Overview: As the CMAT scheduled for 15 May is approaching, many aspirants need help planning their CMAT exam preparation systematically. This blog is set out in two parts. It includes some last-minute tips on how to prepare CMAT exam, as well as a detailed strategy for overall preparation. 

Download FREE Study Material for CMAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

As the exam draws closer, candidates may get overwhelmed and confused about their level of CMAT exam preparation. However, the fact that CMAT entitles you to apply to many top-ranked colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, KJ SOMAIYA, WEELINGKAR, and Great Lakes should be considered. Although a candidate hasn't exceeded expectations in tests like CAT, SNAP, or XAT, CMAT is still an equivalent opportunity for them. 

Read More: CMAT Exam Admit Card Released

CMAT Exam 2024 Events	CMAT Exam Date 2024
CMAT Exam Date 2024 Registration Date starts	29 March 2024
CMAT Exam Date 2024 Registration Date ends	18 April 2024 (upto 11:50 P.M.)
CMAT Exam Date Correction Window	19 April 2024 to 21 April 2024
Intimation of Cities of exam centers	6 May 2024
CMAT Exam Admit Card	6 May, 2024
Date of Examination	May 15, 2024
Duration	180 minutes (03:00 Hrs)
Timing of Examination	Shift 1 - 09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Shift 2 - 03:00 P.M. to 06:00 P.M
Language of the Paper	English Only

Read More: CMAT Exam Complete Details

Last-minute Tips for the 15 May 2024 Exam

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1. Balance the Clock: Wake up early to get your body accustomed to the exam's reporting time of 7:20:00. 
2. Practice mock tests in the morning and avoid afternoon naps, as the exam is conducted in two shifts: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
3. Question Selection: The CMAT is a speed-based exam, so time management is vital. If you encounter confusion or complex calculations, choose the easiest ones. Navigate through the sections to spot and handle the most straightforward questions immediately. 
4. Spend some time revising GA and IE topics. Try to revise the current affairs and business trends in the GA section for success. 
5. Do Not Ignore Critical Reasoning. Critical Reasoning constitutes a significant part of the section (1/4 to 1/3, approximately 8-10 questions). Many students ignore this section in their CMAT exam preparation for the Logic Reasoning section.
6. Toprankers Rapid Revision Series: These programs provide you with a review of the important topics and lead to better retention. For online CMAT exam preparation:

Previous Year Question Papers (PYQ): Solve previous year's question papers with Toprankers to find the exam pattern and identify yourself with the questions asked. For online CMAT exam preparation:

CMAT Previous Year Question Important Video Solutions

Focus on practicing important topics such as:

CMAT 2024 Sections	Important Topics
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	Alligations & Mixtures, Algebra, Geometry, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Time-Speed-Distance, Graph, etc.
Logical Reasoning	Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc.
Language Comprehension	Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Parajumbles, etc.
General Awareness	Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up business

Read More: CMAT Exam Syllabus Subject-wise Explained

Understanding Exam Pattern:

• The CMAT exam's level of difficulty is generally considered more manageable than the CAT.
• Candidates should aim to attempt 16-17 questions in each of the Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability sections well.
• A good attempt of 10-12 questions is sufficient for General Awareness, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
• Overall, a 70-75-question attempt is considered good.

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	20	80
Logical Reasoning	20	80
Language Comprehension	20	80
General Awareness	20	80
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	20	80
Total	100	400

Note: There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.

Read More: CMAT Exam Pattern Explained In Detail

How to Prepare for CMAT Exam?

• Consistency - The key to an effective CMAT exam preparation for a CMAT candidate is to maintain consistency in their preparation and dedicate regular study hours. Consistency helps develop conceptual mastery, and regular practice builds confidence, reducing anxiety and stress during the exam. Consistent preparation also familiarizes candidates with the exam format structure and syllabus and helps them understand the topics and typestypes of questions they can expect in the actual exam.
• Speed Practice - CMAT is a speed-based exam. To excel, candidates must focus on speed and accuracy while solving practice questions and mock tests. This not only help to attempt more questions but also helps students by providing more time for CMAT exam  preparation. Having speedy problem-solving skills allows you to adapt to the changing difficulty levels of the questions in the exam, thus optimizing your performance and accumulating a high score potential. 
• Identifying Peak Hours—Identify when you are most alert and productive for intense study sessions. This is important for college students  and working professionals because it helps them manage their CMAT exam preparation as well as work and studies.
• Selection and Rejection—Learn the art of question selection and rejection to maximize your attempts within the given time frame. Candidates should analyze the questions and allot a time frame for solving them based on their level of difficulty and number of attempts. The practice of selection and rejection is important because many candidates waste their time solving a particular question, and by doing so, they miss the simpler ones with easier calculations. 
• Balance the Clock—Take mock tests regularly and analyze your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses. Mocks and tests should be given at the same time of day as the actual exam to get your body used to it. 

Students can adopt an alternate-day study plan for CMAT exam prep, with 10 hours of study time:

THE TIMELINE

ODD DAY	EVEN DAY
Analytical Reasoning - 1 Hour	Verbal Ability - 1 Hour
General Awareness - 1 Hour	Quantitative Ability - 1 Hour
Critical Reasoning - 1 Hour	Attempting Mock - 3 Hour
Innovation and Entrepreneurship - 1 Hour	Analyzing Mock - 1 Hour

Read More: Difference between CAT and CMAT

CMAT Exam Preparation Books

CMAT Exam Preparation Books - Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

Name of the book	Author/Publication
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude	Arun Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	R S Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT	Nishit Sinha
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT	Sarvesh Verma

CMAT Exam Preparation Books - Logical Reasoning

Name of the book	Author/Publication
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT	Arun Sharma
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT	Nishit K. Sinha
Data Interpretation	Nishit Sinha
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT	Nishit Sinha
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning	R S Aggarwal

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam - Language Comprehension

Name of the book	Author/Publication
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT	Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT	Nishit K. Sinha
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis.
High School Grammar and Composition	Wren and Martin

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam - General Awareness

Books	Manorama Year Book
Newspapers and Journals	The Hindu, Financial Express, Management Compass, Business Today, Hindu Business Line, Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and Economic Times

How to Prepare For CMAT Exam - Innovation & Entrepreneurship 

Name of the book	Author/Publication
The Innovator’s Dilemma	Clayton M. Christensen
How to Win Friends and Influence People	Dale Carnegie
National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship	Govt of India
Document on Atal Incubation Centre (AIC)	Govt of India

Read More: How important is GK for CMAT?

Conclusion:

• Stay focused, follow a structured CMAT exam preparation strategy, and remain confident in your abilities.
• Keep practising and revising regularly to enhance your knowledge and improve your performance.
• Remember to maintain a positive attitude and believe in your potential to excel in the CMAT exam.

Good luck with your CMAT exam preparation!