What is the key to scoring well in the VARC section of KMAT?

Develop reading habit Practice comprehension passages Work on increasing speed Dedicate time to improve vocabulary Revise grammar rules, including sentence structure, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation.

KMAT MCA Preparation 2025: Tips, Strategy & Guide

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This exam is conducted for courses given below:

MBA/PGDM MCA

Updated on Feb 9, 2026 15:45 IST

By Saumya Jain, Assistant Manager- Content

KMAT preparation 2026: A crucial part of the KMAT preparation is understanding the fundamentals and basic concepts of all the important topics. Incorporating each topic of KMAT syllabus 2026 into preparation plan will help students ace the exam. Students should focus on completing the syllabus and work towards achieving clarity on concepts and basics. Students should practice sample papers and KMAT PYQPs to understand how to solve different type of questions and important topics.

Consult recommended KMAT books and study material and solve various KMAT mock tests. KMAT exam 2026 will likely be held in the first week of September 2026, in the home-based, remote online proctored test mode. Read below to know how to prepare for KMAT exam, the best books for KMAT and some preparation tips and tricks to ace the exam

Table of contents

How to Prepare for KMAT 2026?
KMAT Preparation 2026: Six-Month Preparation Strategy
KMAT 2026 Preparation: Three-Month Strategy
How to Prepare for KMAT 2026 in One Month
KMAT Syllabus 2026: Important Topics
KMAT 2026: Best Books to Prepare for KMAT
KMAT 2026 Exam Day Preparation and Guide
KMAT Preparation Tips FAQs

How to Prepare for KMAT 2026?

KMAT 2026 question paper will have three sections, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability and Logical Reasoning. KMAT will be conducted in a remote proctored test mode. Duration of exam will be two hours. To ace, the KMAT exam 2026 all one needs is hard work, consistency, and focus. Before starting preparing for KMAT 2026, students should make sure that they get all the relevant study material that covers KMAT 2026 syllabus. Also, they should be well acquainted with KMAT exam pattern. Ideally students should start at least six months before KMAT 2026 exam. They should cover KMAT syllabus and important topics of KMAT 2026 question paper, revise what they have studied and then move on to solving KMAT mock tests. Begin preparations with the important topics and then move on to the less important ones.

Also Read: KMAT 2026 dates

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the syllabus of KMAT exam?

KMAT syllabus includes all the important topics of subjects that are relevant for business and general aptitude. For KMAT exam, candidates have to study, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability and Logical Reasoning. Given below are the key topics included in the KMAT syllabus: -

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of KMAT exam syllabus includes various topics of Grammar, Word Meaning, Vocabulary, Parajumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Completion, Synonyms and Antonyms, Reading Comprehension, etc.

The Quantitative Aptitude section of KMAT syllabus includes all the topics of Mathematics from Class 9 to 10 such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra Trigonometry Modern Math, Number System and Mensuration.

The Logical Reasoning syllabus of KMAT exam includes topics that require analytical interpretation of data presented in the form of Puzzles, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Tables and Bar Graphs.

Q: What is the marking scheme of KMAT?

Markign scheme of KMAT exam is as follows:

+1 mark for correct answers
No negative marking
120 MCQs

KMAT Preparation 2026: Six-Month Preparation Strategy

When preparing for an entrance exam it is important to be well acquainted with the syllabus. It is important to have in-depth knowledge of the syllabus. Students must prepare a study routine and follow it religiously. Following the KMAT preparation plan strictly will help the students achieve their goals and get the desired outcome. As mentioned above, the KMAT question paper is divided into three sections, i.e. VARC, QA and LR. The syllabus of all three sections is different; so, students must try to get hold of the best study material which is relevant to the KMAT 2026 exam. Divide the six month KMAT plan into different phases to make the preparations easy. Shiksha brings a section wise preparation plan for KMAT 2026 below.

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: The VARC section analyses the students on their hold over the English language. It is not a section that can be mastered overnight. The section requires consistent practice and an understanding of the fundamentals. The section is more about the usage of the English language rather than understanding. Candidates need to have an excellent vocabulary if they wish to score well in this section. To prepare for this section, students should focus on topics such as Para Jumbles, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Word Meanings, Phrases and Idioms, Sentence Completion, etc. Read newspapers and magazines such as Times of India, Economic Times, India Today, etc.
Quantitative Aptitude: To prepare for this section, candidates should brush up on their mathematical skills. They can refer to the Class 9 to Class 12 maths books. To ace this section, students must memorize the formulae and theories by heart. Learning tricks to solve lengthy questions will prove to be of great help. Candidates must solve past years' question papers and practice KMAT mock tests. Speed and accuracy will play a major role in this section.
Logical Reasoning: The LR section is slightly more difficult than the rest of the sections. The section attempts to analyse the critical thinking and analytical skills of the students. One can prepare for the Logical Reasoning section by solving puzzles, riddles, syllogisms, coding and decoding, etc. To score well in this section students need to be able to apply formulae and draw a relevant and logical conclusion from the given statement.

