CMAT 2026 Preparation Tips For Logical Reasoning - Strategy, Tips And Tricks

The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a computer-based national-level entrance test for MBA and PGDM programs. Since 2018, it has been carried out by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is done in one sitting. The CMAT score is recognized by around 1,300 Indian business schools (both public and private). In this article, we'll go over CMAT 2026 preparation ideas for Logical Reasoning.

This Story also Contains

1. CMAT 2026 Exam Highlights: Logical Reasoning
2. CMAT 2026 Preparation Tips For Logical Reasoning
3. CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
4. CMAT 2026 Exam Highlights: Logical Reasoning
5. Understanding the CMAT Logical Reasoning Section
6. CMAT Logical Reasoning Preparation: Key Topics and Syllabus
7. CMAT Logical Reasoning 2026 Important Topics
8. Key Strategies for CMAT Logical Reasoning Preparation
9. Tips and Tricks for CMAT Logical Reasoning
10. CMAT 2026 Books and Other Resources for Logical Reasoning
11. CMAT Previous Year Question Papers
12. CMAT 2026 Preparation: Common Mistakes to Avoid
13. CMAT Logical Reasoning Preparation: Best Books
14. CMAT 2026 Mock Tests PDF Free Download
15. Conclusion
16. CMAT Preparation Resources by Careers360
17. Download Free CMAT Logical Reasoning MCQs for Practice

CMAT 2026 Exam Highlights: Logical Reasoning

The CMAT 2026 exam's Logical Reasoning part will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQ). Each question in this section is worth four marks if answered correctly, with one point subtracted for each wrong attempt. Aiming for 15 to 18 accurate answers out of 20 questions is considered a good achievement in this field.

CMAT 2026 Preparation Tips For Logical Reasoning

The Logical Reasoning section in CMAT can be quite scoring if your preparation is up to the mark. This article will help you prepare well for the section by mentioning effective CMAT 2026 preparation tips for logical reasoning and the best books for CMAT preparation. Some of these tips are:

• Develop analytical skills.

• Understand the different types of questions asked.

• Practice questions every day.

• Take mock tests.

• Improve accuracy and speed.

CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Before discussing CMAT 2026 preparation tips for Logical Reasoning, let us see some of the other details are as follows -

As discussed above, the CMAT exam consists of 5 sections, all having the same importance because of the same weightage that they have. Each section has 20 questions. In this article, we’ll extensively discuss the syllabus of CMAT Logical Reasoning and the types of questions asked along with the strategies and CMAT 2026 preparation tips for logical reasoning which will help you master this section.

CMAT 2026 Exam Highlights: Logical Reasoning

• There will be a total of 20 questions asked in the CMAT logical reasoning section.

• For each right response, the candidates will be awarded 4 marks while one mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

• The maximum mark that can be attained from the logical reasoning section of the CMAT exam is 80.

• Attending 15+ questions under this section with an accuracy of 95% or more is considered a good attempt in this section.

Understanding the CMAT Logical Reasoning Section

Given below is the complete CMAT Logical Reasoning syllabus. The CMAT aspirants should be well versed with the CMAT logical reasoning syllabus and align their preparation by prioritsing the important topics for enhancing their CMAT scores.

CMAT Logical Reasoning Preparation: Key Topics and Syllabus

Preparing for the CMAT 2026 Logical Reasoning section requires focusing on key areas that test your ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently. It's essential to practice a variety of question types to become familiar with different logical patterns and structures. Regular practice with sample questions and previous papers will help you develop the skills needed to analyze information quickly and accurately.

Also read:

• How to prepare for CMAT 2026 in one month

• CMAT 2026 last week tips to ace the test

CMAT Logical Reasoning 2026 Important Topics

The last year's CMAT logical reasoning weightage is given below for each topic. The candidate are strongly advised to practice these topics first and work on them to ensure a good CMAT logical reasoning score.

CMAT 2026 Logical Reasoning Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of the Logical Reasoning section is generally easy to moderate. Out of 20 questions, 16-18 correct answers are considered a good attempt.

It is important to understand all the types of questions that are asked in this section, the major ones being analytical reasoning and puzzles, and to prepare a strategy accordingly.

