CMAT 2025 Preparation Tips for General Awareness: Best Books, Strategy, Tips & Tricks

CMAT 2025 Preparation Tips for General Awareness: Best Books, Strategy, Tips & Tricks

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 16, 2024 01:35 PM IST | #CMAT

To prepare for the CMAT's General Knowledge (GK) portion, you'll need a well-organized study strategy. The curriculum may seem to be difficult, but with the appropriate attitude, it is achievable. We'll go over CMAT 2025 GK preparation suggestions and walk you through the process of developing an efficient study plan. This plan will help you cover the main subjects and stay on track, allowing you to achieve your objective.

CMAT 2025 Preparation Tips For General Awareness

General Awareness is an important section of the CMAT exam. Not only is it important from the CMAT exam point of view, but it is also important for the GDPI and WAT stages.

Some general CMAT 2025 preparation tips for general awareness are:

  • Read newspapers and magazines regularly.

  • Follow online YT channels or books for static GK.

  • Engage in quizzes to test your knowledge.

  • Practice previous year papers and take mock tests.

So, follow the preparation tips given in the article and work hard to get a good score in the section.

CMAT 2025 Syllabus

In CMAT 2025, questions will be asked from the following subjects:

1. Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

2. Logical Reasoning

3. Language Comprehension

4. General Awareness

5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship

The question paper will contain 100 questions of 4 marks each, with 1 mark to be deducted for every wrong answer. Each of the five sections will carry 20 questions, therefore all subjects have equal weightage.

CMAT General Awareness Section: Pattern and Syllabus

Before we discuss CMAT 2025 preparation tips for general awareness, we need to discuss the format, weightage, and types of questions typically asked in this section which contains Static GK as well as Current Affairs. As discussed earlier, this section will contain 20 questions.

General Awareness or General Knowledge is a vast subject with individual subjects like History, Geography, Economics, etc as its subtopics so to get the exact idea how and what to prepare, you need to understand what the weightage of Static GK and Current Affairs has been over the years.

GK Questions

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Static GK

16

19

17

24

20

18

Current Affairs

4

1

8

1

5

7

Total

20

20

25

25

25

25

Broadly speaking, Static GK refers to the facts and information that do not change with time. As far as CMAT 2025 is concerned, this can be asked from the following topics –

  • History

  • Geography

  • Economy

  • Companies and Brands

  • Indian Political System & Constitution

  • Organizations

  • Science & Technology

  • Sports

  • Miscellaneous

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For Current Affairs, you can focus on these –

  • Economy

  • Business & Corporate News

  • Indian Polity

  • Organizations

  • New Developments in Science & Technology

  • People in News

  • Sports

  • Miscellaneous

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CMAT 2025 Preparation Tips and Strategies for GK

Step-by-step guide to creating an effective study plan -

  • Keeping in mind the detailed CMAT syllabus, assess your strengths and weaknesses and make a comprehensive study plan in which you need to prioritize high-scoring topics while allocating study time for each. You are required to know which topics are more important and have more weightage while deciding the study time for each.

  • It is critical to establish reasonable and achievable objectives. Set short-term and long-term objectives. Allocate time for daily and weekly study sessions, with some free time for frequent practice and rapid evaluation. Break down your objectives. Instead of creating a large goal, break it down into smaller ones that you can achieve every day, which will provide you a psychological boost. The preparation itself will give you the drive you need.

  • Be ready to embrace your failure to achieve even your little goals sometimes. You can’t expect yourself to be 100% on schedule every time.

  • The amount of time you study is not as important as the quality of your study so it’s important that you are focused throughout your study duration and for that it is necessary to keep taking short breaks. Studying for long periods at a stretch is not advisable as it leads to distraction and you tend to grasp less and less. Go for sprints, not marathons.

  • Managing time during the exam is as important as managing it while you are preparing. You’ll have to answer 100 questions of varying types spread across all five sections of CMAT 2025. On the basis of your strengths and weaknesses, plan how long you will take for each section. Practise accordingly in such a way that, in the end, you are able to review and revise your answers for errors and rectify them and increase your overall score.

  • GK questions help you save time which you can utilize in solving questions of other sections as there is no sectional restriction of time and you can utilize the saved time in solving questions that require long calculations and analysis. They are time saving as you either know the answer or you don’t. You don’t have to rack your brains trying to get to the answer somehow. You don’t tend to spend beyond a few seconds on a question. Ideally, you should not spend more than 8-10 minutes on this section.

Practical Tips And Tricks To Enhance General Awareness Preparation

  • The General Awareness paper contains questions on Static GK as well as Current Affairs, with more weightage of questions on Static GK as discussed earlier. But even Static GK questions are often directly or indirectly related to some recent event so it’s important that you stay updated with the latest news through newspapers, magazines and online sources. Form the habit of reading the newspaper. It will also help you with your Language Comprehension paper.

