What Do You Know About CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT?

What Do You Know About CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT?

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Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 16, 2024 13:51 IST

CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT are the top four MBA entrance exams in India for MBA admission. Read all about CAT, MAT, CMAT and XAT in this article. Also know about other top MBA entrance exams that are gateway to some of the top MBA colleges in India.

MBA entrance exams

CAT, MAT, XAT and CMAT are the most popular MBA entrance exams in India as they are valid for admission to a large pool of MBA colleges. These exams are conducted at all India level and any candidate who is a graduate can appear in them. Although these MBA entrance exams have similar pattern and syllabus, they are distinct in their own way and require preparation accordingly. Candidates can appear for all these exams in the same academic session but they need to prepare for each one of them as per specific requirements. In this article, we have shared key details about CAT, MAT, XAT and CMAT for you to make the right choice. The article also has a list of other MBA entrance exams in India you can appear in 2025.

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Top MBA Entrance Exams in India

Common Admission Test or CAT is the top entrance exam for MBA. It is the gateway to IIMs, FMS Delhi, IMT, SPJIMR, IIT-DoMS, MDI Gurgaon, IMI Delhi and other top ranked MBA colleges.

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is the gateway to XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI, IMT, LIBA, BITS Pilani, XISS, KJ Somaiya, MICA, BIMTECH, IRMA, XIMB, etc.

Q:   Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

A:

Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2025, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.

The most important things to keep in mind are:

  1. CAT exam mode is online
  2. Each question carries three marks 
  3. There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts

The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:

  • Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high 
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate 
  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high

Q:   How many questions should I solve to get a good score in CMAT?

A:
Since every section of CMAT has 20 questions in total, solving 15-18 questions in each section with 80 per cent accuracy is considered a good attempt in CMAT and it can ensure good percentile in the exam. In GK section, about 10-12 correct attempts will be enough. Out of 100 questions, candidates must try to solve about 70-75 questions to get 99 percentile. However, candidates must aim to solve higher number of questions with maximum accuracy and minimise on negative marking. To be able to achieve this target, candidates need to prepare for the CMAT in a dedicated and disciplined manner. The candidate must keep minimum three months aside for completing the CMAT syllabus as they have to study five subjects and their numerous topics. If they have appeared for CAT XAT and IIFT exam then they can complete the CMAT syllabus in one month too. However, it is advised that candidates spend at least three months on the CMAT syllabus for complete preparation.

Q:   Is CAT exam tough for an average student?

A:

CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems.

However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.

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Now that you know the MBA colleges for which CAT, MAT, XAT and CMAT scores are valid, you can decide which exam to target this season. The wise thing to do is appear for all four or more entrance exams so that you can secure a seat in a good MBA college, as the admission criteria does not include only entrance exam score. Candidstes can also choose a combination of any two depeding upon their target B-Schools. Candidates have to face Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), as well. 

Q:   Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?

A:
Usually, it is recommended to start CAT preparation about a year or nine months in advance. However, one can prepare for this exam even in six months if they put 8-10 hours daily into it. Candidates who have attempted the CAT before may not face a lot of hurdles in six-month preparation as they have a foundation in CAT preparation from previous year, but candidates who are appearing in the exam for the first time may face obstacles, mostly related to accuracy. The syllabus of CAT is vast and includes a lot of reading. One also has to spend a lot of time in practice sessions and mock tests to be able to master all types of CAT questions - easy, moderate and tough. If you are a student of engineering/technical or commerce background you will need to pay extra attention on VARC . However, you'll be able to manage the syllabus of DILR and Quantitative Aptitude with adequate practice of topics. But if you are a student from Arts background, it is advised to start CAT preparation much earlier because you will have to brush up a lot of Mathematics. Reading Comprehension is one subject that cannot be mastered by student belonging to any academic stream, if their English comprehension is not strong. To develop reading habit all CAT aspirants will have to start much earlier.

