CAT Vs Other MBA Entrance Exams

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Updated on
July 18, 2023

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