CMAT Exam Syllabus And Paper Pattern 2021

The CMAT, also known as Common Management Admission Test, is a national level exam for admission into MBA courses in India.

Held once a year, usually in January, the CMAT is believed to be easier than the CAT. Also, the number of students appearing for the CMAT is less compared to CAT.

The CMAT tests an MBA aspirant in four areas, which are Language comprehension, Logical reasoning, Quantitative ability and Data interpretation, and General awareness.

To make it easy for your child to prepare for the exam, here's the complete CMAT syllabus and CMAT exam pattern.

CMAT syllabus and CMAT paper pattern for 2021 Language comprehension

The Language comprehension section of CMAT includes a test of English grammar and vocabulary, sentence correction, reading comprehension and so on. This section of the CMAT is full of surprises. Let's look at what is included in the CMAT syllabus for Language comprehension:

• English grammar
• Paragraph completion
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Idioms and phrases
• Jumbled paragraphs
• Sentence improvement
• Sentence correction
• One-word substitution
• English usage errors
• Verbal Reasoning
• Contextual usage
• Syllogisms
• Analogies
• Reading comprehension

CMAT exam pattern for Language comprehension

• The total number of questions are 25, with 4 marks for each question.
• There is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect answer.
• The level of difficulty varies from moderate to difficult.
• The Reading comprehension tasks constitute a major chunk of the paper, with about 15 questions divided among four passages.

Best CMAT preparation books for Language comprehension

• The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT (by Nishit K Sinha)
• Barron's Pocket Guide to Vocabulary
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• English Grammar by Wren & Martin
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT (by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay)
• A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (by Dr R S Aggarwal)

CMAT syllabus and CMAT paper pattern for 2021 Logical reasoning

The Logical reasoning section of the CMAT evaluates a candidate's ability to solve various problems through logic and analysis, take decisions and come up with creative ideas. There is no scope for ambiguous answers in this section. The CMAT syllabus for Logical reasoning includes:

• Critical reasoning
• Visual reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Analogy test
• Ranking tests
• Direction and distance test
• Blood relationship tests
• Linear arrangements
• Matrix arrangements
• Statements and assumptions
• Statements and conclusions
• Cause and effect
• Coding and decoding
• Sequencing
• Seating
• Identifying arguments
• Clocks and Calendars
• Symbol-based problems
• Number Series

CMAT exam pattern for 2021 Logical reasoning

• The total number of questions are 25, with 4 marks for each question.
• There is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect answer.
• About 30% of questions are from topics like statement and conclusions, cause and effect, sequencing, puzzles, and assumptions and conclusions.
• The level of difficulty varies from moderate to difficult.

Best CMAT preparation books for Logical reasoning

• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT (by Arun Sharma)
• A Modern Approach To Logical Reasoning (by RS Aggarwal)
• Trishna's Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA Examinations
• CMAT Exam Guide by LearnX
• Analytical Reasoning by M K Pandey

CMAT syllabus and CMAT paper pattern for 2021 Quantitative ability and Data interpretation

This section of the CMAT exam examines a candidate's ability to make sense of sets of data given in various forms like graphs, charts and tables. The following topics are included in the syllabus for CMAT Quantitative ability and Data interpretation:

• Tabulation
• Work and Time
• Time, speed and distance
• Ratio and Proportion
• Simple and compound interest
• Profit and Loss
• Partnership
• Probability
• Permutations & Combinations
• Percentages
• Quadratic and linear equations
• Mensuration
• Algebra
• Graph
• Geometry
• Coordinate geometry
• Number system
• HCF and LCM
• Allegation & Mixtures
• Trigonometry
• Logarithm
• Maxima & Minima Progression
• Surds & Indices
• Quadratic and linear equations

CMAT exam pattern for 2021 Quantitative ability and Data interpretation

• The total number of questions are 25, with 4 marks for each question.
• There is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect answer.
• The questions are designed to test the decision-making and analytical ability.
• There are around 10-12 questions from Arithmetic, and 3 to 4 questions each from Geometry and Mensuration.
• The level of difficulty of questions is easy to moderate.

Best CMAT preparation books for Quantitative ability and Data interpretation

• Quantitative Aptitude (by Dr RS Aggarwal)
• The Complete Reference Manual For CMAT 2020
• CMAT Entrance Guide By Disha
• CMAT Common Management Admission Test Exam Guide

CMAT syllabus and CMAT paper pattern for 2021 General awareness

The General awareness section is a mix of current affairs and general knowledge. Here's what the CMAT General awareness syllabus comprises:

• Indian Constitution
• Literature
• Geography
• Politics
• History
• Economics
• Business
• Current affairs of national and international economy
• Trade Awareness
• International organisations
• Sports
• Culture
• Awards and prizes
• Books and authors
• Personalities in news

CMAT exam pattern for 2021 General awareness

• The total number of questions are 25, with 4 marks for each question.
• There is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect answer.
• About 60% questions are from static GK - current affairs from the last 2 years.
• The level of difficulty of questions is moderate to difficult.

Best CMAT preparation books for General awareness

To do well here, a candidate should develop the habit of reading newspapers, current affairs magazines, yearbooks, and books available on GK.

Candidates aspiring to do MBA from one of the best colleges should aim to clear the CMAT with good marks. And, to do that, along with details of the syllabus and exam pattern, the candidates should also know how to prepare for CMAT.

About the author:

Written by Arun Sharma on 29 April 2020.

The author was associated with the healthcare industry before becoming a full-time writer and editor. A doting father to two preteens, he believes in experiential learning for his children. Also, he loves mountain trekking and nature trips.

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