CMAT Exam 2025: Date, Syllabus, Tips, Previous Year Questions

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Kamaldeep

27 December, 2024

CMAT Exam 2025: Date, Syllabus, Tips, Previous Year Questions

What is the CMAT 2025 Exam?

CMAT, or Common Management Admission Test, is a national-level entrance test for admission to management programmes in India. Till 2018, this test was conducted by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). From 2019 onwards, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the CMAT exam.

It is a computer-based online test that has a duration of three hours. It consists of various segments such as general awareness, quantitative techniques, language comprehension, logical reasoning, and innovation & entrepreneurship. This exam is accepted by all AICTE-approved institutions/universities.

Related: MBA Entrance Exams in India: Everything You Need to Know

Purpose & Highlights of the CMAT 2025 Exam

Through the CMAT exam, all AICTE-approved institutions select suitable candidates for admission to their MBA, PGDM, and other management courses. The purpose of this exam is to simplify and narrow down the admission process and ensure a transparent selection process for all candidates.

This test is conducted in over 140 cities across the country, and more than 1,000 AICTE institutions accept CMAT scores. In addition to this, CMAT is considered much simpler than examinations like CAT, XAT, and others.

CMAT 2025 Exam Highlights

Exam Name Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
Conducting Body National Testing Agency (NTA)
Number of MBA Colleges Under the Exam 1000+
Exam Date 25 January, 2025
Exam Frequency Once a year
Release of Application 14 November, 2024
Last date for application December 15, 2024
Application Correction Window December 15, 2024
Exam Mode Online computer-based test
Total Questions in the CMAT Entrance Exam 100
Sectional Division of Questions 20 questions in each section
Exam Details: Section-Wise – Quantitative Technique
– Logical Reasoning
– Language Comprehension
– General Awareness
– Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional)
Medium of Question Paper English
Maximum Score 400
Negative Marking -1 for each wrong answer
Application Process Online
Official Website https://ntacmat.nic.in/

Eligibility Criteria: CMAT Exam 2025

Before beginning the registration process, learn about the eligibility criteria and required documents. As per the NTA guidelines, CMAT 2025 eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • A candidate must be a graduate in any field from a recognised university/ board with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
  • Final-year graduation students are also eligible for the exam.
  • There is no upper age limit to apply for the CMAT exam, but the minimum age to appear for the exam is 21 years.
  • To apply for executive programmes, an applicant must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant managerial or supervisory experience.
  • The applicant must be an Indian citizen only.

Registration Process & Fee

All the interested applicants who are eligible must follow the below-mentioned steps to register:

  1. In order to apply, a candidate must first visit the official website of CMAT. On the website, candidates must click on the ‘CMAT 2025 Registration’.
  2. Upon registration, the candidates will be given login credentials. Using the registered IDs, log in to your account and then click on the ‘I Agree’ option.
  3. The candidate must then fill out the details, including name, parentage, DOB, gender, email ID and phone no.
  4. After this, the candidate must proceed to the payment gateway and pay the required fees.
  5. After verification of all information, the candidate must keep a copy of the form for further use.

CMAT 2025 Application Fee

Applicant’s Category Amount
For the general and OBC category candidates INR 2,000 /-
For female and reserved category candidates such as the ST/SC/PwD INR 1,000 /-

Please note the application fee has to be paid in online mode via credit/debit card/net banking. He/she can also use the E-Challan method or through SBI MOPS.

CMAT 2025 Admit Card

The admit card for CMAT will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official website. Tentatively, the admit card can be downloaded two weeks before the exam date. It is a crucial document containing important guidelines for the exam day, including the time and place for the exam.

CMAT 2025 Exam Syllabus

There is no fixed syllabus for management exams; there are certain topics commonly asked in all management entrance exams. The syllabus is broadly divided into 4 categories, including General Awareness, Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Language Comprehension.

General Awareness
Indian Constitution Current Affairs of National and International Importance
Economics Economy
History Politics
Trade Awareness Science in Everyday Life

 

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
Number Systems Mensuration
Simple Interest and Compound Interest Pipes and Cisterns
Allegation and Mixtures Algebra
Percentage Partnership
Graph Tabulation
Work and Time Pie Chart
Fraction and Decimals Bar Chart

 

Logical Reasoning
Analytical Reasoning Coding and Decoding
Inferences Statements Arguments
Blood Relationship Tests Symbol-Based Problems
Matrix Arrangements Ranking Tests
Direction and Distance Tests Linear Arrangements
Statements Assumptions

 

Language Comprehension
Reading Comprehension Sentence Correction
Paragraph Completion Sentence Improvement
Synonyms and Antonyms English Usage Errors
Jumbled Para English Grammar

