CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Check Slot-Wise Exam Analysis [Difficulty Level & Question Paper Review]

Overview: The CMAT 2026 exam will be conducted on 25th January 2026 in two slots across various CMAT centres. Join us to get the latest and live updates on CMAT exam analysis 2026 for both slots here only!

• The Common Management Aptitude Test 2026 will be an MCQ-based paper which will be conducted in two shifts.
• Shift 1 was conducted from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and Shift 2 will be from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
• More than 60 thousand students appeared in the CMAT Shift 1.

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2026 by SuperGrads

• The CMAT exam consists of 100 questions asked from the five major subjects, including Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

This CMAT 2026 exam analysis covers all four major sections Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QDI), Logical Reasoning (LR), Language Comprehension (LC), and General Awareness (GA) along with exam-level trends, expected cut-offs, and preparation tips.

Stay tuned with us to get the latest and up-to-date information on CMAT 2026 exam analysis for both shifts.

Check: CMAT Exam Previous Year's Trend

CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis - [Slot 1 & 2]

The CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis – [Slot 1 & 2] will be updated once the exam is completed on 25th January 2026. We will provide a detailed section-wise review, difficulty level, and expected good attempts for both slots.
Stay tuned for the complete CMAT exam analysis 2026 to help you plan your preparation and strategy.

[CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis To Be Updated Soon, Jan 25th]

CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Section-wise Distribution

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Level of Difficulty	Good Attempts
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Logical Reasoning	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Language Comprehension	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
General Awareness	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Total	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis for Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (QDI)

Topics Covered	TBA
Difficulty Level	TBA
Number of Questions	TBA
Time Management Challenges	TBA
Expected Good Attempts	TBA
Key Observations	TBA
Tips for Next Year	TBA

CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis for Logical Reasoning (LR)

Topics Covered	TBA
Difficulty Level	TBA
Number of Questions	TBA
Time Management Challenges	TBA
Expected Good Attempts	TBA
Key Observations	TBA
Tips for Next Year	TBA

CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis for Language Comprehension (LC)

Topics Covered	TBA
Difficulty Level	TBA
Number of Questions	TBA
Time Management Challenges	TBA
Expected Good Attempts	TBA
Key Observations	TBA
Tips for Next Year	TBA

CMAT 2026 Exam Analysis for General Awareness (GA)

Topics Covered	TBA
Difficulty Level	TBA
Number of Questions	TBA
Time Management Challenges	TBA
Expected Good Attempts	TBA
Key Observations	TBA
Tips for Next Year	TBA

Overall Difficulty & Expected Good Attempts

Section	Difficulty Level	Number of Questions	Expected Good Attempts
QDI	TBA	TBA	TBA
LR	TBA	TBA	TBA
LC	TBA	TBA	TBA
GA	TBA	TBA	TBA
Overall	TBA	TBA	TBA

You can also access individual year pages here:

• CMAT 2025 Question Paper PDF
• CMAT 2024 Question Paper PDF

CMAT Paper Analysis 2025: Highlights

Following are the few observations as per today's slot 1 of the CMAT 2025 exam:

• Slot 1 of the CMAT 2025 exam was easy compared to the previous year's exam.
• Slot 1 of the CMAT exam consists of 5 sections asking 20 questions each.
• Well-prepared candidates found the overall paper easy to moderate, confirming the importance of a thorough CMAT preparation strategy.

Also Check: CMAT Exam Day Instructions

Here are the key highlights of CMAT 2025 exam analysis:

CMAT Exam Particulars 2025	CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 Highlights
CMAT Full Form	Common Management Aptitude Test (CAT)
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA) [was conducted by AICTE till 2019]
Mode of Exam	Conducted in CBT (Computer Based Test) mode
CMAT Exam Duration	180 minutes (3 hours)
CMAT Exam Timings	Slot 1- 9 am to 12 pm Slot 2- 3 pm to 6 pm
CMAT Exam Sections	Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning Language Comprehension General Awareness Innovation & Entrepreneurship
No. of test cities	Over 110

Let's begin the CMAT previous paper analysis by overviewing the CMAT exam pattern and the number of questions asked in each section.

