CMAT Exam Preparation 2025: Check How to Prepare for CMAT Exam Section Wise

Overview: The CMAT exam 2025 is scheduled for 25th Jan 2025; thus, having a good CMAT exam preparation strategy is a must to ace the exam with good scores. Read on to get the complete details about the CMAT exam prep tips and tricks here!

• The Common Management Aptitude Test 2025 will be conducted in two shifts: Shift 1 (9:00 PM -12:00 PM) and Shift 2 (3:00 PM—6:00 PM).

Download FREE Study Material for CMAT Exam 2025 by SuperGrads

• The CMAT exam asks about 100 questions from five subjects, up to 400 marks.
• To get good scores and clear cutoffs, it is important to get the right guidance and preparation tips from the subject experts.

Read More | CMAT Exam Admit Card Released 

CMAT Exam Preparation Tips by Experts 2025

As the exam draws closer, candidates may get overwhelmed and confused about their level of CMAT exam preparation. However, the fact that CMAT entitles you to apply to many top-ranked colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, KJ SOMAIYA, WEELINGKAR, and Great Lakes should be considered.

Although a candidate hasn't exceeded expectations in tests like CAT, SNAP, or XAT, CMAT is still an equivalent opportunity for them.

Click to Join Toprankers Rapid Revision Series for Free

Here are the CMAT exam preparation tips provided by the experts to follow to get good scores:

1. Understanding Exam Pattern

The CMAT exam's level of difficulty is generally considered more manageable than the CAT exam. Candidates should aim to attempt 16-17 questions in each of the Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability sections well.

A good attempt of 10-12 questions is sufficient for General Awareness, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Overall, a 70-75-question attempt is considered good.

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	20	80
Logical Reasoning	20	80
Language Comprehension	20	80
General Awareness	20	80
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	20	80
Total	100	400

Note: There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.

2. Practice a Good Time Management

Try to wake up early to get accustomed to your schedule since the exam starts at 7:20 AM. It might be helpful to do some mock tests in the morning; just make sure to steer clear of napping in the afternoon. 

Remember, the exam has two shifts: the first is from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the second is from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

3. Learn Question Selection

 CMAT is a speed-based exam, so manage your time wisely. If you find a question confusing or complex, move on and tackle the easier ones first. Quickly identify and answer straightforward questions.

4. Improve your Focus Areas

Dedicate time to revise General Awareness (GA) and Integrated Reasoning (IE) topics. Keep up with current affairs and business trends, especially for the GA section.

Don't overlook Critical Reasoning—it makes up a significant portion of the Logic Reasoning section (about 8-10 questions). Many students tend to neglect this area in their preparation.

5. Utilize Free Resources

 Consider using the Toprankers Rapid Revision Series, which helps reinforce important topics for better retention.

 Practice with Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) through Toprankers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and types of questions.

6. Focus on practising essential topics such as:

CMAT 2025 Sections	Important Topics
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	Alligations & Mixtures, Algebra, Geometry, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Time-Speed-Distance, Graph, etc.
Logical Reasoning	Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc.
Language Comprehension	Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc.
General Awareness	Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up business

Read More | CMAT Exam Syllabus Subject-wise Explained

How to Prepare for CMAT Exam 2025?

1. Consistency is Everything

The key to effective CMAT exam preparation for a CMAT candidate is to maintain consistency in their preparation and dedicate regular study hours. Consistency helps develop conceptual mastery, and regular practice builds confidence, reducing anxiety and stress during the exam. 

Consistent preparation also familiarizes candidates with the exam format structure and syllabus and helps them understand the topics and types of questions they can expect in the exam.

2. Do Speed Practice Daily

CMAT is a speed-based exam. To excel, candidates must focus on speed and accuracy while solving practice questions and mock tests. This not only helps to attempt more questions but also helps students by providing more time for CMAT exam preparation. 

Speedy problem-solving skills allow you to adapt to the changing difficulty levels of the exam questions, optimizing your performance and accumulating a high score potential. 

3. Identifying Peak Hours

Identify when you are most alert and productive for intense study sessions. This is important for college students and working professionals because it helps them manage their CMAT entrance exam preparation, work, and studies.

4. Selection and Rejection

Learn the art of question selection and rejection to maximize your attempts within the given time frame. Candidates should analyze the questions and allot a time frame for solving them based on their difficulty level and number of attempts.

The practice of selection and rejection is important because many candidates waste their time solving a particular question, missing the simpler ones with easier calculations. 

5. Time Management is the Key

Take mock tests regularly and analyze your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses. To get your body used to it, mocks and tests should be given at the same time of day as the actual exam. 

Students can adopt an alternate-day study plan for CMAT exam prep, with 10 hours of study time:

Read More | CMAT Exam Pattern Explained In Detail

Follow the Timeline to Boost Your Preparation 

ODD DAY	EVEN DAY
Analytical Reasoning - 1 Hour	Verbal Ability - 1 Hour
General Awareness - 1 Hour	Quantitative Ability - 1 Hour
Critical Reasoning - 1 Hour	Attempting Mock - 3 Hour
Innovation and Entrepreneurship - 1 Hour	Analyzing Mock - 1 Hour

Read More | Difference between CAT and CMAT

CMAT Exam Preparation Books

To improve your CMAT exam preparation, it is essential to have good books and study materials with you. Here is the list of the complete books for all the CMAT subjects to help you out to increase your CMAT scores and percentile.

CMAT Exam Preparation Books - Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Name of the book	Author/Publication
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude	Arun Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	R S Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT	Nishit Sinha
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT	Sarvesh Verma

CMAT Exam Preparation Books - Logical Reasoning

Name of the book	Author/Publication
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT	Arun Sharma
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT	Nishit K. Sinha
Data Interpretation	Nishit Sinha
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT	Nishit Sinha
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning	R S Aggarwal

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam 2025 - Language Comprehension

Name of the book	Author/Publication
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT	Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT	Nishit K. Sinha
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis.
High School Grammar and Composition	Wren and Martin

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam 2025 - General Awareness

Books	Manorama Year Book
Newspapers and Journals	The Hindu, Financial Express, Management Compass, Business Today, Hindu Business Line, Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and Economic Times

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam 2025 - Innovation & Entrepreneurship 

Name of the book	Author/Publication
The Innovator’s Dilemma	Clayton M. Christensen
How to Win Friends and Influence People	Dale Carnegie
National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship	Govt of India
Document on Atal Incubation Centre (AIC)	Govt of India

Read More | How important is GK for CMAT?

Conclusion

Stay focused, follow a structured CMAT exam preparation strategy, and remain confident in your abilities. Keep practising and revising regularly to enhance your knowledge and improve your performance.

By incorporating these points, you'll be well-equipped with a comprehensive approach to preparing for the CMAT 2025 exam preparation materials and resources available. Remember to maintain a positive attitude and believe in your potential to excel in the CMAT exam.

Also Read: CMAT Exam Preparation Subjects

Good luck with your CMAT entrance exam preparation!