CAT vs other MBA exams

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?

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 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 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

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.

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

SNAP vs CAT

SNAP and CAT entrance exams are the two most important MBA entrance exams every year. CAT exam is generally considered more challenging and competitive than SNAP as it is a widely recognized entrance exam for prestigious IIMs and other top B-schools.

SNAP is conducted only for MBA/ PGDM admission in colleges of Symbiosis International University (SIU) and is considered less challenging than the CAT exam. When comparing SNAP and CAT exam, it is important to consider a multifaceted perspective beyond just difficulty levels.

16 SIU-affiliated colleges in India accept SNAP 2024, whereas, IIMs and many B-schools in India accept CAT 2024.