Mastering CMAT 2024: A Strategic 2-Week Prep Guide, Jaipuria

Are you gearing up for the Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) 2024? With the exam just around the corner on 15th May 2024, it’s time to buckle down and maximize your preparation strategy. CMAT is a crucial and one of the last MBA entrance exams in India for 2024, and it can open doors to top business schools across the country. Effective preparation becomes essential as the exam date approaches. This article will discuss a comprehensive strategy to help you prepare effectively in just 2 weeks.

Understanding the CMAT Exam Pattern

Before diving into preparation, let’s understand the CMAT exam pattern:

Total Questions: CMAT 2024 consists of 100 questions worth 400 marks.
Duration: 3 Hours (180 Minutes), No Sectional Time-limit
Multiple Choice Questions
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Sections: The exam covers five sections, with 20 Questions each:
1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QT & DI)
2. Logical Reasoning
3. Language Comprehension (LC)
4. General Awareness (GA)
5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E)
Marking Scheme:
1. Total Marks: 400 Marks
2. Correct Answer: (+4) Marks
3. Incorrect Answer: (-1) Mark

Apply Now for MBA^/PGDM

CMAT Exam Preparation Strategy

Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Get familiar with the CMAT exam structure, including the number of sections, types of questions, and marking scheme. Go through the detailed syllabus provided by CMAT. Understand the topics covered in each section.
Create a Study Schedule: Allocate dedicated time slots for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses. Plan for periodic revisions of all subjects to reinforce your understanding. Divide your time to study, practice, and take mock tests.
Gather Study Material: Refer to standard preparation books recommended for CMAT. Utilize online platforms or dedicated CMAT preparation websites for practice tests and study material. Coaching centres and Aptitude trainers are a good source to collect relevant material to complement preparation.
Focus on Each Section:

- Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: Elementary-level mathematics, practice a variety of numerical problems covering different topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
- Logical Reasoning: Improve your logical thinking and analytical skills through puzzles, coding-decoding, and critical reasoning exercises. Focus on topics like Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Blood Relations, Clocks and Calendars etc.
- Language Comprehension: Work on reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Regularly solve mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Focus on reading from different sources, to develop an understanding of diverse topics.
- General Awareness: Stay updated with current affairs, business, economics, and politics. Read newspapers and magazines, and watch news channels regularly. Keep a check on the latest business trends, policies, regulations, norms, who’s who etc.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Refer to topics like Concepts and Evolution of Entrepreneurship, Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development, Theories and Models of Entrepreneurship, Framework of Entrepreneurship Theories, Emerging Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship, Dimensions of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Entrepreneurial Culture, Rural Entrepreneurship, Women Entrepreneurship, Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship, Principles of Business Organisation, Motivation, Communication and Leadership etc.

Solve Mock Tests: Regularly solve full-length mock tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment. Analyze your performance in mock tests to identify areas that need improvement. Focus more on those topics. Since CMAT is one of the last entrance exams of the academic session, you can focus more on taking mock tests and practice tests to revise the syllabus. Mock Tests are one of the most crucial preparatory resources for a Management Aspirant.
Revision and Problem Solving: Don’t skip revision. Keep revisiting important concepts and formulas. Solve a variety of problems to gain confidence and improve accuracy. Again, being the last exam of the academic session, Mock Tests are going to be an effective revision tool. Analyze mocks after you appear for one. Lay emphasis on questions you appeared incorrectly or missed out on.
Stay Healthy and Relaxed: Ensure you get adequate sleep and rest during your preparation phase. Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated. Manage stress through meditation, yoga, or any relaxation technique. Make sure to spend dedicated time on recreation as well. It is important to keep fit physically and mentally.

Apply Now for MBA^/PGDM

CMAT Exam Day Guidelines

On exam day, stay calm and focused. Trust your preparation.
Go through the questions and devise a plan on how you want to solve the exam.
Electronic Gadgets such as Mobile Phones, Smartwatches, calculators, Digital Watches, fancy jewelry etc. are not allowed inside the examination center.
Allocate time wisely to each section. Don’t get stuck on difficult questions. Begin with questions you are comfortable with to build momentum and confidence through the test.
Carefully read the instructions before starting the test.
Be cautious; there’s a negative marking. If time permits, review your answers.

CMAT 2024 Admit Card Available

The CMAT 2024 admit card has been released on the official CMAT 2024 website.

Here are the steps to download your admit card-

Visit https://cmat.ntaonline.in/frontend/web/admitcard/index
Submit your Application Number and Date of Birth.
The CMAT Admit Card should be available.
Although the admit card will be available to download till the exam date, it is suggestable that you download it now so you have ample time on your hands, avoiding any last-minute hassles.
Make sure to download at least 2 copies of the Admit Card
Check all credentials properly- Photo, Sign, Email ID, Contact No and Barcode on the admit card
In case of any difficulty in downloading the Admit Card or discrepancy in the details contained in the Admit Card, candidates can contact the NTA Help Desk at 011-40759000 or write to NTA at cmat@nta.ac.in

Best B-Schools Accepting CMAT Score:

Jaipuria Institute of Management: Jaipuria is one of the largest groups in northern and central India to offer AICTE-approved PGDM programs at four world-class campuses at Lucknow, Noida, Jaipur and Indore with a rich legacy of over 28+ Years. Jaipuria Noida is highly ranked and is one of the leading B-schools in India. Jaipuria Institute of Management offers AICTE-approved PGDM programmes in diverse areas of specialization. Jaipuria Institute of Management has a consistent record of high placements. Jaipuria follows a centralized placement process for all the campuses, with a consistent placement record over the past few years.