Learn More |Top Colleges Accepting CMAT Score 2025

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 - [Slot 1 & 2]

CMAT Paper Pattern Analysis 2025: Section-wise Distribution

Section	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Level of Difficulty	Good Attempts
Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation	20	80	Easy	16-18
Logical Reasoning	20	80	Easy	16-18
Language Comprehension	20	80	Easy	15-18
General Awareness	20	80	Moderate	15-17
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	20	80	Moderate	15-17
Total	100	400	Easy	70-75

In Addition to the CMAT 2025 paper analysis, the following are a couple of things to note:

• There were five sections, as usual, with 20 questions each.
• Each question carried 4 marks.
• A negative marking was (-)1 for each incorrect attempted response.
• CMAT total marks were 400.

Find Out | CMAT Exam 2025 Exam Centres

Expert Tips on How to Prepare for CAT GDPI

Surprise Elements in the CMAT 2025 Exam

Shift	Details
Shift 1	No surprises. The questions were straightforward and aligned with previous year trends.
Shift 2	While overall easy, this shift included more lengthy and time-consuming questions, particularly in Match the Column patterns.

Both shifts were accessible to well-prepared students, but time management may have been more challenging in Shift 2 due to lengthier questions.

Level of Difficulty: Section-Wise Comparison

Section	Shift 1	Shift 2
Language Comprehension	Easy	Moderate
Quantitative Techniques & DI	Easy	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	Easy	Easy
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	Easy	Easy
General Awareness	Easy	Easy

Expected Cutoffs for CMAT Exam Shift 1 and Shift 2

Shift	Expected 99th Percentile Score
Shift 1	~270
Shift 2	~270-280

Memory-Based Questions for Shift 1 and Shift 2 CMAT 2025: Language Comprehension

Shift 1:

• Focused on idioms and grammar-based questions.
• Topics included easy para-jumbles and three fill-in-the-blank questions.
• Vocabulary questions were minimal.

Shift 2:

• A wider variety of questions, including:
  • Idioms and Phrases (1 question each).
  • Grammar (adjectives, pronouns, verbs, prepositions, tenses).
  • Two passages with questions on vocabulary, inference, and perspectives (e.g., 1st/2nd/3rd person).
  • Advanced questions on assertion-reason, voice/narration, and sentence restructuring.

Comparison	Shift 1	Shift 2
Vocabulary	Minimal	Moderate
Grammar	Simple	Moderate to advanced
Passages	1 passage	2 passages
Overall Level	Easy	Moderate

Memory-Based Questions for Shift 1 and Shift 2 CMAT Exam: (QT & DI)

Shift 1:

• Questions from DI (3 sets), Time-Speed-Distance (2), and Mixture-Alligation (2).
• Topics such as Simple/Compound Interest, Geometry, Profit-Loss, and Surds were covered.

Shift 2:

• Fewer DI questions (1 set).
• Lengthier calculations on topics like Simplification and Ratio-Proportion.
• Topics included P&L, Permutations & Combinations, and SI-CI.

Comparison	Shift 1	Shift 2
DI Questions	3 sets	1 set
Calculation Intensity	Moderate	Lengthy
Topics	Balanced	Slightly more advanced
Overall Level	Easy	Moderate

Memory-Based Questions for Shift 1 and Shift 2 CMAT Exam: Logical Reasoning

Here are the memory-based questions for shift 1 and shift 2 CMAT exam 2025:

Shift 1:

• Questions on missing numbers, direction sense, blood relations, cubes, and strong-weak arguments.
• Standard topics like analogy, assumptions, and Venn diagrams.

Shift 2:

• Similar question types as Shift 1, but with additional emphasis on coding-decoding, clocks, and more visually oriented problems (e.g., number of triangles in diagrams).

