CMAT 2020 Exam Analysis: Overall Paper Moderate; GK Tricky
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
Get in-depth CMAT 2020 paper analysis and expected cut offs by experts, here. Know section-wise difficulty level, types of questions and marking scheme of CMAT 2020 exam.
CMAT 2020 exam was conducted today from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at 245 exam centres across 104 cities across India. As per the initial question paper analysis, the General Knowledge (GK) section was tricky while Maths was tough as usual. Shiksha will provide in-depth CMAT analysis by experts soon which will include discussion on section-wise difficulty level, types of questions asked, topic-wise weightage, number of good attempts, section-wise and overall CMAT cut offs for admission.
Also Read: CMAT 2020 student reactions and reviews
- CMAT 2020 Paper Analysis: Highlights
- CMAT 2020 Question Paper Pattern and Test Structure
- CMAT 2020 Analysis
- CMAT Analysis 2020: Language Comprehension
- CMAT Analysis 2020: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
- CMAT Analysis 2020: Logical Reasoning
- CMAT Analysis 2020: General Awareness
- Expected CMAT Cut Offs 2020
- CMAT Paper Analysis 2019
CMAT 2020 Paper Analysis: Highlights
- This year, CMAT exam was conducted in single session (9:30 am to 12:30 am)
- The CMAT question paper comprised four sections - Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness
- Each section of the question paper had 25 questions of four marks each
- There was negative marking of minus one for every wrong question
CMAT 2020 Question Paper Pattern and Test Structure
CMAT question paper 2020 had questions in MCQ format to be solved in three hours. There was no sectional time-limit in the exam and the candidates could choose the order of questions to solve. Check CMAT exam pattern and test paper structure below.
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| CMAT Features |
Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam |
Online |
| Duration of exam |
3 hours |
| Format of questions |
MCQ |
| Sectional time-limit |
No |
| Overall difficulty level |
Moderate to difficult |
CMAT 2020 Analysis
The overall difficulty level of CMAT exam 2020 was moderate. There was no change in the exam pattern or marking scheme. The questions were also asked on the same lines as last year. In fact, the logical reasoning section was easier than that of previous year. However, many students felt the General awareness section was tricky. Check CMAT 2020 question paper break-up, section-wise difficulty level and number of good attempts.
| Section |
Number Of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
25 |
Moderate |
22-24 |
| Logical Reasoning |
25 |
Easy |
21-23 |
| Language Comprehension |
25 |
Moderate |
21-23 |
| General Awareness |
25 |
Moderate |
14-15 |
| Total |
100 |
Moderate |
80-85 |
CMAT Analysis 2020: Language Comprehension
This section had a total of 25 questions, out of which 6 were RC based and 19 from verbal ability. The passages were of approximately 350 words and easy to read. The questions were direct and easy. The verbal ability questions were from antonyms, grammar, jumbled paragraphs, odd one out, one word substitution, etc. The difficulty level of Verbal Ability questions was moderate.
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According to experts, 21-23 attempts with 85-90 percent accuracy will be good.
Topic-wise break up of Language Comprehension section:
| Topics |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension - 1 Passage |
6 |
| Synonyms/Antonyms |
1 |
| FIB (Vocabulary)- 2 Blanks |
2 |
| FIB (Grammar) |
1 |
| Idiom-based |
2 |
| Word definition |
3 |
| Paragraph Jumbles |
2 |
| Meaning of phrase |
1 |
| Antonym/ synonym of underlined word |
5 |
| Spelling |
1 |
| Sentence Correction |
1 |
CMAT Analysis 2020: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
Overall, the Quantitative techniques and Data Interpretation section was of moderate difficulty. The section as divided into 25 questions from Arithmetic, Geometry, Modern Maths. Out of the 25 questions, five were of moderate difficulty, four of high difficulty and 16 easy which required simple application of formulae and concepts.
About 22-24 attempts with 90 percent accuracy will be good in this section.
Topic-wise break up of Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation section:
| Topics |
Specifics |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
Percentages, Time-speed-distance, Time-work, Ratio-Proportion, Profit & Loss, Compound Interest, Averages |
10 |
| Geometry |
Mensuration, Triangles |
2 |
| Modern Math |
Probability , Permutation - Combination, Venn Diagram |
5 |
| Numbers |
HCF, LCM |
1 |
| Data Interpretation |
Table |
4 |
CMAT Analysis 2020: Logical Reasoning
The Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 2020 was easier as compared to CMAT 2019. The section had 18 Logical Reasoning sections and 7 Verbal Reasoning sections. All the questions were straight forward and easy.
About 21-13 attempts with 90 percent accuracy will be good in this section.
Topic-wise break up of Logical Reasoning section:
| Topics |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Coding-decoding |
2 |
| Blood Relations |
4 |
| Series completion |
2 |
| Logic based |
3 |
| Symbol Based |
1 |
| Venn Diagram |
1 |
| Number Grid |
1 |
| Directions |
1 |
| Miscellaneous |
1 |
| Visual reasoning |
2 |
| Verbal Reasoning |
|
| Strong/Weak Argument |
2 |
| Analogy |
2 |
| Odd one out |
1 |
| Syllogism |
2 |
CMAT Analysis 2020: General Awareness
According to students, the General Awareness section was tough this year. Most of the questions were tricky and on lesser known topics. Out of 25 questions, 24 were from static GK and one was from Current Affairs. However, the experts say, that 14 questions were easy, four were medium and seven were difficult.
About 13 to 15 attempts in this section with 80 percent accuracy would be good.
Topic-wise break up of General Awareness section:
| Topics |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Indian Events |
11 |
| International Events |
9 |
| Miscellaneous |
5 |
Expected CMAT Cut Offs 2020
Given below are expected CMAT cut offs for 2020 admissions. These cut offs are based on the assessment of the difficulty level of the CMAT exam.
| Colleges Accepting CMAT score |
CMAT Expected Cut Off Percentiles |
|---|---|
| 99.9+ |
|
| 95-99 |
|
| 95-99 |
|
| 99+ |
|
| 95-99 |
|
| 90-95 |
|
| 95-99 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 85 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week 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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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 4 weeks 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
Answered 2 months ago
No, CMAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into the MBA course at NSUT. Even CMAT scores are not the first priority of the admission committee to shortlist the students. Because the university considers the scores of CAT/ MAT for selecting the students. If the seats get vacant, then only CMAT
I
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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