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CMAT Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026: Download Subject-wise PDF!
Last Updated on Jun 10, 2025
Download CMAT Exam complete information as PDFIMPORTANT LINKS
The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases the CMAT 2026 syllabus for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT). The CMAT exam syllabus include topics such as Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The CMAT Exam is conducted to admit graduate candidates to various management programs in the country. Once the candidate clears the CMAT exam, he/she will be selected by numerous prominent Management institutes and also get MBA admission opportunities in over 1000 MBA institutes.
- Each candidate appearing for the CMAT 2026 Exam must be well aware of the CMAT Syllabus so that they can have a clear idea of what areas to be thorough with and thereby be able to prepare appropriately for the exam covering all the important topics.
- CMAT Exam Pattern is helpful for the candidates to get a better understanding of how the marks are distributed among papers, to know the total duration and the weightage given.
Check CMAT Exam Eligibility Criteria, here.
CMAT 2026 Important Topics
The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) 2026 evaluates candidates across five major sections. Each section carries 20 questions worth 80 marks, testing diverse abilities from analytical skills to business awareness. Find the detailed section-wise breakdown of important topics in the table below:
| Section | Important Topics |
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Alligation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graphs, Equations |
| Logical Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix, Blood Relations |
| Language Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Usage Errors, Parajumbles |
| General Awareness | Economy, Business, Politics, Sports, World Affairs, Society & Culture |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Start-ups, Business Concepts, Innovation Practices, Entrepreneurial Scenarios |
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CMAT Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates must know the exam pattern to know the marking scheme, how the answers are calculated, and if there is any negative marking. The exam pattern describes the scheme: the number of questions, marks for each question and type of questions, and much more. The detailed CMAT exam pattern is detailed below:
- Each question carries 4 marks.
- For each incorrect response, 1 mark will be deducted from the total score.
- Un-answered/un-attempted will be given no mark
- To answer a question, the candidate needs to choose one option as correct option.
- The entrance exam will be conducted for 3 hours.
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Check CMAT Admit Card Here
CMAT Syllabus 2026
The CMAT Syllabus 2026 include five sections: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. It covers a wide range of topics, including numerical ability, logical puzzles, vocabulary, grammar, current affairs, business knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills. A clear understanding of the syllabus is essential for targeted and effective exam preparation.
Check CMAT Cut Off Here
CMAT Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
The CMAT Syllabus 2026 outlines the important areas from which questions will be asked in the Common Management Admission Test. Candidates can download the complete CMAT 2026 Syllabus PDF to get a clear idea of the exam pattern and important topics for effective preparation.
CMAT Syllabus 2026 Download PDF!
CMAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
The CMAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus covers topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and basic statistics. Candidates should focus on numerical ability and problem-solving skills to excel in this section.
| Topics | Sub-topics |
| Quantitative Aptitude | |
| Areas | |
| Indices and Surds | |
| Mensuration | |
| Problems on Trains | |
| Odd Man Out | |
| Volumes | |
| Races and Games | |
| Problems on L.C.M. and H.C.F | |
| Boats and Streams | |
| Simple Equations | |
| Symbolic/Number Classification |
CMAT Reasoning Syllabus
The CMAT Syllabus for Reasoning includes topics such as logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Candidates should focus on various question types, including series completion, analogies, and logical deductions, to enhance their performance in this section.
| Topics | Sub Topics |
| Reasoning | |
| Similarities | |
| Differences | |
| Space visualization | |
| Analysis | |
| Judgment | |
| Discrimination | |
| Observation | |
| Concepts | |
| Verbal and figure classification | |
CMAT General English Syllabus
The CMAT English syllabus covers essential language skills like grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. It aims to assess the candidate's ability to understand and use English effectively in communication.
| Topics | Sub-topics |
| English Language | Paragraph Completion |
| Grammatical Error Based Question | |
| Fillers | |
| Tenses | |
| Adjectives | |
| Prepositions | |
| Vocabulary | |
| Unseen Passages | |
| Sentence Completion |
CMAT General Knowledge Syllabus
The General Awareness syllabus for the CMAT exam includes topics such as current affairs, important national and international events, and general science. Candidates should also be familiar with basic concepts in history, geography, economics, and Indian polity to excel in this section.
| Topic | Subtopics |
| General Awareness | |
| Government Schemes and Policies | |
| Political Developments | |
| Summits and Conferences |
CMAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Syllabus
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship section in CMAT is unique and can be considered a game-changer for aspirants. It evaluates a candidate's understanding of start-ups and innovation strategies. A thorough grasp of these topics can give help you to score well in this section of the exam.
| Topics | Subtopics |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Concepts of Innovation Management |
| Terminology | |
| Entrepreneur Vs. Intrapreneur | |
| Creativity and its stimulation | |
| Entrepreneur Vs. Manager | |
| The Entrepreneurial Development | |
| Entrepreneur Vs. Entrepreneurship | |
| Three types of idea management systems | |
| Creating Entrepreneurial Venture |
Also, check out the CMAT Exam Test Series, and start preparing for the exam.
Best Books to Prepare for CMAT 2026 Exam
If you are preparing for the CMAT 2026 exam, then referring to the right books is extremely important. Good study material helps you understand topics better and practice well for the exam. Here are some of the best books section-wise that can help you prepare:
| Section | Recommended Books |
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma |
| Logical Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma |
| Language Comprehension | Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis |
| General Awareness | Manorama Year Book Daily newspapers like The Hindu / Indian Express Monthly Current Affairs magazines/apps |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Entrepreneurship Development by S.S. Khanka NTA official material and past CMAT papers |
We hope you found this article informative. Subscribe to the Testbook website now to get unlimited access to various offers, such as exclusive materials, live quizzes, classes, mock test series, PDF notes, and much more. Download the Testbook app today and reap the benefits.
Last updated on Jun 10, 2025
-> The CMAT 2026 registration process is expected to start in November 2025. However, the CMAT Exam is most likely to be conducted in January 2026.
-> All the aspiring candidates who are planning to get admission in the top B-schools can appear for CMAT. This is computer-based test conducted annually.
-> The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) notification on its official website.
-> Prepare for the exam with CMAT Previous Year Papers.
CMAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
I have some old editions of the CMAT preparation books. Can I refer to them?
Yes, you can refer to those books once you make sure that the books follow the updated CMAT syllabus.
Where can I find the CMAT syllabus?
You can download the CMAT 2025 syllabus for the Written Exams from the official website of the CMAT.
How to download the previous year's question papers for CMAT exam preparation?
The CMAT exam previous year questions can be downloaded from the internet or the Testbook app.
Do I need to cover topics other than the ones prescribed in the official CMAT syllabus?
No, the official CMAT syllabus is more than enough for the preparation of the CMAT Exam.