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Updated By Soham Mitra on 23 Sep, 2025 12:33
Are you preparing for CMAT 2026? To crack the exam and get a 99 percentile score, you need the right approach along with best and reliable resources to prepare well. Here, you will find some of the best CMAT 2026 preparation tips and the list of study materials that will make your preparation towards CMAT 2026 easy.
Predict your Percentile based on your CMAT performance
Predict RankThe CMAT preparation strategy 2026 should focus on building a strong foundation of the important concepts from the syllabus and taking as many CMAT 2026 mock tests. If you are an aspirant who is undertaking CMAT preparation, then you must be well aware that cracking CMAT 2026 requires a well-planned approach and a good preparation strategy. Only with an effective study plan can candidates crack the CMAT exam and achieve a high percentile score. Candidates also need to put rigorous effort into completing the vast CMAT syllabus and regularly attempt mock tests to test their knowledge and sharpen their time management skills. Also, candidates must check the CMAT previous year papers to get an idea about the types and difficulty level of questions asked in the CMAT exam.
CMAT has a total of 5 sections - Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation; General Awareness; Logical Reasoning; Language Comprehension; and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Each section comprises 20 questions for a total of 100 questions across the CMAT question paper. Therefore, for preparation for CMAT 2026, one should prepare strategically and start their exam preparation well in advance, and make sure to cover the maximum topics mentioned in the syllabus of CMAT 2026, if not all of them. Some CMAT 2026 last-minute preparation tips are also helpful for the CMAT 2026 exam.
Candidates preparing for CMAT 2026 must be aware of the following important dates of the exam.
Event | Date |
|---|---|
CMAT 2026 Exam Date | Fourth week of January 2026 |
CMAT 2026 3 Month Preparation Start Date | First week of November 2025 - January 2026 |
CMAT 2026 2 Month Preparation Start Date | First week of December 2025 - January 2026 |
CMAT 2026 1 Month Preparation Start Date | January 2026 |
Apart from understanding the exam pattern, you should know the CMAT 2026 syllabus completely. This will also help you focus on all the topics from which the questions are asked in the exam. Most of the questions asked in the paper are based on basic concepts, and there are also some tricky questions that may require logical thinking. So, focusing on all the topics is vital during CMAT preparation.
It's important to set a fixed study routine for the CMAT exam 2026 as it will help you stay connected with the exam all the time. This way, you will also become more disciplined as far as exam preparation is concerned. You can also plan what CMAT topics you should study as part of your daily preparation plan.
No matter how much study material you gather, there is just no replacement for making your own notes. Get into the habit of making short notes. It also helps at the time of revision.
Time management skills are vital when it comes to preparing for entrance exams. You must set a certain time limit when you set a goal to solve a certain amount of questions. Gradually, you will get better at solving questions and your speed will also increase.
Candidates may check out the previous year's questions and the CMAT predicted question paper to know the difficulty level of the exam. It will help me to prepare well enough and remain confident during the exam.
Also Read:
CMAT Preparation Tips for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | |
The CAT Exam tests a candidate's verbal, quantitative and reasoning skills. The difficulty level of the CAT exam ranges from moderate to difficult. Others include the CMAT, XAT, and other exams. The CMAT exam is far easier to pass than the CAT, and CMAT scores are accepted by the majority of the B-Schools in the country.
CMAT is similar to other MBA entrance exams so it is not very difficult to prepare for it. But the focus should remain steady even in the last month. Candidates must take care of the fact that the last month of CMAT preparation is not for studying new topics.
While starting with the preparations, candidates must not just start randomly. To attain the best results in CMAT 2026, one must plan strategically. With proper planning, it is confirmed to get the best scores and secure admissions in top B-Schools in India. Follow this strategic plan to guide through the preparation process:
First steps should always be to complete the syllabus for CMAT 2026.
Collect the syllabus for CMAT 2026 and start the preparations accordingly.
Prepare for each section-wise separately. Take note of the Best Books for CMAT 2026 section-wise for guidance.
