CMAT Pattern

CMAT exam will be of 180 minutes duration with four sections which are Quantitative techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension and General Awareness.

Sections	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Quantitative techniques & Data Interpretation	25	100
Logical Reasoning	25	100
Language Comprehension	25	100
General Awareness	25	100

There are four marks for each correct answer and negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer.

CMAT 2012 Analysis
As per the exam pattern is concerned, it was on the easier lines and followed the pattern that was revealed by AICTE. The questions tested the basic knowledge of the test takers. The difficulty level of the paper was easy. To be precise, it was easier than CAT or XAT, but difficult than MAT.

The Quant & DI, English and Logical Reasoning questions were on easier lines. However, some questions were reported to be wrong and with ambiguous language. The GK section was tough, however, for candidates who have been reading newspapers regularly, it would not have been difficult to answer the questions.

The Quantitative Ability section had maximum questions based on Arithmetic such as ratios, mixtures , work, averages, profit & loss, basic statistics etc. Other prominent topics included Number properties, Probability and Counting principles. Question on Geometry and Derivatives (Maxima –Minima) were also there.

Questions in Data Interpretation came from Table and pie-chart and were easily doable, involving simple calculations. This section did not have any set based questions, which is a unique feature compared to the section in other MBA entrance exams.

The Logical Reasoning section was a mix of Analytical and Verbal Reasoning. The Analytical Reasoning section had questions on arrangement, coding-decoding, series, visual reasoning etc. The major topics covered included Arrangements (i.e. Linear, Seating, Sequencing, Arranging with Conditions) and Coding, with other questions based on Statement-Conclusion, Logical Puzzle, Numerical Puzzle, Venn Diagram, True/False statements, Visual Reasoning etc.

The Language Comprehension section did not have any question on Reading Comprehension. The question types included Sentence Completion, Synonym-Antonym, fill in the blanks, Grammar, Verbal and Critical Reasoning.

The General Awareness section was a mix of current affairs and static GK. Most of the questions were on current affairs, science, biology, political history, political geography and arts and letters. This section would be easy for those who have been regularly keeping himself updated with the current affairs.

CMAT Eligibility
Candidates interested in taking CMAT should be graduates in any disciplines from a recognized university. Students in their final year of graduation can also apply.

Application Process
Candidates can register online for the exam at www.aicte-cmat.in. The registration fees is Rs. 1200. The mode of payment are Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card (through www.aicte-cmat.in) OR by cash payment, through the challan generated online by the candidate. The cash can be deposited in any branch of State Bank of India.

CMAT 2012 Important Dates
The CMAT 2013 exam for September was announced by AICTE on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The exam will be held in a window of five days, from Thursday, September 27, 2012 to Monday, October 1, 2012. The application process starts from Friday, August 3, 2012 to Sunday, September 2, 2012. Initially, the last date of CMAT 2012 application was Monday, January 9, 2012, from which it was extended till January 22. AICTE Chairperson Dr. S S Mantha has mentioned that AICTE is planning to host CMAT twice a year in order to give more scope to the MBA aspirants.

Participating Institutes
According to AICTE, any B-School which are approved by AICTE can accept the CMAT scores. However, many top B-schools did not accept CMAT scores in 2012. More than 3000 B-schools accepted CMAT 2012 scores for admission in 2012-14 batch. Some of the top B-schools include Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, Goa Institute of Management, We School Mumbai and Bangalore, IFIM Business School Bangalore, Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida, Lucknow & Jaipur, Asia Pacific Institute of Management Delhi, ITM Navi Mumbai and Bangalore to name a few.