CMAT
A national-level MBA/PGDM entrance conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA); its score is accepted by 1,300+ All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)-approved institutes, including JBIMS Mumbai (via state rules), GIM Goa, KJ Somaiya and Welingkar.
Eligibility
A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university; final-year students may apply. There is no minimum percentage bar for taking the test, no age limit and no cap on attempts. Individual institutes may apply their own percentage cut-offs at admission.
Age limit: No age limit
Exam pattern
Computer-based test of 180 minutes in a single shift. 100 multiple-choice questions for 400 marks across five sections of 20 questions each: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Marking is +4 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong one, with no sectional time limits, so candidates can move freely between sections.
Syllabus at a glance
Quantitative Techniques covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern maths and tabular/graphical data interpretation at a moderate level. Logical Reasoning includes arrangements, series, syllogisms, analogies and visual reasoning. Language Comprehension tests reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. General Awareness mixes static General Knowledge with current affairs, and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship section tests concepts of start-ups, business and entrepreneurship.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official notification (CMAT 2027) | Oct–Nov 2026 | expected |
| Registration window | Nov – Dec 2026 | expected |
| Exam date | Jan 2027 (expected; CMAT 2026 was held on 25 Jan 2026) | expected |
| Result declaration | Feb 2027 | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- CMAT Entrance Guide (with previous papers) — Disha Experts
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT — Arun Sharma
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Word Power Made Easy — Norman Lewis
- Manorama Yearbook (for General Awareness)
How toppers play it
- CMAT rewards speed over depth: at 100 questions in 180 minutes the paper is easier than CAT, so top percentiles demand very high accuracy — aim to attempt 85+ questions.
- General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship are the real differentiators; 40 of the 100 questions come from these low-effort, high-return areas most CAT-trained aspirants ignore.
- With +4/-1 marking, avoid blind guessing but attempt confidently on 50:50 eliminations — expected value stays positive once two options are ruled out.
- There are no sectional time limits, so clear General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship first in 25-30 minutes and bank time for Quant and Data Interpretation.
- Solve all available NTA-era CMAT papers (2019 onwards); question style and difficulty have been very consistent.