How to Prepare for CMAT 2026 Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation: Important Topics, Questions & Tips
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
CMAT Quants and DI questions can be time consuming and calculation intensive. A total of 20 questions are asked in the exam. Read here key tips to crack Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section of CMAT 2026. Also understand types of questions asked in CMAT and how to solve them.
CMAT preparation for Quantitative Technique (QT) and Data Interpretation (DI) section requires dedication and focus as it is all about Mathematics. Most of the CMAT aspirants appear for CAT, XAT and SNAP too, thus by the time CMAT exam approaches, they are already familiar with the topics of Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation. CMAT 2026 will be held on January 25, 2026, which means most of you would have already gained experience of CAT, SNAP, XAT and NMAT.
If you start CMAT 2026 preparation even now, you have enough time to crack Quantitative Technique section. With regulat topic coverage, you need to practice CMAT sample questions and CMAT mock tests along with revision of important Mathematical concepts. Make an exam focussed CMAT preparation strategy in order to complete the syllabus too and get enough time for practice.
Since the Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation subjects will be clubbed together in CMAT 2026, the stress of solving too many questions per subject will not be there. Usually, out of 20 questions in this section, only 3-8 are based on DI. Start with understanding the theoretical concepts of the topics included in the CMAT syllabus for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation.
Arithmetic and Algebra are the main topics you should focus on. Since DI is calculation-based, one need not prepare for it separately. Tables and graphs will have Arithmetical calculations. Solve questions of various difficulty levels after completing each topic to understand the application of the concept. This is necessary so that you don't fumble at the later stage of your CMAT 2026 preparation journey, especially in mock tests. In this article, we have shared tips and shortcuts to crack Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation section of CMAT exam, along with other key details about the section. Read on.
- CMAT Exam Highlights 2026: Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
- CMAT Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation Syllabus 2026:
- CMAT Preparation Books 2026: Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
- CMAT Preparation 2026: Tips to Crack Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
CMAT Exam Highlights 2026: Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
- This section of CMAT question paper will have 20 questions in MCQ format.
- Each question will carry 4 marks for right answer and -1 mark for wrong attempt.
- This section will be dominated by Quantitative Technique questions. There will be not more than four to six questions from Data Interpretation.
- The difficulty level of CMAT exam’s Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section is usually moderate to high.
- Out of 20 questions, about 15-17 right attempts are considered as good attempt in this section.
CMAT Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation Syllabus 2026:
Given below are the main topics of Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, candidates need to study for CMAT 2026.
| CMAT Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permutations & Combinations |
Number System |
|
| Time-Speed-Distance |
Ratio and Proportion |
|
| Profit and Loss |
Percentages |
Partnership |
| Work and Time |
Allegation & Mixtures |
|
| In-equations |
Tabulation |
|
| Pipes and Cisterns |
||
Also Read:
CMAT Preparation Books 2026: Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
Check below the list of CMAT books for Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation preparation. Aspirants can refer to additional books and practice booklets along with these for better preparation.
- The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan and JS Rana
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant)
- Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10 by NCERT
- Quantitative Aptitude by Dr RS Aggarwal
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education)
- Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT/XAT/IIFT/CMAT/MAT/Bank by Disha Experts
- How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
Also Read: Top 10 CMAT Preparation Books 2026
| VARC Preparation Tips | DILR Preparation Tips | QA Preparation Tips |
CMAT Preparation 2026: Tips to Crack Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation
The difficulty level of Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section of CMAT exam is usually higher than other sections, but if you are strong in Mathematics, scoring well in this section is not too difficult. Keep the following tips in mind during CMAT 2026 preparation for Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section:
- This section of CMAT exam is dominated by Quantitative Technique. Data Interpretation questions are usually limited to four to six which are based on Tables.
- Within the Quantitative Technique section, most of the questions are asked from Arithmetic and Algebra. There will be 1-2 questions from other areas of Quants. So, pay special attention on Arithmetic during exam preparation.
- Spend a good amount of time in gaining clarity of concepts, formulae and theorems because that is the base of proper CMAT 2026 preparation.
- After studying a Quants topic, solve a few sample questions for CMAT. This will help you in understanding the application of the theory studied.
- Solving previous year CMAT questions will also help you in assessing whether you have understood the topics or not.
- Both Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation sections of CMAT are calculation based. There is nothing intuitive about them. So, adequate practice of questions is a must.
- Solve CMAT mock tests, sample papers and previous years question papers to familiarise yourself with a variety of questions based on Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation.