Key Strategies for CMAT Logical Reasoning Preparation

Develop Analytical Skills

Logical Reasoning demands an analytical brain and a sharp mind so you need to exercise your brain. Pay attention to detail and look for connections. A fun way to improve your overall analytical aptitude is to practice brain teasers like sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Understand Different Types of CMAT Logical Reasoning Questions

For CMAT 2026 preparation tips for logical reasoning, you need to understand the nature of the questions. Generally, the logical reasoning questions of CMAT require direct usage of concepts unlike most other major exams in which concepts have to be applied. Your strategy will change according to the type of question you are dealing with. These are the different types of questions that need to be covered -

1. Coding-Decoding :

These questions involve letter, number and symbol coding. Among other things, familiarize yourself with these basics -

Letter position (A=1, B=2, C=3, …… Y=25, Z=26)

Opposite position of letters (A=26, B=25 …… Z=1, Y=2)

Opposite of each letter (A is opposite to Z and B is opposite to Y and C is opposite to X …… and so on)

2. Syllogism :

This is a kind of logical argument in which two statements are used to prove that a third statement is true. Venn diagram is considered the most effective method of solving such questions. Besides, these are some basic rules for Syllogism that you should make a note of and also keep in mind.

• All+All equals All

• All+No equals No

• All+Some equals No Conclusion

• Some+All equals Some

• Some+No equals Some Not

• Some+Some equals No Conclusion

• The conclusion is only correct if it satisfies all possibilities

Example:

Only a few rabbits are tigers.

No tiger is monkey.

All monkeys are lions

Conclusions: I: Some lions are not tigers

Conclusions: II: All rabbits being tigers is not a possibility.

a. Only conclusion I follows

b. Only conclusion II follows

c. Either conclusion I or II follows

d. Both conclusions I and II follow

e. Neither conclusion I

To solve this the most effective way would be to create a Venn diagram to understand the relationship between the different variables. See the below diagram for this question. From this, it is clear that both these conclusions are possible, hence option d. is the right answer.

3. Visual Reasoning :

• This involves using graphical representation and images to solve problems.

• Some of the important chapters in this section are image and figure counting, cube and dice, Venn diagram, seating arrangement, direction and distance, etc.

• Visual Reasoning also has interpreting shapes and manipulating 2D and 3D shapes.

• Look closely at all the pictures one by one to figure out the common theme.

• You may be asked to identify shapes on a folded/unfolded paper. In such a question, pay attention to the distance between a shape and a fold in order to understand where it should be positioned on the unfolded paper.

• Also, look out for irregular shapes – their unusual features can help you figure out the orientation of cut-out shapes.

Example:

Find the odd one:

Option D is the right answer as the other figures have lines inside, while d only has curves inside.

4. Series Completion :

CMAT preparation tips for logical reasoning for the series completion part are as follows –

• Learn the squares of all the natural numbers from 1 to 25.

• Learn the cubes of all the natural numbers from 1 to 20.

• Determine if the series is increasing, decreasing, or alternating.

• Analyze the series by checking the difference – by dividing, by checking multiples etc. between the consecutive terms.

• Remember the EJOTY rule which helps in memorizing the number of a letter in the alphabet as E corresponds to 5th position, J corresponds to 10th position, O to 15th, T to 20th and Y to 25th position.

5. Logic-based Questions :

These can be asked in a number of ways. You need to read the question thoroughly. Think of all the possible solutions. Compare the answer obtained with other possibilities. Every question is unique and requires a specific approach.

6. Blood Relations :

• Understand common types of blood relationship questions, such as identifying relatives, determining ancestral lineage, and solving inheritance puzzles.

• Drawing a family tree makes things very easy.

• In the case of the family tree and conversation-based questions, use “Me” as the introducing person.

• Do not assume the gender of a person from their name.

• Be thorough with the fundamental relationships between all family members.

7. Number Grid :

• Determine the type of series, such as arithmetic, geometric, or mixed in order to identify the pattern.

• Look for consistent differences or ratios.

• Identify any mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, that are applied to the numbers.

• Determine if the series is increasing, decreasing, or alternating and find its rate.

• Understand the patterns of the rows and columns.

Example:

Rohit calls Arvind the son of the only brother of his father’s wife. What is the relation of Arvind with Rohit?

