Updated on 6th June 2025 | 03:47 PM | #CMATSyllabus2026
CMAT Syllabus 2026 is prescribed by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CMAT exam syllabus 2026 is similar to the syllabus of other management entrance exams. The CMAT 2026 syllabus is expected to be on similar grounds as CMAT 2025. It consists of five subjects, namely:
In 2021, the Innovation & Entrepreneurship section was introduced as a fifth and optional section in the CMAT syllabus. However, in 2022, it was made mandatory for all CMAT test takers. Therefore, the CMAT exam syllabus now consists of five subjects. Candidates planning to appear for the CMAT 2026 exam must prepare all the important topics of these five subjects.
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The CMAT exam is regarded as one of the student-friendly entrance exams, covering the majority of topics similar to the other top management aptitude exams. It is relatively easier than other entrance exams like the CAT, SNAP, XAT, etc. However, the right strategy and approach are required to score well in the exam.
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CMAT Syllabus Sections |
Important Topics Covered Under CMAT Syllabus/strong> |
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Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Graph, Number System, etc. |
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Logical Reasoning |
Linear Arrangements, Missing Numbers, Series, Blood Relations, Analytical Reasoning, etc. |
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Language Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Usage Errors, Para jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, etc. |
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General Awareness |
Business, Society, Politics, Economy, Sports, Culture, etc. |
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship, start-up business, etc |
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The smart and correct strategy for any aptitude test should be to go through the syllabus and exam pattern to have a fair idea of what the exam is all about. The CMAT exam syllabus is mainly divided into five sections, as follows:
The CMAT exam comprises a total of 100 questions, with 20 questions in each section and no sectional time limitation. The table below provides a snapshot of the CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern for your reference:
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CMAT Exam Sections |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
20 |
80 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
20 |
80 |
|
Language Comprehension |
20 |
80 |
|
General Awareness |
20 |
80 |
|
Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
20 |
80 |
The Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section of CMAT will have 20 MCQ questions. For a good score in CMAT Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, candidates need to have a complete understanding of the following topics.
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Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
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Percentages |
Averages |
Tabulation |
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time and work |
Ratios and Proportions |
Algebra |
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Linear equations and quadratic equations |
Inequalities |
Decimals and fractions |
|
Volumes and surface areas of solids |
Profit and loss |
Mixtures and alligations |
|
Percentages |
Simple and compound interest |
Time and speed |
|
Probability |
Partnership |
Permutations and combinations |
|
Combination graphs/charts |
Caselets |
Line graphs |
|
Pie charts |
Bar graphs |
Ratio and Proportion |
Candidates can develop the skills necessary to solve the challenging Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation questions in CMAT 2026 by rigorously practicing questions related to these topics, along with sectional tests.
Logical reasoning is nothing but the assessment of your critical and analytical thinking. If you have a thing for solving puzzles like Sudoku and need more assistance, this section will not be very difficult for you. Most of the questions in this section are logic-based, which will be easily tackled using the right formula and correct strategy, which again comes from practice. Thus, practice is the key to acing this section.
There is no particular CMAT 2026 syllabus for Logical Reasoning; however, here are a few topics you can have a look at while preparing for the CMAT exam.
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Logical Reasoning |
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Linear Arrangements |
Matrix Arrangements |
Analytical Reasoning |
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Ranking Tests |
Number Series |
Coding-decoding |
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Venn diagrams |
Sequencing |
Statements and Conclusion |
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Pattern recognition |
Cause and Effect |
Symbol-Based Problems |
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Statements Assumptions |
Direction and Distance Test |
Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Logical reasoning is nothing but the assessment of your critical and analytical thinking. If you have a thing for solving puzzles like Sudoku and need more assistance, this section will not be very difficult for you. To prepare for the CMAT Logical Reasoning section, it is important to practice solving various logic-based problems, especially the ones mentioned in the papers of the previous year's CMAT.
This section is mainly divided into two parts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Together, both parts have 20 questions and require a good understanding of passages as well as comprehension of them. If you have a habit of reading, then you can easily score well in this section.
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Language Comprehension |
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|
Para Jumble |
English Grammar |
Synonyms |
|
Idioms |
Verbal ability |
Antonyms |
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Phrases and Clauses |
Word-Meaning |
Reading Comprehension |
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Sentence Correction |
One Word Substitution |
Sentence Improvement |
To prepare for this section, focus on building a strong foundation in English grammar and vocabulary. Not only this, but it is also extremely important to have a strong hold on RCs, for which one must practise reading comprehension passages of different genres regularly to improve one's ability to understand and interpret written text.
The CMAT General Awareness section covers a wide range of topics, including current affairs, business, economics, geography, history, politics, and science & technology. The questions in this section are designed to test candidates' knowledge of current events and their general awareness of the world around them.
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General Awareness |
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Static GK (Geography, Policy, History) |
Recent Current Affairs |
Important Personalities |
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Important Award Recipients for the given year |
Sports |
Significant National and International Events |
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Business News |
Trade Awareness |
Economics |
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Science in everyday life |
Culture |
Literature |
Current events and static general knowledge are mixed together in the CMAT General Awareness section. Since the questions can be based on any aspect of a specific event, it is important that you focus on learning even the most seemingly insignificant details of the events.
The CMAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship section tests candidates' understanding of the entrepreneurial process and their decision-making abilities. Topics covered in this section include:
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Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
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Business Models and Startups |
Product Development |
Marketing and Sales |
|
Idea Generation |
Opportunity Assessment |
Finance and Accounting |
Let's start with some CMAT preparation tips from our MBA experts to get the right solution to "How to Prepare for CMAT"
Some of the best books for CMAT preparation covering the majority of CMAT 2026 syllabus that the candidates can refer to adapt smart tips and tricks to ace CMAT 2026 exam are as follows:
The study material mentioned above is very informative and comprehensive, providing in-depth explanations of the topics. Also, they offer a solid foundation for preparing for the CMAT exam, along with 2-3 ways of solving a question. In addition to that, they contain practice questions and solutions, which can help candidates track their progress and identify areas where they need improvement.
CMAT syllabus 2026 is expected to be on similar grounds as CMAT 2025. It consists of five subjects, namely:
The syllabi for CAT and CMAT are more or less the same, except that CMAT has two additional sections, i.e. General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which require additional practice. However, CMAT is comparatively easier than CAT. It does not have any sectional time limits, making it easier for candidates to crack it.
Yes, CMAT does have a negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect answer and an addition of 4 marks for every correct answer.
CMAT score is accepted by more than 1000+ colleges across India, making it a valuable MBA entrance exam that is accepted by top B-schools such as K J Somaiya, GIM Goa, PUMBA, and Great Lakes.
