Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    How to prepare for GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT

    How to prepare for GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT

    Team Careers360Updated on 13 Jan 2026, 12:08 PM IST

    General Knowledge can be one of the most unpredictable yet scoring areas in MBA entrance exams, especially when you are unsure what to study and what to skip. XAT, CMAT 2027 is expected to be conducted in January 2027 making this the right time to build a focused GK strategy instead of trying to cover everything at the last moment. From current affairs and business news to static GK, knowing the right topics and preparation approach can make this section far more manageable for XAT, IIFT, CMAT.

    This Story also Contains

    1. Weightage of GK in MBA Entrance Exam
    2. Important Areas for GK Preparation
    3. How to Ace the GK Section in the CMAT 2027 Exam?
    4. Expert Suggested GK Books for MBA Entrance Exam
    5. Best Tips to Maximise Marks in GK Section of MBA Entrance Exam
    6. How to Prepare for GK Section of CMAT 2027, IIFT and XAT 2027?
    7. CMAT 2027 vs XAT 2027 GK: Key Differences You Must Know
    8. Best Books and Study Material for CMAT and XAT GK Preparation
    9. Best Newspapers and Online Sources for GK Preparation
    10. Daily GK Preparation Strategy for CMAT 2027 and XAT 2027
    11. 3-Month GK Preparation Plan for CMAT and XAT
    12. 30-Day GK Revision Strategy Before the Exam
    13. Best Resources to Master GK Section of CMAT, IIFT and XAT
    How to prepare for GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT
    How to prepare for GK section

    Weightage of GK in MBA Entrance Exam

    The entrance exam to the International Institute of Foreign Trade, also CMAT and XAT asks at least 15-25 questions in the test.

    ExamNumber of GK Questions
    CMAT20-25
    IIFT15-18
    XAT20 (12 Current Affairs and 8 questions from static GK)

    Important Areas for GK Preparation

    Since the general knowledge section is very wide as huge as an ocean, candidates can strategise their planning by covering the following topics:

    • Current Affairs & Social Issues
    • Business & Economics - Fiscal and Monetary policy changes
    • UNO - Wings, HQs, Agencies, Abbreviations
    • International Current Affairs & Events
    • Global Summits
    • Countries - Capital, Prominent development, Currency
    • Constitution of India and recent amendments
    • Latest Who’s is who
    • Awards, National, Honours, International days
    • Geography, History, and General Science
    • Company logo identification
    • Books, Authors
    Amity University-Noida MBA Admissions 2026

    Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.

    UPES MBA Admissions 2026

    Last Date to Apply: 31st July | Ranked #36 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement

    How to Ace the GK Section in the CMAT 2027 Exam?

    To ace the GK section in the CMAT 2027 exam, aspirants must follow a well-planned, analytical approach rather than relying on memorisation alone.

    Plan GK Preparation Around Core Categories

    Divide GK preparation into three major areas: static GK, current affairs, and business awareness. Current affairs should focus on the last 12 months.

    Use a Monthly Current Affairs–Revision Model

    Study current affairs daily and revise them at the end of each month. Maintaining month-wise notes helps track information systematically.

    Focus on Smart Revision, Practice, and Analysis

    Create concise revision notes with facts such as dates, numbers, rankings, and organisations. Practise GK questions and analyse mock tests regularly.

    Expert Suggested GK Books for MBA Entrance Exam

    Expert-suggested GK books for MBA entrance exams focus on building strong fundamentals in current affairs, static GK, and business awareness.

    Book NameAuthor
    Lucent’s General KnowledgeDr. Binay Karna
    Manorama YearbookMammen Mathew (Editor)
    General KnowledgeArihant Experts
    India Year BookPublications Division, Govt. of India
    Competition Success ReviewPratiyogita Darpan Group
    Past 10 years CAT Question Papers with Solutions
    Ace CAT with confidence! Download the Past 10 Years' CAT Question Papers with detailed answers to understand exam trends, improve accuracy, and maximize your percentile.
    Download Ebook

    Best Tips to Maximise Marks in GK Section of MBA Entrance Exam

    Here are some tips which would help the candidates to ace the General Knowledge section in the above-mentioned exams:

    Division of Areas

    GK is broadly divided into two sections, that is, Static GK and Current Affairs. Current affairs include Business & Economy, International Affairs, Government plans and schemes, Awards, and Honours.

    Be Well Versed with Current Affairs on a Daily Basis

    Candidates must practice current affairs questions on a daily basis to stay updated. Making notes from the daily newspaper is one of the best ways to prepare.

    Business & Economy Questions for GK Section of IIFT, CMAT, and XAT

    Business & Economy questions cover economic policies, changes in Corporate and industry, latest business news, Business awards & honors, and company logos.

    International Affairs for IIFT

    Some questions in the GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT are asked from prominent international events. Candidates can study from prominent international news sites.

    Take Mock Tests and Online Quiz for GK

    Candidates should practice mock tests based on the General Knowledge section regularly. This will help them analyse how well they have prepared for the entrance test.

