Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
Exam On - 25 Jan '26
CMAT is a moderately difficult MBA entrance exam, so you will not need a lot of time for preparation. Read how to prepare for CMAT 2025 exam in six months including tips, tricks, strategy, books and study material.
CMAT exam is easy to crack. The difficulty level is moderate and the questions are asked from familiar areas. So, one doesn't really need a lot of time for preparatiob. The syllabus of CMAT is similar to other MBA entrance exams thus, what one requires is sharpening their analytical and logical skills. With complete dedication toward studies, six months are enough to crack CMAT 2026 exam. In this article, you will read how to prepare for CMAT 2026 in six months including tips, tricks, strategy, books and study material.
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.
One should dedicate about 4 to 5 hour in a day for CMAT preparation. If you have started CMAT preparation six months before 4 to 5 hours daily will be good. But if you start preparation 3 months before CMAT exam, you will need to dedicate about 7 hours to exam preparation as you will have to cover a lot in less time.
First of all, make a six-month preparation plan for CMAT exam. If you plan to take coaching all your needs will be taken care of but if you plan CMAT preparation 2026 by self-study, start with the following:
27 Dec '25 - 28 Dec '25
30 Sep '25 - 30 Dec '25
30 Dec '25
4 Jan '26
9 Jan '26
5 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26
29 Nov '25 - 11 Jan '26
13 Jan '26
22 Jan '26
23 Jan '26
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The next step towards six-month CMAT preparation is division of time into phases. First phase should be spent in covering the syllabus, second phase should be spent in practicing sample papers and mock tests and the final phase should be spent in revision and exam day preparation. Here's how to prepare for CMAT 2026 in six months:
Dedicate first two to three months in covering the CMAT syllabus. Take a look at all the topics of Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and start with the topic that you find toughest. Most students begin with brushing up their basics of Maths for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation. You should also start reading books and novels to strengthen Language Comprehension. Since all five sections of the CMAT have equal weightage, you need to focus on each of them equally well. Check out subject-wise preparation strategy for CMAT 2026 below:
The questions of Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation are usually of moderate difficulty. Most of the questions are asked from Arithmetic, Geometry, Modern Math, Algebra, Trigonometry and Numbers. The Data Interpretation questions are based mostly on tables and charts.
To prepare for this section, begin with revisiting the basics of Mathematics. In this section, the key is to have conceptual clarity and ability to apply theory on various types of problems. After completing a topic, solve a few questions to know how well you have understood it.
Also Read: CMAT Preparation 2026: Cracking QA-DI
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 the following aspects in mind:
· CMAT is a medium difficulty level exam
· There is no sectional time limit so you will need to allocate time to every section yourself.
· Every section has 20 questions; one must try to attempt atleast 15 questions.
· Every section of CMAT is mandatory so ensure you have enough time to attempt all sections.
· GK is memory based section, so attempt it in the last 10-15 minutes.
· There is negative marking in CMAT so you must not do guess work.
· Do not spend more than 1 minute on any question. If you thing the questions is tough leave it and move to next question. You can come back to it later.
· Don't panic on seeing a complicated question. Choose the ones you can solve accurately.
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 |
Logical Reasoning section of CMAT comprises Coding-Decoding, Blood Relation, Series Completion, Venn Diagram, Number Grid, Directions and Visual Reasoning. Key to cracking Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 2025 will be practice, the more you practice, the better you’ll get at unravelling puzzles and breaking down pattern to identify commonality.
Also Read: CMAT Preparation 2026: Cracking Logical Reasoning
Start reading books, novels, newspapers and magazines in English right from the very beginning. This will help you in cracking dense Reading Comprehension passages. For Grammar, study from Wren & Martin and pay equal focus on Verbal Ability. Most of the questions in this section are on Synonyms/Antonyms, Word-Definition, Parajumbles, Spelling, Sentence Correction, Idioms and Grammar based questions.
Practice a good number of sectional mock tests to have a grip on different types of RC passages and Verbal Ability questions.
