CMAT 2018: In-depth exam analysis and expected sectional cut-offs
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
Registration - 17 Oct '25 - 18 Nov '25
CMAT 2018 was held today, January 20, 2018, at about 75 test centres across the country. As per reports, the exam was conducted smoothly at all the centres without any glitch. The exam got over at 12:30 pm and soon all about the question paper was known.
According to experts, the CMAT 2018 question paper was moderate to difficult, with lengthy Data Interpretation and tricky Logical Reasoning. The General Knowledge section this year was surprisingly difficult.
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The CMAT 2018 exam analysis reveals that the candidates did not face any surprise question out of all 100 questions asked, but a few questions required them to pay extra attention due to their twisted form.
CMAT 2018 question paper was divided into four sections having 25 questions each. Here’s how what is being said about the difficulty level of each of these sections:
| Section |
Questions |
Difficulty Level |
| Data Interpretation |
25 |
Moderate to difficult |
| Logical Reasoning |
25 |
Moderate to difficult |
| Language Comprehension |
25 |
Moderate |
| General Awareness |
25 |
Moderate to difficult |
Each question carried four marks and there was negative marking of -1. The candidates were supposed to complete solving all the questions in 3 hours.
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There was no change in exam pattern and overall the CMAT 2018 exam was on the expected lines.
Sectional Analysis:
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
This section has questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, PnC, Modern Math and Mensuration. Out of 25 questions 4-5 were difficult and DI questions were 2-3, low as always.
An accurate attempt of 14-15 questions will be a good attempt in this section and can get you 50-55 marks i.e. 92-95 percentile.
Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning section had easy to moderate question, but a few questions were tricky. The questions were on Arrangements, Groups, Blood Relations, Statements, etc. The LR section was pretty familiar and on expected lines apart from some questions that were time consuming. An accuracy of 90% in 18-20 questions can fetch 95 percentile.
Language Comprehension
This section was easy to moderate with more vocabulary related questions. There were four RC passages with 15 questions. Out of these four, three passages were short (300-400 words) with three questions. The sole long RC had 6 questions. Verbal Ability consisted of vocabulary, grammar, fill in the blanks etc. 16-18 questions with 90% accuracy can fetch 95 percentile.
General Awareness
This section has question from current affairs, static GK and other conventional topics. The questions ranged from Indian Constitution, History and Sociology.
12-14 questions with 85% accuracy can fetch 94 percentile in this section.
The candidates who solved easy questions first and then moved on to tough ones, will score well in CMAT 2018.
Also read:
When to expect CMAT 2018 results
20 popular colleges accepting CMAT scores
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 months ago
The admissions into MBA courses at Marwadi University have been concluded in the year 2025. Hence, candidates can no longer apply for admissions into the MBA course at Marwadi University in the year 2025. The CMAT exam for the year 2025 has also been concluded for this year. Candidates must now wait
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, candidates do not have to mandatorily appear for the CMAT entrance exam for MBA in Business Analytics at Marwadi University. Candidates can apply for MBA admissions through any of the national level entrance exam such as CAT, XAT, ATMA and more. However, during admissions into the MBA in Busines
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, it is possible to get an MBA seat at CET Trivandrum with a valid CMAT score. The institute accepts CAT, CMAT, and KMAT scores for MBA admissions. Thus, students who did not appear for CMAT or did not score well can apply via KMAT or CAT scores. Students are selected for the programme after eval
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, CMAT scores are not compulsory for admissions to the MBA course at Sabarmati University. Because the university accepts CMAT/ CAT or any other entrance exam accepted by the counselling body. Thus, applicants with CMAT scores can get admission to the MBA course. However, it is not compulsory. App
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, getting admission into SGSITS MBA courses is not possible without taking CUET. For admission to its MBA courses, the institute only accepts valid CMAT scores. Other than this, it is also essential that students aspiring to enrol into the programme meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by the
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
GK is memory based, so all that you need to do is memorise important events and occurrences. So, candidates may not need a lot of time to prepare for CMAT GK. They can devote one or two months for it. On daily basis, they can read Year Books for one hour to memorise events. Apart from that they can
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
CMAT RC passages are easy. Candidates need not worry about RCs in CMAT because they are short and pretty much straight forward. Questions are fact based and generally require candidates to identify the main argument/theme/idea of the passage. Sometimes, there are a few vocabulary and idiom based que
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, it is necessary to attempt GK section in CMAT as unlike other MBA entrance exams, scores of GK are included in percentile calculation in CMAT. Total number of GK questions in 20 and attempting 8-10 questions correctly, can get the candidate desired sectional cut off in CMAT. So, while preparing
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The minimum academic criteria for MBA admission through CMAT is minimum 50% in graduation for General category students and minimum 45% for SC/ST/PwD category students. Even though this eligibility criteria is not mandatory for CMAT, it is the basic requirement for full time MBA as per the AICTE reg
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
For admission to MBA/MMS courses offered by State affiliated universities, Maharashtra State CET cell accepts CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT/ATMA scores too for All India category candidates. If you wish to participate in the MAH MBA CAP round through your CMAT score, you can fill the CAP registration form a
A
Contributor-Level 6