The first CMAT 2016 to be convened in January 2016 with be a yearly event and will be the last CMAT of the calendar year 2016. The scores of CMAT 2016 January exam will remain valid for the academic session 2016-17. The CMAT aspirants from now on will not have the opportunity to improve their scores in next exam as was available when 2 half yearly CMAT exams were conducted by AICTE in one academic year.
The yearly Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) commencing January 2016 will need greater focus and concerted study schedule as the next opportunity to appear in CMAT will click in January 2017. With no scope to improve your score after CMAT 2016 in January for same academic session, you need to cover the entire syllabus, understand the exam pattern and have to score high to get admission in a good MBA/PGDM programme.
CMAT which was conducted twice a year in September and February for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes in same academic session will be held on yearly basis. The opportunity to use better of the two scores stands withdrawn now. The first CMAT with be the last CMAT for the same academic year.
Thirteen states have been accepting CMAT scores as the only gateway to MBA admissions under the government quota, instead of the State-administered Post graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET). The states which are going to accept CMAT 2016 scores are: Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh
CMAT 2016: Opportunity after CAT/XAT
It is also an opportunity for all those who remain dissatisfied with their CAT 2015 or XAT 2016 results as CMAT 2016 in January will give a chance to improve their scores and get admission call from leading B schools.
CMAT 2016 scores will be accepted by more than 400 management institutes. You could get admission to any of the top rated 20 B schools, if you are able to score high in CMAT 2016.
Begin to Cover the CMAT Syllabus; exam in January 2016
Although CMAT 2016 syllabus cannot be rigidly defined, we may concentrate on various topics that have higher weightage in the exam and practice on important topics
Language Comprehension
CMAT defines its Verbal Ability section as Language Comprehension. It covers comprehensive English test which includes the test of grammar, tenses, vocabulary, jumbled paragraphs and reading comprehension. Key topics from which you may expect questions are - usage of Articles, Non-finites, dangling modifiers, Nouns, Pronouns (Especially relative Pronouns), adjectives, adverbs, prepositions –regular and followed, verbs, Syntax, Subject-verb Agreement, Simple, continuous, Perfect tenses and Conditional-unreal past.
Questions based on Vocabulary could be any of the following types. Inserting the correct pair of words to fill in the blanks -Two Blanks are given in a sentence followed by four options of pairs of words, correct option has to be picked out. Marking the correct choice of similar sounding and confusing words; picking out the correct words left out in a paragraph; Synonyms-Antonyms -Explaining the Words; analogy words; one word substitution.
Jumbled Paragraphs – CMAT like CAT and XAT puts the candidate to test for the coherent and systematic understanding of ideas. The candidate is expected to arrange all the sentences in logical & sequential order. In another words it is the test of the student’s versatile reading, understanding of language, writing ability based on deep stock of vocabulary, grammar and correct use of tenses.
While solving them you should search for connectors to sentences e.g. conjunctions, personal ( He/she/it/they/their etc), relative (Who,whose, that,which etc.), Demonstrative (These, those, this, that etc.) pronouns as they indicate that they must have been used in place of some noun-proper/common etc. So find the link between the sentences.
A few paragraphs have time factors in it-indicating that the events mentioned for the earlier time should come first and could help you to put them in chronological order
English comprehension passages – Unlike CAT, CMAT gives you shorter and not too difficult passages. Although this can be a respite to some extent, there is no fix rule on framing the questions based on Reading comprehension passage, which is followed by at least four-five questions each. Questions could be any of following types- ; Questions based on inference drawn; Questions based on the Central idea of the passage; Questions based on phrases, idioms; Questions based on expression in the passage.
Quantitative aptitude & Data interpretation
Questions in this section are usually single and are not based on sets. While topics like table and pie chart in data interpretation section will require basic calculation skills, the topics from which most of the questions appear in quant are arithmetic (ratios, mixtures, work, averages, profit & loss, basic statistics etc), number properties, probability and counting principles with one or two odd questions in geometry and derivatives (i.e. maxima –minima).
Logical Reasoning
The section is a mix of the topics from arrangements like linear, seating, sequencing & arranging with conditions to coding. The other questions are based on statement-conclusion, logical puzzle, numerical puzzle, Venn Diagram, true/false statements, visual reasoning. The basic preparatory tip for LR is to attempt as many practice exercises as possible. They can be solved with basic human logical instinct.
General awareness
This section may have questions from any topic under the Sun. But for the quick revision purpose it can be divided in three parts and each part has to be given due weightage. Conventional GK-available in books; Current GK- based on current reading of newspapers and periodicals; Business & Economics GK -for example changes in Fiscal and monetary policy, CRR, Repo Rate, Devaluation and up valuation of Rupee. Please remember current GK-whether Business, national and international has an on-going preparation method and thorough reading of the newspaper only can keep you updated.
Importance of CMAT 2016
CMAT is the second largest MBA/PGDM entrance test after CAT. Around 100,000 MBA aspirants are expected to register for forthcoming CMAT 2016. Many top rated B schools that accept CAT/XAT scores also accept CMAT scores. High score in CMAT will offer participants ample scope to get admitted into one of the leading B schools in the country. Besides, if you intend to take admissions into MBA programs falling under State Universities CMAT is the solution.
CMAT awards raw scores out of maximum 400 marks along with the percentile. If you can score anywhere from 175 to 275, you may get admission to one of the good management institutes.
AICTE will shortly be publishing detailed notification to convene CMAT 2016 in January. The registration window for CMAT 2016 is expected to open in November 2015.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on AICTE-CMAT 2016
