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CMAT exam, also known as Common Management Admission Test, is an aptitude test for admission into MBA program and PGDM programs in 1000+ B-schools across India. This entrance exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CMAT exam of 2023 will be conducted in an online mode and the duration of the exam is three hours.
To learn more about the CMAT exam, let us guide you through the following sections!
What is CMAT Exam?
Known as Common Management Admission Test, this exam is an aptitude test for admission into MBA and PGDM programs in 1000+ B-schools across India. This entrance exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The CMAT question paper consists of 100 questions from Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. In the 2021 exam, a new section was added to the CMAT paper which was Innovation & Entrepreneurship, an optional section carrying 25 questions. The total marks for CMAT are 500.
CMAT Exam Info
Here are some important CMAT exam details that you will have to keep in mind:
CMAT Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Exam Level |
National |
Frequency of Exam |
Once a year |
Mode of Exam |
Online |
Duration of Exam |
3 hours + 30 minutes for the optional paper |
Sections in the Exam |
1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation 2. Logical Reasoning 3. Language Comprehension 4. General Awareness 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship (optional) |
Exam Pattern |
MCQ Format 100 Questions 25 Questions for the Optional Section |
Language |
English |
Exam Fees |
INR 2,000 for General Category Male INR 1,000 for General Category Female and Reserved Category |
Courses Offered |
MBA and PGDM |
Number of Test Cities |
153 |
Help-desk Number |
0120-6895200 |
Official CMAT-NTA Website |
https://cmat.nta.nic.in |
CMAT Eligibility
To appear for the exam, you have to fulfil the following CMAT eligibility criteria:
- You must have completed your graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
- If you are in the final year of your graduation, you meet the CMAT eligibility criteria to apply for CMAT 2023 but you will have to present your passing certificate at the time of admission
CMAT Registration
To begin with, you would be required to complete your CMAT registration procedure. The registration process for the CMAT exam is online. You will find the CMAT 2023 paper application form on the official website of NTA.
You have to fill out the online application form to appear for the exam. The registration is an easy process that includes the following steps:
- Online registration by entering your name, date of birth, email ID, and phone number.
- Create a CMAT account and user ID by confirming your registration via an OTP/e-mail.
- Fill out the CMAT 2023 application form by uploading your personal and academic details.
- Upload a passport-size photo and a scanned signature in the prescribed format.
- Make the payment of the CMAT 2023 registration fees via a credit/debit card, or internet banking.
Here are some important dates you need to remember for CMAT registration:
CMAT 2023 registration start date |
13th February 2023 |
CMAT 2023 registration last date |
13th March 2023 |
Last day to pay CMAT 2023 registration fee |
13th March 2023 |
CMAT 2023 exam |
4th May 2023 |
CMAT Exam Syllabus
As mentioned above the CMAT syllabus 2023, like the CMAT 2023 question paper is divided into these parts:
- Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
- Logical Reasoning
- Language Comprehension
- General Awareness
The NTA has introduced a new section in 2021, for MBA aspirants who wish to pursue Innovation & Entrepreneurship. This will be an optional section of the CMAT 2023 question paper comprising 25 questions. If you opt for this section, you will get an additional slot of 30 minutes to solve it.
Given below is the CMAT syllabus 2023 for better preparation for the CMAT exam:
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
- 25 questions in MCQ format.
- Topics include Algebra, Geometry, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Graphs, Time-Speed-Distance, etc.
Logical Reasoning
- 25 questions in MCQ format.
- Topics include Matrix Arrangement, Analytical Reasoning, Number Series, Blood Relationship Tests, etc.
Language Comprehension
- 25 questions.
- Two primary sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
- Topics include Jumbled Para, Synonyms and Antonyms, Idioms, Phrases, Sentence Improvement, etc.
General Awareness
- 25 questions.
- A mix of current affairs and static general knowledge.
- Some topics include Politics, Literature, History, Culture, Geography, Economics, Sports, Trade, etc.
CMAT 2023 Exam Date
The table below will give you a comprehensive list of the most important CMAT exam dates in 2023:
CMAT 2023 registration start date |
13th February 2023 |
Form correction process (CMAT last date to apply) |
14th-16th March 2023 |
CMAT 2023 exam |
4th May 2023 |
CMAT 2023 result declaration |
31st May 2023 |
CMAT Exam Pattern
To understand the CMAT exam pattern, refer to the table below:
Number of Sections |
1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation 2. Logical Reasoning 3. Language Comprehension 4. General Awareness 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship (optional) |
Mode of Exam |
Online |
Duration of Exam |
3 hours + 30 minutes for the optional paper |
Number of Questions |
100 + 25 optional |
Total Marks |
400 + 100 optional |
Number of answer choices |
4 |
Marking Pattern |
a) +4 for every correct answer b) -1 for every incorrect answer |
The five sections in the CMAT question paper pattern are as follows:
SECTIONS |
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
MARKS ALLOTTED |
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
25 |
100 |
Logical Reasoning |
25 |
100 |
Language Comprehension |
25 |
100 |
General Awareness |
25 |
100 |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
25 |
100 |
CMAT Admit Card
The admit card can be downloaded on the official website of CMAT-NTA using the registration id and password. You can download the CMAT admit card till the day of the exam. It is an important document and you will not be allowed to sit for the exam without it.