- Develop mental maths or practice calculation on onscreen calculator. You will be given a rough sheet for calculation but mental calculation will be faster.
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Practice Free CMAT Mock Test by Shiksha
| CMAT_Mock_Test_1 | CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
- CMAT sample paper booklets for practice are available in the market as well as o internet. Solve a few of them to gain control over tough topics.
- In the last one month before CMAT 2026 exam, start practicing mock tests on alternate days. After every mock test, analyse your performance and score to know what are your weak points.
- By practicing CMAT mock tests, you will be able to evaluate your strong and weak areas which will aide you in making the exam strategy. Attempt only those questions which are your type i.e. the ones you can solve accurately.
- Memorise Tables up to 20, Square and Square Roots up to 100, Cubes, Cubes Roots, etc. for quick calculation.
- Devise an exam strategy for the test day. If Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation are your strong areas, start CMAT 2026 question paper by solving questions from this section. Choose questions wisely.
- In the CMAT 2026 exam, try to reach the minimum sectional cut-off level first by solving questions from your strength areas and then go ahead with other questions if time permits. You can come back to attempt the remaining questions if time permits.
To conclude, memorizing all the Quants formulae and theorems is the key to crack this section of CMAT exam. Keep aside two hours twice a week for revision of formulae and theorems. If you have conceptual clarity of each of the topics included in the Quantitative Technique & Data Interpretation section of CMAT, you can score well.
All the best!
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
Read More:
- How to prepare for CMAT 2026 in six months
- How to prepare for CMAT exam in three months
- How to prepare for CMAT in one month
- CMAT Preparation Tips: Cracking Logical Reasoning
- CMAT Preparation Tips: Cracking Language Comprehension
- CMAT Preparation 2026: All About Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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Cracking Logical Reasoning section of CMAT is all about how well and how quickly you understand the puzzles and patterns. To master this section of CMAT exam, sample questions for practice and sectional mock tests for CMAT are the best resource. You should start practicing Logical Reasoning questions early on in the preparation cycle. Pay attention to the topics from which Logical Reasoning questions are asked in CMAT. Prepare for those type of questions only. For Data Interpretation section of CMAT. You should be well versed with reading tables, graphs and charts correctly. For quick calculation, you should strengthen basic mathematical calculations like multiplication, division, square, square roots, cube, cube roots, etc. This section is all about observation and ability to break down information into pieces, so you need to practice a wide range of data interpretation questions.
The difficulty level of CMAT 2025 exam was overall moderate. Interestingly, the GK questions were not tough as they usually are. Check below section wise CMAT 2025 difficulty level.
CMAT 2025 section | Number of questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | 20 | Easy |
Logical Reasoning | 20 | Easy |
Language Comprehension | 20 | Easy |
General Awareness | 20 | Moderate |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | Moderate |
Yes, it is necessary to attempt GK section in CMAT as unlike other MBA entrance exams, scores of GK are included in percentile calculation in CMAT. Total number of GK questions in 20 and attempting 8-10 questions correctly, can get the candidate desired sectional cut off in CMAT. So, while preparing for CMAT exam, do not ignore GK. You can prepare for it in the last couple of months with the help of year books as most of the questions are asked from Static GK.
When making a strategy for CMAT exam keep in mind that it is a speed based exam and there is negative marking. Since, there is no sectional time limit, solving adequate number of questions in every section will be key.
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.
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 10 hours 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 6
Answered 5 days 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 6
Answered 5 days 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 6
Answered 5 days 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 6
Answered 5 days 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 6
Answered 5 days ago
CMAT 2026 result is expected to be declared by February 14 or 15, 2026. NTA has not shared any official date but if you look at the trend of previous year, CMAT result has always been released within 3 to 4 weeks of exam.
E
Contributor-Level 6
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 a month 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
Answered a month ago
CMAT is one of the important examinations for admission to the MBA course at Biyani Group of Colleges. However, as the MBA course at Biyani Group of Colleges is offered with the affiliation of Rajasthan Technical University. Thus, there are chances that the college can accept the relevant scores of
I
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
CMAT 2026 admit card was available for download until exam day (January 25). Candidates must download CMAT-NTA admit card as soon as it is released and save it.
A
Contributor-Level 6
CMAT RC passages are easy. Candidates need not worry about RCs in CMAT because they are short and pretty much straight forward. Questions are fact based and generally require candidates to identify the main argument/theme/idea of the passage. Sometimes, there are a few vocabulary and idiom based questions too, but mostly from familiar areas and topics. The length is about 200-500 words.