Memorize the formulae, concepts, theorems, and GK questions.
Do not skip to the next topic, unless the previous one is completed.
Target the difficult or lengthy topics first.
As soon as the syllabus is completed, without wasting any more time, start with the mock tests and sample papers.
Attempt at least one-two mock tests each day.
Evaluate yourself on the scores to know how well you are prepared.
Try to improve the speed and accuracy each time you attempt a mock test.
Attempt a variety of tests: easy, moderate, or difficult. It will help build confidence and familiarise with the exam pattern.
Also, attempt to answer tricky and lengthy questions for practice.
Finally, on the last few days of the exam, candidates must ensure revisions.
Revisions will help to recall all the long-studied topics.
Recall all the formulas, theorems, concepts, and such logic or the quantitative section.
Avoid starting any new topics. Simply revise what has been covered.
Stay calm and relaxed before the exams.
When starting to prepare for CMAT 2026, candidates often debate whether it is better to join coaching classes for CMAT 2026 preparation or is it better to prepare for CMAT 2026 from home. The answer mostly depends on the student's needs and personal requirements. It is indeed very much possible for the aspirants to start preparing for CMAT 2026 at home provided they have the right guidance and materials to start preparing for CMAT 2026 without taking the help of the CMAT 2026 coaching centres. However, joining a coaching class is also a very effective strategy. Good coaching centres not only are able to quickly improve your knowledge of core concepts, but they also help in providing effective tricks and guidance for solving questions and increasing speed in the exam. Here are some of the things that a student should consider when trying to decide.
Are there good coaching institutes for CMAT 2026 available?
A coaching institute can be effective but it will just be a wastage of your time and money if they are not good. Previous year trends are a good metric to judge these institutes on but advertisements can be misleading. Most institutes allow students to attend demo classes, which are an excellent way for a student to judge whether the institute is satisfying their requirements or not.
Should I join a coaching institute or study group for CMAT 2026?
Study groups are a good alternative to coaching classes. One of the advantages of coaching institutes is that it is a place to meet like-minded individuals and peers that can help and guide their study. Study groups address this requirement without adding anything else. Many of CMAT 2026 can be found online on platforms such as Facebook and Telegram. The best part is that candidates are often not required to pay a fee to join unless the group rents a shared space such as a library.
Do I have a good preparation plan from home for CMAT 2026?
When preparing for CMAT 2026 from home, it is important to ascertain whether you have a good preparation plan from home or not. Having a plan is crucial when you decide to go solo with preparation. Given below are some of the self-preparatory tips that will help them prepare for CMAT 2026 from home:
Go through the revised CMAT 2026 exam syllabus and CMAT 2026 exam pattern first.
Identify your strong areas and weak areas.
Gather the best CMAT 2026 study materials.
Work hard on your weaker areas.
Take the maximum number of CMAT 2026 mock tests available on CollegeDekho’s CMAT 2026 mock test page.
Resort to reading English novels, articles and watching English movies with subtitles to prepare well for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section.
Try learning at least 8 to 10 new words you encounter every day while reading newspapers or articles.
Start dedicating extra time to Data Interpretation (DI) questions as they are the most time-consuming questions in the entire paper.
With only two weeks left for CMAT 2026 exam date, this is an optimal time when candidates must start revising their previously studied topics and brush up on basic and advanced concepts for the exam. Candidates should continue doing regular practice of mock tests and previous year question papers but the focus should now reduce from taking up new topics to focusing on strong topics for the exam.
Approx. Number of Topics | 4 Section x 20 Sub-Topics per Section = 80 topics |
|---|---|
Number of Days to Practice | 15 |
No. of Hours for Revision on Each Day | 3 - 4 hours |
No. of Topics to Revise on Weekdays | 54 / 10 = 5 - 6 topics per day |
No. of Topics to Revise on Weekends | 16 / 4 = 4 topics per day |
No. of Days for Practice (on Weekends) | 4 |
No. of Mock Tests / Sample Papers to Practice | 4 / 4 = 1 test per day |
No. of Days to Relax | 1 |
The 15-day revision plan of CMAT 2026 provided here will help you plan your strategy to revise the CMAT 2026 syllabus and make the most of your final two weeks of exam preparation. It is best to not pick up any new topics during the final few days of your exam preparation. Also, remember to revise the important formulas and key concepts during these times. Here are some related articles that you must check out.