How to download CMAT admit card
- Go to the official website of cmat.nta.nic.in
- Click on the ‘Download CMAT Admit Card 2023’ tab
- Enter the registration id and password
- Save the admit card as PDF and take a printout
CMAT Test centres
NTA conducts the CMAT exam in 153 centres spread across different cities. Most candidates are able to appear for the exam at a centre close to their home town. The states and the number of centres in them have been listed in the table below:
S.L. No. |
Name of State |
No. of centres |
1 |
Andaman & Nicobar |
1 centre |
2 |
Andhra Pradesh |
7 centres |
3 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
1 centre |
4 |
Assam |
2 centres |
5 |
Bihar |
5 centres |
6 |
Chandigarh/Mohali |
1 centre |
7 |
Chattisgarh |
2 centres |
8 |
Delhi |
1 centre |
9 |
Goa |
1 centre |
10 |
Gujarat |
11 centres |
11 |
Haryana |
4 centres |
12 |
Himachal Pradesh |
4 centres |
13 |
Jammu |
1 centre |
14 |
Kashmir |
1 centre |
15 |
Jharkhand |
3 centres |
16 |
Karnataka |
7 centres |
17 |
Kerala |
5 centres |
18 |
Ladakh |
1 centre |
19 |
Lakshwadeep |
1 centre |
20 |
Madhya Pradesh |
5 centres |
21 |
Maharashtra |
12 centres |
22 |
Manipur |
1 centre |
23 |
Meghalaya |
1 centre |
24 |
Mizoram |
1 centre |
25 |
Nagaland |
2 centre |
26 |
Odisha |
6 centre |
27 |
Puducherry |
1 centre |
28 |
Punjab |
4 centres |
29 |
Rajasthan |
5 centres |
30 |
Tamil Nadu |
5 centres |
31 |
Telangana |
3 centres |
32 |
Tripura |
1 centre |
33 |
Uttar Pradesh |
42 centres |
34 |
Uttarakhand |
3 centres |
35 |
West Bengal |
2 centres |
CMAT Result
NTA will release the CMAT result most likely in May 2023 in online mode. Candidates can download their scorecards on the official website of NTA-CMAT. The steps to download the result have been given below.
How to check CMAT results
- Go to the official website of cmat.nta.nic.in
- Click on the ‘CMAT 2023: Download Score Card’ option on the home page
- On the login page enter your Application Number and Date of Birth
- You have to properly enter the security pin/captcha next
- Click on submit and the scorecard will appear
- You can take a printout of the scorecard or save it as PDF
CMAT Preparation
Preparation is the avenue to success in all walks of life, and here are some CMAT preparation tips which you can follow:
- Over 50% of your preparation for the CMAT exam should entail solving sample papers along with previous years' question papers. You need to confront your weak areas and work on them.
- Refer to important texts and CMAT preparation books for the different sections of the paper.
- On the basis of your strength and weaknesses, make a list of topics and address the weak areas.
- Devote an equal amount of time to the four different sections of the paper. Cover a topic from each section every day.
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FAQs about CMAT Exam
Is CMAT tougher than CAT?The CMAT exam is easier than the CAT exam, however, it is more difficult than ATMA and MAT.
Is CMAT compulsory for an MBA?CMAT is one of the important national-level MBA entrance exams for admission to B-schools offering AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM programs. However, there are other entrance exams like CAT, MAT, and ATMA too which can be taken to seek admission into business colleges for an MBA.
Is CMAT good for an MBA?CMAT is comparatively easier than other MBA exams and you have to answer fewer questions too. So, if you wish to get admission into the top MBA colleges in India, however, through an easy national-level exam, then CMAT ought to be your go-to choice.
Which is better MAT or CMAT?The CMAT exam was introduced with the objective to reduce the stress student's experienced when preparing for a management entrance exam. On the other hand, MAT is conducted 4 times a year and allows students access only to the second-tier B-schools in the country.
Moreover, CMAT is comparatively easier than MAT as you have to answer fewer questions too.
Who is eligible for CMAT 2023 exam?Eligible candidates must have completed a minimum 3 years Bachelor’s degree. They must be citizens of India. There is no age limit for appearing in the CMAT exam.
Is CMAT difficult?The difficulty level of CMAT is moderate to easy. If you are preparing for CAT exam, you can easily ace a good score in the CMAT exam as well.
Do IIMs accept CMAT score?IIMs only accept CAT scores. However, CMAT scores are accepted in over 1000 B-schools in India.
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