MBA admission 2024 have opened or are opening soon with the beginning of application process for all the top MBA entrance exams including CAT 2023, XAT 2023 among others. However, before applying and preparing for different MBA exams like CAT 2023, XAT 2024, CMAT, IIFT or others, candidates need to know what is the difference between CAT and other MBA Entrance Exams and which top colleges accept these MBA exams.
There are many similarities between CAT and other exams but still there are important differences of XAT Exam from CAT exam. The searches related to CAT Vs XAT; CAT Vs CMAT; CAT Vs IIFT by the prospective test takers and the right guidance with comparison tables for these exams will help you not only in CAT or XAT preparation, but also choosing the right exam leading to right MBA colleges - for example the test taker can decide as per his/her choice which one is better CAT or XAT? How is XAT different from CAT?
Let us make a comparative analysis of CAT Vs other MBA entrance exams:
CAT Vs XAT
8 Important Differences of XAT Exam from CAT Exam in nutshell are:
- CAT is conducted by IIMs and is the MBA entrance test for 20 IIMs, FMS, IITs’ MBA, MDI, NITIE, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT and 3000 other MBA colleges
- XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur and is the MBA entrance test for XLRI, IMT, XIMB, MICA, IRMA and 150 other MBA colleges
- One of the key differences between CAT and XAT syllabus is the varying topics and sections. CAT does not have Decision Making section and GK section but XAT exam has DM and GK as separate sections
- Another key difference is the XAT Vs CAT difficulty level. XAT is considered a bit more difficult than CAT exam.
- Which one is better CAT or XAT? The answer to this query depends upon your preferences. If you wish to seek admission opportunity in XLRI you should appear in XAT but if your interest is to do MBA from IIMs, you should appear in CAT exam
What is Difference Between CAT and XAT Entrance Exams: Comparative Analysis
Component
|
IIMs CAT
|
XLRI - XAT
|
Exam Date
|
November 26, 2023
|
January 7, 2024
|
When to Apply
|
August 4, 2023 to September 15, 2023
|
July 15, 2023 to November 30, 2023
|
Exam Conducted by
|
One of the 6 Old Indian Institutes of Management (IIM)
|
Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur
|
Testing Mode
|
Computer Based Test
|
Computer Based Test
|
Total Questions
|
66 (Since 2021, Earlier 100)
|
101 (Since 2022, earlier 100)
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
|
2 hours (Since 2020, Earlier 3 hours)
|
3 hours & 10 Minutes (Since 2022, earlier 3 hours)
|
Type of Questions
|
48-50 questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs
|
100 MCQs + 1 subjective on Essay Writing
|
Answer Options for MCQs
|
4
|
5
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer
|
3
|
1 for MCQs
3 for Essay Writing
|
Negative Marking
|
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
|
75 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK and Essay writing test
|
CAT Vs XAT Difficulty
|
Moderately Difficult
|
Difficulty level is higher
|
Difference Between CAT And XAT Syllabus: Total Sections
|
3
|
3 (Main sections)
2 (GK & Essay Test score not counted for percentile calculation)
|
Difference Between CAT And XAT Syllabus: Section-1
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- 24 questions
|
English Language & Logical Reasoning- 26 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And XAT Syllabus: Section-2
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20 questions
|
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation- 28 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And XAT Syllabus: Section-3
|
Quantitative Ability-22 questions
|
Decision Making-21 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And XAT Syllabus: Section-4
|
Not Applicable, only 3 Sections
|
General Awareness-25 questions
Essay Writing (Subjective)- 1 question
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections
|
No, has to follow pre defined sectional order
|
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit
|
Each section with 40 Minute time limit
|
No Restriction
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
|
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools. Read More
|
XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB and 150 other MBA colleges
|
CAT Vs IIFT
Candidates raise the natural query what are the differences between CAT and IIFT? Whether you appear in CAT or IIFT, one thing which should be remembered is that both are the mandatory exams for admission to the MBA programmes in their respective institutes – IIMs and IIFT.
5 key Differences between CAT and IIFT:
- CAT is the mandatory entrance test for admission to IIMs and IIFT entrance test is the mandatory entrance test for admission to MBA (IB) in all the three campuses of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
- Both CAT and IIFT are now computer based test
- CAT has a fixed exam pattern and IIFT exam pattern changes each year
- CAT has uniform marking pattern for each correct answer with +3 marks while IIFT marking pattern varies between 0.5 mark to 1 mark for each correct answer
- CAT offers admission opportunity in 20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, IITs, NITIE, IMI, SPJIMR, JBIMS among others while IIFT entrance exam is institute based and offers admission in IIFT Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada campuses.