Comparison	Shift 1	Shift 2
Focus on Visual Problems	Moderate	High
Topics Covered	Balanced	Extensive
Overall Level	Easy	Easy

Memory-Based Questions for Shift 1 and Shift 2 CMAT 2025: Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Both shifts focused on repeated PYQs (Previous Year Questions) and topics like Feasibility Analysis, Venture Capital, and Standup India.

Comparison	Shift 1	Shift 2
Topics	Same as PYQs	Same as PYQs
Surprises	None	None
Overall Level	Easy	Easy

Memory-Based Questions Shift 1 and Shift 2 CMAT 2025 : General Awareness

Here are the memory-based questions for CMAT exam shift 1 and Shift 2:

Shift 1:

• Topics included history, biosphere reserves, soils, dance forms, and sports.
• Questions about Wankhede Stadium and the Olympics were asked.

Shift 2:

• Mostly static GK with a focus on monuments, places, awards, and two questions referencing Manmohan Singh.

Comparison	Shift 1	Shift 2
Static GK Focus	High	Very High
Current Affairs	Minimal	Minimal
Overall Level	Easy	Easy

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025: Section-Wise Study 

The detailed CMAT 2025 paper analysis is divided into all 5 CMAT subjects

CMAT 2025 Exam Analysis for Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation

Following were the observations around the Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation in slot 1 and slot 2 of CMAT 2025:

• The overall difficulty level of this section was moderate.
• A novel set of questions was introduced in slot 1 this year. It involved pairs of statements labelled statement 1 and statement 2, and candidates were required to respond with 'True' or 'False'.
• Notably, 15 questions in this section were easily manageable for most candidates.
• In slot 2, 35% of the questions were asked from the Arithmetic section.
• In slot 2, 7 questions were easily doable, and the remaining 13 were at a moderate level.

Topics	No. of Questions Asked in Slot 1 (QA)	No. of Questions Asked in Slot 2 (QA)
Arithmetic1. Time‑Speed‑Distance2. Simple Interest & Compound Interest3. Ratio‑Proportion4. Profit & Loss5. Average6. Partnership7. Mixture & Allegation	8	8
Data Interpretation	0 (DI is in DILR section separate)	0 (DI is in DILR section separate)
Algebra1. Quadratic Equations2. Quadratic Inequality	4	5
Number System1. LCM2. HCF3. Surds	3	2
Modern Math1. Probability2. Permutation & Combination	4	4
Geometry & Mensuration	3	3

Good Attempts- 16-17 Questions
Accuracy Percentage- At least 80%

Also Check: CMAT Exam Question and Answers

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 for Logical Reasoning

Following were the observations around the Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation in slot 1 of CMAT 2025:

• The overall difficulty level of the section ranged from easy to moderate.
• There were 3-4 questions based on assumption and assertion, making this portion approachable for those well-prepared in critical reasoning.
• Notably, this was the first time no puzzles were included in the Logical Reasoning section during slot 1 of the exam.
• This shift in question type underscores a unique approach, potentially signalling changes in future examinations.
• In slot 2, questions were based on almost all the topics.

Topics	No of Questions Asked in Slot 1	No of Questions Asked in Slot 1
Directions Test	2	2
Clocks	1	1
Cubes	2	1
Series Completion	1	1
Counting Numbers of Triangles	1	1
Arrangement	1 (Linear)	1 (Seating)
Missing Figures	1	3
Puzzle	1	1
Coding Decoding	2	1
Analogy	2	1
Syllogisms	1	1
Critical Reasoning	6	6

Good Attempts- 16-17 Questions
Accuracy Percentage- At least 80% 

Read More | CMAT Exam 2025 Latest Paper Pattern

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CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 for Language Comprehension

Following were the observations around the Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation in slot 1 of CMAT 2025:

• In the 2025 CMAT exam, Slot 1 presented a moderate level of difficulty across sections.
• Notably, the Language Comprehension section emerged as a potential game-changer.
• This year, there was a significant emphasis on grammar, challenging candidates to demonstrate their mastery of complex grammatical rules.
• One unique element this year was the inclusion of a question on modern verbs, indicating a shift towards more contemporary language usage in the test.
• The questions on analogies were particularly intriguing, testing candidates' ability to discern relationships between different concepts.

