Common Management Admission Test, typically referred to as CMAT Exam, is one of the national level entrance examinations which is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) once a year. It's a 3 hours test conducted through computer-based mode and is primarily conducted to analyze candidates' ability across numerous segments like Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension and General Awareness. CMAT Examination helps management establishments to pick out appropriate graduate candidates for admission at all management programs approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi. All AICTE-Approved Institutions/University Departments/Constituent faculties/Affiliated Colleges settle for CMAT score.
CMAT Exam Pattern
Before going through the analysis of CMAT Exam of previous years one must understand how the question paper is designed and what type of questions are asked in the examination.
Know more about CMAT Exam Pattern
The table given below defines the division of sections in CMAT Question Paper:
Section |
Questions |
Marks per Section |
Time Allotted |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
25 |
100 |
No Sectional Time Limit |
Language Comprehension |
25 |
100 |
|
Logical Reasoning |
25 |
100 |
|
General Knowledge |
25 |
100 |
|
Overall |
100 |
400 |
3 Hours i.e. 180 Minutes |
Analysis of CMAT 2019 Examination
CMAT 2019 was conducted on 28th January 2019 and the examination was held in 2 slots from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm severally. There have been no surprises within the examination this year. The examination featured simple to moderate level difficulty questions, and the candidates who are fast in choosing and rejecting answer choices can score fairly well in it.
CMAT 2019 Exam - Shift 1
CMAT 2019 Examination for Shift 1 got completed at 12:30 pm on 28th January 2019. The exam continued for 3 hours i.e. from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. CMAT 2019 slot-1 analysis reveals that the examination remained on predictable lines with moderate level of difficulty. However, the questions paper still had a slightly harder Verbal section and time taking Data Interpretation and twisted General Knowledge part. The cutoffs weren't expected to travel high. CMAT 2019 was the first ever CMAT Exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- This was the first time when CMAT was conducted in 2 slots – morning and afternoon.
- Besides, CMAT 2019 is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) rather than AICTE that accustomed conduct the CMAT Examination until 2018.
CMAT 2019 Slot-1 was seen to be a productive and glitch free examination conducted by the NTA. CMAT 2019 was conducted from 9.30AM to 12.30PM. The exam began on time and did not face any technical problems though few stray cases of technical defect were reported by the students.
- The exam had easy questions on a mix of quant areas like Arithmetic, Geometry, Number system and Modern Math.
Know more about CMAT Syllabus
Analysis of Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation
There were total 25 questions to be attempted in this section. The questions were made form several topics of Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation. The questions are said to be of Easy to Moderate difficulty level.
Section |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation |
No. of Questions |
25 |
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
+4 |
Penalty for Each Incorrect Answer |
-1 |
Total Marks |
100 |
Difficulty Level |
Easy to Moderate |
Attempts for 96 to 99 Percentile |
22 to 24 |
- This section had queries based on standard areas that are considered major topics to be studied by students in order to qualify the examination.
- There have been three to four queries from pure mathematics and activity, and also the rest Quantitative Technique questions were from Arithmetic.
- There were 2 Data Interpretation questions.
- There were 3 questions were from Time, Speed and distance and 2 questions from Algebra topic.
- This year there have been 4 questions from Permutation and Combination and the topic Probability.
The extent or the difficulty level of the questions asked in this section was straightforward to moderate. Candidates who attempted around 21-23 questions during this section can expect a decent score.
Major topics from which the questions were asked:
Profit and Loss |
Percentage |
Number System |
Algebra |
Modern Mathematics |
Simple and Compound Interest |
Bar Graphs |
Pie Chart |
Analysis of Logical Reasoning
The section comprised of 25 questions and there was no such sectional time limit to attempt the questions. The questions of this section were of moderate difficulty level.
Section |
Logical Reasoning |
No. of Questions |
25 |
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
+4 |
Penalty for Each Incorrect Answer |
-1 |
Total Marks |
100 |
Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
Attempts for 95 to 99 Percentile |
19-21 |
- The difficulty level of this section was easy to moderate.
- There have been 3 questions from Verbal Reasoning and 2 questions from Analogy.
- There was just one question from Analytical Reasoning.
- Besides, the queries were from topics like coding/decoding, sequence, blood relations etc.
- This year two queries were conjointly from visual reasoning however they were of easy difficulty level.
- A candidate with 22 questions attempted correctly can expect to score well.
Analysis of Language Comprehension
There were 25 questions in Language Comprehension section and the questions were moderately difficult. There were various topics from which the questions were asked such as Reading Comprehension Passages, Fill in the Blanks, Grammar, and Vocabulary.
Section |
Language Comprehension |
No. of Questions |
25 |
Questions from Reading Comprehension Passages |
15 |
Questions from Short Passages |
3 |
Questions from Long Reading Comprehension |
7 |
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
+4 |
Penalty for Each Incorrect Answer |
-1 |
Total Marks |
100 |
Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
Attempts for 95 to 99 Percentile |
20-22 |
- This section had four passages. 3 were short passages with three questions and each of the paragraphs talked regarding Vulnerable Languages (Eg: Greek and Latin); World TradeOrganization and the one who decides the standing of developing countries; Parenting and culture connected worth system.
- They consisted of factual queries apart from one reasoning question and were of straightforward problem level.
- The fourth passage was of moderate length and consisted of six questions and explained regarding Steve Jobs and a few very little glorious facts regarding him and his views on life. It consisted of an issue on main plan and one on narrative. The paragraph was of straightforward to moderate difficulty level.
- Verbal ability queries were once again of straightforward to moderate level and were from areas like Vocabulary such as antonym, synonym, equivalent word, Sentence Correction, synchronic linguistics, Idioms, Para Jumble, and Sentence Completion.
- Candidates who attempted around 22 questions can expect better score in this section.
Analysis of General Awareness
In the General Awareness section, questions related to current economic developments and government policies like demonetization, Digital India initiatives were asked.
- This section was of moderate difficulty level.
- Around 12-15 questions in this section were based on current affairs. A regular newspaper reader should be able to attempt at least 7-8 of these with ease. Questions came from a variety of areas like Business Awareness, Sports, History, Chemistry and International Organizations.
- An attempt of around 14-16 questions in this section in around 12-15 minutes could be considered a good attempt.
Section |
General Awareness |
No. of Questions |
25 |
Marks for Each Correct Answer |
+4 |
Penalty for Each Incorrect Answer |
-1 |
Total Marks |
100 |
Difficulty Level |
Moderate |