As you approach the final week before the CMAT 2026 exam, it's crucial to refine your preparation strategy. Here are key focus areas and tips to maximize your readiness:
By integrating these tips into your last-week preparation routine, you can fine-tune your approach, bolster your confidence, and optimize your readiness for the CMAT 2026 exam.
Mentioned below are some of the last-minute tips for CMAT 2026:
Collect all your relevant things that might be required at the exam centre.
Don’t forget to keep your CMAT 2026 Admit Card along with a valid ID Proof.
Check on your test centre, understand the location well and plan how you will commute. Google your test centre and note the time of travelling, so that, you may leave your home on time.
This is the time when you need to revise all that you have studied. Take a look at the short notes that you made and the formulas that confuse you the most.
Sleep well the night before the examination, so that, you remain fresh on the day of the exam.
Take good care of your health and eat your meals on time.
The first and most important thing test takers must do is to be calm and complacent. Take deep breaths and avoid nervousness.
Self-confidence is what you will need at the last moment before the exam begins. Have faith in yourself and maintain the trust within you. Keep telling yourself that yes you can do it and you have studied everything.
At the test, the centre does as said by the examiner and do not indulge yourself in any kind of quarrel and fights.
Reach the CMAT 2026 examination centre an hour before the allotted time.
If we take a look at CMAT Score vs Percentile, we find that for achieving the 100-percentile score, a raw score of 315-350, and for a score of 99.99 percentile, a raw score of around 286-310 was required. However, that takes a steep drop as we move down the ladder and to score 95 percentile in CMAT, a 260+ score can be sufficient. Hence, once you have set the target, it is important to direct your time and energy wisely to achieve that target. This does not mean that you should not try to better your score but merely that a difference of more than 100 marks is very relevant and it can make things easier.
The CMAT question paper will contain 100 questions with each question carrying 4 marks. For a 250+ score, you will be required to attempt 65 to 70 questions with high accuracy. Hence, once you have this target in mind, you can focus more on being accurate than on being fast. It gives you a bit more time with each question and hence, provides time to improve your accuracy. Make sure that the answers you are entering are correct. However, it would be good advice to be cautious and not take too much time. Remember that you have to hit your target number of questions to succeed. Even a drop of 5 attempts can reduce your percentile from 95 to 90 or 92.
Many candidates often ask the question, which books to refer to? However, MBA Coaching Institutes provide a complete guide for the same. But, you need not worry. Candidates can get the answer to their questions here at CollegeDekho easily. Simply refer to the Best Books for CMAT 2026 for detailed information.
Further, there are multiple books available in the market, section-wise as well as overall. But for easy learning, candidates may refer to this book to complete the entire syllabus.
Name of the Book | Authors |
|---|---|
The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT | SK Sinha, S Satyanarayan & JS Rana |
This book is highly recommended for CMAT 2026 preparations. for self-study, it is the best book with easy language and understanding. Apart from books, candidates must also depend on the CMAT Previous Year's Question Paper and CMAT Mock Tests. Solving as many as possible question paper will help reduce the pressure on the exam day. It will expose the vulnerability and difficulty level of the question paper. Preparing well in advance for what is to come will also give confidence. Hence, make sure to prepare for the CMAT 2026 in advance to improve accuracy and speed.
