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

Author : Avinash Mishra

October 30, 2024

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Overview: As the CMAT scheduled for 15 May is approaching, many aspirants need help planning their CMAT exam preparation systematically. This blog is set out in two parts. It includes some last-minute tips on how to prepare for CMAT exam, as well as a detailed strategy for overall cmat 2025 exam preparation. 

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. 

Read More: CMAT Exam Admit Card Released

CMAT Exam 2025 Events CMAT Exam Date 2025
CMAT Exam Date 2025 Registration Date starts  29 March 2025
CMAT Exam Date 2025 Registration Date ends  18 April 2025 (upto 11:50 P.M.)
CMAT Exam Date Correction Window  19 April 2025 to 21 April 2025
Intimation of Cities of exam centers  6 May 2025
CMAT Exam Admit Card  6 May, 2025
Date of Examination  May 15, 2025
Duration  180 minutes (03:00 Hrs)
Timing of Examination
  • Shift 1 - 09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
  • Shift 2 - 03:00 P.M. to 06:00 P.M
Language of the Paper  English Only

Read More: CMAT Exam Complete Details

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam and Last-minute Tips for the 15 May 2025 Exam

  1. Balance the Clock: Wake up early to get your body accustomed to the exam's reporting time of 7:20:00. 
  2. Practice mock tests in the morning and avoid afternoon naps, as the exam is conducted in two shifts: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
  3. Question Selection: The CMAT is a speed-based exam, so time management is vital. If you encounter confusion or complex calculations, choose the easiest ones. Navigate through the sections to spot and handle the most straightforward questions immediately. 
  4. Spend some time revising GA and IE topics. Try to revise the current affairs and business trends in the GA section for success. 
  5. Do Not Ignore Critical Reasoning. Critical Reasoning constitutes a significant part of the section (1/4 to 1/3, approximately 8-10 questions). Many students ignore this section in their CMAT 2025 exam preparation for the Logic Reasoning section.
  6. Toprankers Rapid Revision Series: These programs provide you with a review of the important topics and lead to better retention. For online CMAT entrance exam preparation:

Previous Year Question Papers (PYQ): Solve previous year's question papers with Toprankers to find the exam pattern and identify yourself with the questions asked. For online CMAT exam preparation:

Preparing for the CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) requires access to comprehensive study materials and effective strategies. Here are some valuable resources and tips focused on CMAT exam preparation material below:

Focus on practicing important 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

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

Understanding Exam Pattern:

  • The CMAT exam's level of difficulty is generally considered more manageable than the CAT.
  • 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.

Read More: CMAT Exam Pattern Explained In Detail

How to Prepare for CMAT Exam 2025?

  • Consistency - The key to an 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 typestypes of questions they can expect in the actual exam.
  • Speed Practice - 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 help to attempt more questions but also helps students by providing more time for CMAT exam  preparation. Having speedy problem-solving skills allows you to adapt to the changing difficulty levels of the questions in the exam, thus optimizing your performance and accumulating a high score potential. 
  • 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 as well as work and studies.
  • 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 level of difficulty and number of attempts. The practice of selection and rejection is important because many candidates waste their time solving a particular question, and by doing so, they miss the simpler ones with easier calculations. 
  • Balance the Clock—Take mock tests regularly and analyze your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses. Mocks and tests should be given at the same time of day as the actual exam to get your body used to it. 

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

THE TIMELINE

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

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?

SuperGrads CAT 2023 Toppers

SuperGrads CAT 2023 Toppers

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!