware how to prepare for CMAT without coaching are the best tools for preparation.  

2.2.1 How to prepare for CMAT without coaching and with self study?

There is no substitute of CMAT preparation with self study which does not require any coaching until and unless you are stuck. Experts therefore, recommend that you should start your CMAT preparation by self study and later make it a mix of self study as well as help from coaching to avoid wastage of time.

  • Self Preparation is the best preparation strategy for CMAT 2024 however time is also an important factor. If a candidate gets stuck on some question due to his/her lack of conceptual clarity, the wastage of time is more and depression begins to set in. It could be a small quant formula, LR logic, or Verbal usage clarity which might need a simple push to come out of the shallow waters. This help can be provided by your mentor online or offline depending upon your preference or a mix of both.   
  • Most of the candidates coming from Engineering or other technical background find it easy to get along well with Quant, DI and LR but when it comes to Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, they find the section difficult. It is where they need an expert guidance.
  • CMAT preparation 2024 needs improvement in your speed and accuracy as the time to solve per question is short. You need to solve 100 questions in 180 minutes.
  • CMAT 2024 preparation should equip you with continuous sitting for more than 3 hours without break. To achieve this you are required to take more Mocks, CMAT previous year test papers.

2.2.2 How to start CMAT preparation at home?

CMAT preparation should be started at home now without waiting any further. CMAT Exam Preparation Online can be done at home without being dependent on any coaching. CMAT preparation tips to start CMAT preparation at home are:

  • Go through the revised CMAT exam pattern
  • Read thoroughly the CMAT syllabus 2024
  • Pick out your strong and weak areas in all the four sections
  • Gather the best books and preparation material for CMAT preparation
  • Improve on your weak areas and monitor the improvement regularly
  • Take as many CMAT Mocks during your CMAT 2024 preparation and do the analysis of each Mock. Without analysis of Mock, attempting a mock test may not be useful.
  • If you are weak in VARC, reading different articles and novels, conversing in English with friends and even watching English TV series and movies will be helpful.
  • Write down whatever new words you encounter after reading at least 5-6 newspaper articles every day
  • Data Interpretation (DI) is considered a bit more time consuming. Start practicing on DI questions. Use approximation techniques for quick calculations.

What is the ideal CMAT preparation time that could ensure a high percentile score in CMAT exam? Although there is no thumb rule on it, CMAT toppers suggest the CMAT aspirants to remain steady and regular in their CMAT preparation and always think that CMAT exam is round the corner. There is still good preparation time which if fruitfully used, can turn the table in your favour.

3. CMAT Exam Preparation Books

CMAT preparation books and preparation material online or offline play a major role in helping you score high in the CMAT exam. A few of the best books for preparation recommended by toppers to prepare for CMAT 2024 and other national level exams are:

Sections
Books Name
Author
Publisher
Language Comprehension
 
 
 
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
McGraw Hill
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT
Nishit K Sinha
Pearson
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis
Pocket Books
‘High School English Grammar & Composition’
by Wren & Martin
 
Mathematical Skills
 
 
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT 
by Arun Sharma
McGraw Hill
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
Nishit K.Sinha
Pearson
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT
Sarvesh Verma
 
Data Analysis & Sufficiency
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for MAT
Arun Sharma
 
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT
Arun Sharma
 
Indian and Global Environment
Manorama Year Book
K. M. Mathew, Mammen Mathew
Malayala Manorama Group
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • Document on Atal Incubation Centre (AIC)
  • MSME Market Development Program by Govt of India
  • Woman Entrepreneurship Platform by Government of India 
  • Venture Capital Scheme by Govt of India
  • End to End Energy Efficiency Scheme of Govt of India
  • Standup India program by Govt of India
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management by R. Gopal
 
Govt of India
CMAT General  Books
 
 
 
Study package for MAT
Arun Sharma
McGraw Hill
Complete Guide For Mat And Other Mba Entrance Exams
None
Disha Experts
The Complete Reference Manual CMAT 2024
Col. JS Rana SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan
 
Comprehensive Guide to CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) with Previous Year Questions (PYQs) & 3 Online Mock Tests 2nd Edition | Innovation & Entrepreneurship
 
Disha Experts


In addition to above books, CMAT Study Material by TIME, CL and IMS Coaching is also available. If you enroll into coaching programs by these institutions, they will provide CMAT Study Material which is comprehensive.

