CMAT Preparation Tips and Trend Analysis 2023

CMAT 2023 Preparation Tips and Trend Analysis - One of the national level entrance examinations that provide entry into management programs of top B-schools in India is the Common Management Admission Test which is popularly known as CMAT. In this article on CMAT 2023 preparation tips and trend analysis, Careers360 will discuss the major preparation strategies that need to be followed along with the analysis of CMAT trends over the years. Past trends in the CMAT exam reveal that CMAT 2023 exam preparation can be synchronized with other MBA entrance exams.

Ongoing MBA Admission

CMAT Exam Dates 2023

Until 2018, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) was responsible for conducting CMAT on yearly basis as per the rules and regulations of The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. But, CMAT is now conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Candidates who are planning to give the exam this year must be aware of the CMAT 2023 exam dates. Details related to the start and end of CMAT registration, availability of CMAT admit card, and exam date, and are provided under exam dates.

CMAT 2023 Exam Schedule

How to prepare for CMAT 2023?

Careers360 brings detailed CMAT 2023 preparation tips in order to help candidates ace one of the most popular management entrance examinations after CAT and XAT. Given below tips that can be followed by candidates before they start their CMAT exam preparation 2023. These preparation tips for CMAT can be used by candidates in other MBA entrance exams as well -

• Be Aware of Exam Pattern

• Focus on Distributive Learning Strategy

• Clarity of Concepts

• Select Right Books

• Take study breaks

Let us look at each point one by one to have a better clarity -

Familiarity with Exam Pattern

First and foremost it is very important for candidates to be aware of the exam pattern of CMAT 2023 before they start their preparation. Details related to the CMAT marking scheme, number of questions, time duration etcetera are provided under the CMAT 2023 exam pattern.

Over the years the basic structure of the CMAT exam did not encounter many alterations and remained constant except in 2021. An additional optional section on Innovation and Entrepreneurship was added in CMAT 2021. Since last year, the additional section has been mandatory.

Exam Pattern of CMAT 2023:

CMAT Preparation Tips - Focus on Distributive Learning Strategy

It is always advisable for candidates preparing for CMAT 2023 to have a distributive learning strategy. This strategy guides and focuses on the fact that candidates must try to cover more than one section per day. Following a distributed learning practice in CMAT 2023 allows candidates to have a baseline understanding of the sections.

Studying/cramming only one section for long hours will make one’s mind distressed and redundant. Hence, as CAT 2023 preparation tips, candidates must try to make their study plan in such a way that at least two sections per day come in their revision/study pattern.

Clarity of Concepts

Concept clarity is the essence of securing good marks, no matter in which way the questions related to a particular topic are asked. The best to clear the concept of any topic/entrance exam is to go through the previous question papers of CMAT. Along with that, CMAT mock tests, sample papers, and test series also are helpful in CMAT preparation.

Hence, as one of the preparation tips for CMAT 2023, candidates must include in their preparation plan the study and revision of question/sample papers/mock tests, etc. As per many experts, the level of difficulty of the CMAT exam mostly ranges from easy to moderately difficult questions. Having the basics in place will help candidates in solving the questions with confidence.

Select Right Books

To ace, any competitive exam be it CMAT, CAT, XAT, IIFT, or any other, candidates must know the best books so that they can crack the exam with good scores. Hence as part of CMAT preparation tips 2023, candidates must have the right set of books to prepare from.

Since there is so much material to study that is available both in online and offline markets that candidates tend to get baffled. A number of books are available for the CMAT exam, but it is prudent to look for only those books that cover sectional topics as per CMAT syllabus 2023.

Quick link - What are the best books for the preparation for CMAT 2023?

Take Study Breaks

One of the CMAT preparation tips is that candidates should take study breaks in between their study time. This could be understood better with the help of a famous proverb that says “All work no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Studying for long hours could feel burned out leading to distressed and drained environments.

Hence while making their study timetable, candidates should try to divide their time in such a way that they are left out with some refreshment time as well. For example, if a candidate is ready to devote four hours to one section, then he/she should try to have a gap of at least 10-15 minutes between the four hours set schedule. This will help rejuvenate the energy and the mind will not be stressed out.

Quick Facts to Remember

• The option of switching between sections will be available. Hence, candidates will be allowed to switch between the four sections and answer as per their preference

• As per the exam pattern of CMAT 2023, there is no negative marking for leaving a question unanswered. Hence candidates leaving a question unanswered do not have to worry about marks deduction

• All candidates will have access to a desk with a computer terminal. For rough work/ calculations, a plain paper will be given to candidates which they will be asked to submit at the desk once the examination is complete

• Carrying any paper/notebook inside the exam centre of CMAT 2023 is strictly prohibited

• No breaks will be allowed during CMAT 2023

• Candidates will be allowed to carry only CMAT admit card 2023

CMAT 2023 Preparation Tips and Trend Analysis

• As mentioned above, CMAT till the year 2018 was conducted by AICTE. It was introduced in the year 2012 and the maiden exam was conducted in February, which was followed by September CMAT 2012. In the year 2013 at the special request of the state governments, an additional CMAT exam was conducted in May in order to facilitate those candidates who could not appear in the earlier CMAT in February that year. It was mentioned that only those candidates who had not taken CMAT in February would be allowed to take the additional test.

• Owing to the fact that admission in various B-schools is taking place through CMAT scores in the State, several state-level MBA entrance exams like UPSEE, RMAT, MAH-CET etcetera were discontinued. However, later they were made back to active mode and still the exams are conducted.

• Around 50,000 registrations were received in the first CMAT registration and with each passing year, the registrations increased. As per NTA, CMAT 2022 Statistics are given below -

Statistics of CMAT 2022:

Gender and Category wise number of candidates registered

Gender and Category wise number of candidates appeared

Statistics of CMAT 2021:

Gender and Category wise number of candidates registered

Gender and Category wise number of candidates appeared

CMAT Previous Question Papers

One of the important aspects while preparing for CMAT 2023 is to prepare through the previous year's question papers of CMAT. Here are the links to the previous year's CMAT question papers.

Previous Year CMAT Question Papers

CMAT 2023- Exam day guidelines

• Revise theorems and formulas a night before the CMAT entrance test.
• Reach the CMAT test centre as per the mentioned time on CMAT admit card.
• Do not carry any prohibited items such as electronic devices or food items.
• Choose only such questions to answer that you can solve with a hundred percent accuracy.

Top Colleges in India offering MBA