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: How much time is needed for KMAT preparation?

Ideally, candidates should dedicate at least six months to prepare for the KMAT exam. This time would help them grasp the concepts which are tested in the KMAT exam, build a solid foundation and still have enough time for revision.
Generally, candidates spend two to six months preparing for the KMAT exam. The syllabus of the KMAT exam is not very difficult. But, one also has to spend ample of time in practice sessions and mock tests to be able to master all types of KMAT questions - easy, moderate and tough.
Students can dedicate at least three to four hours everyday during the course of their KMAT preparation.

Ultimately, the key to successful KMAT preparation is consistency, a well-structured study plan, and regular practice.

Q: What is a good score in KMAT Karnataka?

A good score in KMAT is subjective. However, a score between 104 to 106 can be considered good for the general category for admission to the tier I KMAT colleges. Whereas for admission to Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges in Karnataka, a KMAT score between 70-80 is also fine.

Q: Which are the important topics of the KMAT syllabus?

Here are some of the important topics for the KMAT syllabus:

Section	Important Topics
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Completion, Phrases and Idioms, Para Jumbles, etc.
Quantitative Ability	Number Systems, Graphs, Arithmetic Equations, Ratio and Proportion, etc.
Logical Reasoning	Verbal Reasoning, Analogy, Coding and series, Syllogisms, Assumptions, Venn Diagram, Venn Diagrams, etc

KMAT 2026 Preparation: Three-Month Strategy

Students must give at least three months to preparing for KMAT exam. Students who have appeared for other management exams will find preparing for KMAT a little easier, however, every student must give a minimum of three months to KMAT preparations. Divide 3 month KMAT preparation plan into phases. Below are a few tips to prepare for KMAT.

Phase I: Every entrance exam preparation must start with knowing overall syllabus, exam pattern and marking scheme. KMAT 2026 is a time-based exam, hence, students must be able to cover the entire syllabus and at the same time have enough time for revision and practice. While preparing for the KMAT 2026 exam students must pay equal time to all three sections. At times, students who are good at Logical Reasoning, might pay less time on this section and end up skipping an important topic which may result in scoring fewer marks in the exam. Hence, it is really important for the students to prepare well for each section of the KMAT question paper.

Phase II: The second phase is one of the most crucial phases of the KMAT preparations. It is important for the students to be well-acquainted with the syllabus and sub-topics. There is a wide range of study material available for KMAT, both online and offline, hence, choose the right study material for the KMAT preparation. Collecting a bulk of study books and the material will not help. Candidates should categorise the topics of the KMAT syllabus 2026 as the most difficult, difficult, moderate and easy. This will help students to capitalise on their strengths and work on weaker areas. Try finding multiple ways to solve a question. This will improve accuracy and save time. Accuracy is the key to securing a high score. Brush up your calculations. Make short notes during the KMAT preparations, and note down the formulae and tricks that the students come across while preparing.

Phase III: Students must keep a check on their accuracy and speed. While it is important to solve the question quickly, it is equally important to solve the question with accuracy. Students must assess how much time it takes for them to solve each section and improve speed accordingly. They can increase speed and accuracy through daily practice. No exam preparation is complete without the right amount of revision and practice. Students should try to solve as many mock tests as they can as they will not only help the candidates to track their performance and improvement but will also get them in the right frame of mind for the exam day. Besides taking mock test, students should also solve previous years’ question papers as it will give them a fair understanding of the type of questions that can be asked in the exam.

Also Read:

Verbal Ability questions with answers
Quantitative Skills questions with answers
Analytical Reasoning questions with answers

How to Prepare for KMAT 2026 in One Month

Last month of KMAT preparation should be given to practice and revision. One should work on their weaknesses as well as strengths to get a good KMAT score. With revision and practice, one can score good in KMAT exam.

It is important to make a revision plan, if there is not already one, and follow it diligently. Having a preparation routine will prove to be profitable. Students should try to capitalise on strengths and improve their weaker areas. Strengthening the stronger areas is as important as working on the weaker ones. As mentioned above, speed and accuracy are two players in any exam preparation. The most important thing is to keep the mind calm and at peace. No amount of revision will be enough if one falters on the exam day. Take at least 8 hours of sleep before the exam and do not begin with new topics on KMAT exam day.

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the best way to prepare KMAT at home?

Students can use KMAT syllabus as a guide to prepare for important topics. Students should have a study routine which should be divided in parts. They can also practice using KMAT PYQPs. Mock tests should be Holy Grail to ace KMAT exam.