  • You can make use of mobile apps and podcasts for on-the-go learning. This means actively learning as you go about your daily life activities. This learning can happen anywhere, at any time. You can use your spare moments throughout the day effectively with the simple use of your smartphone. Here your own concise notes will also come in handy as you can revise something at a glance while doing something else, like waiting for the bus or strolling.

  • You may utilize mnemonic techniques. These are techniques that use associations to help you remember information. These strategies help you to recall information, thus improving memory.

  • Practising previous years’ questions and mock tests is the most important part of your preparation. Be regular with this and keep a track of where you are lagging, what you are repeatedly doing wrong and where you are taking too much time. This practice will improve your accuracy as well as speed.

  • Engage in group discussions and quizzes to reinforce learning. The more you keep testing yourself, the better it is. If you see some fact or information again and again, you are bound to remember it. That’s the use of discussions and quizzes.

  • Create mind maps or visual aids to organize information effectively. This aids in learning by using keywords and phrases instead of complete sentences.

Now we’ll take a sample question to understand how to enhance your preparation of GK for CMAT 2025.

Ques. In which year was the 73rd amendment passed by the Parliament?

A. 1989

B. 1992

C. 1990

D. 1995

Answer: B

Taking this example, let’s see how you can study. Make sure that you make self-help notes. You are not a UPSC aspirant who has to write long answers. You are required to learn one-liners so plan and study accordingly. Like in the above question, think of all the related things that can be asked and write them down as one-liners. For instance,

  • 73rd Amendment Act, also known as the Panchayati Raj Act

  • The 11th Schedule of the Indian Constitution added, containing 29 subjects

  • OBJECTIVES - Strengthen rural democratic structure; Decentralize power and decision-making to the local Panchayats; Empower Panchayats to undertake development

  • A three-tier Panchayati Raj system:

  • Village level: Gram Panchayat

  • Intermediate level: Panchayat Samiti

  • District level: Zila Parishad

  • Act added Part IX to the COI which contained provisions from Articles 243 to 243 (O)

  • Act does not apply to Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram & certain other areas

  • Tenure of a Panchayat – 5 years

  • Minimum age for member of Panchayat – 21 years

This is just a sample to get an idea of what type of questions are asked and how you need to make notes. No need to write essay-type descriptive answers. Note down the key points topic-wise. These concise notes will also be very useful towards the end when you are revising. And will also come in handy if you wish to revise any particular topic just before the exam – like last-minute revision.

Besides, according to psychological studies, writing things down in order to learn them is a great strategy because when you are writing down some information, your mind is more involved. It sharpens your memory. In addition, making hand-written notes instead of typing on a computer/phone is considered better because it triggers more brain activity and develops stronger neural encoding and memory retrieval. So, writing and learning have been psychologically proven to bring benefits and can be utilized to learn countless facts of GK.

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How To Stay Updated With Current Affairs for CMAT 2025

It is important to stay consistently updated with current affairs leading up to the exam. Ideally, you should do the current affairs of one year, counting backwards from the date of the exam. But the last six months are more important. In order to stay informed, you may do the following –

  • Set aside dedicated time each day for reading newspapers or online news portals. There is no fixed rule regarding how much time that should be. You have to make a balanced time table that covers all topics and subjects keeping in mind the time each day you are able to devote to studying.

  • Follow reputable news channels and websites for reliable information. We tend to retain information more when it is backed by visuals so news channels can help you remember the events and the related important information better than simply reading about them.

  • Join online forums or discussion groups to exchange ideas and insights. Study groups can help you stay motivated and you can also discuss your doubts and get help there.

  • Participate in quizzes and competitions to test and expand your knowledge and keep track of your score. Such quizzes are a great way to keep revising the important facts.

Quick Read -

Choose the Best Books and Other Resources for CMAT

For the CMAT 2025, there are an abundance of books and nearly endless study materials accessible, however they may also be a waste of time for the candidate. It is critical to choose which books and other resources will best help you concentrate and accomplish your objective. Here is a list of the most significant books from each section.

Best books for CMAT – Language Comprehension

BOOK

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT

Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)


Dr R S Aggarwal (S. Chand)

The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT

Nishit K Sinha

How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT

Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)

English Grammar and Composition

Wren & Martin (S. Chand)

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

Best books for CMAT – Quantitative Aptitude

BOOK

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT

Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)

Quantitative Aptitude

Dr R S Aggarwal (S. Chand)

Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs

Sarvesh K Verma (Arihant)

Best books for CMAT – Logical Reasoning

BOOK

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER

How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT

Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill Education)

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT

Nishit K Sinha (Pearson)

A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

Dr R S Aggarwal (S. Chand)

Best books for CMAT – General Knowledge

BOOK

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER

General Knowledge

Lucent’s

Current Affair Magazines and Newspapers

The Hindu

The Financial Times

The Economic Times


Best books for CMAT – Innovation and Entrepreneurship

BOOK

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Peter F. Drucker

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management

R Gopal

Entrepreneurship

Robert D. Hisrich

CMAT Mock Test PDF Free Download

Candidates preparing for CMAT exam can download a free CMAT mock test PDF and take their preparation to the next level.

