Shiksha had an exclusive interview with Onkar Machindra Kawale, CMAT 2021 topper. Read the interview to know how he scored 99.68 percentile in CMAT.
Name - Onkar Machindra Kawale
CMAT 2021 Score - 99.68
Sectional Score -
- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation - 95.47
- Logical Reasoning - 99.93
- Language Comprehension - 86.81
- General Awareness - 99.74
Onkar Machindra Kawale is based in Osmanabad, Maharashtra. He completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune. He was an IAS aspirant with MBA as a Plan-B. Onkar has a good base in General Knowledge. Shiksha.com spoke to Onkar, a CMAT 2021 topper with a 99.68 percentile. He shared his strengths and weaknesses along with the preparation tips and tricks for future CMAT aspirants.
Explore colleges based on CMAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Read the complete interview to know how Onkar Machindra Kawale scored 99+ percentile in CMAT 2021 exam.
Also Read: CMAT toppers' list
Q: Was this your first attempt? Were you expecting to score so well?
A: Yes. This was my first attempt at CMAT 2021. Due to the pandemic, I had more time to prepare for CMAT 2021; therefore, I was expecting to score better.
Q: Tell us about your preparation strategy.
A: I had been preparing for other competitive exams including civil services and MAH CET. Therefore, I had a hold on the General Knowledge section. I primarily focused on my weak subjects including English and Quantitative Ability. The quantitative Ability section is the most time consuming among all the other sections while preparing. Thus, I started with Quant.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
19 Jul '26 - 3 Aug '26
3 Aug '26
22 Aug '26
30 Aug '26
1 Nov '25 - 31 Aug '26
2 Jan '26 - 31 Jul '26
14 Feb '26 - 31 Jul '26
29 Jul '26 - 31 Jul '26
APICET
6 Sep '26
Q: What was your exam day strategy?
A: I was calm on exam day and focused on taking adequate rest before the exam. I appeared in the second shift of the exam; I completed the revision one day before the exam. I left the exam day to relax to perform to the fullest.
Q: What was your weak area(s) and what did you do to improve the same?
A: Language Comprehension and Quantitative Ability were my weak areas. I started the CMAT preparation with both sections to get the maximum time for my weak areas. I practised previous years question papers to improve the Language Comprehension and focused on concepts rather than a formula-based approach for the Quantitative Ability section.
Q: Is it important to join a coaching institute for CMAT preparation?
A: No. There is no need for a coaching institute for CMAT preparation. One can watch YouTube videos for better preparation and getting familiar with the concepts.
Q: Which books did you study for CMAT preparation?
A: I had the primary focus on General Awareness. I studied yearly current affairs from Focus Magazine by Arihant. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Agarwal was my pick. For other sections, I primarily relied on the CMAT question papers from previous years.
Q: The CMAT exam was delayed this year, so did that affect your preparation/performance?
A: I focused on Language and General Awareness sections during the extended period. Surely the extended period was helpful for the preparation, on the other hand, it also made me anxiously waiting for the exam.
Q: What is your plan after completing MBA?
A: I am planning to pursue MBA in Finance. I would consider a work experience after MBA. After my MBA I am planning to pursue higher education in the specified field.
Q: Any tips for future CMAT aspirants?
A: Unlike other management entrance exams, CMAT has more focus on General Awareness. All the other sections have a basic syllabus. You can prepare for all the sections using the previous year’s question papers and CMAT mock tests; however, General Awareness will be left behind. In my opinion, aspirants must start with the current affairs and static GK followed by clearing the concepts for Quantitative Ability. Further, other sections can be covered by practising previous year’s question papers.
Read More:
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
15 Jul '26 - 6 Dec '26 | XAT 2027 registration |
Sep '26 | XAT 2027 mock test |
Aug '26 | SNAP 2026 Registration Process |
Nov '26 | SNAP 2026 admit card session 1... |
22 Jun '26 - 7 Sep '26 | MAT September 2026 Registratio... |
22 Jun '26 - 14 Sep '26 | MAT September 2026 Registratio... |
3 Aug '26 | CAT 2026 application start dat... |
15 Sep '26 | Last Date to Apply for CAT 202... |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
22 Aug '26 | IBSAT 2026 Mock Test |
26 Sep '26 | IBSAT 2026 Mock Test |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?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
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.
N
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 |
INR 1.72 Lakh | |
INR 10, 600 | |
INR 1.2 Lacs - INR 1.3 Lakh | |
| Sabarmati University MCA | INR 90,000 |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Global University MCA Courses | INR 2.18 Lakh |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
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
N
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.
N
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
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.
S
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.
A
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
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
Contributor-Level 7
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
Read Full Bio