Q: What is the structure of KMAT question paper?

The KMAT structure has remained unchanged since the past few years. KMAT exam will have 120 multiple-choice questions to be solved in 120 minutes. There is no negative marking in the KMAT exam and no marks will be deducted for questions not attempted. There will be three sections in the KMAT question paper, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section of the KMAT question paper will have 40 multiple choice questions which will have four options each. One mark will be awarded to the candidates for each correct answer. The exam will be conducted in the remote-proctored mode. Before 2020, the exam was conducted in the paper-based test mode. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities changed the exam mode to internet-based test mode.

KMAT Syllabus 2026: Important Topics

Check the table below to know section wise important topics for KMAT preparation:

Section	Topics
Verbal & Reading Comprehension	Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Para jumbles, Idioms, etc.
Quantitative Aptitude	Numerical calculations, Arithmetic Problems, Algebra, Equations, Mensuration, geometry, etc.
Logical Reasoning	Syllogisms, Assumptions, Arrangements, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Family Tree, Coding Decoding, etc.

KMAT 2026: Best Books to Prepare for KMAT

Look at the table below to find the best books to prepare for the KMAT Karnataka exam.

Books	Publication/Author
Quantitative Aptitude for all Competitive Exams	Abhijit Guha
Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation CAT	Nishit Sinha
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT	Nishit K. Sinha
High School English Grammar and Composition	Wren and Martin
How to prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT	Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

Also Read: Detailed Account on Best Books to Read for KMAT 2026

Commonly asked questions

Q: Why should I take KMAT mock tests?

Mock tests in KMAT are the most important. They help in acquainting the students with exam pattern and also help in time management. Students will also know their weaker sections and strong pursuits.

Students can practice previous year questions and sample papers to prepare for the KMAT exam.

View list of Books

KMAT 2026 Exam Day Preparation and Guide

Check below to know some of the important exam day guidelines for KMAT 2026 exam:

Do not start a new chapter on the exam day or a day prior to the exam.
Complete your revision a day before the exam and sleep for eight hours to wake up with a fresh mind on the exam day.
Do not keep any electronic devices such as watches, or cellphones during the exam.
Keep the KMAT 2026 admit card and a photo ID handy during the exam as they will be required for verification purposes.
Login into the system at least 10 minutes prior to the exam time. This will help the candidates not lag behind time and begin the exam without delay.
Do not keep anything except a pen, admit card and photo ID during the exam. If the candidates are found engaged in unfair means then they will be barred from the examination.

The above pointers will help the students if they are appearing for KMAT 2026. All The Best!

Check KMAT cut offs and predict calls from colleges accepting KMAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all KMAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict KMAT Admission Calls

Check cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls

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Commonly asked questions

Q: Do I need to preserve my KMAT admit card after the exam as well?

The KMAT admit cards will be available to download from the official website. Candidates can download the KMAT admit card multiple times but before downloading the admit card, candidates must make sure that there are no errors in the hall ticket. Once downloaded, candidates should take two or three coloured print outs of the KMAT hall ticket. Also, they must keep the admit card till the admission process is complete as they may be asked to present the KMAT admit card at the time of admission.

Q: What are the key don'ts of the KMAT exam day?

Do not log in late for the online proctored exam.
Don't Forget the Admit Card. Make sure to keep a printout of KMAT admit card
Don't keep prohibited items including electronic devices
Don't ignore exam instructions.
Review answers

KMAT Preparation Tips FAQs

Check some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on KMAT Preparation:

Commonly asked questions

Q: Will the KMAT exam be conducted in double shifts?

No, the KMAT exam will be conducted only in single shift. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the KPPGCA, exam conducting authority, has resolved to the remote-proctored mode. Even then, the exam will only be conducted in one shift on a single day. KMAT exam pattern has not changed much since past few years. KMAT exam was conducted in the internet-based test mode in the morning shift on September 7, 2025. The shift timings for both the courses, MBA and MCA will be the same.

Q: What is the duration of the KMAT exam and can I change my exam slot?

The KMAT exam is held for two hours or 120 minutes. There is only one slot for the KMAT exam. KMAT exam does not have a sectional time limit. This means, that the candidates can solve the question paper with ease without worrying about the sectional timer. However, they must complete the question paper within the overall time limit. Candidates must take care of saving their answers at every step as the moment 120 minutes will get over, the test will automatically stop. There is no provision of changing the exam slot. And there is no provision to apply for the same. Candidates will have to appear for the exam at the time as mentioned on their KMAT Karnataka admit card. Candidates must make sure that they setlled on their seats and have logged in at least 15 minutes prior to the exam time. In case, candidates find any technical difficulty in logging in, they will have the time window to get it resolved.

Q: What all colleges accept KMAT scores?

Top MBA colleges for KMAT are listed below: