CMAT Logical Reasoning Section: Tips and Tricks
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a significant entrance exam for MBA aspirants, testing various skills, including logical reasoning. This section often becomes a deciding factor for students, as it evaluates one's ability to analyze patterns, sequences, and relationships. With CMAT 2025 around the corner, it's crucial to understand the logical reasoning section and prepare efficiently.
Understanding the Logical Reasoning Section of CMAT
The Logical Reasoning section of CMAT is designed to assess a candidate's reasoning ability, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. It generally comprises 20 to 25 questions, making it an essential part of the exam. The section covers various types of reasoning questions, and being prepared for them is key to scoring well.
Main Topics of Logical Reasoning in CMAT
- Blood Relations:
- These questions involve determining the relationship between different members of a family based on the information provided.
- Example: If A is the brother of B, and B is the son of C, how is A related to C?
- Coding-Decoding:
- In these questions, a word or a series of numbers is coded in a particular way, and the candidate must decode it or find the pattern.
- Example: If 'APPLE' is coded as 'CQOOG', what will 'ORANGE' be coded as?
- Seating Arrangements:
- These questions involve arranging people or objects in a particular order based on given conditions.
- Example: Six people are sitting in a row. A is next to B but not next to C. Who is sitting in the middle?
- Syllogisms:
- Syllogism questions test the ability to deduce conclusions from a set of premises or statements.
- Example: All cats are animals. Some animals are dogs. What can be concluded?
- Number Series:
- These questions require identifying the pattern in a series of numbers and predicting the next number.
- Example: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?
- Direction Sense:
- These questions involve understanding and calculating directions based on the information given.
- Example: If a person walks 5 km north and then 3 km east, how far and in which direction is he from the starting point?
- Analogies:
- These questions require identifying relationships between pairs of words or numbers.
- Example: Dog: Bark :: Cat: ?
Tips and Tricks for the Logical Reasoning Section
- Understand the Pattern:
- Familiarize yourself with the question types that commonly appear in the Logical Reasoning section. Practice different patterns of questions, as CMAT can often include tricky variations.
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Time Duration |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) |
20 |
80 |
Cumulative time of 180 minutes for the entire test |
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Marking Scheme: 4 marks awarded for each correct answer, 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Time Management:
- Allocate a specific amount of time to this section and stick to it. Logical reasoning can be time-consuming if not managed well. Try to answer the easier questions first, ensuring you have enough time for the challenging ones.
- Use the Elimination Method:
- In multiple-choice questions, use the elimination method to rule out incorrect options. This will increase your chances of selecting the correct answer, especially when you're unsure.
- Practice Regularly:
- Logical reasoning is all about practice. Solve as many sample papers, mock tests, and previous years' papers as possible. This will help you identify patterns, improve your speed, and build confidence.
- Visualize Problems:
- For questions involving arrangements, directions, or shapes, visualizing the problem can make it easier to solve. Draw diagrams or sketches if necessary.
- Stay Calm:
- Logical reasoning can be challenging, but it's essential to stay calm. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one and return to it later if time permits.
You can also refer to YouTube, where free videos are available in which experienced teachers share various tips and tricks that are valuable and often help in achieving a very high score. Farooq Haque, Zell Education, CA Rachana Phadke Ranade, and CA Neeraj Arora, are few examples.
Books for CMAT Preparation: Logical Reasoning
- "A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal:
- A popular book among CMAT aspirants, this book covers all types of reasoning questions with explanations and practice exercises.
- "How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT" by Arun Sharma:
- Though primarily for CAT, this book provides an excellent foundation for logical reasoning and can be useful for CMAT as well.
- "Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Nishit Sinha:
- Another great resource that can help improve your reasoning skills, especially with data interpretation questions.
- "Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal:
- This book is comprehensive and offers practice exercises that can help you master both verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
- "Analytical and Logical Reasoning for CAT & Other Management Exams" by Peeyush Bhardwaj:
- A focused book that includes tips, tricks, and strategies for solving analytical and logical reasoning questions.
All the above-mentioned books can be found on Amazon and Flipkart, and e-books can also be downloaded from Kindle.
Conclusion
The Logical Reasoning section of the CMAT can be a game-changer in your overall score. With the right preparation strategy, a clear understanding of the main topics, and regular practice, you can excel in this section. Remember to stay calm, manage your time effectively, and practice regularly using the best resources available.
By following these tips and focusing on the key areas, you can approach the CMAT 2025 exam with confidence and achieve your desired results. Good luck!
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