
CMAT books for preparation - To prepare for the CMAT exam, one needs useful books and study material that can help them achieve the desired result. Although the CMAT syllabus is similar to other MBA entrance exams, question type is different. Thus, aspirants must make sure to study from the books that are specially recommended for CMAT exam.
CMAT books are available in the market and can be purchased online as well as offline. The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan and JS Rana is considered the best book for CMAT preparation. Apart from these book, you should also refer to secondary readings and sample paper sets. Those planning to prepare for CMAT 2027 can check below best recommended books and study material for the exam. cm
- CMAT Books for Preparation: Syllabus to Cover
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Logical Reasoning
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Language Comprehension
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Best Books for CMAT Preparation: General Awareness
- Additional CMAT Study Material
- FAQs on CMAT Books and Preparation
CMAT Books for Preparation: Syllabus to Cover
Before selecting CMAT books, you must understand the requirement, i.e. the topics which you need to study for the exam. Here is the table indicating topics included in CMAT syllabus. The books you refer for preparation must have these topics explianed in detail.
| CMAT Syllabus | CMAT Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Mensuration, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc. |
| Logical Reasoning |
Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Venn Diagram, 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 |
Optional paper having questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Yes, syllabus of CMAT and CAT are same and include: 1. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Mensuration Number System Algebra Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation and Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc. 2. Logical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc. 3. Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Vocabulary, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc. However, CMAT has two extra sections - General Knowledge and Innovation and Entrepreneurship, topics of which are mentioned below: 4. General Awareness: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society, Arts, Awards, Inventions 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business, models of entrepreneurship, Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Rural Entrepreneurship, etc.
For preparation of an exam like CMAT will always be helpful as you will be provided with relevant study material and guidance from industry experts. It will help you in disciplined and focused study as coaching centres have time bound classes, lectures, practice sessions, mock tests, etc. So, if you feel that you will not be able to stay dedicated and motivated enough in self-study to crack CMAT will high scores, join a CMAT coaching institute.
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
To prepare for CMAT Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, you will need books that provide conceptual clarity and practice question sets. Check the table below for CMAT exam preparation books for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation:
| CMAT Books 2027 |
Author Name/Publisher |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs |
Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant) |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| NCERT Mathematics Books for Class 8, 9 and 10 |
NCERT |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
Dr RS Aggarwal |
| The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams |
Pearson |
Also Read: CMAT Preparation Tips: Cracking Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation
Commonly asked questions
Sectional weightage of CMAT is same. Since the Language Comprehension section of CMAT includes reading comprehension passages, it can be considered a lengthy section. However, any other section can also be lengthier due to nature of the questions.
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning questions of CMAT need a lot of practice as there are not concepts or formulae. Check the table below for recommended CMAT preparation books for Analytical and Logical Reasoning:
| CMAT books 2027 |
Author Name/Publisher |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit K Sinha (Pearson) |
Also Read: CMAT Preparation Tips for Cracking Logical Reasoning
Commonly asked questions
Cracking Logical Reasoning section of CMAT is all about how well and how quickly you understand the puzzles and patterns. To master this section of CMAT exam, sample questions for practice and sectional mock tests for CMAT are the best resource. You should start practicing Logical Reasoning questions early on in the preparation cycle. Pay attention to the topics from which Logical Reasoning questions are asked in CMAT. Prepare for those type of questions only. For Data Interpretation section of CMAT. You should be well versed with reading tables, graphs and charts correctly. For quick calculation, you should strengthen basic mathematical calculations like multiplication, division, square, square roots, cube, cube roots, etc. This section is all about observation and ability to break down information into pieces, so you need to practice a wide range of data interpretation questions.
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Language Comprehension
Language Comprehenshion section of CMAT has more grammar and vocabulary based questions, than passage based questions. Check the table below for CMAT exam preparation books for Language Comprehension:
| CMAT Books 2027 |
Author Name/Publisher |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT |
Arun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education) |
| The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Nishit K Sinha |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Dr RS Aggarwal |
For strengthening English Grammar and Vocabulary, candidates must refer to following CMAT books:
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Wren & Martin English Grammar
- Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary
- The Students’ Companion by Wilfred D Best
- Business English and Communication by John O E Clark
- A Communicative Grammar of English by Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik
For practicing Reading Comprehension, candidates must practice sample papers and previous years' CMAT question papers. Reading books and novels will generally improve language comprehension skills.