    Create Multiple Questions from a Single Question

    Candidates should create as many extra questions as they can from a particular question so that more knowledge could be gained on that topic.

    Quick Revision at the End of the Day

    To retain a particular thing in memory for a long time, it is essential to revise again and again. Candidates should revise their notes at the end of every day.

    How to Prepare for GK Section of CMAT 2027, IIFT and XAT 2027?

    GK preparation for MBA entrance exams should combine current affairs, static GK, business awareness, and regular practice. Candidates can follow these steps:

    • Read current affairs daily and prepare short notes.

    • Cover important static GK topics such as history, geography, polity, and science.

    • Focus on business, economy, awards, appointments, and international events.

    • Solve previous-year GK questions to understand important topics.

    • Attempt GK quizzes and mock tests regularly.

    • Revise weekly and monthly to improve retention.

    IBSAT 2026-ICFAI Business School MBA/PGPM 2027

    NAAC A++ Grade | AACSB Accredited | 75,000+ Alumni

    XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2027

    75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools

    CMAT 2027 vs XAT 2027 GK: Key Differences You Must Know

    Although both CMAT and XAT test General Knowledge, the type and importance of GK questions can differ.

    ParticularsCMAT 2027XAT 2027
    Major AreasStatic GK and Current AffairsStatic GK and Current Affairs
    Key FocusGeneral awareness, business, economy, history, polityBusiness, economy, national and international affairs
    Preparation ApproachBroad topic coverageCurrent affairs with strong static GK
    PracticePrevious papers and GK quizzesPrevious XAT GK questions and quizzes

    Best Books and Study Material for CMAT and XAT GK Preparation

    Candidates should use a combination of standard GK books and current affairs resources rather than depending on a single source.

    ResourceBest For
    Lucent’s General KnowledgeStatic GK
    Manorama YearbookCurrent events and general awareness
    India Year BookGovernment schemes and national developments
    NewspapersDaily current affairs
    Previous-Year PapersUnderstanding exam-level GK questions
    Mock Tests and QuizzesPractice and revision

    Best Newspapers and Online Sources for GK Preparation

    Candidates do not need to read every newspaper from beginning to end. Focus mainly on exam-relevant national, international, business, economic, and government news.

    • The Hindu: National and international current affairs

    • The Indian Express: Government policies and major developments

    • The Economic Times: Business and economy

    • Monthly Current Affairs: Revision of important events

    • Online GK Quizzes: Daily practice and recall

    Daily GK Preparation Strategy for CMAT 2027 and XAT 2027

    A daily GK routine of around 45–60 minutes can help candidates cover current affairs and static GK consistently.

    ActivitySuggested Time
    Read Current Affairs15–20 Minutes
    Study Static GK15 Minutes
    Prepare/Revise Notes10 Minutes
    Attempt GK Quiz10–15 Minutes

    3-Month GK Preparation Plan for CMAT and XAT

    Instead of covering everything at once, divide the preparation into three clear phases.

    MonthPreparation Focus
    Month 1Build Static GK basics and cover important current affairs
    Month 2Focus on business, economy, international affairs and topic-wise questions
    Month 3Revise notes, solve previous-year questions and attempt GK mock tests

    Candidates should continue revising previous months' current affairs throughout all three phases.

    30-Day GK Revision Strategy Before the Exam

    The final month should focus more on revision and question practice than learning too many new topics.

    DaysWhat to Do
    Days 1–10Revise important current affairs and static GK
    Days 11–20Solve previous-year questions and topic-wise quizzes
    Days 21–25Attempt GK mock tests and identify weak areas
    Days 26–30Revise short notes, important facts, awards, appointments and major events

    During the last few days, avoid collecting too many new resources and concentrate on revising what you have already studied.

    Best Resources to Master GK Section of CMAT, IIFT and XAT

    To master the GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT, focus on monthly current affairs magazines, reliable newspapers, static GK books, and yearbooks.

    CMAT Previous Years Question Paper

    Going through previous years’ CMAT question papers helps you understand the actual exam format, section-wise weightage, and difficulty level.


    CMAT Previous Year’s Question Papers


    Download Link

    CMAT 2024 Slot 1 Question Paper

    Download Now

    CMAT 2024 Slot 2 Question Paper

    Download Now

    CMAT 2023 Question Paper

    Download Now

    CMAT 2022 Question Paper with Answers

    Download Now

    CMAT 2021 Slot 1 Question Paper with Answers

    Download Now

    CMAT 2021 Slot 2 Question Paper with Answers

    Download Now

    CMAT 2020 Question Paper with Answers

    Download Now

    CMAT Sample Paper

    CMAT sample papers are designed as model tests that mirror the latest exam syllabus and structure. They help aspirants practise a wide range of questions without exam pressure.
    CMAT 2027 Sample Paper: Download Now

    CMAT Mock Test

    CMAT mock tests simulate the exact exam environment, including timer, difficulty level, and section order. They play a crucial role in improving speed, accuracy, and test-taking strategy.

