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.
Explore colleges based on CMAT
| 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.
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
Answered 3 days ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
To get a seat in the FLAME University of the MBA/PGDM course, you have to appear for any one of the accepted exams, like CAT, XAT, CMAT, etc. After clearing the exam, you have to get shortlisted for further admission round, which involves PI or GD.
The FLAME University CAT cutoff 2025 was 75 for the
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Three months may not be enough for CMAT preparation, if you're doing it from scratch. However, if you are preparing for CAT, XAT, NMAT, you can prepare for CMAT in 3 months as you have clear understanding of the syllabus already and you will need exam specific practice only.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 weeks ago
No, candidates are not required to appear in CMAT to be eligible for BTech in CSE + MBA integated course at UIT, Karnavati University. For this course, candidates are required to appear in either JEE Mains or GUJCET to qualify for admissions.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
If you have appeared for CMAT before and have complete conceptual clarity of topics, you can prepare for CMAT with mock test practice only.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Manorama Year Book, Lucent's General Knowledge will be a good source to prepare static GK for CMAT. Apart from that, you should refer Pratiyogita Darpan and GK Today for current affairs.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
Yes, you should carry a passport size photo along with the CMAT admit card on the exam day. The photo should preferably be the same as uploaded in the application form.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
CMAT 2027 admit card will not be release offline. Candidates will have to download it from the CMAT-NTA website only after logging into their account.
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Contributor-Level 7

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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