Also Read: CMAT Preparation Tips for Cracking Language Comprehension
Commonly asked questions
Yes, CMAT is much easier that CAT exam. Despite the fact that CMAT and CAT syllabus are same and that CMAT has two more sections than CAT the former is much easier than the latter. The CAT exam is usually of moderate to high difficulty level, whereas the CMAT exam is of easy to moderate difficulty level.
There are key differences between CMAT and CAT which make the former easier. There is no sectional time limit in CMAT so candidates do not face the pressure of completing a given section within certain time limit. In CAT there are 4-5 Reading Comprehension passages which are 500-600 words, and 12-14 question.
In CMAT there is usually, only one Reading Comprehension passage, having 4 questions. The Quantitative Aptitude questions of CMAT are also easier than CAT and so are Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation questions. It is easier to score high percentile in CMAT as the number of applicants is more than one Lacs less in CAT.
CMAT has five sections.
Given below is the sectional break up of CMAT exam:
- Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- Logical Reasoning: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- Language Comprehension: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- General Awareness: 20 questions of 4 marks each
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: 20 questions of 4 marks each.
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Given below are some of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship CMAT books that will help you in preparation. This is an easy section and one can cover it with basic revision of business studies:
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management by R Gopal
- Entrepreneurship - Robert D. Hisrich
Also Read: CMAT Preparation tips for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Commonly asked questions
CMAT has five sections - Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Important topics of CMAT across all the five sections are listed below:
- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Time-speed-distance, Ratio-Proportion, Profit and Loss, SICI, Average, Partnership, Triangles Probability Surds, HCF-LCM, Quad equations, Quad inequality, Graphs, Tables, Bar, Pie Chart.
- Logical Reasoning: Family Tree, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, Coding-Decoding, etc.
- Language Comprehension: Synonym, Antonym, Fill in the Blanks, Idioms, Match the Following, Reading Comprehension, Identify the Correct Statement, Direct/Indirect Speech, Classify the Sentence, Question Tag, Parajumble.
- General Awareness: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Concepts of Entrepreneurship, Overview of Entrepreneurship, Evolution of Entrepreneurship in India, Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development, Theories and Models of Entrepreneurship, Framework of Entrepreneurship Theories, Models of Entrepreneurship, Emerging Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship, Dimensions of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Entrepreneurial Culture, Rural Entrepreneurship, etc.
Best Books for CMAT Preparation: General Awareness
There is no one CMAT GK book. To prepare for General Awareness section of CMAT exam, candidates must refer to GK Year Books. Apart from that, candidates must also include newspapers and current affairs magazines as study material for CMAT. This will give them the exposure to current affairs and business news. Some of the magazines and journals recommended for CMAT preparation 2027 are:
- Manorama Year Book - Mammen Mathew
- Economic Times
- Business Today
- The Financial Times
- Hindu Business Line
- Financial Express
- Business World
Commonly asked questions
CMAT has five subjects – Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship and to cover all of them, one will need good enough time. Overall, 3 months are needed to cover syllabus of CMAT and about 2 to 3 months for practice and revision. So, overall 6 months are good for CMAT preparation.
Additional CMAT Study Material
Apart from CMAT books, candidates should practice a lot of sample papers and mock test series of various difficulty levels. Given below are key benefits of practicing CMAT mock tests:
- Since CMAT is a speed-based test, candidates need to be capable of applying concepts and formulae to questions within a few seconds for solving them. This can be learnt only by solving sample papers and practicing CMAT mock test series.
- CAT mock tests are a replica of the actual exam. Practicing the CMAT mock test helps the candidate in not only developing speed of solving the question within a certain time limit, but also helps them in developing the skill of solving the questions with maximum accuracy.
- Practising CAT mock tests is also necessary to develop the skill of choosing the right questions in the exam. Candidates can judge their strong and weak areas by solving CMAT mock tests. They can assess which topics of the CMAT syllabus are easy to handle in the exam and which are not. This knowledge will help them in choosing only those questions which they can solve accurately, there by reducing the risk of negative marking.
- CMAT is an online test, and speed is supreme requirement. If a candidate does not have a prior experience of a Computer-Based Test, they may end up wasting time in understanding the exam flow. But if they practice online CMAT mock tests beforehand they will be able to navigate through the actual exam easily.