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Download Free Topic-wise MCQ PDFs for CMAT Exam

Candidates preparing for the CMAT exam can use the PDFs to practice different types of questions and fine-tune their preparation.

CMAT Quantitative Techniques And Data Interpretation MCQs

CMAT Logical Reasoning MCQs

CMAT Language Comprehension MCQs

CMAT General Awareness MCQs

CMAT Innovation And Entrepreneurship MCQs

Conclusion

The General Awareness section holds the potential to significantly boost your overall score. A strategic study plan with diligent preparation will help you ace this section and tackle questions easily and in turn, allow you to swiftly answer questions and save more time for other sections that may have complex calculations and analysis.

Read More - CMAT 2025: Last Week Tips to Ace the Test

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many subjects will be asked in CMAT 2025?

The following subjects will be asked in CMAT 2025 -

  • Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Language Comprehension
  • General Awareness
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship
2. What is the total number of questions asked in CMAT?

The CMAT paper will contain 100 questions, 20 each from every section.

3. Does the CMAT have negative marking?

Yes. The paper consists of 5 sections with 20 questions each to be answered in a duration of 180 minutes. Each correct answer will fetch you 4 marks and for each wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted.

4. Does the General Awareness paper of CMAT have Static GK and Current Affairs both?

Yes. The General Awareness paper of CMAT has Static GK as well as Current Affairs.

5. What is the total number of questions included in the General Awareness section?

The CMAT test includes a section called General Awareness, which consists of 20 questions, out of the 100 questions, on the test. 

6. Why does Static GK matter so much, for the CMAT exam?

Static general knowledge (G.K.) pertains to information that remains constant over time, like occurrences and geographical details  an aspect as most CMAT General Awareness inquiries revolve around static G.K. 

7. How should I prepare for General Knowledge about topics?

Make sure to concentrate on subjects, like history and geography along with politics and jot down brief notes, for quick reference. 

8. What are some effective ways to stay updated with the news and happenings?

Make sure to keep up with the news by reading newspapers and tuning in to news channels or browsing online news websites for updates and information Also consider joining study groups to stay informed and engage in discussions

9. How should I manage my time when preparing for the General Awareness portion of my studies?

Make sure to outline your goals for each day and week of time and focus on studying in intense sessions while regularly assessing your progress. 

10. Should one consider practicing with previous years CMAT General Knowledge questions to enhance their preparation?

Absolutely! Practicing with questions can assist you in understanding the pattern of questions and improving your speed and accuracy. 

11. What is the ideal duration to dedicate to the General Knowledge section of the CMAT test?

Try to limit your focus on the GK section to, around 8 to 10 minutes to allow for time, in sections. 

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Questions related to CMAT

Have a question related to CMAT ?

You can start your preparation by Solving previous years’ papers CMAT it will give you an idea about how the actual paper is going to be. You will be introduced to all types of questions, ranging from the simple ones to the complex.

QA, Logic and Verbal can be prepared from the material provided here For GK and IE, you should try reading newspapers and knowing current affairs. There are various sources like  youtube channels . Here is the material- CMAT it contains books, notes , past year papers, etc.

Hello,

Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:

Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.

MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.

Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.

Hello there,

With a 71.5 percentile in CMAT and 77% in BBA, you do have a chance of getting into BK School of Business Management (Gandhinagar Institute of Technology) for MBA, especially if they have a lower cutoff in the 4th offline round. Admission can depend on factors like your performance in the entrance exam, overall profile, and availability of seats. It's also helpful to keep an eye on the specific requirements and trends from previous years to gauge your likelihood better. If possible, consider reaching out to the admissions office for more tailored guidance.

I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hello aspirant,

One of the most important things to do when beginning a strategy exam preparation is to grasp the CMAT syllabus 2025. Candidates can make an efficient study plan that helps them cover every topic in detail by consulting the CMAT exam syllabus.

To know the detailed syllabus you can visit our website by clicking on the link given below.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cmat-syllabus

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

An 80 percentile CMAT score is a decent score, but whether you can secure admission to IMS depends on several factors:

  1. Specific IMS Campus: There are multiple IMS campuses with varying admission criteria and cut-offs.
  2. Program Offered: The program you're targeting (PGDM, MBA, etc.) will have different eligibility requirements.
  3. Category: Your category (General, OBC, SC, ST) will influence your chances.
  4. Competition: The overall competition for that particular year and program will determine the final cut-off.

While an 80 percentile score increases your chances, it's essential to check the specific cut-offs for your desired IMS campus and program. Additionally, consider other factors like work experience, academic background, and GD/PI performance, as they might play a role in the final selection.

To improve your chances, research different IMS campuses, understand their admission process, and prepare well for the subsequent selection rounds.

hope this helps you!!

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