Also Read: MBA Admission 2024-2025: Check Application Deadline and Process of Top B-Schools

CAT Full Form and Highlights 

The full form of CAT is Common Admission Test. The exam is valid for admission to over 1,200 MBA colleges in India. CAT is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management and considered the toughest MBA entrance exam. Read key highlights of CAT exam 2024 below:

CAT Features 

CAT Details 

Conducting institute

IIM

Exam level

National

Exam frequency

Once a year

Exam mode

CBT

Exam duration

2 hours

CAT 2024 exam date

24-Nov-2024

Registration Dates

01-Aug-2024 to 21-Sep-2024

Eligibility 

  • Graduation with 50 % aggregate (45 % for SC/ST students)
  • Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply

Number of applications

3.30 lakh (in 2023)

Exam fees

INR 2,500 (General category) and INR 1,250 (Reserved category)

CAT syllabus

  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) 
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Ability (QA)

CAT pattern

66 MCQs and non-MCQs

No. of test cities

170

Exam purpose

Admission into IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India

Course offered

MBA/PGDM

Exam helpdesk no.

1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free)

Exam website

 https://iimcat.ac.in

Also Read:

MAT Full Form and Highlights

The full form of MAT is Management Aptitude Test. It is considered an easy exam. The greatest benefit of MAT is that one can choose the month as well as the mode in which one wants to appear for it. Read key highlights of MAT 2024 exam below:

MAT Features 

MAT Details 

Conducting institute

All India Management Association (AIMA)

Exam level

National

Exam frequency

Multiple times a year

Exam mode

CBT, PBT and IBT

Exam duration

2 hours

MAT exam schedule

07-Dec-2024 (CBT 1)

14-Dec-2024 (PBT)

22-Dec-2024 (CBT 2)

MAT registration dates

30-Nov-2024 (CBT 1)

07-Dec-2024 (PBT)

15-Dec-2024 (CBT 2)

Eligibility 

  • Graduation in any stream from a recognised university
  • Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply

Number of applications

40,000 (approx.)

Exam fees

INR 2,100 (INR 1,500 additionally for second test mode)

MAT syllabus

  • Language Comprehension
  • Data Analysis & Sufficiency
  • Mathematical Skills (Quantitative Aptitude)
  • Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
  • Economic and Business Environment

MAT pattern

150 questions in MCQs format

No. of test cities

35-40

Exam purpose

Admission to 800 MBA Colleges in India (approx.)

Course offered

MBA/PGDM

Exam helpdesk no.

011 - 24645100 / 011 - 24617354 / 011 - 43128100

Exam website

https://mat.aima.in/

Also Read:

XAT Full Form and Highlights

The full form of XAT is Xavier Aptitude Test and it is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur annually every year on first Sunday of January. XAT is of moderate to high difficulty level. Read key highlights of XAT exam 2024 below:

XAT Features 

XAT Details 

Conducting institute

XLRI, Jamshedpur

Exam level

National

Exam frequency

Once a year

Exam mode

CBT

Exam Duration

3.30 hours

XAT exam date

05-Jan-2025

Registration Dates

15-July-2024 to 10-Dec-2024

Eligibility 

  • Graduation in any stream from a recognised university
  • Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply

Number of applications

1.35 lakh ( in 2023)

Exam fees

INR 2,200

XAT syllabus

  • Decision Making
  • Verbal & Logical Ability
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
  • General Knowledge
  • Essay Writing

XAT pattern

95 questions in MCQ format

No. of test cities

110

Exam purpose

Admission to XLRI and 800 MBA colleges

Course offered

MBA/PGDM

Exam helpdesk no.

18002674008

Exam website

https://xatonline.in/

Also Read:

What is the difference between CAT and XAT? What is the difference between CAT and MAT? What is the difference between CAT and CMAT?

CMAT Full Form and Highlights

The full form of CMAT is Common Management Admission Test. It is conducted by the NTA and valid for admission to all government institutions for MBA and PDGM programmes. Many private institutes also accept CMAT score for admission. Read key highlights of CMAT exam 2025 below:

CMAT Features 

CMAT Details 

Conducting institute

National Testing Agency

Exam level

National

Exam frequency

Once a year

Exam mode

CBT

Exam Duration

3 hours 30 minutes for optional paper

Exam schedule

25-Jan-2025

Registration Dates

14-Nov-2024 to 25-Dec-2024

Eligibility 

  • Graduation in any stream from a recognised university
  • Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply

Number of applications

75,000

Exam fees

INR 2,000

CMAT syllabus

  • Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability
  • General Awareness
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional paper)

CMAT pattern

100 questions in MCQ format

No. of test cities

124

Exam purpose

Admission to 1300 MBA colleges

Course offered

MBA/PGDM

Exam helpdesk no.

