Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content
Updated on Apr 13, 2021 13:25 IST
Injimamul Islam, CMAT 2021 topper, secured 99.18 percentile. Read his interview with shiksha to know his CMAT preparation journey and advise to future CMAT aspirants

Injimamul Islam, CMAT 2021 topper, spoke to Shiksha on his CMAT preparation journey. Read the interview below to know his preparation strategies and success mantras 

CMAT 2021 Topper Interview

Name - Injimamul Islam 

CMAT 2021 Score/ Percentile: 99.18  

Sectional Score/Percentiles: 

  • Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: 99.56 
  • Logical Reasoning: 93.32 
  • Language Comprehension: 96.87 
  • General Awareness: 62.34 

Injimamul belongs to a beautiful city located in Assam, MangaldoiWith an extensive scope of Masters in Business Studies, he was inclined towards to course after obtaining B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Tezpur UniversityHe desires for a remunerative job in FMCG sector after completing his MBA degree.  

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Shiksha got into a candid conversation with Injimamul Islam to share his experience with the CMAT exam, preparation strategy and advise for the future aspirants. 

Also Read: CMAT toppers' list 

Q: Was this your first CMAT attempt? Were you expecting to score so well? 

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A: Yes, it was my first CMAT attempt. After exiting the exam hall, I felt quite low as I found the General Awareness section to be tougher than what I expectedHowever, after analysing the responses, I was confident enough to score 97 percentile   

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Q: Tell us about your preparation strategy. 

A: I took CAT as well as XAT, but I wasn’t able to score well to meet the cut-offs for the top B-Schools. I My primary focus for CMAT was to allot more preparation time for General Awareness section as it is equally important to other sectionsBesidesI took mocks for holistic preparation strategy.  

Q: What was the exam day strategy followed by you? 

A: CMAT exam covers all the basic concepts of Quantitative Ability and Logical Reasoning. I decided to revise all the important concepts and formulae, memorized some important static and current GK for General Awareness section and gone through the short notes of Language Comprehension that I prepared beforehand.

Q: What was your weak area(s) and what did you do to improve the same?

A: General Awareness was my weakest section as I hadn’t prepared for the section earlier for any other competitive exam. Moreover, the syllabus for General Awareness is vasttherefore, one needs to have a better hold on the current affairs as well as static GK. I read newspapers and take notes on different GK topics and events. 

Q: Is it important to join a coaching institute for CMAT preparation? 

A:  No. In my opinion, joining a coaching institute for CMAT preparation is a waste of money. One can outshine in CMAT via self-preparation by analysing the CMAT exam pattern, syllabus and practising mocks. 

Q: Which books did you study for CMAT preparation? 

A: For all the basic concepts of Quantitative Techniques and Logical Reasoning, I would recommend MBA entrance guide books by Arun Sharma. For language Comprehension, I would suggest 'Word power made easy' by Norman Lewis. 

Q: The CMAT exam was delayed this year, so did that affect your preparation/performance? 

A:  At first, I got furious on the delayed notification. However, later realised that it could help me provide extra time to prepare for the General Awareness section. Also, during the extended period, was able to practise adequate CMAT mock tests which in turn helped me to stimulate my performance.

Q: What is your plan after completing MBA?

A: I want to pursue MBA in Marketing. After completing the same, I wish for a handsome pay package by a top company working in FMCG sector. 

Q: Any tips for future CMAT aspirants? 

A: The first and the foremost thing to crack any competitive exam is to believe in yourself. The only factor that can help you become a CMAT topper is practise. Try to cover each and every topic from elementary level and practise CMAT question papers from previous sessions as mocks. This helps evaluating your strengths as well as weaknesses. To score well in General Awareness section, spend at least 2-3 hours daily reading current affairs. 

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About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content

Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance

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Answered a week ago

CMAT is a domestic exam conducted for admission to MBA/PGDM courses in MBA colleges located in India. It is not conducted outside India.

S

Sreetama Tyagi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a week ago

CMAT exam is conducted in 124+ cities across India.The centre is alloted to the candidate on the basis of their choice as mentioned in the CMAT application form. 

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Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

MCA colleges in Ahmedabad without CMAT are in this table. Check courses and fees. 

MCA Colleges in Ahmedabad without CMAT

Total Tuition Fee

Silver Oak College of Computer Application (SOCCA) MCA

INR 1.64 lakh

Indus University MCA Courses

INR 1.72 Lakh 

L D College of Engineering MCA

INR 10, 600

Silver5 University MCA Courses

INR 1.2 Lacs - INR 1.3 Lakh

Sabarmati University MCA INR 90,000
Sardar Vallabhbhai Global University MCA CoursesINR 2.18 Lakh

Note: All info. is from official sites and can change. 

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Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month 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

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month 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.

For more information, click here.

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months 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

Anya B

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months 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.

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Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months 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.

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Anyam Kalra

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months 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

Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months 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

Anya B

Contributor-Level 7