CMAT Exam Date:25 Jan' 26 - 25 Jan' 26
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
Also, watch
On Question asked by student community
Hello
You have scored 92 percentile in CMAT, which is a good score, and you have a higher chance of getting admission into a good college. But, if you're targeting only SVNIT Surat, then it's quite tough because SVNIT usually looks for a higher score for the PG course, like MBA. You should focus on the other top colleges.
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cmat-cutoff
I hope this information helps you.
Thank you
Hello,
The link to the website of careers360, where the preferred colleges and percentiles are mentioned, is attached herewith. You can also get the details of colleges.
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/mba-colleges-accepting-80-90-percentile-in-cmat-exam
Thank you.
Hello
With an 80 percentile in CMAT, you can get admission in decent Tier-2 MBA colleges.
Good options include Jaipuria Institute, IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, SDMIMD Mysore, and XIME.
Top IIMs are not possible, but these colleges offer reasonable placements and exposure.
Click on the link below to get access to all the information.
Hello,
For a postgraduate management course (MBA/PGDM) at L.D. College, you will likely need to give the CMAT exam. As a final-year BCA student, you are eligible to appear for the exam. The registration for CMAT 2026 has already begun, and you must apply before the deadline to be eligible for the entrance test.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello,
Yes, you will likely need to pass CMAT 2026 to be eligible for an MCA at LD College, as it is a common entrance exam for MCA programs. To be eligible for CMAT, you must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline or be in your final year of graduation. For admission to the MCA program itself, you'll need a passing score on CMAT (the exact cutoff is determined by the college) and meet the college's specific requirements, which often include a bachelor's degree and minimum passing marks of 50% (45% for reserved categories).
I hope it will clear your query!!
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