0120-6895200

Exam website

 https://www.nta.ac.in

Also Read:

Other Top MBA Entrance Exams

Given below is the list of some other popular MBA entrance exams you can explore and consider applying for admission a B-School of your choice: 

MBA Entrance Exams

MBA Entrance Exams Full-Form

KMAT

Karnataka Management Aptitude Test

IBSAT

ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test 

MICAT

MICA Common Aptitude Test

MAH CET

Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test

NMAT by GMAC

Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test by GMAC

SNAP

Symbiosis National Aptitude Test

TANCET

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test Exam

List of all MBA entrance exams

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls

FAQs on CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT?

A: The basic eligibility criteria for CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT is graduation. For CAT candidates must have scored at least 50 per cent in aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD candidates) in graduation from a recognised university. Candidates having professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWAI are also eligible for these exams. Final year graduation students can also apply.  

Q: What is the difficulty level of CAT exam?

A: CAT exam is of moderate to high difficulty level. Candidates have to solve 66 question in 120 minutes but there is a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section, which makes the exam a bit difficult as there is a pressure of completing each section on time. Apart from that, the CAT question paper usually have tough or tricky questions.

Q: What is the difficulty level of MAT exam?

A: MAT exam is easy. Candidates can crack MAT with three or four months of preparation of Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge. MAT is the easiest MBA entrance exam of all and one can attempt it multiple times in the same academic year. 

Q: What is the difficulty level of XAT exam?

A: XAT is an exam whose difficulty level is usually moderate to high. The question paper comprises tough Reading Comprehension and Decision Making passages, which test the candidate’s comprehension as well as analytical abilities. Sometimes, the Quantitative Aptitude questions also turn out to be tough and calculation intensive. However, in XAT 2025 there will be no essay writing, thus there is no added stress of preparing essays along with other subjects.

Q: What is the difficulty level of CMAT exam?

A: CMAT is a moderate difficulty level exam. It has 100 questions to be solved in three hours. There is no sectional time limit. Candidates have to choose the right answer from the give options. The questions are asked from Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, English Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge. Innovation and Entrepreneurship was added as a section in 2021. Since it is a new section less study material is available for it. Candidates may find it difficult to crack CMAT. 

Q: Which top MBA colleges accept CAT score for admission?

A: All the IIMs accept CAT score for MBA admission. Apart from IIMs, the top colleges that accept CAT score for admission include MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMI Delhi, GLIM Chennai, BIMTECH, IIT-DoMS, LIBA, GIM Goa and many more.

Q: Which top MBA colleges accept XAT score for admission?

A: Top MBA colleges that accept XAT score for admission include XLRI Jamshedpur, Amrita School of Business, Xavier University Bhubaneswar, Doon Business School Dehradun, IMS-Noida, Indus School of Business Gurgaon, IIMT School of Management (ISM), Gurgaon, FORE School of Management, New Delhi, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur, Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) Noida, Prin. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research Mumbai, MICA Ahmedabad, IRMA Anand among others.

Q: Which top MBA colleges accept CMAT score for admission?

A: Top MBA colleges that accept CMAT score for admission include SIMSREE, JBIMS, Amrita School of Business, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, TAPMI, Jaipuria Noida, LM Thappar School of Management, BM Munjal University, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Tezpur University, Shri Ram Institute of Management among others.

Q: Which top MBA colleges accept MAT score for admission?

A: Top MBA colleges that accept MAT score for admission include Amity Business School, Noida, Christ University Bengaluru, BIMTECH Greater Noida, SIESCOMS Navi Mumbai, Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini Delhi, Indus Business Academy, IPE Hyderabad, Institute of Public Enterprise, ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai among others.

Q: What should be the preparation strategy for CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT?

A: Candidates preparing for CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT must prepare subjects like Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge. XAT has an additional section Decision Making. CMAT too has an additional section Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Q: What is the fees of CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT?

A: Application fee for MBA entrance exam is to be paid at the time of form submission. The fee amount to be paid are:

  • CAT: INR 2,500 (INR 1,250 for Reserved category)
  • XAT: INR 2,200
  • MAT: INR 2,100
  • CMAT: INR 2,500 (INR 1,250 for Reserved category, women and transgender)
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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