INTRODUCTION
The common management admission test is the gateway for students who want to pursue business and management studies in India. The exam is a computer-based exam conducted by NTA once a year. The exam holds immense importance for the students, this exam is moderately difficult than CAT or XAT. the exam has 4 sections Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QT&DI), Logical Reasoning (LR), Language Comprehension (LC), and General Awareness (GA). every year more than 70,000 students register for this exam, though the competition seems scary the exam can be cracked with the right mindset and strategies. Taking a few things in mind can make your goal for your dream management career a reality. Students must be acquainted with the 3-hour computer-based exam, students firstly should know the syllabus properly and act according to their strengths and weaknesses factor.
One must be determined and passionate to put in the effort and keep in mind consistency is the key. In 2024 a new section has been added to the question paper innovation and entrepreneurship. Students must check out previous year’s questions and having a serialized mock test planned out is also a benefit. Students must check the making system to know more about where they need to be careful or have some strategies, watching online lectures or going to a coaching class can also guide the students better.
Ideally, start the preparation 4-6 months earlier, track your progress, and stay focused. The students should keep in mind that it is not just an exam, it is an opportunity to make the dream reality, the exam opens doors to many more things than just a course, it provides the students with a lifetime experience, and the opportunities make the students prepare for their upcoming business leadership, so cracking the exam is very important. With the right mindset and a healthy study routine, it is possible to crack the exam and snatch the opportunity for a bright future.
CMAT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Here is the eligibility criteria:
- The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Candidates in the final year of the bachelor’s program can also appear for the exam.
- There are no minimum marks needed for the eligibility. With aggregate marks on can appear in the tets.
- The student has to be Indian and have valid ID proof.
- There is no upper age limit for appearing in the exam.
CMAT 2024 EXAM HIGHLIGHTS
Important dates for CMAT are:
- Possibly, the registration will start from the 2nd week of February.
- The registration will go on till the 2nd week of March.
- The correction will happen by the last week of March.
- The admit card will be handed out on the 1st week of May.
CMAT EXAM PATTERN AND TEST STRUCTURE
The exam structure for CMAT is:
- The exam is a computer-based exam.
- Mainly the question is in MCQ.
- There are 5 sections in total.
- The sections are Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QT&DI), Logical Reasoning (LR), Language Comprehension (LC), General Awareness (GA), and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
- There are 20 questions in each section.
- In total there are 100 questions.
- Each question carries a 4 mark.
- The total exam is 400 marks.
- Each correct answer carries a 4 mark, and each wrong answer carries a -1 mark.
- The exam duration is 3 hours.
CUT-OFF FOR CMAT
Here is the cut-off for CMAT:
- The cut-off mainly depends on the college.
- 1300+ colleges accept CMAT scores so the students have many options.
- The cut-off depends on a few things like the number of seats vacant, the number of candidates registered, the difficulty level of the exam, etc.
- Here are some colleges and their cut-offs in 2023 so the students get some idea. JBIMS Mumbai - 99.9+, Goa Institute of Management- 95-99 percentile, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management - 95-99 percentile, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai - 95-99 percentile.
CMAT REGISTRATION
To apply for the exam:
- Students have to go to the official website of CMAT-NTA.
- They have to log in and give information like DOB, email, phone number, etc.
- After that they have to log in and authenticate with OTP.
- Then candidates have to fill the application form with additional details like address, qualification, etc.
- After that they have to upload their passport size photos with scanned signatures.
- The students have to pay the application fee.
- The fee for the general category students is 2000 INR, and the fee for the reserved category students is 1000 INR.
CMAT EXAM PREPARATION
Here are some tips:
- First the candidates must know the syllabus of the exam very well.
- Then the time is for collecting the right student material, there are numerous sources available online, and students can also get help from online lectures.
- The passive reading wouldn’t do the work so students have to make notes, highlight important sections, and make strategies for remembering.
- Knowing the exam pattern and the positive and negative points are also important.
- After that another important thing is making a routine and following that very consistently.
- Aspirants have to practice the previous year's question paper for a better understanding of their progress.
- Self-assessment and fixing mistakes are also important, and taking serialized mock tests can help do that.
- Last but not the least revising and practicing makes the woke thing always better.
- So buckle down, be patient, and be consistent, hard work is going to pay off.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CMAT
With all the pressure while preparing for exams, here are some systematic tips to crack your competitve exams –
- Begin by thoroughly understanding the exam pattern, including the number of sections, types of questions, marking scheme, and time duration. This will help you strategize your preparation effectively.
- Develop a comprehensive study plan that covers all the topics included in the syllabus. Allocate specific time slots for each subject or topic, ensuring balanced coverage.
- Set achievable goals for each study session and the overall preparation period. Break down your goals into smaller milestones to track your progress effectively.
- Identify the topics or sections that carry more weight or that you find more challenging. Allocate more time and effort to these areas while ensuring you cover all topics adequately.
- Collect high-quality study material such as textbooks, reference books, online resources, and previous years' question papers. Ensure the material is reliable and covers the entire syllabus.
- Practice is key to success in any competitive exam. Solve sample papers, practice questions, and mock tests regularly to improve your speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.
- Regular revision is crucial to retain information and reinforce learning. Schedule dedicated time for revision sessions to go over previously covered material and ensure better retention.
- Develop effective time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time frame. Practice time-bound mock tests to improve your speed and efficiency in answering questions.
- Keep yourself updated with current affairs, the latest developments, and relevant news related to your exam. Stay informed about any changes in the exam pattern or syllabus.
- Stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude throughout your preparation. Setbacks and challenges are inevitable, but perseverance and determination will help you overcome them.
- Don't hesitate to seek clarification or assistance from teachers, mentors, or peers whenever you encounter difficulties or have doubts. Clearing your doubts promptly will prevent misunderstandings from snowballing into larger problems.
- After taking mock tests, analyze your performance critically to identify strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving weaker areas while maintaining proficiency in strong ones.
- While practising mock tests, simulate exam conditions as closely as possible. Sit in a quiet environment, adhere to time limits, and avoid distractions to replicate the real exam experience.
- Learn from your mistakes and setbacks during practice sessions. Analyze the root causes of errors and take corrective measures to avoid repeating them in future exams.
- Finally, believe in yourself and your abilities. Maintain confidence in your preparation and stay focused on achieving your goals. With dedication, perseverance, and strategic preparation, you can crack any competitive exam successfully.