Topics	No of Questions Asked in Slot 1	No of Questions Asked in Slot 1
Reading Comprehension	1 Set- 3 Questions	1 Set- 3 Questions
Grammar- Incorrect Sentences, Direct & Indirect Speech, Fill-Ups, etc.	2	5
Cloze Test	3	2
Vocabulary- Idioms, Synonym, Antonym, Fill-Ups, Match the Following, etc.	7	9
Verbal Reasoning- Parah Jumbles	1	1
Analogy	1	3

Good Attempts- 15-16 Questions
Accuracy Percentage- At least 80%

Learn More | Check Your CMAT 2025 Results Here

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 for General Awareness

• The General Awareness section of the 2025 CMAT exam was more moderate than in previous years.
• The questions spanned modern and ancient history, indicating a broad scope of topics.
• Notably, a question was posed on Anthology and Pedology, exploring interdisciplinary themes.
• Furthermore, candidates faced a challenging 'match the column' exercise that required linking significant historical dates and testing their detailed knowledge of timelines.
• In slot 2, majority of the questions were from static GK indication the high importance of GK in MBA exams.

Good Attempts- 12-13 Questions
Accuracy Percentage- At least 80%

Read More: CMAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025 for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

• In the 2025 CMAT, Slot 1 featured questions on Innovation that many found quite straightforward.
• Out of the entire section, 15-16 questions were easily manageable for those who were well-prepared and covered the CMAT exam syllabus.
• Staying updated with basic business news from newspapers proved beneficial for test-takers.
• Additionally, the exam included a question on the Government of India's Startup India plan, highlighting the emphasis on current national initiatives.
• A question concerning the Entrepreneurship Development Programme was also featured, reflecting the test's focus on real-world business applications.

Good Attempts- 12-13 Questions
Accuracy Percentage- At least 80%

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Good Number of Attempts for CMAT Shift 1 and Shift 2 2025

Although the CMAT exam 2025 was easy to moderate, here are a good number of attempts for the candidates:

Section	Shift 1	Shift 2
Language Comprehension	15-18	~16
Quantitative Techniques & DI	16-18	~16-17
Logical Reasoning	16-18	~15-16
Innovation & Entrepreneurship	15-17	~16-17
General Awareness	15-17	~15-17

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025: [Score VS Percentile]

CMAT Percentile	CMAT score 2025 (expected)	CMAT score 2023	CMAT score 2022	CMAT score 2021
99.5	305	303	325	320
99	295	293	318	313
95	262	260	300	250
90	245	240	282	232
80	215	211	200	203
70	195	180	170	180

Read More | CMAT Exam Preparation Strategy

Attempt Free CMAT Mock Test for CMAT Exam 2025 by SuperGrads

CMAT Exam Analysis 2025: Expected Scores

College accepting CMAT score	Target Percentile Cutoff
JBIMS 2023 CMAT cutoff	99.99+
SIMSREE CMAT cutoff	99.96+
University of Pune- Department of Management Science CMAT cutoff	99.9+
NIBM Pune cutoff	90+
KJ Somaiya CMAT 2023 cutoff	98+
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai CMAT cutoff	95+
Welingkar Mumbai cutoff	95+
Xavier Institute of Social Science, Ranchi CMAT exam cutoff	90+

Check |CMAT Mock Exam 2025

Conclusion

This year's CMAT exam 2025 maintained a balance level of difficulty across all the 5 sections. We hope that this CMAT exam analysis for 2025 gives the aspirants a clear picture of how they should move ahead with their preferred choice of college and further the admission process.

Whether you are aiming for top-tier institutes or looking to score well to broaden your choices, understanding the dynamics of the exam after proper research can significantly bolster your preparation efforts.