CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Important Topics (Quant/GK/LR/I&E), Weightage, Best Books & Preparation

CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Important Topics (Quant/GK/LR/I&E), Weightage, Best Books & Preparation

Malvika ChawlaUpdated on 08 Oct 2025, 05:49 PM IST

The CMAT 2026 Syllabus includes five sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. With a moderate difficulty level of the CMAT exam and syllabus, one can easily complete its preparation in 2-4 months as the topics are similar to other MBA entrance exams. To prepare for the CMAT 2026 exam, it is recommended that one refer to proper books and study material to ace the CMAT exam. Keep reading this article to find the complete CMAT syllabus for MBA 2026, best books to study for the exam and preparation strategy.

This Story also Contains

  1. CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Key Highlights
  2. CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Overview
  3. CMAT 2026 Quant Syllabus: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Topics
  4. CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Logical Reasoning Topics
  5. CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Language Comprehension Topics
  6. CMAT 2026 Syllabus GK: General Awareness Topics
  7. CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Topics
  8. Best Books to Cover CMAT Syllabus 2026
  9. CMAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Important Topics (Quant/GK/LR/I&E), Weightage, Best Books & Preparation
CMAT 2026 Syllabus

CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Key Highlights

Check out some of the key highlights about the CMAT exam syllabus, which will help you understand more about the same.

  • The Innovation & Entrepreneurship section in the CMAT syllabus is unique. There is no other MBA entrance exam which includes this section. Candidates with a commerce background will find familiarity in this section.

  • Candidates aiming to take the CMAT exam must start preparation at least 6 months in advance. One can prepare for CMAT and other MBA exams simultaneously as the syllabus overlaps.

  • CMAT GK is the only section in the exam which can be covered in a shorter period of time.

CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Overview

Candidates preparing for the CMAT 2026 exam must have an idea about the CMAT syllabus and exam pattern to start with the preparation. The following table provides some of the key highlights of the CMAT syllabus for MBA 2026.

Exam Particulars

Details

CMAT Exam Full Form

Common Management Admission Test

CMAT Exam Mode

Computer-based Test (CBT)

CMAT 2026 Exam Duration

3 Hours (180 minutes)

CMAT 2026 Total No. of Questions

100 MCQs

Questions per Section

20

Total Number of Sections

5

Marking Scheme

+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unanswered questions

Total Sections in CMAT 2026

  • Logical Reasoning

  • Language Comprehension

  • General Awareness

  • Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusion of TITA Questions

No

As can be seen from the table above, the CMAT 2026 syllabus will include five main sections, where each one of them will test skills needed for management studies. With the total number of questions to be 100 (MCQs), the exam will include sections like Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the exam syllabus will focus on basic math topics such as algebra, geometry and data interpretation, puzzles, patterns, current affairs, business knowledge, and have an understanding of the startup culture and new business ideas. Therefore, all the candidates need to know the complete CMAT 2026 syllabus before beginning with their preparation.

Let us look at the following CMAT important topics, which will help you ace the exam.

CMAT 2026 Quant Syllabus: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Topics

The Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation section in the CMAT exam will cover the following CMAT quant important topics. The difficulty level of this section will typically be in the moderate range.

Pie Chart, Bar Chart

Binomial Theorem

Ratio and Proportion

Number System

Algebra

Tabulation

Mean, Mode and Median

Geometry

Pipes and Cisterns

Probability

Percentages

Quadratic and Linear Equations

Time-Speed-Distance

Line Graph

Alligation & Mixtures

Mensuration

Work and Time

Permutations & Combinations

In-equations

Simple Interest & Compound Interest

Profit and Loss


CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Logical Reasoning Topics

The Logical Reasoning section in the CMAT 2026 exam will primarily focus on evaluating one's logical abilities.

Analytical Reasoning

Blood Relationship Tests

Linear Arrangements

Statements and Arguments

Analogy Test

Inferences

Statements and Conclusion

Ranking Tests

Sequencing

Matrix Arrangements

Cause and Effects

Number Series

Venn Diagram

Symbol-Based Problems

Statements Assumptions

Coding and Decoding

Direction and Distance Test

Non-Verbal Reasoning

CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Language Comprehension Topics

The Language Comprehension section will include questions on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. One can expect 2-3 short passages with questions based on factual information. Additionally, this section will also include questions on vocabulary and grammar-based questions. Take a look at the complete list of topics which can be expected under this section.

English Usage Errors

English Grammar

Reading Comprehension

Paragraph Completion

Antonyms

Synonyms

Sentence Correction

Verbal Ability

Jumbled Para

One-Word Substitution

Idioms

Phrases

CMAT 2026 Syllabus GK: General Awareness Topics

The General Awareness section in the CMAT exam will comprise both current affairs and static general knowledge. Therefore, all candidates must focus on detailed memorisation of events, as one can expect questions to be based on the following topics.

Science in Everyday Life

Economics

History

Personalities in News

Culture

Trade Awareness

Current Affairs (National and International Economy)

Indian Constitution

Politics

Literature

Geography

Sports News

CMAT 2026 Syllabus: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Topics

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship section in the CMAT exam focuses on evaluating candidates’ entrepreneurial skills. The following are the topics on which the candidates will be tested.

