CMAT Preparation

GK is memory based, so all that you need to do is memorise important events and occurrences. So, candidates may not need a lot of time to prepare for CMAT GK. They can devote one or two months for it. On daily basis, they can read Year Books for one hour to memorise events. Apart from that they can use CMAT question papers to know types of static GK questions asked previously. Candidates can refer to GK books too in free time.

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.

It is not advised to prepare for CMAT with sample papers only. One must refer to CMAT books and study material to cover the exam syllabus. Once you've understood each and every topic included in the CMAT syllabus then you can practice CMAT sample papers for gaining control, speed and accuracy.

One should dedicate about 4-5 hour in a day for CMAT preparation. This is because the CMAT syllabus has five parts and all of them need to be prepared exhaustively. If you have started CMAT preparation six months before 4-5 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. The important thing to note is that you need to divide your study hours into tasks and activities like, topic coverage, sample question practice and revision.

If you have appeared for CMAT before then you can prepare for another attempt only with mock tests as you would be already thorough with the syllabus and topics. You would also know your strengths and weakness. So, with CMAT mock tests, you will be able to revise and prepare accordingly. However, if you haven't appeared for CMAT or any national level MBA entrance exam before, you will need to cover the syllabus and then practice mock tests. In both scenarios, GK section will have to be prepared through year books. Only mock tests will not be helpful for CMAT GK.

Yes, you can prepare for CMAT from CAT books as Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English and Data Interpretation topics of CMAT are same as CAT. The CMAT difficulty level is lower than CAT. However, since CAT does not have GK and Innovation & Entrepreneurship sections, you will need CMAT specific books and study material for them.  

For preparation of an exam like CMAT will always be helpful as you will be provided with relevant study material and guidance from industry experts. It will help you in disciplined and focused study as coaching centres have time bound classes, lectures, practice sessions, mock tests, etc. So, if you feel that you will not be able to stay dedicated and motivated enough in self-study to crack CMAT will high scores, join a CMAT coaching institute.

CMAT has five subjects – Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship and to cover all of them, one will need good enough time. Overall, 3 months are needed to cover the syllabus of CMAT and about 2-3 months for practice and revision. So, overall 4-6 months can be considered ideal time duration for CMAT preparation. It can vary from candidate to candidate as every person has different capacity.