Check out the month-wise preparation timetable and schedule for cracking CMAT 2026. By following the month-wise schedule, you can cement your preparation and improve your test-taking strategies. You may prepare from the topics that have been given below:
Total Number of Days | Sections to be Covered | Sub-topics to be Covered from the mentioned section | Sub-topics to be Covered from the mentioned section | Sub-topics to be Covered from the mentioned section | Sub-topics to be Covered from the mentioned section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Set Theory | Pipes and Cisterns | Calendar | Algebra |
Day 2 | Logical Reasoning | Critical reasoning | Assertion and reasons | Ranking Tests | Blood Relations |
Day 3 | Language Comprehension | Verbal Reasoning | Contextual usage | Syllogisms | Analogies |
Day 4 | General Awareness | Geography | Social issues | Books and authors | Finance |
Day 5 | - | Revision of the sub-topics from all sections | Revision of the sub-topics from all the sections | Revision of the sub-topics from all the sections | Revision of the sub-topics from all the sections |
Day 6 | - | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break |
Day 7 | Language Comprehension | Jumbled paragraphs | Antonyms | Sentence Correction | Odd one out |
Day 8 | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Algebra | Geometry | Time-Speed-Distance | Allegation & Mixtures |
Day 9 | General Awareness | Sports | Politics | World Records | Famous award and prizes |
Day 10 | Logical Reasoning | Visual reasoning | Clocks and Calendars | Cause and Effects | Statements and assumptions |
Day 11 | Language Comprehension | Sentence correction | One word substitution | Fill in the Blanks | Idioms |
Day 12 | - | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break |
Day 13 | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Graph | Quadratic and Linear Equations | Geometry | Ratios and Proportion |
Day 14 | General Awareness | International organizations | Automobiles | Top officials of big companies | Culture and Society |
Day 15 | Language Comprehension | Fact Inference and Judgement (FIJ) | One word substitution | Sentence correction | Contextual usage |
Day 16 | Logical Reasoning | Statements and conclusions | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Matrix Arrangements | Identifying arguments |
Day 17 | - | Revision of the sub-topics from all sections | Revision of the sub-topics from all the sections | Revision of the sub-topics from all the sections | Revision of the sub-topics from all the sections |
Day 18 | - | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break |
Day 19 | General Awareness | Current Affairs | World Records | Social issues | Science |
Day 20 | Language Comprehension | Syllogisms | Sentence completion | Jumbled paragraphs | Analogies |
Day 21 | Logical Reasoning | Analogy Test | Direction | Assumption-Premise-Conclusion | Statements and conclusions |
Day 22 | General Awareness | Economy | Famous award and prizes | Automobiles | Business |
Day 23 | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Profit & Loss | Number system | HCF & LCM | Mensuration |
Day 24 | - | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break | Take a Break |
Day 25 | Language Comprehension | Different usage of the same word | Syllogisms | Antonyms | Jumbled paragraphs |
Day 26 | General Awareness | Social issues | Sports | Important quotations | Current Affairs |
Day 27 | Logical Reasoning | Matrix Arrangements | Clocks and Calendars | Blood Relations | Seating Arrangement |
Day 28 | - | Practice Mock tests for CMAT | Practice Mock tests for CMAT | Practice Mock tests for CMAT | Practice Mock tests for CMAT |
Day 29 | - | Stay calm and confident, revise and practice mock tests | Stay calm and confident, revise and practice mock tests | Stay calm and confident, revise and practice mock tests | Stay calm and confident, revise and practice mock tests |
Day 30 | - | Appear for CMAT 2026 | Appear for CMAT 2026 | Appear for CMAT 2026 | Appear for CMAT 2026 |
As the time for CMAT exam preparation is getting shorter with each passing day now, it has become utmost necessary to make a comprehensive study plan and schedule for yourself to crack CMAT 2026. Take a look at the table below to improve your test-taking strategies.
Total No. of sections in the entrance examination | 4 Sections |
|---|---|
Name of the Sections of CMAT | Logical Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative techniques and data interpretation and Language Comprehension |
No. Of Sub Topics in Each Unit | 15 to 20 (Let us Assume 20 ) |
Total No. Of Sub- Topics to be covered within 3 Months | 20*4 =80 |
Total No. Of Sub Topics to be covered in a Day | At least two or three |
Total No. Of Sub Topics to be covered in a Week (Monday to Friday ) | 5X2 = 10 sub-topics |
Practice test series or mock test on Saturday and Sunday | At least 2-3 Mock Tests |
Last Month | Revision of sub-topics of all sections, the practice of mock tests or test series |
When preparing for CMAT 2026 in 2 months, you will be facing a time crunch. With this strategy, it is essential to be efficient and smart with your preparation. Here are some of the best tips for preparing for CMAT 2026 in 2 months.
