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 TitleMarks
1.Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation100
2.Logical Reasoning100
3. Language Comprehension100
4. General Awareness100
5.Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional)100
Total Marks500

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

SectionsNumber of Questions
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation25
Logical Reasoning25
Language Comprehension25
General Awareness25
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional)25
Total125

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

TopicsTopics
1Current Affairs7Sports news
2Science in everyday life 8Personalities in News
3Culture9Geography
4Indian Constitution10History
5Politics11Economics
6Trade awareness12Literature

Section 2: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

TopicsTopics
1Number Systems11Permutations & Combinations
2Profit and Loss12Probability
3Fraction and Decimals13Pipes and Cisterns
4Ratios and Proportion14Allegation & Mixtures
5Time-Speed-Distance15In-equations
6Averages16Mensuration
7Simple Interest & Compound Interest17Geometry
8Work and Time18Graph
9Partnership19Tabulation, Pie Chart, Bar Chart, Line Graph
10Algebra20Quadratic & Linear equations

Section 3: Language Comprehension

TopicsTopics
1Jumbled Para6One-word Substitution
2Synonyms and Antonyms7Paragraph completion
3Sentence Improvement8English Grammar
4Idioms and Phrases9Sentence Correction
5English Usage Errors10Reading comprehension

Section 4: Logical Reasoning

TopicsTopics
1Analytical Reasoning10Direction and Distance
2Sequencing11Inferences
3Statements and Conclusion12Number Series
4Ranking Tests13Statements Assumptions
5Linear Arrangements14Blood Relationship
6Statements Arguments15Non-Verbal Reasoning
7Coding and Decoding16Cause and Effects
8Matrix Arrangements17Analogy Test
9Symbol Based Problems

Section 5: Innovation & Entrepreneurship (optional)

TopicsTopics
1Business current affairs5Startups & Innovation
2Economic current affairs6Economic Survey
3Government schemes7Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
4Banking 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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