(1) Uncle

(2) Grandfather

(3) Grandson

(4) Cousin

Answer (4). Rohit’s father’s wife is Rohit’s mother, who has one brother (Rohit’s maternal uncle) and Arvind is Rohit’s maternal uncle’s son, which makes Rohit and Arvind cousins.

8. Strong/Weak Argument:

A strong argument is the one which is logical, practical and universally applicable whereas a weak argument is the one which is illogical, impractical and irrelevant. Generally, the questions are quite easy. For example,

Statement: Should those who indulge in ragging, despite the law prohibiting it, be punished?

Arguments:

I: Yes, those who violate the law, must be punished.

II: No, ragging has always been enjoyed by seniors and is not always traumatic for juniors.

Solution: In this case, statement I is correct. If something is prohibited by law, anyone who indulges in it should be punished otherwise there is no point in having laws which in turn would lead to anarchy. Statement II does not make sense. If the perpetrator of a crime enjoys committing a crime, it doesn’t mean he should be allowed to continue doing it. Besides, ragging may not be traumatic for everybody who experiences it, but it is so for many. And the law needs to protect such vulnerable people.

9. Venn Diagram

• Learn drawing and interpreting Venn diagrams.

• Draw a rectangle and label it, then draw circles for each data set.

• Make all the circles and overlapping areas large enough to write in.

• Unique characteristics are to be written in each circle and the shared ones in the overlapping areas.

• Don’t miss out on any characteristic or value.

10. Analogy

• Familiarize yourself with the nature of analogy questions, which generally involve identifying relationships between pairs of words or concepts.

• Practice solving problems involving verbal and non-verbal analogies, including logical, numerical, and spatial relationships.

• Learn techniques for recognizing different types of analogies, such as synonym analogies, antonym analogies, and part-whole analogies.

• Understand and practice common types of analogy questions, such as completing analogies, identifying missing elements, and finding the odd one out.

11. Odd one out

• Look for common themes, characteristics, or features that connect most of the items. The odd item may deviate from this common pattern.

• Pay attention to color, size, shape, number, or any other distinguishing characteristic. The one with a different value will be the odd one out.

• If the list contains items from different categories, check if any item does not fall into that category. Check for similarities.

• Such questions can be based on synonyms and antonyms. Here you need to be knowing the meanings of the different words.

12. Directions

• Understand the nature of such questions.

• Practice solving problems involving directions, distances, and spatial arrangements.

• Familiarize yourself with navigating directions, calculating distances, and solving problems involving movement in different directions.

• Learn how to find the shortest route, determine the direction of travel, and solve puzzles based on spatial clues.

Practice Logical Reasoning Regularly for CMAT 2026

• Regular practice is essential as part of CMAT 2026 preparation tips for logical reasoning as it gives you a reality check as well as a feel of the actual exam, besides being very useful for revision.

• In the beginning, your focus should be on chapter-wise/topic-wise practice.

• Get hold of all the types of questions that can be framed on a single topic and keep practicing them until you gain confidence.

• Move on to the next topic only after completing the first one.

• When you have covered all the topics, start practicing mixed questions.

• Get hold of CMAT previous years’ questions and sample/mock questions and keep practicing them. This will help you get the exact idea of what types and level of questions are asked.

Enhance Problem-Solving Techniques

• After thoroughly understanding the CMAT exam pattern and syllabus, and getting a good grip on the basics of the subject, gradually work on refining your problem-solving skills.

• This is important for identifying your strengths and weaknesses.

• Practice mock tests and CMAT previous year questions in order to enhance your problem-solving skills.

• Always do time-bound practice.

• Spend some time practicing tricks and shortcuts for tackling questions that have a lot of calculations. You cannot afford to waste time on lengthy calculations.

• Memorize tables, square roots, cube roots, etc as part of CMAT preparation tips for logical reasoning, which will also be useful for Quant.

Improve Time Management

• Proper time management is the key while preparing as well as while taking the exam.

• From day 1 of your practice, keep track of the time you are taking to solve each section and the different types of questions in each section.

• Some types of questions are time-consuming in their very nature and some specific ones may be time-consuming for you as you are weak in those areas. Work on them.

Tips and Tricks for CMAT Logical Reasoning

1. Understand the Question Patterns

Do a detailed analysis of the updated CMAT syllabus and the previous years’ questions in order to understand the patterns of the questions. We have discussed the ten types of questions above. Write down the given data and important points and solve the question accordingly.

