CMAT 2020 Examination Syllabus

The CMAT syllabus and exam pattern are the same as the previous year. The CMAT Syllabus 2020 consists of four subjects – Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension and General Awareness. Prospective students of the CMAT exam must prepare all the important topics from these four subjects. In the sections below, the CMAT syllabus, the best books for CMAT, exam pattern, marking scheme and preparation tips are discussed.

The CMAT exam is scheduled to be held on January 28, 2020. The question paper will consist of 100 MCQs. For every correct answer, the candidate will be awarded four marks and for every incorrect answer, one mark is reduced.

CMAT Syllabus 2020: Highlights

Here are some of the most important topics from the four sections of CMAT. These topics carry more weightage in the CMAT question paper than the other topics.

Sections Important Topics
Quantitative Techniques & Data InterpretationAlgebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, graph, Quadratic and linear equations, etc.
Logical ReasoningAnalytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc.
Language ComprehensionReading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc.
General AwarenessEconomy, business, world, politics, sports, culture, society

Also Check CMAT Eligibility Criteria

Section-wise CMAT Syllabus 2020

Listed below are section-wise topics the candidates must go through while preparing for CMAT exam. Each of the four sections has the same number of questions but the weightage of topics vary in each section.

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

The quantitative techniques & data interpretation section has 25 questions in the MCQ format. Some of the main topics of this section are:

Tabulation Partnership
Pipes and CisternsSimple Interest and Compound Interest
Probability Allegation & Mixtures
Permutations & Combinations Percentages
In-equations Quadratic and linear equations
Algebra Graph
Ratio and Proportion Line
GeometryTime-Speed-Distance
Profit and Loss Work and Time
Mensuration Number System
Pie Chart, Bar Chart

Logical Reasoning

The logical Reasoning section has 25 MCQs. Most of the questions are logic-based, so you need to work on your basic concepts and formulae. Some of the topics of the Logical Reasoning section of CMAT 2020 are:

Analytical ReasoningAnalogy Test
Direction and Distance Test
Ranking Tests
Linear ArrangementsBlood Relationship Tests
Statements and ArgumentsCoding and Decoding
Statements Assumptions
Statements and Conclusion
Sequencing InferencesInferences
Matrix ArrangementsNon-Verbal Reasoning
Symbol Based ProblemsNumber Series
Cause and Effects

Also Check How to register for CMAT?

Language Comprehension

The language comprehension section has two sections – verbal ability and reading comprehension, a total of 25 questions. Important topics for English Language section of CMAT 2020 are:

Reading ComprehensionEnglish Usage Errors
SynonymsAntonyms
English GrammarParagraph Completion
Jumbled ParaOne-word Substitution
Sentence CorrectionIdioms
Sentence ImprovementPhrases

General Awareness

The general awareness section has 25 questions from both current affairs and static GK. Important topics of the General Awareness section of CMAT 2020 are:

LiteratureTrade Awareness
GeographyHistory
Indian ConstitutionPolitics
Current Affairs of National EconomyCurrent Affairs of International Economy
EconomySports News
CultureScience in the Everyday Life
Personalities in News

Best Books for CMAT Preparation

Since the syllabus of both CAT and CMAT are the same, CAT books serve as good study materials for CMAT as well. Here are some of the best books for CMAT

Best Books for CMAT: Quantitative Aptitude

Books for CMATAuthor/Publisher Name
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CATArun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education)
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMsSarvesh Kumar Verma (Arihant Publications) 
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive ExaminationsAbhijit Guha (Mc Graw Hill Education) 
NCERT Mathematics Books for Standard 8, 9 and 10NCERT
Quantitative AptitudeDr RS Aggarwal

Best Books for CMAT: Logical Reasoning

Books for CMATAuthor/Publisher Name
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CATArun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education Publication)
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CATNishit K Sinha (Pearson Publication)

Best Books for CMAT: Language Comprehension

Books for CMATAuthor/Publisher Name
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CATArun Sharma (Mc Graw Hill Education Publication)
The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT Nishit K Sinha
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal ReasoningDr R S Aggarwal
Trishna’s Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and Other MBA ExaminationsTIME

Besides these books, The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan and JS Rana should also be referred to. This book is exclusively for CMAT preparation.

These are some books for vocabulary and grammar:

  • Wren & Martin English Grammar
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • Business English and Communication by John O E Clark
  • 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Norman Lewis
  • The Students’ Companion by Wilfred D Best
  • A Communicative Grammar of English by Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik

Best Books for CMAT: General Awareness

To have a good knowledge of Current Affairs and General Knowledge, aspirants must subscribe to the following newspapers and journals:

The HinduThe Financial Times
Wall Street Journal Financial Express
Hindu Business LineEconomic Times
Business TodayBusiness World
Management Compass Career LauncherCompetition Success Review

CMAT Pattern 2020

CMAT exam is conducted as an online examination and the questions are asked in MCQ format. Given below is the section-wise break-up of questions and the marks allotted to them. Also Read: CMAT exam pattern

SectionQuestionsTotal Marks
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation2525x4=100
Logical Reasoning2525x4=100
Language Comprehension2525x4=100
General Awareness2525x4=100
Total100400

Previous Years’ CMAT Question Paper Analysis

CMAT 2019

In 2019, the CMAT exam was conducted in two slots. Given below is the section-wise difficulty level of CMAT question papers of both the slots.

CMAT 2019 Question Paper: Slot 1

SectionsQuestionsDifficulty Level
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation25Moderate
Logical Reasoning25Moderate to difficult
Language Comprehension25Moderate to difficult
General Awareness25Moderate to difficult

CMAT 2019 Question Paper: Slot 2

SectionsQuestionsDifficulty Level
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation25Moderate to difficult
Logical Reasoning25Moderate
Language Comprehension25Moderate to difficult
General Awareness25Moderate to difficult

CMAT 2018 

The CMAT question paper in 2018 was moderately difficult with three sections being a little challenging. The data interpretation and logical reasoning part was tricky. However, there were no surprise questions. The general knowledge section was quite difficult.

SectionsQuestionsDifficulty Level
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation25Moderate to difficult
Logical Reasoning25Moderate to difficult
Language Comprehension25Moderate
General Awareness25Moderate to difficult

Also Check

CMAT Syllabus FAQs

Q: What are the important topics to study from for the CMAT exam?

A: Important CMAT topics are Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests. Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc.

Q: How many questions does the GK section in CMAT have?

A: The GK section has 25 questions of MCQ format.

Q: What is the weightage of each section in CMAT exam?

A: Each section of CMAT has 25 questions and each question carries 4 marks. Therefore, each section has 100 marks and the total marks of the CMAT exam is 400.

Q: Is there any negative marking in CMAT?

A: Yes, there is negative marking in CMAT. For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.

Q: How many days do I need to cover the CMAT syllabus completely?

A: You need a minimum of three months to complete the CMAT syllabus. However, if you have appeared for CAT and IIFT then you can complete the entire CMAT syllabus in one month.

Q: Is CMAT syllabus same as that of CAT?

A: Yes, the syllabus is the same except for the GK section. There is no GK section in CAT.

Q: Which is the lengthiest section in CMAT?

A: Since the Language Comprehension section includes reading comprehension passages, it can be considered a lengthy section. However, other sections could be lengthier as well.

Q: How many questions do I need to attempt to get a good score in CMAT?

A: Solving about 20-22 questions in each section with an accuracy of 85% should ensure a good percentile.

Q: Can I prepare for CMAT using my CAT books?

A: Yes, you can use CAT books to prepare for CMAT. However, you should practice the mock tests and sample tests specific to CMAT.

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