CMAT Topper Interview: AIR 11 Shares an All-in-One Guide to Crack CMAT 2024

CMAT Topper Interview: AIR 11 Shares an All-in-One Guide to Crack CMAT 2024

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 26, 2024 10:10 AM IST | #CMAT

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.

CMAT Topper Interview: AIR 11 Shares an All-in-One Guide to Crack CMAT 2024
CMAT Topper Interview: AIR 11 Shares an All-in-One Guide to Crack CMAT 2024

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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Questions related to CMAT

Have a question related to CMAT ?

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!!

Hello student,

With a CMAT score of 70 percentile in the EWS category and being a Madhya Pradesh (MP) domicile, you may have a chance of getting into some Institutes of Management Studies (IMS) in MP, though admission can be competitive. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Previous Year Cutoffs:

  • Generally, IMS have varying cutoffs based on the course and the number of applicants. Check the previous year's cutoffs for the specific IMS you're targeting, as this will give you a clearer picture of your chances.

    2. EWS Category:

  • Being in the EWS category may provide you with some advantage in terms of lower cutoff requirements in certain institutes, which could enhance your chances of admission.

    3. Counseling Process:

  • Keep an eye on the counseling process and any updates regarding seat allocations. Some IMS might have management quota seats that could also be an option.

    4. Other Admission Criteria:

  • Besides CMAT scores, some institutes may consider other factors like academic performance, work experience, and group discussions/interviews.

    Recommendations:

  • Apply to Multiple Colleges : Don’t limit yourself to just one or two IMS; consider applying to several to increase your chances.

  • Stay Updated : Regularly check the official websites of the IMS for any announcements regarding admissions and counseling schedules.

In summary, while admission with a 70 percentile CMAT score can be competitive, your chances can improve due to your EWS category and MP domicile status.

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.


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