Practice and time management are of great importance when preparing for any competitive examination. Preparing for the CMAT or Common Management Aptitude Examination requires hard work and perseverance. All candidates who wish to clear the bi-annual examination should make preparations at least 6 months in advance. The candidate should cover the entire syllabus and study using the latest materials for better results.
These tips can help in preparing for and successfully cracking the CMAT examination:
- Plan your study time: Preparing a study routine and following it strictly is the perfect start to a disciple and planned study effort. Each subject should be systematically covered in the schedule to avoid disruption in concentration and reduction in output. Any deviations from plan could result in incomplete coverage of the syllabus which will be disastrous.
- Practice regularly: Each section has 25 questions of 4 marks each. Incorrect answers will earn 1 negative mark and thus should be avoided at all costs. Preparation for each section is different and is listed below:
- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: When preparing for quantitative techniques, practice each topic separately. Number systems, progressions, set theory, averages, percentages, applications of percentages — profit and loss, applications of percentages — interests, ratio and proportion, time and work, time-speed and distance, geometry, mensuration, functions, inequalities and quadratic equations are topics that come under this subject. Memorizing tables, common square roots & cube roots, conversions from fractions to percentages and vice-versa help improve both speed and accuracy. Data interpretation questions, test the candidate’s ability to understand the quantitative logic that is part of a real life situation in data analysis. The logic would involve mathematical thinking based on averages, ratio, proportions and percentages. Calculation skills (add, subtract, multiply and divide) are also important while solving this section.
- Logical Reasoning: Sequences and series, blood relations, direction tests, ages, statement — assumptions, statement — conclusions, assertions, courses of action, mathematical operations, puzzles based on arrangements, team formations, rankings and quantitative reasoning, coding-decoding and so on are part of this section.
- Language Comprehension: Reading comprehension and verbal ability are tested in this section. Questions include critical reasoning, fill in the blanks, analogies, paragraph jumbles, and odd man out, synonyms, antonyms, reading comprehension and so on.
- General Awareness: For the general awareness section, focus on developing business knowledge. Avidly read the business news including happenings from 4 years ago. General awareness questions can also come from the areas of geography, politics, sports, science and technology.
- Solve sample question papers: This will help improve speed and manage time. Always try to answer each paper in the allotted time. Practice consistently for best results.
- Be confident: Best results are achieved when you are calm and confident.
- Read extensively: Read as much as time permits. This will help in the comprehension and general awareness section.
- Crash courses: Enrolling in a good institute in the final stages of preparation is beneficial since it builds up confidence through practice.
- Time management: Keep side the first 5 minutes to get a general idea about the questions and the last 5 minutes to re-examine the paper before submission. Answer the easier questions first to gain precious time for the tough ones.