CAT vs XAT Syllabus: Differences and Similarities
What are the differences and similarities between XAT syllabus and CAT syllabus? Are they both tough? Can you prepare for both exams together? Read this article to know these answers.
CAT and XAT are the top MBA entrance exams in India. Lakhs of MBA aspirants appear for these two exams every year. While CAT is the gateway to top IIMs and over 1,300 MBA colleges in India, XAT is a ticket to XLRI, Jamshedpur and over 800 top B-Schools in the country. As MBA aspirants prepare for both CAT and XAT which are conducted a month apart, here we point out what is the difference between the syllabus of CAT and XAT, or similarity?
Both CAT and XAT test MBA aspirants' analytical ability, logical reasoning and English communication skills. They both are aptitude tests and have similar test patterns. The amount of dedication required for preparing both exams is almost the same however, an important point to note this that one cannot prepare for both exams together. They need to have different preparation strategy and time lines as the CAT and XAT syllabus may be the same but the nature of questions is different.
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CAT vs XAT
Both CAT and XAT are speed-based tests in which candidates have to solve a certain number of calculation intensive as well as inference based questions in a limited time period. Key subjects to prepare for these exams are Reasoning, Mathematics and English. CAT and XAT are similar as well as different in many aspects including syllabus, exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions.
Q: What makes CAT tougher than other MBA entrance exams?
Q: Is XAT tougher than CAT?
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) and CAT (Common Admission Test) are both popular management entrance exams in India. Both exams are known for their high level of difficulty and are considered challenging to crack. In terms of difficulty, it is difficult to compare XAT and CAT as both exams have their own unique characteristics.
However, XAT is considered to be more challenging than CAT in certain aspects such as:
1) Exam Pattern: XAT has a more varied exam pattern as compared to CAT. XAT has an additional section of General Knowledge, Essay Writing, and decision-making which requires a different skill set as compared to CAT.
2)Time Management: XAT has a higher number of questions as compared to CAT. And the time allotted for the exam is also relatively less. This makes time management a critical aspect for XAT aspirants.
3) Verbal Ability: XAT has a stronger focus on Verbal Ability as compared to CAT. The Reading Comprehension passages in XAT are usually longer and more complex than CAT. Which makes it more challenging. However, it is important to note that the level of difficulty of these exams varies from year to year, and it ultimately depends on the individuals preparation and skill set.
Q: Which is a better college amongst BULMIM or Bimtech? Which college should I prefer as I scored 86 percentile in XAT?
Difference Between CAT and XAT
Look at the table below to understand the difference between CAT and XAT exams:
| Details |
CAT |
XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria |
Graduate with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for Reserved category candidates) from a recognized university |
Graduate in any stream from a recognized university |
| Exam Mode |
Online |
Online |
| Difficulty Level |
Moderate to Difficult |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Exam Fee |
INR 2,500 (INR 1,250 for Reserved category students) |
INR 2,200 |
| Registration Process |
Online |
Online |
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
29 Oct '24 - 20 Dec '24
20 Dec '24
XAT
21 Dec '24
18 Dec '24 - 22 Dec '24
22 Dec '24
1 Jul '24 - 23 Dec '24
26 Aug '24 - 23 Dec '24
14 Oct '24 - 21 Jan '25
Difference Between CAT and XAT Syllabus
Majorly, the syllabus of CAT and XAT is same, but the difference lies in the number of sections, type of questions, marking scheme and time duration. When it comes to the difficulty level of the exams, both of these exams are more difficult than the other MBA entrance exams. Let’s look at the difference in the syllabus in the table below:
| Details |
CAT |
XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Sections |
3 |
5 |
| Name of the Sections |
|
|
| Exam Duration |
120 minutes |
180 minutes |
Also Read: Is XAT tougher than CAT?
The main difference between CAT and XAT syllabus is that the former has three sections while the latter has four sections. XAT has General Knowledge as the fourth section which are not there in CAT. Let's find out other differences and similarities between CAT and XAT syllabus.
CAT Syllabus Overview
CAT exam consists of three sections. Look at some of the key points for each section below.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: The Verbal Ability part of this section of the CAT question paper has about 10 questions. All of the questions in this section are MCQs which means that the candidates will have to type the answers for each. It includes jumbled paragraphs, comprehensions, verbal reasoning and logic, grammar, fill in the blanks, sentence completion, syllogisms, sentence correction, idioms, phrases, parajumbles, antonyms and synonyms, analogies, etc.
The Reading Comprehension part of this section includes 14 question based on passages pertaining to science, history, politics, economics, environment, literature, society, mythology, etc. The passages are mostly inference based.