 

Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Budget & Economic Survey Project Management: Feasibility Studies, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Venture Capital Investment, Creativity & Stimulation
New Investments & Schemes Banking Regulation & Reforms Entrepreneurial Development
Business & Corporate Affairs Innovation
Startups Ecosystem Adoption of Life Cycle
Policies Related to Entrepreneurship and Business Promotion

Exam Pattern

Details Information
Number of Questions 100
Number of Questions Per Section 20
Marks Per Question 4
Negative Marking -1 mark per wrong answer
Total Marks 400
Difficulty Level Moderate to high
Duration 3 hours
Medium of CMAT English

Subject/ Section Wise Distribution of Question Paper

Subject Name Total Questions Total Marks
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation 20 80
Logical Reasoning 20 80
Language Comprehension 20 80
General Awareness 20 80
Innovation & Entrepreneurship (optional) 20 80
Total 100 400

Counselling Process

Counselling is the last step of the examination conducted after all the rounds are completed. Based on the candidate’s performance in the exam, students are allotted colleges. A candidate has to apply separately to the participating institutions for their CMAT score. Moving further, the institutions will release the cut-off marks that a candidate must meet to qualify. Once the candidate is qualified, he/she has to follow the institution’s selection process. Thereafter, the institution conducts a group discussion, personal interview, and written test round (this varies as per institution).

Documents Required for Counselling

  • 10th and 12th mark sheet
  • CMAT scorecard
  • Admit card
  • Graduation mark sheet and certificate
  • Valid ID proof
  • Date of Birth certificate
  • Permanent address proof
  • Reservation certificate
  • Payment receipt for counselling
  • Passport-size colour photos
  • Counselling call letter

Colleges that Accept CMAT Score

  • IIHMR University, Jaipur
  • Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
  • KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai
  • Christ University, Bangalore
  • BIMTECH, Greater Noida
  • Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad
  • Indus Business Academy, Bangalore

And others.

CMAT 2025 Expected Cut Off

The expected cut-off for CMAT exam 2025 is mentioned below:

CMAT 2025 Percentile CMAT 2025 Score
100 345 – 360
90-99.99 300 – 344
80-89 250 – 299
71-79 200 – 249
61-70 150 – 100
51-60 120 – 140
50 and below Below 120

Important Guidelines

There are some do’s and don’ts that a candidate must be aware of before entering the examination hall. Here, we discussed important guidelines for your exam day.

  • Reach the examination centre according to the reporting time mentioned on your admit card. No late entries are allowed at the centre.
  • You must carry your admit card and valid ID proof (original) on the exam day.
  • If you are a PwD category candidate, you must have a PwD certificate.
  • During the exam, divide your time strategically so that you don’t miss any questions and have some spare minutes to review unattempted questions.
  • Before the exam day, take a sound sleep and relax your mind and body.

CMAT 2025 Preparation Tips

  • Practise previous years’ questions regularly to assess the difficulty level and test your speed.
  • Start attempting mock tests three months before the exam.
  • Make a study plan, allocate more time to the area where you lack and follow the schedule religiously.
  • Keep a close tab on current affairs.
  • Don’t overburden yourself with continuous studying. Take frequent breaks to refresh your mind.
  • Making handwritten notes will help you retain most of the content and make it easy to revise.
  • Avoid attempting questions that are very time-consuming.
  • Do not waste time studying irrelevant topics; stick to the syllabus only.

Previous Year Question Papers

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. How many times can I attempt CMAT?

For the CMAT exam, you have unlimited attempts.

Q2. What is a good score on the CMAT?

As per the previous year’s cut-off and records, it is better to score at least 300-320 in the CMAT exam.

Q3. Is there a dress code for the CMAT exam?

There is no prescribed dress code for the CMAT exam. You can wear any formal or casual dress, whichever you are comfortable with.

Q4. Can I do MBA without CMAT?

Yes, you can pursue an MBA without appearing for the CMAT exam. You can go for some other aptitude test such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, or the entrance examination conducted by the university.

Q5. Does CMAT have negative marks?

Yes, a-1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer, 25% of the total marks allotted to the question.

Q6. Who can apply for the CMAT Exam?

Any graduate who has attained 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) in bachelor’s and has reached the age of 21 can apply for the exam. Final-year students are also eligible to apply.

Q7. What are the sections in the CMAT Exam?

There are five sections in the CMAT exam. They are:

  • General Awareness
  • Quantitative Techniques
  • Language Comprehension
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Q8. Can I use a calculator in the CMAT Exam?

Calculators or any electronic devices are allowed in the CMAT exam.

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