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CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 – Difficulty Level, Marks vs Percentile, Weightage

24 January, 2025
Parthiva Mewawala

CMAT 2025 was conducted on January 25, 2025, in two slots between 9 AM to 12 Noon (Slot 1) and 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM (Slot 2). Read our CMAT exam analysis to see how slot 2 fared as compared to slot 1. 

cmat exam analysis

The CMAT 2025 slot 1 analysis is live on this link – CMAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis

To see the detailed CMAT 2025 slot 2 analysis, watch the video below:

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 – Slot 2 Overview

TEST OVERVIEW

The structure of the test and estimates of good attempts are as follows:

Section No Of Questions Marks per Question Maximum Marks Good Attempts Overall LOD
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation 20 4 80 16-17 Easy
Logical Reasoning 20 4 80 16-17 Easy
Language Comprehension 20 4 80 16-17 Easy
General Awareness 20 4 80 11-12 Medium
Innovation and

Entrepreneurship

20 4 80 11-12 Medium
Total 100 400 70-75
  • The test had no sectional timing. 
  • Incorrect responses invited negative marks (-)1 for each incorrect response

VERDICT

Overall, the difficulty level of slot 2 of CMAT 2025 was similar to that of CMAT 2024 (afternoon slot).

As is the case generally with CMAT, this time too, time was not a constraining factor. Some of the questions in the five sections were sitters. However, some questions in both General Awareness and Innovation and Entrepreneurship sections were challenging. They  could become the decisive questions and impact the overall percentile. Based on the feedback received from IMS candidates and experts, we expect the following cut-offs in CMAT 2025:

Score Percentile 
295 – 305 99.5+
275 – 285 99
255 – 265 95
235 – 245 90
For B-School cut-offs, see Note ** at the end

SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

Quantitative Technique and Data Interpretation:

This section was relatively easy in terms of Level of Difficulty. Out of 20 questions in the section, 3 were on Data Interpretation and the remaining 17 were on Quantitative Technique. A set of 3 questions on Data Interpretation consisted of questions based on Tables.  Most questions on Data Interpretation involved simple calculations.  

The questions on Quantitative Techniques were dominated by questions on Arithmetic. Out of 17 questions on Quantitative Techniques, 8 questions were on Arithmetic, which included questions on Percentages, Ratio-Proportion, Profit & Loss, SICI, Time & Work and Mixtures & Alligations. There were 3 questions on Geometry, 3 questions on Modern Math, and 3 on Numbers. Most of the questions on Quantitative Technique were Easy to Medium. 

Area No.of Questions. Details 
Easy Medium Difficult Total
Arithmetic 7 0 0 8 Percentages(2),Ratio-Proportion(1), Mixtures(1), Time & Work(1), Profit & Loss(2), SICI(1)
Geometry 2 1 0 3 Triangles(1), Mensuration(1), Circles(1)
Modern Math 1 2 0 3 Probability(2), Permutation – Combination(1)
Numbers 1 2 0 3 Surds(1) and Indices(2)
Algebra 0 0 0 0
Data Interpretation 2 1 0 3 Bar Graph  (Set of 3 questions)

Around 16-17 attempts in this section with 80% accuracy would be good.

Logical Reasoning:

Out of the 20 questions in this section, 12 were on Non-Verbal Reasoning and 8 questions were on Verbal Reasoning. All the questions were standalone questions and there were no set based questions.

The questions on Non-Verbal Reasoning were spread across different topics in Logical Reasoning such as Directions, Series Completion, Counting the number of squares, Arrangements, Family Tree, Coding etc. The questions on Verbal Reasoning included questions such as reverse syllogisms, logical sequence, strong/weak arguments, assumptions, conclusions, assertion-reason, and analogies. 

The questions were not lengthy and many questions were straightforward and very easy to solve.

Area No. of Qs.
Directions 1
Series  1
Counting the number of triangles 1
Clocks 1
Set theory 1
Family Tree 1
Coding 1
Arrangements ( Circular) 1
Numerical Puzzle 2
Cube 1
Dice 1
Verbal Reasoning
Reverse Syllogisms, Logical Sequence, Strong/Weak Arguments,

Assumptions, Conclusions, Assertion-Reason, Analogies 

8

Around 16-17 attempts in this section, with 80% accuracy, would be a good attempt.

Language Comprehension:

The Language Comprehension Section consisted of 5 Reading Comprehension questions and 15 Non-RC questions. Most questions were easy to answer.   

Area No. of Qs.
Reading Comprehension  5
Identify correct/Incorrect usage (Active/Passive, Speech, Verb Usage)- 4; Idioms and meanings – 2; Assertion-Reason (Grammar Based – Simple Sentences, Adjectives)-2; Choose correct sentence (Adjectives, Verb usage)-2; Match the following (Types of Pronouns)-1; Jumbled Sentences-1; Parajumbles-1; Synonyms (Match the following)-1 15

Around 15-16 attempts in this section with 80% accuracy would be good.

General Awareness:

Out of the 20 General Awareness questions, 15 were based on Static GK. 5 questions were on Current Affairs. The majority of questions were based on Indian events. The questions were on  Sports, Awards, India and its culture, constitution, history, books and authors, science, politics, geography, among others. Overall, this section was of medium difficulty level.

10 to 11 attempts in this section with 80 % accuracy would be a good attempt.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

Out of the 20 questions, all 20 were based on Business, Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship concepts. Overall, this section was of medium difficulty level.

10 to 11 attempts in this section with 80 % accuracy would be a good attempt.

**Note:

Approximate Cut-Off for CMAT Based colleges

The following B-School admissions (based on CMAT score) generally close at these percentiles:

MMS Programs – (All India Seats)

JBIMS – 99.99 percentile

Sydenham – 99.95+ percentile

KJ Somaiya – 99.94

Welingkar Institute Of Management- 99.9

PGDM Program

Great Lakes, Chennai – 90 + percentile + profile based

GOA Institute of Management – 95+ percentile

KJ Somaiya – 95 + percentile

IFMR – 85 + percentile

NIBM – 90 + percentile

Welingkar Institute Of Management – 70 + percentile (eligibility) + profile based

 

To read in detail about the CMAT cutoffs for previous years, just click on the link below.

Read More – CMAT Cutoffs 2025 (Expected)