2. Break Down Complex Problems

Break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts and then solve them systematically. This will help analyze the problem in more detail. Read all the instructions carefully and make a note of them as briefly as possible. Do not assume any information. It is important to understand the requirements of the question.

3. Use Diagrams and Visualizations

Depending on the type of question use diagrams, visualizations, tables, charts and symbols on the basis of the details provided. Read all the statements carefully and make the deductions.

4. Look for Patterns and Relationships

• Try to find similarities between items in a sequence.

• Determine if the series is increasing or decreasing.

• Recognize the pattern and check whether it works in both directions.

5. Follow the Elimination Method

Speed is crucial but do not be in such a hurry to answer that you ignore accuracy. More than one answer may be possible but you have to choose the better one. If you do not know the exact answer, try the process of elimination to narrow down your options. This is also known as lateral thinking and is a creative and indirect approach to problem solving.

6. Work Backwards

Sometimes the best way to test whether your logic is consistent is to check whether the pattern works backwards. This may not always be relevant, but generally looking at it backwards will just mean the pattern in reverse and if it works in reverse, it will help reveal that your pattern is logically correct.

7. Practice Mental Math Techniques

Mental math promotes logical reasoning and sharpens problem-solving skills. Master mental math multiplying, dividing, adding and subtracting, and rounding without pen and paper. It saves a lot of time. Try to get a grasp on Vedic Math in order to learn short tricks that will help you in logical reasoning.

8. Manage Your Time Effectively During the Exam

• It is important to manage your time effectively on the day of the CMAT exam.

• 100 questions are to be answered in 180 minutes which means 1.8 minutes for each question which you may not find enough if you do not have good practice.

• If a certain question is taking too long, leave it and move on to the next one. Come back to it at the end if you have time left.

CMAT 2026 Books and Other Resources for Logical Reasoning

CMAT preparation tips for logical reasoning wouldn’t be complete without discussing which books would be the best.

Best CMAT Logical Reasoning Books

CMAT Previous Year Question Papers

• Your logical reasoning preparation for CMAT exam is incomplete without practicing previous years’ questions as they provide you with valuable insight into the types of questions, the format and the difficulty level.

• It is equally important to realize how to solve these questions in order to optimize the gain from them.

• When you start your preparation of logical reasoning, go through the CMAT previous years’ questions in order to have an understanding of the paper.

• Then shift your preparation to individual topics/chapters and do topic-wise practice.

• Previous years’ questions are based on the entire syllabus. So, you are in a position to solve them only when you have studied the individual chapters.

• Don’t waste your time solving the questions based on topics you haven’t studied yet.

CMAT 2026 Preparation: Common Mistakes to Avoid

CMAT 2026 preparation tips for logical reasoning include knowing what to do and what not to do. There are some common mistakes that can crush your dream of getting into a good college through CMAT exam. Avoid these –

1. Not going through the revised syllabus.

2. Not understanding the pattern and difficulty level through previous years’ questions and mock tests.

3. Making no detailed study plan keeping in mind your strengths and weaknesses.

4. Not making concise notes which help in memorizing and revision.

5. Not reading all the instructions of the logical reasoning question properly and jumping to conclusions.

6. Assuming information in a logical reasoning question.

7. Not breaking down the available information in the form of Venn diagrams, tables, etc.

8. Not maintaining your time properly during preparation and during the exam.

CMAT Logical Reasoning Preparation: Best Books

CMAT 2026 Mock Tests PDF Free Download

Conclusion

The CMAT 2026 logical reasoning component is often simple to moderate. You may easily succeed at it if you properly grasp the many sorts of questions offered and frequently practice them, keeping track of time throughout. Try to improve your problem-solving abilities and analytical ability in general. Focus on all aspects of the CMAT test. It is normal to find some subjects tough at first, but with disciplined and careful study, you can easily get the necessary assistance from online platforms and question groups. Work on your weaknesses and acquire confidence in your ability to pass this test. It is essential to keep committed towards your preparation.

CMAT Preparation Resources by Careers360

Given below are the important CMAT resources curated by Careers360 for the all-around performance of the candidates.

Download Free CMAT Logical Reasoning MCQs for Practice

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• Best books for CMAT 2026 preparation

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