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CMAT exam is one of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a three-hour aptitude exam to choose suitable students for admission to management programmes of different colleges.
In an exclusive CMAT topper interview of MBAxTalks with Careers360 in which we talked to Vaibhav Awati, who is a CMAT topper. He is currently studying MBA from Sydenham Institute of Management Studies. He got an AIR 14 and scored 99.97 percentile in CMAT. He talks about his CMAT preparation journey, CMAT mock test strategy, Life at Sydenham College. 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.
Vaibhav - I am a mechanical engineer from Pune University. I graduated in 2020 and post-graduation, I worked with a mechanical German multinational company. I was there for almost one year. Then, I left my job to prepare for MBA exams. In 2023, I cleared the CMAT and now I'm a student at Sydenham. I am also doing my summer internship at ICICI Bank.
Check out | CMAT College Predictor
Careers360 - Apart from CMAT, what other MBA entrance exams did you give?
Vaibhav - I prepared for TISS, then I wrote CET, CMAT and CAT and even SNAP.
Careers360 - What were your scores in these three exams?
Vaibhav - I wrote CMAT. In CMAT, last year, I was All India Rank 1367. CET, I wrote 99 percentile something. and later next to the exam was CMAT which was AIR 14.
Careers360 - what do you think you did differently the second time that you had such a great score?
Vaibhav - I think GK section is a game-changer because all the other sections like Quantitative aptitude, Logical reasoning and Verbal Ability are common in most of the entrance exams.
Check out | CMAT score vs percentile
Also Read | CMAT eligibility criteria
Careers360 -Many students find the Quants section challenging. Do you have any specific tips for those struggling in this area?
Vaibhav - Quants was actually my favourite subject, perhaps because of my engineering background. My advice is to start with the basics. Solve at least 100 questions initially. If you're still struggling, it usually means your basic concepts aren't clear. Clarify your concepts first, then practise more. The more you practise, the clearer your concepts will become, making it easier to tackle any question.
Check out preparation resources for CMAT 2024
Careers360 - When did you start taking mock exams in preparation for the CMAT?
Vaibhav - I took about seven to eight mocks, mostly in March and April, just a couple of months before the exam. As I mentioned, I prepared thoroughly during this period.
Careers360 - Did you have a particular strategy for attempting the CMAT?
Vaibhav - CMAT gives you 180 minutes without a strict order for answering sections, so you can choose based on your comfort. I preferred starting with GK, as it was my strength, followed by innovation entrepreneurship, then English, logic, and finally the rest. This was the order I found most effective for me.
Check out | CMAT Preparation Tips
Careers360 - When preparing for CMAT, especially since you took the exam twice, what specific advice would you give for each section to students preparing this year?
Vaibhav - CMAT requires comprehensive preparation. Unlike CAT or CET, where you might skip certain topics, CMAT tends to cover everything. For instance, in Quants, expect a question from each main topic like averages and percentages. The questions aren't deeply complex, so you should understand the basics well enough to answer easy to moderate questions. Focus on ensuring you can handle level 1 and level 2 questions across all topics.
Full version of CMAT Topper’s Interview: Check out this video to watch the complete conversation: Tips to crack CMAT 2024 in 1st attempt by AIR 14 ft. Vaibhav
Also, watch
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:
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:
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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