The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a competitive examination in India that assesses a candidate’s aptitude in various areas relevant to management education. To excel in the CMAT, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of its syllabus. Here is an article on CMAT Syllabus.
The CMAT syllabus is designed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in various subjects and skills required for pursuing a management program like MBA (Master of Business Administration) or PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management).

The CMAT syllabus is designed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in various subjects and skills required for pursuing a management program like MBA (Master of Business Administration) or PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management).
The syllabus is divided into four major sections:
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QT & DI):
This section assesses a candidate’s mathematical and analytical skills. It includes topics related to quantitative analysis, data interpretation, and mathematical concepts. Here are the key topics:
- Arithmetic: Fundamental operations, percentages, profit and loss, time and distance, ratio and proportion, averages, and interest calculations.
- Algebra: Equations, inequalities, functions, and quadratic equations.
- Geometry: Basic geometric concepts, lines, angles, triangles, circles, and polygons.
- Mensuration: Measurement of areas and volumes for various geometric shapes.
- Data Interpretation: Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, and data sufficiency.
Logical Reasoning (LR):
This section evaluates a candidate’s ability to analyze and solve complex problems using logical thinking. It includes topics related to critical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and puzzles. Here are the key topics:
- Analytical Reasoning: Blood relations, directions, coding-decoding, and series completion.
- Critical Reasoning: Arguments, assumptions, inferences, and conclusions.
- Seating Arrangements: Linear and circular arrangements.
- Syllogisms: Logical deductions based on given statements.
- Number and Letter Series: Patterns and analogies.
Language Comprehension (LC):
The LC section assesses a candidate’s language skills, including reading comprehension and English grammar. It covers the following topics:
- Reading Comprehension: Passages followed by questions to test reading and comprehension skills.
- Grammar: Parts of speech, tenses, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
- Para jumbles: Reordering sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
- Error Correction: Identifying and correcting errors in sentences.
- Synonyms and Antonyms: Vocabulary-based questions.
General Awareness (GA):
The GA section evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of current affairs, general knowledge, and awareness of the business environment. The topics included in this section are:
- Current Affairs: Recent events in politics, economics, sports, and culture.
- Business and Economics: Basic concepts of economics, corporate events, and financial news.
- Science and Technology: Recent developments and innovations.
- History and Geography: Historical events and geographical facts.
- Politics and Society: Government policies, social issues, and famous personalities.
- Sports: Major sports events, awards, and achievements.
- Culture: Art, music, literature, and traditions.
Important Points to Note:
- Sectional Division: CMAT is a computer-based test with a sectional time limit. Each section has a fixed number of questions, and candidates must manage their time effectively.
- Difficulty Level: The difficulty level of CMAT questions can vary from easy to moderately difficult. Candidates should focus on building a strong foundation in each section.
- Mock Tests: Practicing mock tests and previous years’ question papers is essential to get a feel for the actual exam and improve time management.
- Preparation Strategy: Candidates should create a study plan that covers all the topics in the CMAT syllabus and allows for regular practice and revision.
- Current Affairs: Staying updated with current affairs is crucial for the GA section. Reading newspapers, magazines, and watching news channels can help.
- Books and Study Material: Various books and online resources are available for CMAT preparation. Candidates can refer to these materials to study and practice.
- Time Management: Effective time management is vital during the exam. Candidates should allocate sufficient time to each section and attempt questions wisely.
CMAT Syllabus FAQ
The CMAT syllabus 2023 is divided into five sections namely, Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The CAT Exam tests a candidate’s verbal, quantitative and reasoning skills. The difficulty level of the exam ranges from moderate to difficult. Others include the CMAT, XAT, and other exams. The CMAT is far easier to pass than the CAT, and CMAT scores are accepted by the majority of B-Schools in the country.
Many CMAT toppers are of the view that CMAT preparation time of two months is good enough to crack the exam. If you study effectively with right study material, even 2 months are sufficient to score 95 percentile provided you are sincere enough