    CMAT Mock Test

    Attempt Now

    Also download this:

    CMAT 2026: 10 Free Mock Tests PDF with Detailed SolutionDownload Now

    CMAT Practice Sets

    CMAT practice sets focus on topic-wise and sectional practice for systematic preparation. They allow aspirants to master individual concepts through repetitive problem-solving.

    CMAT 2027 Practice Paper: Download Now

    CMAT Ebooks 2027

    CMAT Ebooks 2027 offer structured, syllabus-aligned content that simplifies complex concepts across all sections. They provide detailed explanations, solved examples, and practice questions for self-paced learning.

    CMAT 2027: Innovation and Entrepreneurship: All Chapters with Sample Questions, with Syllabus PDFDownload Now
    CMAT 2027 Language Comprehension Questions with Solutions PDFDownload Now
    CMAT 2027 General Awareness Questions with Answers PDFDownload Now
    CMAT Logical Reasoning Questions with Answers PDFDownload Now
    CMAT 2027 Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Questions Answers PDFDownload Now
    CMAT 2027: Mastering All Sections with 1000+ Expertly Crafted Questions and Detailed AnswersDownload Now
    Ultimate CMAT 2027 MCQs Guide: Master the Exam with Section-wise Practice QuestionsDownload Now
    CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis and Memory Based QuestionsDownload Now

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What percentage of the XAT, CMAT, and IIFT are General Knowledge (GK) tests that are used to determine access to MBA programs?
    A:

    There are 15–25 questions covering both static GK and current events in the GK component of the IIFT, CMAT, and XAT examinations.

    Q: Which books are the best for getting ready for the GK portion of the MBA entrance exam?
    A:

    For GK preparation, toppers advise reading publications like The Economist, Business Standard, Economic Times, and Manorama Year Book.

    Q: How should I divide the areas for preparing GK in MBA entrance exams?
    A:

    GK can be divided into Static GK (e.g., countries, capitals, currencies) and Current Affairs (e.g., business & economy, international events, government schemes).

    Q: How to stay updated on Current Affairs for XAT, CMAT, and IIFT?
    A:

    Read national newspapers daily like The Hindu, follow news websites, and make notes of important events. Watching Doordarshan for government policy updates is also recommended.

    Q: What topics should I study for the GK section?
    A:

    You should cover static GK such as history, geography, polity, science, and culture, along with current affairs from the past 8–12 months. Business awareness, government schemes, economic policies, awards, sports, and international events are especially important for IIFT and XAT.

    Q: How often should I study GK to score well?
    A:

    GK should be studied daily in short but consistent sessions of 30–45 minutes. Daily reading helps you stay updated, while weekly and monthly revisions ensure long-term retention of facts.

    Q: Which sources are most reliable for GK preparation?
    A:

    A combination of standard GK books, a national newspaper, monthly current affairs magazines, and online quizzes works best. Using limited but reliable sources prevents information overload and improves accuracy.

    Q: Is the GK preparation strategy the same for CMAT, IIFT, and XAT?
    A:

    The foundation remains the same, but the focus varies. CMAT emphasises general awareness, IIFT focuses more on business and economic news, while XAT includes deeper static GK and decision-related awareness.

    Articles
    |
    Upcoming Bschool Exams
    Certifications By Top Providers
    Online MBA
    Via Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar
    Corporate Tax Planning
    Via Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata
    Strategic Management
    Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Online MBA Business Analytics
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
    Digital Marketing
    Via Panjab University, Chandigarh
    Online MBA
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe

    Questions related to CAT

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to CAT ?

    Hello Dear Student,
    An SC rank of 82 in a Common Entrance Test (CET) is highly competitive and typically guarantees admission into top-tier state universities, central universities, or highly-ranked private institutions. Whether a specific seat is currently available depends directly on the exact university's counselling schedule. Many institutes require you

    If by OC you mean Open Category/General category in India, and you have 95%+ throughout your academics (Class 10, Class 12, and graduation) , then your CAT percentile target depends on the B-schools you're aiming for.

    Here's a general guideline:

    Target B-school Safe CAT Percentile (General Category)
    Indian Institute of

    Hello Dear Student,

    Low-Tier IIIT CSE vs Jadavpur University B.Arch (for MBA Aspirants)

    If your primary goal is to pursue an MBA later, switching from CSE at a lower-tier IIIT to B.Arch at Jadavpur University solely for academic diversity is generally not the best strategy.

    B.Arch and MBA Preparation

    • B.Arch

    Hello Dear Student,

    EWS eligibility for CAT 2025-26 hinges on current financial records, but a renewed certificate is required for final IIM admissions. If future income exceeds the 8 lakh threshold, candidates will likely lose EWS status and be reclassified to the General category rather than facing seat cancellation.

    Hope

    Hello Dear Student,

    If your Class 12 marksheet shows "Passed" overall and you are currently pursuing BCA, then you should generally be eligible for CAT, CUET PG, and NIMCET.

    • CAT: Eligibility is based on your bachelor's degree. A Class 12 RT in Maths usually does not affect CAT eligibility.
    • CUET