CMAT Mock Test by Shiksha
| CMAT_Mock_Test_1 | CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read More:
Commonly asked questions
One should dedicate about 4 to 5 hour in a day for CMAT preparation. If you have started CMAT preparation six months before 4 to 5 hours daily will be good. But if you start preparation 3 months before CMAT exam, you will need to dedicate about 7 hours to exam preparation as you will have to cover a lot in less time.
Yes, you can prepare for CMAT from CAT books as Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English and Data Interpretation topics of CMAT are same as CAT. The CMAT difficulty level is lower than CAT. However, since CAT does not have GK and Innovation & Entrepreneurship sections, you will need CMAT specific books and study material for them.
FAQs on CMAT Books and Preparation
Commonly asked questions
Since every section of CMAT has 20 questions in total, solving 15 to 18 questions in each section with 80 percent accuracy is considered a good attempt in CMAT, and it can ensure a good percentile in the exam. In the GK section, about 10 to 12 correct attempts will be enough. Out of 100 questions, candidates must try to solve about 70 to 75 questions to achieve a 99 percentile. However, candidates must aim to solve a higher number of questions with maximum accuracy and minimize negative marking. To be able to achieve this target, candidates have to prepare for the CMAT in a disciplined manner. Candidates must set aside about three months to complete the CMAT syllabus, as they have to study five subjects and their numerous topics. If they have appeared for CAT, XAT, and IIFT exams, then they can complete the CMAT syllabus in one month as well. However, it is advised that candidates spend at least three months on CMAT syllabus for complete preparation.
If you have appeared for CMAT before then you can prepare for another attempt only with mock tests as you would be already thorough with the syllabus and topics. You would also know your strengths and weakness. So, with CMAT mock tests, you will be able to revise and prepare accordingly. However, if you haven't appeared for CMAT or any national level MBA entrance exam before, you will need to cover the syllabus and then practice mock tests. In both scenarios, GK section will have to be prepared through year books. Only mock tests will not be helpful for CMAT GK.
Explore subject-wise topics asked in CMAT
Select your preferred subject
CMAT Exam
Student Forum
Answered 15 hours ago
The CMAT exam is conducted for admission in MBA at PG level in colleges. CMAT is a computer-based-test. The duration of CMAT is 3 hours. It consists of 100 questions. There are 20 questions each of the following sections:
- Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
- Logical Reasoning
- Language Compreh
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
At GIBS Business School Bangalore, students are trained for interviews and corporate readiness through:
Regular mock interviews and group discussions to practice real-life scenarios.
Focus on developing soft skills, like communication and leadership.
Exposure to the corporate world through guest lectur
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
While CMAT is the primary route, RGPV may occasionally admit based on merit in graduation if seats remain vacant after all CMAT-qualified candidates are placed through College Level Counselling.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
MAT and CMAT both are moderately difficulty exam, but have their own challenges. While, CMAT has one extra section Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MAT has a separate section for Data Interpretation having 30 questions. With focused preparation, you can crack either of the two that you choose.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
CMAT cutoff refers to minimum percentile required for admission to a particular college. Score accepting colleges determine the cut offs individually based on certain parameters. CMAT cut offs for top colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA are generally 99 percentile and above.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
With 82 percentile in CMAT, you stand a chance of getting colleges like Great Lakes Institute of Management Gurgaon, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, IPE Hyderabad, FLAME University Pune, Asia Pacific Institute of Management Delhi, Prestige Institute of Management Indore among others.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
CMAT total marks is 400. It is usually considered that scoring 270 to 300 marks can convert into good percentile, about 99 percentile. Around 200 marks can get you 90 percentile which is also good if you are targeting private colleges.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
There is no passing mark in CMAT exam, as admission is based on cut offs determined by colleges. A candidate scoring more than 0 in CMAT is eligible for admission will be selected only if they meet minimum cut off.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
CMAT 2026 result was declared by February 17, 2026. NTA released the scorecard late night at the official website. Candidates can download their scorecard through login.
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
No, GIM Goa does not accept CMAT scores for its PGDM programs for admissions. It only accepts CAT or XAT exam score. CAT score of previous year is accepted and XAT score of current year is accepted.
J
Contributor-Level 10
1429 Institutes accepting CMAT
Srinagar • Public
What is the format of CMAT exam?