Comparative Analysis: CAT Vs IIFT
Component
|
IIMs CAT
|
IIFT
|
Exam Date
|
November 26, 2023
|
December 10, 2023
|
When to Apply
|
August 1st week to September Last week
|
September 1st week to October 3rd week
|
Exam Conducted by
|
Indian Institutes of Management (IIM)
|
National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
|
Testing Mode
|
Computer Based Test
|
Paper-Pen Based Test
|
Total Questions
|
66 (Since 2021, Earlier 100)
|
110 (Expected, varies between 110 to 114)
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
|
2 hours (Since 2020, Earlier 3 hours)
|
2 hours
|
Type of Questions
|
48-50 questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs
|
All 110 questions are MCQs
|
Answer Options for MCQs
|
4
|
4
|
Total Maximum marks
|
198
|
300
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer
|
+3
|
0.5 to 1 mark credit for each correct answer
|
Negative Marking
|
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
|
1/3rd Negative marking for each wrong answer
|
CAT Vs IIFT Difficulty
|
Moderately Difficult
|
Difficulty level is higher
|
Difference Between CAT And IIFT Syllabus: Total Sections
|
3 Sections
|
4 sections
|
Difference Between CAT And IIFT Syllabus: Section-1
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- 24 questions
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 35 Questions
|
Difference Between CAT And IIFT Syllabus: Section-2
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20 questions
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: 30 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And IIFT Syllabus: Section-3
|
Quantitative Ability-22 questions
|
Quantitative Analysis: 25 Questions
|
Difference Between CAT And IIFT Syllabus: Section-4
|
Not Applicable, only 3 Sections
|
General Awareness (GK): 20 Questions
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections
|
No, has to follow pre defined sectional order
|
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit
|
Each section with 40 Minute time limit
|
No Restriction
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
|
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools. Read More
|
IIFT Delhi, IIFT Kolkata, IIFT Kakinada
|
CAT Vs SNAP
SNAP Exam Pattern and IIMs CAT Exam have many similarities which give the opportunity to the candidates to synchronise their sectional and overall exam preparation. However, SNAP 2023 Exam Pattern has a few differences also as compared to CAT exam:
Component
|
SNAP
|
IIMs CAT
|
Exam date
|
Exam on 3 Dates December 9, 17 & 22, 2023
|
November 26, 2023
|
Total Questions
|
60
|
66
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
|
1 hour
|
2 hours
|
Type of Questions
|
All MCQs
|
48-50 questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs
|
Answer Options for MCQs
|
4
|
4
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer
|
1
|
3
|
Negative Marking
|
0.25 mark
|
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
|
Exam Difficulty Level
|
Moderate
|
Difficult
|
Number of Sections
|
4
|
3
|
Section-1: Name and Number of Questions
|
General English, RC,VR,VA-15
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- 24
|
Section-2: Name and Number of Questions
|
Analytical & Logical Reasoning-25
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20
|
Section-3: Name and Number of Questions
|
Quant, DI, Data Sufficiency-20
|
Quantitative Ability-22
|
Section-4: Name and Number of Questions
|
Current Affairs- Section scrapped
|
Not Applicable, only 3 Sections
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections
|
Yes, any question from any section within overall time limit
|
No, has to follow pre defined sectional order
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit
|
No
|
Each section with 40 minutes time limit
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
|
SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune, SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore & all other Symbiosis institutes. Read More
|
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools. Read More
|
CAT Vs CMAT
There are many similarities between CAT and CMAT but still there are important differences between CAT and CMAT. Responding to the query what are the differences between CAT and CMAT, experts on both exams have placed all the key differences between CAT and CMAT. Whether you are taking CAT or CMAT or planning to take both CAT and CMAT exams for MBA admission in 2024, depends upon your preparation and plan whether you are targeting IIMs or AICTE approved other MBA/PGDM colleges.
5 Key Difference between CAT and CMAT are:
- National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts CMAT on behalf of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) while IIMs conduct CAT
- IIMs, FMS, MDI, IITs, SPJIMR and other top MBA colleges in India do NOT accept CMAT score. They accept only CAT score
- CMAT is of low difficulty level exam as compared to CAT exam
- CMAT has 25% negative marking while CAT has 33% negative marking for wrong answers
- No candidate in CMAT is disqualified and is eligible for shortlisting, however IIMs shortlist the candidates on the basis of minimum qualifying sectional score
CAT Vs CMAT: Comparative Analysis
Component
|
IIMs CAT
|
AICTE-CMAT
|
Exam Date
|
November 26, 2023
|
March/April, 2024 (Tentative)
|
When to Apply
|
August 1st week to September Last week
|
October 2nd week to December 3rd week
|
Exam Conducted by
|
Indian Institutes of Management (IIM)
|
National Testing Agency (NTA)
|
Testing Mode
|
Computer Based Test
|
Computer Based Test
|
Total Questions
|
66
|
100
|
Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam
|
2 hours
|
3 hours
|
Type of Questions
|
48-50 questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs
|
100 MCQs
|
Answer Options for MCQs
|
4
|
4
|
Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer
|
3
|
4
|
Negative Marking
|
MCQs with 1/3 negative marking; No negative marking for Non-MCQs
|
1/4 negative marking
|
CAT Vs CMAT Difficulty
|
Moderately Difficult
|
Easy to Moderate
|
Difference Between CAT And CMAT Syllabus: Total Sections
|
3
|
5
|
Difference Between CAT And CMAT Syllabus: Section-1
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension- 24 questions
|
Language Comprehension - 20 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And CMAT Syllabus: Section-2
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning -20 questions
|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation- 20 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And CMAT Syllabus: Section-3
|
Quantitative Ability-22 questions
|
Logical reasoning -20 questions
|
Difference Between CAT And CMAT Syllabus: Section-4
|
Not Applicable, only 3 Sections
|
General Awareness-20 questions
|
Different Between CAT and CMAT Syllabus: Section-5
|
Not Applicable, only 3 sections
|
Innovation and Entrepreneurship-20 questions
|
Facility to Choose Order of Sections
|
No, has to follow pre defined sectional order
|
Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit
|
Individual Sectional Time Limit
|
Each section with 40 minute time limit
|
No Restriction
|
Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score
|
20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IITs, TAPMI, XIMB and hundreds of other B-schools. Read More
|
JBIMS, K J Somaiya, N L Dalmiya, IFMR, PUMBA, BIMTECH, Great Lakes, GIM Goa and hundreds of other MBA colleges Read More
|