Concepts of Entrepreneurship

Models of Entrepreneurship

Overview of Entrepreneurship

Theories and Models of Entrepreneurship

Women Entrepreneurship

Rural Entrepreneurship

Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development

Motivation, Communication & Leadership

Dimensions of Entrepreneurship

Evolution of Entrepreneurship in India

Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurial Society

Principles of Business Organisation

Emerging Models of Corporate Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurial Culture

Framework of Entrepreneurship Theories

Best Books to Cover CMAT Syllabus 2026

If you are planning to appear for the CMAT 2026 exam, then you must refer to the right books. Having the right study material will give you a better understanding of the topics and prepare well for the exam. Check out the following list of books, which you could use to prepare for the CMAT 2026 exam.

CMAT Sections

Recommended Books

Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal


  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma

Language Comprehension

  • Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi


  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

Logical Reasoning


  • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal


  • How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

  • Entrepreneurship Development by S.S. Khanka


  • NTA official material and past CMAT papers

General Awareness

  • Manorama Year Book


  • Daily newspapers like The Hindu / Indian Express


  • Monthly Current Affairs magazines/apps

CMAT 2026 Preparation Strategy

Before you begin with your preparation for the CMAT 2026 exam, all candidates must have their own preparation strategy to excel in the exam. You can go through the CMAT 2026 preparation strategy, which we have prepared to ace the exam.

  • Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation: Make sure you give 30% of your time to this section and master the CMAT quantitative aptitude syllabus formulas.

  • Logical Reasoning: You can allot 25% of your time to practice CMAT logical reasoning questions.

  • Language Comprehension: You must focus on CMAT language comprehension topics.

  • General Awareness: Make sure you read newspapers daily to cover the GK syllabus. This section should require the least amount of time to prepare for.

  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Lastly, since this is a unique section and not all MBA entrance exams have this section, candidates must give atleast 5% of their time and study thoroughly.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is it easy to get 99 percentile in CMAT?
A:

To achieve a 99 percentile in the CMAT exam, a candidate will typically need to score around 340-345 marks. 

Q: Is CMAT very tough?
A:

The overall difficulty level of the CMAT exam is considered to be moderate. However, the difficulty level of each section can vary by section. 

Q: What is the syllabus for CMAT 2026?
A:

The CMAT 2026 syllabus will be structured into five sections: Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation and Innovation & Entrepreneurship 

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Questions related to CMAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CMAT ?

With a 70 percent in CAT Examination, you can go for various B-Schools or private collages. The S. K. Patel Institute of Management in Gandhinagar is an option for those who score 70-80 percent in their CAT examination or The Gujarat Institute of Management (GIM) in Goa with a cutoff of 60-80 percentage. These are the collages you can look for in Gujarat or nearby.

Collage in other regions: BA Colleges Accepting 70-80 Percentile in CAT 2025

Thank You.

Hello,

Here are some top MBA colleges in India with fees under Rs. 2 lakh and their exam/cutoff details:

  • SIMSREE, Mumbai – Fee around Rs. 1.3–1.4 lakh for 2 years. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, MAT, ATMA. Cutoff is very high, usually 99+ percentile in CAT/CMAT.

  • PUMBA (Dept. of Management Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University) – Fee around Rs. 1.2–1.3 lakh. Accepts CAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, ATMA. Cutoff approx. 75+ percentile in CAT, 90–95+ percentile in CMAT, high scores in MAH-CET.

  • TISS, Mumbai (MA HRM & other management-related programmes) – Fee around Rs. 1.7–1.9 lakh. Accepts CAT for some courses. Qualifying cutoff is around 60–70 percentile, but final selection cutoffs are higher.

These are the main government institutes where the full MBA/PG programme fee is within Rs. 2 lakh. Cutoffs vary slightly each year and by category, but SIMSREE and PUMBA generally need high scores, while TISS has its own process along with CAT shortlisting.

Hope it helps !

You can download CMAT question papers and their solutions for the years 2021 to 2025 from trusted education websites. The 2021 papers are available in PDF format and include both shift 1 and shift 2 with solutions. These papers also have the optional section Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

For the year 2025, you will find complete question papers for both shifts along with correct answers. These papers cover all the sections like Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

You can use these question papers to practice and understand the pattern of the exam. They are helpful for time management and identifying important topics.

DMI Patna interviews for CMAT-qualified PGDM candidates usually start after CMAT results are out. For 2025, results were announced in March, so interviews likely began then. Exact dates aren’t public, but shortlisted candidates are notified via email/SMS.

Keep checking your email (including spam) and contact the admissions office for updates. The process includes a writing test, group activity, and personal interview.

Hello,

Here is the basic eligibility for CMAT admission process:

  1. Qualification : You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised university.

  2. Final Year Students : If you are in the final year of your graduation, you can also apply, but you must complete your degree before the admission process ends.

  3. Nationality : You must be an Indian citizen .

  4. Age Limit : There is no age limit to apply for CMAT.

These rules are the same for all categories, but some colleges may have extra conditions, so you may need to check college-wise eligibility too.

Hope it helps !