- Data Interpretations and Logical Reasoning: This section of CAT exam has 20 questions in total which will be both MCQs and non-MCQs. This section has questions based on logical reasoning, blood relations, propositions, direction sense, puzzles, data interpretation data arrangement, tables, graphs, data structure, clocks and calendars, binary logic, etc. Read More: CAT preparation plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
- Quantitative Ability: The third and the last section of CAT has 22 MCQ and non-MCQ type questions. This sections is all about Mathematics. Topics like LCM and HCF, Algebra, Profit and Loss, Geometry, Probability, Mensuration, Equations, Surds and Indices, Work and Time, etc. make up this section.
Q: Which is better IIM Jammu or IIM Sambhalpur?
Both IIM Jammu and IIM Sambalpur accepts CAT score for admission to the Management courses. IIMs cutoff 2023 will be released after the CAT result. However, considering the 2022 cutoff, IIM Jammu CAT percentile was 90 and for IIM Sambhalpur, the percentile stood at 92 for the General ALL India category candidates. So, considering the previous year CAT percentile for both the IIMs, Sambhalpur is more competitive than Jammu.
Talking bout the NIRF Ranking 2023 under the Management category, IIM Jammu ranked 41, whereas, IIM Sambalpur secured the 58th position. Candidates can refer to the table given below to compare both IIM Jammu and IIM Sambalpur considering several aspects such as total MBA fees, highest package, NIRF ranking and CAT cutoff 2022 to make a clear decision:
| Parameters | IIM Jammu | IIM Sambhalpur |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF Management Ranking 2023 | 41 | 58 |
| CAT Cutoff 2022 | 90 | 92 |
| Total MBA fee | INR 10.5 L - INR 20.7 L | INR 10.5 L |
| Highest package 2023 | INR 64 LPA | INR 64.61 LPA |
XAT Syllabus Overview
XAT question paper consists of four sections. Look at the some of the key points for each section below.
- Decision Making: The first section of XAT exam is the most difficult one too. If you want to crack this section then you must prepare topics related to Logical Reasoning, Arithmetic, Conditions and Grouping, Assumptions, Data Arrangement, etc. thoroughly.
- Verbal and Logical Ability: The next section of XAT exam is VA-LR which has topics like Antonyms and Synonyms, Jumbled Paragraphs, Sentence Completion, Word Usages, Editing and Omitting, etc. The Reading Comprehension passages of XAT are often dense and complicated. There are 2-3 RC passages, one of which is a short poem.
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation: If any candidate wants to crack this section of the XAT exam then he/she must have all the Mathematics formulae, tricks, theorems on their finger tips. This section comprises topics like Percentage, Profit and Loss, Geometry, Probability, Averages and Partnerships, Algebra, Simple and Compound Interest, LCM and HCF, Graphs, Pie Charts, Data Analysis, Mensuration, Time, Speed and Distance, Ratio and Proportions, Inequalities, Linear and Quadratic Equations.
- General Knowledge: There is only one way to excel in this section, and that is to make newspaper your friend. Follow national and international news as well as current affairs and that will help you get through this section. There is no negative marking for this section.
Also Read:
Exam Pattern: CAT vs XAT
Apart from having MCQs, there is no similarity between CAT and XAT patterns. Look at the table below to understand key differences between CAT and XAT exam pattern:
| Details |
CAT |
XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions |
66 |
95 |
| Total marks |
198 |
95 |
| Marking scheme |
Yes. +3 marks for correct answer -1 mark for incorrect answer |
Yes. +1 mark for correct answer - 0.25 mark for incorrect answer. 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than 8 un-attempted questions No negative marking in GK section |
| Type of questions |
MCQs and non-MCQs |
MCQs |
| Number of choices in MCQs |
4 |
4 |
| Sectional time-limit |
Yes |
Yes |
| Time required for preparation |
6-9 months |
6-9 months |
Also Read:
Basically, there is not much difference in the syllabus of CAT and CAT however, the Decision Making and GK sections in the latter makes it necessary for candidates to prepare for both the exams separately. If you need to ace these exams, practice a lot of mock test and solve sample papers.
CAT Mock Test
Shiksha offers free CAT mock tests for practice. Aspirants can attempt these CAT mock tests and check their preparation level.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solution |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
XAT Mock Test
Shiksha offers free XAT mock tests for practice. Aspirants can attempt these CAT mock tests and check their preparation level.
| XAT_Mock_Test_1 | XAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| XAT_Mock_Test_2_ | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Download XAT Previous Year Question Papers
Click on the links below for free PDFs of XAT question papers of previous years. Use these XAT previous year papers for practice.
Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers
Click on the links below for free PDFs of XAT question papers of previous years. Use these CAT previous year papers for practice.
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