Shivam got AIR 11 in CMAT and scored 99.97%tile in MAH MBA CET. He studied MBA from JBIMS Mumbai. In an exclusive interview with Careers360, He talks about how he managed his preparation along with office, life at JBIMS, and much more. He shares his strategy and tips to crack CMAT and MAH MBA CET. This article offers excerpts from the interview, Watch the complete conversation by clicking the YouTube link given below.
Careers360 - Tell us a little bit about yourself and your profile.
Shivam - My name is Shivam and I have completed my MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj. Before that, I studied BSc in statistics at Fergusson College in Pune. I am currently an associate manager at Adani Enterprises. I had an AIR 11th in CMAT and an AIR 23 in MAH MBA CET.
Careers360 - Which MBA entrance exams did you give?
Shivam - I gave MAH MBA CET, CMAT, and also a few other MBA entrance exams like ATMA and MAT.
Check out | CMAT score vs percentile
Also Read | CMAT eligibility criteria
Careers360 - What was the difference that you found between MAH MBA CET and CMAT when you were preparing?
Shivam - CET is a speed-based exam. In CET, you have to be on your feet always, you will get at max one minute or 1.5 minutes for a question. You have to answer 200 questions in 150 minutes. If you are targeting a top college through MAH MBA CET then you would need to score around 125 marks. On the other hand, CMAT has a vast syllabus but there is much less time pressure as it is for three hours.
Careers360 -What are some important topics for CMAT?
Shivam - In Quantitative Aptitude, You can focus on Arthematic and Algebra or Geometry if that is your strong area. In logical reasoning, there are topics like clocks, calendars, input, output, and coding. You should prepare these topics thoroughly. You can also check the YouTube channels for studying. For English, I started reading newspapers and I used to read the Indian Express and the Hindu. In innovation and Entrepreneurship, studying material and notes from any coaching institute would be more than enough.
Check out preparation resources for CMAT 2024
Careers360 - When did you start giving mocks?
Shivam - I started giving mocks on the first day of my preparation. I used to give a mock every 15 days in the initial months of my preparation. As the exam got near I increased the frequency of the mocks. I must have given around 20-25 mocks in total.
Careers360 - What advice would you give to working professionals who are preparing for CMAT?
Shivam - if you are a working professional, then utilise office timings for studies as well. Whenever you get free time in your office then you should try to revise. You can also utilise the early morning time for preparation.
Check out | CMAT College Predictor
Careers360 - How important do you think networking is during your MBA?
Shivam - Networking is one of the most important activities in a B-school. You should build a professional network of your senior and junior. Your network helps you after your MBA is done. Most of your batch-mates would be working in big companies, they can help you with a job switch or when you want to start something of your own. So, you should interact with as many people as possible when you are in a B-school.
Careers360 - What advice would you give to people who are appearing for CMAT this year?
Shivam - Set a realistic expectations for yourself. Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Know where you stand in terms of the competition and focus on your strengths.
Check out | CMAT Preparation Tips
Full version of CMAT Topper’s Interview: Check out this video to watch the complete conversation: Shivam shares tips to crack #CMAT2024
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On Question asked by student community
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:
Qualification : You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised university.
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.
Nationality : You must be an Indian citizen .
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 !
hi,
If you want to join the MCA program at LD College of Engineering (LDCE) in Ahmedabad and have given the CMAT 2025 exam, here’s what you should know. The admission mainly depends on your CMAT score and the rank you get after the score is converted for Gujarat’s ACPC counseling.
Last year, the closing rank for general category students at LDCE for MCA was around 20,000 in the counseling rounds. So, if your CMAT score gives you a rank close to or better than that, you have a good chance of getting in.
Keep in mind that the exact cutoff changes every year depending on how many students apply and how they perform. Also, if you belong to any reserved category, the cutoff might be a bit lower.
Hello! The interview for DMI College Patna through CMAT usually starts after the exam results are out. For 2025 admissions, the last date to apply was April 30, 2025. The exact interview dates are not announced yet. You will get a call, email, or message from the college with the schedule. Please keep checking your email and phone. For more info, visit the official DMI website or contact their admission office.
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