CMAT Syllabus - CMAT exam pattern 2022, sections, marking scheme & more

  • By Christy J. Varghese
  • 5 October 2021
All about CMAT syllabus

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The CMAT syllabus covers many of the important topics generally asked in management entrance tests. There are many overlaps as well uniqueness to the CMAT syllabus. While preparation on general lines is a good start, you need the specific details of the exam to score well. 

In this article, we have covered all the details so that your preparation is top-notch. If you are planning to appear for the exam, the article will have all the important points that you must not lose touch of. Read on to find out more!

CMAT Exam Pattern

In the CMAT exam, a total of 100 questions are asked in the general sections. For the optional section, there are 25 questions. The total time you will get for the exam is 3.5 hours.

We have listed below all the sections in the CMAT syllabus along with the total marks allotted for each.

SL. no. Section Title Marks
1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation 100
2. Logical Reasoning 100
3. Language Comprehension 100
4. General Awareness 100
5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional) 100
Total Marks 500

CMAT Question Paper Structure

The mode of the CMAT exam will be online and computer-based (CBT) and there will be a total of 125 MCQ questions. 25 questions will be asked from each of the 5 sections and each question will have 4 options.

As with all NTA exams, you can mark a question as ‘doubtful’ and come back to review it later. In this way, it is possible to maximise your performance within the time limit. 

Summary of CMAT question paper structure

Sections Number of Questions
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation 25
Logical Reasoning 25
Language Comprehension 25
General Awareness 25
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional) 25
Total 125

CMAT Marking Scheme

We have given the details of the marking scheme in the CMAT exam below:

  • +4 for every correct answer

  • -1 for every incorrect answer

As you can see, there is negative marking in the CMAT exam and for a good score, you need to be very careful and mark answers only when you are certain about it. 

CMAT Exam Sectional Timings

There is no provision for sectional timings in the CMAT exam and you can use the entire 3.5 hours in any way you chose to. If you have a strong area in the CMAT syllabus where you need less time, you can do it quickly and save time to use it later in other sections.

Note: It is necessary to carefully plan in advance how you wish to use the 3.5 hours of time on the exam day.

Important topics for CMAT

We have given all the important topics from each of the 5 sections in the CMAT syllabus below. The difficulty level of the exam is moderate, but the syllabus for CMAT is quite comprehensive and vast. As a result, it is essential to be thorough with preparation to score well in the CMAT exam.

Section 1:  General Awareness

Topics Topics
1 Current Affairs 7 Sports news
2 Science in everyday life 8 Personalities in News
3 Culture 9 Geography
4 Indian Constitution 10 History
5 Politics 11 Economics
6 Trade awareness 12 Literature

Section 2: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Topics Topics
1 Number Systems 11 Permutations & Combinations
2 Profit and Loss 12 Probability
3 Fraction and Decimals 13 Pipes and Cisterns
4 Ratios and Proportion 14 Allegation & Mixtures
5 Time-Speed-Distance 15 In-equations
6 Averages 16 Mensuration
7 Simple Interest & Compound Interest 17 Geometry
8 Work and Time 18 Graph
9 Partnership 19 Tabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph
10 Algebra 20 Quadratic & Linear equations

Section 3: Language Comprehension

Topics Topics
1 Jumbled Para 6 One-word Substitution
2 Synonyms and Antonyms 7 Paragraph completion
3 Sentence Improvement 8 English Grammar
4 Idioms and Phrases 9 Sentence Correction
5 English Usage Errors 10 Reading comprehension

Section 4: Logical Reasoning

Topics Topics
1 Analytical Reasoning 10 Direction and Distance
2 Sequencing 11 Inferences
3 Statements and Conclusion 12 Number Series
4 Ranking Tests 13 Statements Assumptions
5 Linear Arrangements 14 Blood Relationship
6 Statements Arguments 15 Non-Verbal Reasoning
7 Coding and Decoding 16 Cause and Effects
8 Matrix Arrangements 17 Analogy Test
9 Symbol Based Problems

Section 5: Innovation & Entrepreneurship (optional)

Topics Topics
1 Business current affairs 5 Startups & Innovation
2 Economic current affairs 6 Economic Survey
3 Government schemes 7 Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
4 Banking regulation and reforms

Also Read: CMAT Question Paper | CMAT Result | CMAT Preparation | CMAT Admit Card

FAQs related to CMAT syllabus

What is the passing marks in the CMAT exam?

The passing mark is 50% for candidates applying in the General category. For candidates from Reserved categories, the passing mark is 45%. 

How many sections are there in the CMAT exam?

There are 5 sections in the CMAT exam, each section contains 25 questions. The CMAT exam has no sectional time limit.

How difficult is the CMAT exam?

The difficulty level of the CMAT exam is easy to moderate. The section-wise difficulty level varies each year.

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