Focus on practising. Make sure you are solving a lot of CMAT Mock Tests and going through CMAT previous year question papers. After solving any mock test or paper, analyze your performance and find out the areas you are the strongest and weakest in.
Go through the CMAT Exam Analysis and check out the type of questions most frequently asked in the exam. Check out the most important topics and make sure those are covered.
Choose your CMAT Study Material wisely and do not take up more than that is necessary or possible to cover. When going through the books, make sure you attempt the practice sets.
Take the help of tips and tricks that can help you cut down on calculations and reach answers faster. Find out the best tips that work for you. Do not merely rely on other sources and suggestions, practice and find out what's best for you.
Give a majority of your focus on your strong areas. However, do not completely ignore your weak areas. Giving them some time and care can help you earn valuable marks in the exam and better your score.
Now that only three months are left for Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026, there must be a lot of pressure on CMAT aspirants to perform extra-ordinary well in the entrance examination.
You must be thinking of when and how to prepare for CMAT, whether or not to do CMAT preparation online, which CMAT preparation books and preparation material to follow and what strategy to prepare to crack CMAT 2026 Exam with a high score. So, to make it easy for you, we’ve come up with a proper study plan and schedule to make your journey easy and you can crack the CMAT 2026 like a pro:
For three months, self-preparation is one thing that is utmost essential for you. For self-preparation of CMAT, you will have to understand what books you should study for CMAT preparation 2026, whether or not to join a good CMAT exam coaching. One of the best ways to do self-preparation is to take up CMAT exam quiz 2026, CMAT mock tests that can help you with CMAT preparation.
It is necessary for you to keep yourself updated on all the latest news and current happenings. It is not only important for GK preparation but otherwise also. Apart from this, one must understand that CMAT is designed to assess your management skills like time management, stress management, prioritization, and balancing accuracy & speed which will surely give you an added edge.
Regular revision of the sub-topics of CMAT 2026 will not only make you confident about the syllabus, but you will also be familiar with the types of questions and the exam pattern of CMAT. Also, regular revision of the sub-topics will help you to concentrate more on your entrance exam preparations.
For finishing the whole syllabus of CMAT, you must keep a date in mind and plan your preparation strategy. With three months left for preparation, it is important for you to finish your syllabus beforehand so that one can you can concentrate more on revision and take up various mock tests to crack the entrance examination.
Before moving on to the preparation strategies for CMAT 2026, it is important to understand the exam pattern of CMAT. The CMAT exam pattern has seen some changes. Here, the details are provided as per the revised exam pattern for CMAT 2026:
Section | No. of Questions | Duration | Expected Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
Language Comprehension | 20 | 3 hours | Easy to Moderate |
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | Moderate to Difficult | |
Logical Reasoning | 20 | Easy to Moderate | |
General Awareness | 20 | Easy | |
Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | Moderate |
For a smooth and successful CMAT 2026 preparation, it is always advisable for you to plan and divide your time of the day as per the topics you will have to prepare for the entrance exam. We’ve tried to list a proper study plan for the students who wish to prepare in the morning and for those who wish to do their preparation late at night. Have a look.
