CMAT 2026 Last Minute Tips: Score 99+ Percentile with these 10 Topper Strategies!

Table of Content

1. CMAT Exam Pattern: Develop Section-wise Time Allocation Plan
2. Follow "80-80 Accuracy Rule": Your Strategic Blueprint for 99+ Percentile
3. CMAT 2026 Last Minute Tips: Prepare for Expected Questions in Language Comprehension
4. CMAT 2026 Last Minute Tips: Prepare for Expected Questions in Quantitative Section
5. CMAT 2026 Logical Reasoning: Master the Analytical & Verbal Mix
6. CMAT General Knowledge Section: Ultimate Time Saver!  
7. Follow CMAT 2026 Last Minute Revision Strategy To Refresh Concepts
8. Time to Focus Only on Strengths, Ignore Weaknesses
9. Follow CMAT Exam Guidelines – Create Check List 

1. CMAT Exam Pattern: Develop Section-wise Time Allocation Plan
To score a 99+ percentile, you must look beyond the obvious. The CMAT 2026 exam pattern is a balanced marathon of 100 questions, but the "time-to-mark" ratio for toppers varies drastically across its five sections. CMAT exam pattern is divided into five sections: Quantitative Technique, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. While the number of questions is same in each section, toppers divide their time across these sections very smartly. They allocate less time to easy sections like General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship and save time for relatively tougher Quant, Language and LR section. Check topper’s CMAT exam time allocation strategy in the table below. You can adjust it to suit your sectional strengths and weaknesses.

Table 1: CMAT Exam Pattern: Section-wise Time Allocation Plan

Remember that CMAT marking scheme is +4 marks for each correct answer. For each wrong answer CMAT 2026 marking scheme gives penalty of -1 negative mark. So, accuracy is every important.

2. Follow "80-80 Accuracy Rule": Your Strategic Blueprint for 99+ Percentile
The biggest mistake CMAT aspirants make is treating the CMAT exam like a speed test for full marks. In reality, CMAT exam is a high accuracy good attempts marathon. The "80-80 Rule" is designed to keep you in the safe zone for top CMAT colleges like JBIMS and SIMSREE.

What is the 80-80 Rule?

• 80 Attempts: Target exactly 80 out of 100 questions.
• 80% Accuracy (Minimum): Ensure at least 64 of those 80 questions are 100% correct.

Based on the 2025 CMAT score-to-percentile data, a score of 300–310 is the golden threshold. Let’s look at how the 80-80 Rule gets you there:

Based on previous year’s papers, CMAT 2026 Score Vs Percentile (expected) are as follow.

Why "Chasing 100" is a Death Sentence

1. The -1 Penalty “Bleed”: In CMAT, every wrong answer doesn't just lose you 1 mark; it robs you of the 5 marks you would have had if you’d gotten it right. High-volume, low-accuracy attempts lead to a bad score.
2. Cognitive Fatigue: Trying to solve all 100 questions in 180 minutes increases the likelihood of “silly mistakes” in the final hour. By focusing on only 80 or 85 Questions, you also gain more time to attempt the selected questions.
3. Apply “Lollipop Filter”: By deciding beforehand to skip 15-20 questions, you give yourself the psychological freedom to walk away from “Time-Trap” puzzles or obscure GK facts that will drag your morale.

How to Implement this Rule

• Skip 3-4 Questions per Section: On average, identify the 3-4 toughest/most time-consuming questions in each of the 5 sections and remove them from your plan immediately.
• “Double-Check” Time Buffer: Use the time saved from those 15-20 skipped questions to re-verify your calculations in the Quant and Logical Reasoning sections.

Next CMAT last minute preparation tips for 2026 are to prepare the expected questions, which are given below based on last year’s exam paper. You must also download CMAT Previous Year’s Questions to understand question types and difficulty level.  

3. CMAT 2026 Last Minute Tips: Prepare for Expected Questions in Language Comprehension
The Language Comprehension section is the "Efficiency Engine" of CMAT 2026. While it accounts for 20% of your total score (80/400 marks), toppers use this section to save time for tougher Quant and DI problems. Based on previous year papers, prepare for Vocabulary and Grammer Based Questions as they dominate CMAT exam. Check expected number of questions based on CMAT previous year exam paper analysis.

CMAT Expected Questions in Language Comprehension

4. CMAT 2026 Last Minute Tips: Prepare for Expected Questions in Quantitative Section 
The Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QTDI) section in CMAT exam accounts for 80 marks but is the primary differentiator for scoring the 99 percentile. While the syllabus is vast, CMAT 2025 exam paper analysis shows that 70% of the section is dominated by Arithmetic and Number Systems. So, based on previous year papers, prepare for following expected questions in this section.

