Ten Things to Keep in Mind for NTA CMAT 2023 exam
Common Management Admission Test 2026 ( CMAT )
NTA will conduct the CMAT exam for 2023 session on May 4. With just one week left for the exam, candidates need to do the final practice and revision of the important topics. Apart from that, candidates need to also keep in mind a few things that will help them in CMAT 2023.
CMAT 2023 preparation
NTA CMAT 2023 will be held on May 4. It is one of the major MBA entrance exams for 2023 admission session for national level institutes. The CMAT exam will be held in 2 shifts and the admit card is expected to be released soon. Aspirants who have been preparing for the exam, have got one month extra as the exam was delayed from April to May. Now, that the CMAT 2023 exam is finally happening and the date is confirmed, candidates must complete the final practice and revision of the important or tough topics. Apart from that, candidates must also prepare for the CMAT 2023 exam and the test day. Here we have shared ten things to keep in mind for CMAT 2023 which you should know.
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Ten things to keep in mind for CMAT 2023
CMAT 2023 will be held in two shifts
This year, the CMAT exam will be held in two shifts. The first shift will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the second shift will be held from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The slot name and timing will be mentioned in every candidate’s CMAT admit card 2023. Candidates will be allowed to appear for the exam only in the slot allotted to them.
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.
There is no change in the exam pattern
This year, there is no change in the CMAT exam pattern. The question paper will have 100 questions in MCQ format with each of the five sections carrying 20 questions each. Here’s an overview:
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| CMAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Marks Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
20 |
80 |
| Logical Reasoning |
20 |
80 |
| Language Comprehension |
20 |
80 |
| General Awareness |
20 |
80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
20 |
80 |
Innovation and Entrepreneurship section will be mandatory
Like last year, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship section will be mandatory this year too. The section will have 20 questions. All of them will be MCQs. There could be a passaged based section in Innovation and Entrepreneurship section.
Also read: Last week CMAT 2023 preparation tips
CMAT 2023 Admit card and photo ID are mandatory
Candidates need to carry two colour print outs of CMAT 2023 admit card in A4 size and a valid photo ID to the examination centre. Candidates must also carry a few copies of passport size photo. Digital copy of any document will not be accepted as valid.
There will be no sectional time limit in CMAT 2023
The CMAT is a three-hour long exam. There is no sectional time limit in the exam so candidates will need to have a time bound strategy for it. They need to decide by themselves as to how much time should they spend in which section, depending on their strength and weakness. The General Awareness section is memory based and will not require more than 10-15 minutes. Candidates should also decide beforehand, how many questions should they solve in each section to arrive at the expected cut off.
There is negative marking in CMAT
There is negative marking of -1 for each incorrect attempt. So, CMAT 2023 aspirants keep this factor in mind while choosing a question to solve. If they cannot solve a question accurately, they must leave it and move to next question. This will save their effort, time and marks. It is not mandatory to solve all 100 questions. It is not possible to solve all the 100 questions in 180 minutes, either.
Also read:
COVID-19 guidelines will be followed
COVID-19 guidelines will be followed at every CMAT 2023 exam centre so candidates must check all the related instructions mentioned on their hall tickets. Candidates will be required to wear mask at the test centre and maintain physical distance from each other. They will also be required to carry their own hand sanitizer and drinking water. There will COVID-19 self declaration form attached to the admit card, which candidates will have to fill and attest.
Also read: COVID-19 Guidelines for CMAT 2023 Exam Day
Electronic items will not be allowed
Like every year, this year too electronic items will not be allowed inside the exam centre premises. Candidate must not carry phone, watch, calculator, IPad or any such electronic item to the exam centre. They should also not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement of bag deposition at the CMAT test centres.
Also read: CMAT 2023 Dos and don'ts
No entry after test centre gates are closer
The exam timings for every slot will be mentioned on the CMAT 2023 admit card. Reporting time as well as gates closing time will also be mentioned in the admit card. Candidates should reach their respective NTA-CMAT test centres as per the reporting time mentioned to avoid hassle. If they reach later than the gate closing time, they will not be allowed entry under any circumstances.
Also read: CMAT 2023 exam day check list
CMAT 2023 answer key will be released 2 days after the exam
The NTA will release the candidate responses sheet and CMAT answer key 2023, most likely within 2-3 days of the exam. So candidates can expect their CMAT response sheet to be available by May 6-7, 2023.
Read more:
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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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