CMAT 2023 Analysis (Shift 1 OUT): Check Difficulty Level of Question Paper
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
CMAT 2023 exam was held in two shifts. Check here CMAT 2023 analysis for shift 1 by experts to know the difficulty level of the exam and number of good attempts per section.
CMAT 2023 exam analysis
CMAT 2023 analysis – The NTA conducted the CMAT 2023 exam today. There are two shifts of the exam. The first shift got over at 12 pm and the second shift got over at 5: 30 pm. According to the analysis of CMATT 2023 question paper, the first shift was easy. The detailed analysis of CMAT 2023 has been shared here. The CMAT exam analysis 2023 has in-depth discussion of questions, topics, sectional difficulty level, number of good attempts and expected cut offs.
The CMAT is usually of moderate difficulty level. Only the Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section is somewhat tough but other four sections are either easy or moderate. Watch this space for CMAT 2023 exam analysis.
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- CMAT 2023 Analysis: Exam Highlights
- CMAT Exam Analysis 2023: Question Paper Breakup
- Section wise CMAT 2023 Analysis for Shift 1
- Expected CMAT 2023 Cut Offs for Admission
CMAT 2023 Analysis: Exam Highlights
- CMAT 2023 question paper had 100 questions
- Compared to other MBA entrance exams, CMAT was easy
- Each section of CMAT question paper has 20 questions carrying four marks each
-
Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section was moderate.
-
Logical Reasoning and Language Comprehension sections were easy.
-
Innovation and Entrepreneurship section was moderate.
-
General Awareness section was moderately tough.
Check out: CMAT 2023 Exam Live Updates: Check question paper analysis, answer key, cut offs
CMAT Exam Analysis 2023: Question Paper Breakup
The CMAT 2023 question paper had five sections, each carrying 20 questions and 80 marks. Check the section-wise CMAT difficulty level of different sections of the exam.
Commonly asked questions
Since every section of CMAT has 20 questions in total, solving 15 to 18 questions in each section with 80 percent accuracy is considered a good attempt in CMAT, and it can ensure a good percentile in the exam. In the GK section, about 10 to 12 correct attempts will be enough. Out of 100 questions, candidates must try to solve about 70 to 75 questions to achieve a 99 percentile. However, candidates must aim to solve a higher number of questions with maximum accuracy and minimize negative marking. To be able to achieve this target, candidates have to prepare for the CMAT in a disciplined manner. Candidates must set aside about three months to complete the CMAT syllabus, as they have to study five subjects and their numerous topics. If they have appeared for CAT, XAT, and IIFT exams, then they can complete the CMAT syllabus in one month as well. However, it is advised that candidates spend at least three months on CMAT syllabus for complete preparation.
| CMAT 2023 Sections |
Number of Questions |
Number of Good Attempts |
Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
20 |
16-17 |
Easy |
| Logical Reasoning |
20 |
16-17 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Language Comprehension |
20 |
16-17 |
Easy to Moderate |
| General Awareness |
20 |
11-12 |
Moderate |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
20 |
11-12 |
Moderate |
| Total |
100 |
70-75 |
Easy |
Also read:
- CMAT 2023 answer key question paper PDF
- CMAT 2023 student reactions and reviews
- CMAT 2023 exam analysis, shift 2
Section wise CMAT 2023 Analysis for Shift 1
The CMAT 2023 question paper of shift 1 was overall easy. Some of the questions in five sections were sitters. None of the questions were lengthy or time taking. Check below section wise CMAT exam analysis and difficulty level.
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CMAT 2023 Analysis: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
In this section, about 16-17 correct attempts will be considered good. Check the table below for topic wise break-up of the Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section of CMAT 2023 question paper.
| Area |
Topics |
Total |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic |
Time-speed-distance, Ratio-Proportion, Profit & Loss, SICI, Average, Partnership |
6 |
| Geometry |
Triangles |
1 |
| Modern Math |
Probability |
1 |
| Numbers |
Surds, HCF LCM |
5 |
| Algebra |
Quad equations, Quad inequality |
2 |
| Data Interpretation |
Table (Set of 5 questions) |
5 |
| Total |
-- |
20 |
CMAT 2023 Analysis: Logical Reasoning
In this section of CMAT 2023 shift 1, about 16-17 correct attempts will be considered good. Check the table below for topic wise break-up of the Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 2023 question paper.
| Non-Verbal Reasoning |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Family Tree |
3 |
| Counting the number of triangles and squares |
2 |
| Series Completion |
1 |
| Miscellaneous |
2 |
| Linear Arrangement |
2 |
| Directions |
1 |
| Coding |
1 |
| Verbal Reasoning |
|
| Syllogisms, strong/weak arguments, assertion-reason, analogy, odd one etc. |
8 |
CMAT 2023 Analysis: Language Comprehension
There were three Reading Comprehension passages in the CMAT question paper 2023 of 70-100 words. The passages were easy to comprehend. The topics were - Gandhi’s principles; Opinion on the subject of Poetry; Extract from a story. Verbal Ability questions were also easy. Check below, the table for topic wise distribution of questions in Language Comprehension section of CMAT 2023.
| Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
5 |
| Vocabulary (Synonym, antonym, FIBs, idioms, match the following) |
7 |
| Grammar (Fill in the blanks, Identify the correct statement, direct/indirect speech, classify the sentence, question tag) |
7 |
| Verbal Reasoning – Parajumble ( 4 statements) |
1 |
CMAT 2023 Analysis: General Awareness
The 20 questions of General Awareness section of CMAT 2023 was moderately tough. 16 questions were based on Static GK and 4 questions were based on Current Affairs. Topics from which questions were asked include, history, sports, politics, physics, geography and authors. About 11-12 correct attempts in this section will be considered good.
CMAT 2023 Analysis: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
In this section of the first session of CMAT 2023, there were 20 questions. Out of the 20 questions, 16 were based on nascent entrepreneur; phases of funding; reasons for failure and other such concepts. 4 questions were on business knowledge. About 11-12 correct attempts in this section will be considered good.
Watch: CMAT 2023 Student Reactions and Reviews
Expected CMAT 2023 Cut Offs for Admission
Check the below table for expected CMAT cut off percentiles of some of the top MBA colleges across India. These are estimated scores and the final cut offs could be higher.
| 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 2 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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