4. Important CMAT Preparation Tips to Prepare in 6 Months, 3 Months, 2 Months…

The key CMAT 2024 Preparation tips which will guide you how to prepare for CMAT in different time schedule are shared as below: 

4.1 How to Prepare for CMAT 2024 in 6 months?

CMAT preparation tips for beginners or for the repeaters are not much different? CMAT preparation time of 6 months is sufficient to crack the exam. Following should be adhered to before proceeding on CMAT preparation journey:

  • As you are left with sufficient preparation time, first of all go through and understand the CMAT exam pattern
  • Get a good feel of CMAT 2024 exam syllabus
  • Find out your strong and weak areas
  • Start building up the fundamentals and get conceptual clarity on the topics which fall in your weak areas
  • Don’t waste too much time on theory. If you have understood the basics, attempt CMAT sectional quiz.
  • Practice after theory is a must. Accordingly take periodical CMAT 2024 Quiz, attempt CMAT previous years Mock test, CMAT previous years question papers
  • Get the best CMAT preparation material with best books for CMAT preparation.
  • Beginning your CMAT preparation early will give you time to periodically assess yourself and overcome your weaknesses.
  • Remain confident right from the day one during your CMAT preparation journey.
  • Self Preparation is the best preparation strategy for CMAT 2024 however time is also an important factor. If a candidate gets stuck on some question due to his/her lack of conceptual clarity, the wastage of time is more and depression begins to set in. It could be a small quant formula, LR logic, or Verbal usage clarity which might need a simple push to come out of the shallow waters. This help can be provided by your mentor online or offline depending upon your preference or a mix of both.  

4.2 How to prepare for CMAT in 3 months?

CMAT preparation time of three months is not short. What you have done in last three months or whatever you have prepared can be revised now in three months with various CMAT preparation tools. The time is ripe to intensify a little your CMAT preparation strategy for three months:

  • See that you have achieved good clarity on fundamentals and have strengthened your basics
  • Alongwith going through the books for CMAT preparation, visit number of online CMAT preparation material
  • It is time that you started taking CMAT Mock test, analyse your errors and rectify them
  • Instead of reading the theory again and again, now you should attempt the question and when you are stuck, visit the basics and clarify your point to clear the confusion
  • Solve CMAT previous year question papers
  • Join a good Test series for CMAT preparation

4.3 How to prepare for CMAT 2024 in 2 months?

It may sound a little surprising but it is true. Many CMAT toppers are of the view that preparation time of two months is good enough to crack the exam. If you study effectively with right study material, even 2 months are sufficient to score 95 percentile provided you are sincere enough.

  • Focus more on CMAT Exam Quiz, CMAT Mock tests, different types of questions as appeared in CMAT
  • Don’t leave any CMAT Mock Test without analyzing it
  • Go through the Books for CMAT preparation and the CMAT preparation material and ensure that you have gone through the sectional and overall quiz and practice tests in these CMAT preparation books PDF.
  • There are some strong areas within your weak areas and some weak areas within your strong areas. Try to focus on all the weak areas and see if you are able to improve them. However, you should not waste more time on them. Instead focus more on your strong areas and improve them further.

5. CMAT Preparation 2024 With Mock Tests

CMAT 2024 Mock Tests and CMAT Previous Years Question Papers are the major CMAT preparation tools for CMAT 2024 exam. Along with the CMAT Mock tests, CMAT exam quiz, CMAT previous years Mock test, CMAT sectional quiz also play a major role in improving your speed and accuracy in CMAT preparation.

6. CMAT 2024 Preparation Tips

To summarize above article, here are the best tips for CMAT 2024 Preparation.  

  • Understand CMAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus: Begin by familiarizing yourself with the CMAT 2024 syllabus, covering Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
  • Prepare Topic-wise Study Plan: Develop a structured study plan focusing on each section of the syllabus. Allocate specific time slots to cover key topics comprehensively.
  • Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential for mastering concepts and improving problem-solving skills. Solve sample papers, previous years' question papers, and take mock tests to assess your preparation level.
  • Identify Weak Areas: Assess your strengths and weaknesses in different sections. Devote more time to areas where you face challenges and seek clarification on difficult topics.
  • Revision and Time Management: Allocate sufficient time for revision, consolidating your understanding of key concepts. Practice time management techniques to ensure efficient utilization of the exam duration.
  • Stay Updated: Stay updated with current affairs, especially topics related to General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online resources to stay informed.

Prepare for CMAT 2024 by thoroughly understanding the syllabus, practicing regularly, and identifying weak areas for focused improvement. Allocate time for revision, stay updated with current affairs, and manage time effectively during the exam. 

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