CMAT Expected Questions in Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation

5. CMAT 2026 Logical Reasoning: Master the Analytical & Verbal Mix
The Logical Reasoning (LR) section in CMAT 2026 is often the highest-scoring section for well-prepared candidates. Unlike CAT, which focuses on complex problem sets, CMAT exam features mostly standalone questions that test your direct application of logic. Based on 2025 trends, the weightage favors Non-Verbal Reasoning (14 questions) over Verbal Reasoning (6 questions). Prepare for following expected questions for this section.

CMAT Expected Questions in Logical Reasoning

6. CMAT General Knowledge Section: Ultimate Time Saver!  
The General Awareness (GK) section is the ultimate "make or break" for CMAT 2026. While other sections test your aptitude, this section tests only your awareness of the world. With no sectional timer, the time you save here can be used for other high difficulty sections. Prepare for following questions in this section to get high score.

CMAT Expected Questions in GK Section

7. Follow CMAT 2026 Last Minute Revision Strategy To Refresh Concepts 
The next CMAT last minute tips focus on revising concepts effectively during last few days. Toppers recommend following CMAT Last Minute Revision Tips:

• Create a Revision Schedule: Integrate regular revision sessions into your study plan. For instance, dedicate an hour or two each day to revisiting old topics.
• Summarize Key Concepts on Notes and Flashcards: Create concise notes or flashcards highlighting key formulas, concepts, and shortcuts. This makes quick reviews easier.
• Mind Maps: Use mind maps to visualize connections between different topics, which can help in understanding and recalling concepts better.
• Daily Practice: Solve a few questions from different sections (Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) daily to keep all topics fresh.
• Mock Test Revision: Go back to your old mock tests, and revise your mistakes. Revise why you made them and how to avoid them.

8. Time to Focus Only on Strengths, Ignore Weaknesses 
The next CMAT exam last minute tips is obvious but very important! As simple as it may sound, CMAT toppers stress the importance of planning last-minute CMAT preparation based on individual strengths. Parellely, you should avoid focusing on your weaknesses in the last minute CMAT preparation phase.

Shreyasee Sarkar, IIM Calcutta student of MBA 2023-25 who also did well in CAT and topper CMAT exam said, “Closer to the exam, I ignored my weak area in the exam. This helped me to find time to focus on my strengths. This simple strategy was my key doing well in CAT and other exams.”

9. Follow CMAT Exam Guidelines – Create Check List 
The last but not the least CMAT exam tip is to take CMAT exam without stress and last-minute hiccups.

• CMAT Admit Card Hard Copy: Print the Admit Card on an A4 size paper and carry the same on the day of Test for verification.
• List of Valid Identification Proof Document: Candidates should carry one of the following valid photo ID proof to CMAT exam centre: Aadhaar Card/Voter ID Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving License.
• Reporting Time & Gate Closing Time: Candidate must reach the centre as indicated against Reporting / Entry time at centre. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the test center after the gate closure time.
• No Permission to Leave Exam Lab: No candidate shall be permitted to leave the CMAT Test Lab and Centre before the end of the test.
• List of Prohibited and Permitted Items: Mobile phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators, stationery items, papers, wallets, goggles, etc. will NOT BE ALLOWED inside the Test centre. Candidates must NOT wear any jewellery or other items containing metal.
• Mandatory Frisking: At test center entry you have to undergo a mandatory frisking activity, objectionable item (if any) is identified, you would be requested to leave it behind before entering the test center.
• Avoid Bio-breaks: Bio-breaks are to be avoided during the exam except for emergency or medical conditions.
• Sign Attendance Sheet: Please make sure to sign the attendance sheet. Not signing the attendance sheet will lead to cancellation of your candidature.

Read in depth article on CMAT Exam Day Guidelines 2026 and download checklist to prepare for last few days before the exam.

In summary, this article covers 10 effective last minute preparation strategy to help you score 99 percentile in CMAT exam. Success in the CMAT 2026 exam requires more than just subject knowledge. It demands an effective exam-taking strategy keeping in mind the five-sections of CMAT exam. With 100 questions to be solved in 180 minutes and no sectional time limits, the exam provides a significant advantage to students who can effectively manage their time and prioritize high-accuracy attempts. Read this article for complete guide to getting high score in CMAT Exam 2026.