Total Number of Hours to Study | 8 to 10 Hours |
|---|---|
Morning Time (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM) | Out of the four sections, start a sub-topic from one of the sections. Plan what to begin first and start understanding the topic. Note down all the important points side by side/ make notes |
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Take Rest or follow your other daily activities |
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Revise the topics that you have studied in the morning and then start with a sub-topic from a different section. Make notes from the sub-topic |
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Take a Break/ Rest |
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Revise the topics that you have studied so far and then start with a sub-topic from a different section. Make notes from the sub-topic |
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Take a Break/ Rest/ Go for a Walk |
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Revise all the sub-topics that you have studied during the day and then start with a sub-topic from a different section. Make notes from the sub-topic |
10:00 PM | Go to Sleep |
Total Number of Hours to Study | 8 to 10 Hours |
|---|---|
Night Time (10:00 PM to 12:00 AM) | Take up a sub-topic from the syllabus of CMAT. Start a sub-topic from one of the sections. Plan what should be studied first and start reading and understanding the topic. List down all the important points side by side/ make notes |
12:00 AM to 01:00 AM | Take Rest/ Take a Break |
01:00 AM to 3:00 AM | Revise the topics that you have prepared before and then start with a sub-topic from a different section out of the CMAT syllabus. Make notes from the sub-topic chosen |
3:00 AM to 4:00 AM | Take Rest/ Take a Break |
4:00 AM to 6:00 AM | After revising the sub-topics, start any other subtopics mentioned in the syllabus of CMAT. Keep making notes from the sub-topic |
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM | Take Rest/ Take a Break |
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Revise all the sub-topics that you have studied during the night and then start with a sub-topic from the syllabus of CMAT. |
Want to know more about CMAT
To improve your General Awareness for CMAT, you should read newspapers, magazines, and current affairs books regularly. You can also watch news channels and listen to radio shows to stay updated with the latest events. Additionally, you can take online quizzes and participate in group discussions to improve your knowledge.
Yes, it certainly is possible to crack CMAT with just weekend study. However, it will significantly increase your preparation time and it will also be recommended to spend some time on daily practice while studying CMAT. Moreover, a thorough preparation throughout the week will only improve your chances of scoring high on the test.
Time Management is an essential quality for CMAT preparation. In order to improve this skill, always use a stopwatch while studying and improve your general focus on how you spend your time. Additionally, it is recommended to attempt multiple sample and mock tests during your preparation phase while timing them, to improve your speed and accuracy in answering the questions correctly.
No, if you have a good preparation strategy and are dedicated to clearing the exam, it is not that difficult of a task to clear CMAT, especially for an MBA aspirant. The test becomes easier for those attempting multiple MBA entrance exams in a year as they will be better equipped to attempt the questions with a better speed and accuracy.
Reading the newspaper is the best strategy to prepare for the General Awareness section in CMAT. Also, dedicate a notebook for writing down events, and download a current affairs app on your phone to keep in touch with the section. It is also recommended to go through some of the bigger news and announcements that have taken place over the past two years as well.
Taking up coaching for CMAT preparation should depend on individual preferences, as both self-study and coaching centres work exceptionally well for different types of candidates. Coaching centres may help those candidates who are strapped for time and need assistance covering several topics within a short period of time while also enhancing their speed and accuracy in answering questions correctly.
Yes, it is entirely possible to prepare for CMAT from home. However, the two very main things it requires are a good preparation strategy and time management. If you choose to prepare for CMAT at home, be sure to note down all the topics that you need to prepare in order to get good marks in the test, attempt multiple mock tests and adhere strictly to a preparation plan.
Around 4 to 5 hours of studying every day is considered good enough to prepare for CMAT. However, the number of hours you should dedicate on preparing for CMAT should be determined based on your preparation and understanding of the different topics used for CMAT. People attempting several different MBA entrance exams may not need as many hours of preparation as those appearing only for CMAT.
Yes, but only if you have already prepared for any other MBA entrance exam in the same session and only need revision of different topics in CMAT. Otherwise, a 1-month preparation strategy for CMAT is not recommended as many may find it difficult to get good marks. However, a highly structured preparation strategy and long dedicated hours of preparation can help you prepare for CMAT in one month.
Ideally, 2 to 3 months are enough for a student to prepare for CMAT if they are in touch with their studies. Otherwise, 6 to 9 months will be required for CMAT preparation, especially if you are a working professional. The ideal duration of preparation should stem from the amount of preparation you need to get a good grasp of all the topics for CMAT.
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