Updated on 19th June 2025 | 02:45 pm | #CMATPreparation
CMAT Preparation 2026: Preparing for any entrance exam varies based on the candidate's ability to attempt the exam and adapt to its paper pattern. There is no ideal period to begin your CMAT 2026 preparation; however, it should last for at least six to nine months for beginners, though this may vary for different students.
Getting a 90+%ile in CMAT is not that difficult compared to CAT; however, it requires candidates to put in a good amount of hard work. With a proper CMAT study plan and an accurate approach, candidates will be able to crack it on their first attempt.
Candidates can adopt the same CMAT preparation strategy they followed during CAT. The only sections that need separate preparation are the Innovation & Entrepreneurship and General Awareness sections. Ideally, CMAT 2026 preparation can begin after CAT, with a greater focus on these two sections.
A thorough understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus is essential for effective preparation for any entrance exam. The table given below shows the CMAT 2026 exam pattern in detail for your reference:
|
CMAT Exam Sections |
No. of Questions |
Total Marks for each section |
Total Time Duration |
|
Language Comprehension |
20 |
80 |
180 Minutes |
|
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
20 |
80 |
|
|
Logical Reasoning |
20 |
80 |
|
|
General Awareness |
20 |
80 |
|
|
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
20 |
80 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
400 |
Below mentioned are some important points one must keep in mind regarding the CMAT 2026 Marking Scheme to calculate your estimated scores:
Gaining a fair idea of the exam pattern should be the first step in CMAT preparation, complemented by practicing questions and taking enough CMAT mock tests.
Let's start with a generic plan for CMAT preparation from our MBA experts to get the right and most trusted solution to "How to Prepare for CMAT?".
CMAT is a 3-hour-long test that can be tiring, so candidates should practice sitting for extended periods. They should stay updated on current affairs for the General Knowledge section and develop a reading habit to excel in the verbal sections. While CMAT is generally considered easier than other management exams like CAT, consistent effort and a well-structured study plan are essential for success.
It is mainly divided into 2 parts, including innovation-related questions and entrepreneurship-related questions to test the business acumen of the candidate.
Choosing the right book for you can take your preparation to the next level. Therefore, it is very important to select a book that is based on the latest patterns and has enough questions for practice. For CMAT preparation, here are some important books across different sections that you can refer to:
|
CMAT Exam Section |
Best CMAT Books |
|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
"Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by R.S. Aggarwal |
|
"How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Arun Sharma |
|
|
"Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs" by Sarvesh K Verma |
|
|
Logical Reasoning |
"A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal |
|
"Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha |
|
|
"How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT" by Arun Sharma |
|
|
Language Comprehension |
"Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT" by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
|
"Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis |
|
|
"High School English Grammar and Composition" by Wren & Martin |
|
|
General Awareness |
"General Knowledge" by Lucent Publications |
|
"Manorama Yearbook" for current affairs |
|
|
Newspapers like The Hindu, and Economic Times, and magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan for current affairs updates |
|
|
Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
"Innovation and Entrepreneurship" by Peter F. Drucker |
|
"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries |
|
|
"Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future" by Peter Thiel |
To effectively prepare for the CMAT exam, it is important to recognize the significance of mocks, as they help in better readiness for the actual test. Therefore, consider the following tips for CMAT preparation:
Aim for at least four to six hours of study every day to prepare effectively for CMAT.
Practice mock tests regularly to improve your speed and accuracy in answering questions within the allotted time.
One month is enough for CMAT preparation with focused daily study, mock test practice, using quality study materials, revising concepts, and staying updated with current affairs for the general awareness section.
Yes, CMAT is easier than CAT. There's no sectional time limit, so you won't feel rushed to finish each part. Also, fewer than 100,000 people usually take CMAT, which makes it easier to get a 95+ %ile.
Top B-schools usually set CMAT score cut-off between the 95 - 99%iles, which is around 250-300 marks. To get into a good school, aim for a score above 300. If you aim to answer 70 or more questions accurately, you should be able to hit your target score.
CMAT is an online test run by the National Testing Agency in India. To prepare effectively, study for 4 to 6 hours each day. If you score between 345 and 350 marks, you will likely achieve a 100 percentile, and scores between 285 and 340 will get you between 99 and 99.99 percentiles. It's quite manageable to solve 100 questions in three hours if you're accurate.
Preparing for CMAT really depends on understanding past exam papers and the expected exam format. The types of questions haven’t changed much, so there's no need to worry. Experts and past top scorers suggest that you should have a clear preparation plan. Your time spent studying and the way you prepare are key to your success.