Also Read: CMAT Preparation 2025: How to Prepare of Language Comprehension
CMAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a section that can be prepared in one-month time. It is easy and covers the basics of business and company types. To prepare for the is section of CMAT refer to books like Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management by R. Gopal, and Entrepreneurship by Robert D. Hisrich.
You should also refer to CMAT previous years’ papers of last five years to practice questions for complete clarity of the types of questions that are asked in Innovation and Entrepreneurship section of CMAT.
Also Read: CMAT Preparation Tips: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
General Awareness section of CMAT divided into Current Affairs and Static GK. Since, this section only requires memorizing topics, you can start preparing for it after completing the other four subjects or a month before the exam date.
Read Competition Success Review for static GK and keep yourself abreast with Current Affairs by watching news. Note down important events and dates.
The second phase of CMAT preparation should be dedicated to practicing CMAT mock tests and sample papers. Practicing sample questions is a very important aspect of exam preparation, as it strengthens conceptual clarity of topics achieved in the first phase. It also helps the candidate in gaining confidence in mastering a speed based test. Check below some key benefits of CMAT mock tests:
CMAT Mock Test will help you to get an idea about the type of questions asked, the exam pattern and marking scheme. After taking the test, you can immediately check your score. You can also download the Question Paper along with answers and their explanations for Free. Click below to start the free online CMAT Mock Test by Shiksha now.
| CMAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
CMAT exam preparation is not complete without revision. Dedicate the last month in revising the syllabus and memorising static GK.
Start with the topics you found tough in the beginning. Go through each concept and attempt a few questions based on them. If you have a confusion regarding any concept or you are stuck on a problem, reach out to a mentor or a friend.
Dedicate the last phase in tying up loose ends but at the same time keep revising topics which are your strength areas.
Continue to back revision with CMAT mock test practice. Don't stop practicing mock tests until the last week of the exam.
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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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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
GIBS accepts scores from all major management entrance exams, including:
CAT
XAT
MAT
CMAT
GMAT
ATMA
State CET
This gives students multiple options to apply. Along with entrance exam scores, GIBS also looks at the overall profile, communication skills, and interest in management, which makes the admission pr
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
With the release of the CMA June 2025 results, 5,491 candidates completed Intermediate Course of the Institute. Such candidates were marked eligible for the practical training.
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
According to Shiksha, CMAT score is accepted by over 1600 MBA colleges in India. These include, government, government aided and private institutions. So, you can select any college based on its cut offs, ranking, location, fees, placements and infrastructure.
E
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
There is no provision of result evaluation in CMAT. The scores mentioned on result will be final and cannot be challenged. Candidates can only challenge the provisional answer key which is released before CMAT result.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
No the CMAT scorecard is not sent to any candidate by post. The result is released in online mode only and has to be downloaded from the CMAT-NTA website only.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
CMAT 2026 result will be available at the CMAT-NTA website. Candidates will have to log in and check their scorecard. Result will not be accessible without login or in offline mode.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Hi.
For PGDM and MBA admissions at GIBS Business School, Bangalore, the following entrance exams are accepted:
Accepted Entrance Exams
| Exam | Type / Level |
|---|---|
| CAT – Common Admission Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| XAT – Xavier Aptitude Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| MAT – Management Aptitude Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| CMAT – Common Management Admission Test | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test | International / National-level MBA entrance exam |
| ATMA – AIMS Test for Management Admissions | National-level MBA entrance exam |
| State CET (e.g., Karnataka PGCET) | State-level MBA entrance exam for Karnataka candidates |
h
Scholar-Level 18
Answered 2 weeks ago
Marvadi University's MBA Programme involves a total course fee of approximately Rs. 2.5 Lacs over the duration of your two years. The fee for first-year students is approximately Rs. 1.3 lakh. While hostel fees are different depending on whether you're male or female, they are billed separately. Mar
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
GGSIPU CMAT cutoff 2026 is expected to be around in the range of 95 to 99 percentile according to the previous years cutoff data. For admission to the MBA programmes at GGSIPU, candidates are expected to appear for the CMAT exam and clear the selection round of their chosen college. For more details
N
Contributor-Level 10
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.