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CAT vs NMAT: Understanding the Key Differences and Similarities

CAT vs NMAT: Understanding the Key Differences and Similarities

Ongoing Event

NMAT Exam Date:05 Nov' 25 - 19 Dec' 25

#NMAT
Alen Tom ShajiUpdated on 24 Jun 2025, 04:15 PM IST

NMAT VS CAT - NMAT or CAT, which is easier to crack? Which one should you give? NMAT and CAT are the top entrance exams accepted by the top colleges and universities for MBA admissions. By comparing NMAT vs CAT, the exam pattern and syllabus appear to be similar. NMAT and CAT entrance exams are accepted by the majority of the MBA institutions in India. NMAT is a national-level entrance exam accepted by NMIMS and many others conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council. However, CAT is a national-level entrance examination accepted by all IIMs and other B-schools in India.

This Story also Contains

  1. Is NMAT easier than CAT?
  2. Differences Between CAT and NMAT: Key Points
  3. NMAT VS CAT: Know the Difference
  4. NMAT Syllabus vs CAT Syllabus
  5. CAT Syllabus
  6. NMAT VS CAT: Exam Pattern
  7. NMAT VS CAT Cut-off: Top B-Schools Accepting Scores
  8. CAT Cutoff 2024
  9. NMAT vs CAT: Selection Process
  10. NMAT Selection Process 2024
  11. CAT Selection Process 2024
CAT vs NMAT: Understanding the Key Differences and Similarities
CAT vs NMAT

Is NMAT easier than CAT?

NMAT vs CAT: Candidates can apply for the NMAT exam and CAT exam based on their eligibility criteria. Candidates who scored 50% minimum aggregate marks in any relevant bachelor programme or final year students from an approved university can register for the CAT exam or NMAT entrance exam. Read this article of careers360 to get the answers to the dilemmas such as which exam is easier NMAT or CAT?, Is CAT harder than NMAT? and Is it easier to crack NMAT?

Differences Between CAT and NMAT: Key Points

CAT (Common Admission Test) and NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) are the entrance exams for admission to MBA courses in top institutions. Candidates can understand the basic details of the NMAT vs CAT exam.

NMAT vs CAT: Overview

Particulars

CAT

NMAT

Full Form

Common Admission Test

NMIMS Management Aptitude Test

Conducting Body

IIMs

Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)

Number of Attempts

Once every year

Three attempts in a year

Application Fee

  • General category: Rs. 2400
  • Reserved category: Rs. 1200

Rs. 2800

Negative Marking

Yes

No

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NMAT VS CAT: Know the Difference

NMAT is conducted once a year. Candidates who failed to meet the NMAT cutoff marks on the first attempt can retake 2 times in the same year. The NMAT retake exam can taken only after a 15-day gap from the previous attempt. While the CAT exam is conducted once a year only.

NMAT Additional Window: Candidates who do not use three attempts of the NMAT exam can register for the NMAT additional window. Exam slots available for the additional registration window are limited and slots are offered on a first come first serve basis. Candidates who already have an account in the NMAT exam portal can only able to use the NMAT additional window.

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NMAT Syllabus vs CAT Syllabus

NMAT and CMAT are the entrance exams accepted for admission to the top B-schools in India. There are 3 topics to be covered in the NMAT Vs CAT entrance exams. The CAT exam syllabus consists of sections such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). However, the NMAT syllabus consists of Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Skills, and Language Skills. Candidates can check out the below tables to know the sectional-wise topics of NMAT vs CAT exam syllabus.

NMAT Syllabus

NMAT Section-wise questions

NMAT exam 2024 Syllabus

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

NMAT exam Quantitative Aptitude

Logical Reasoning of NMAT 2024

  • Analytical Puzzles
  • Deductions
  • Critical Reasoning
  • Other Reasoning

CAT Syllabus

CAT 2024 Syllabus

CAT exam 2024 Topics

Verbal Ability

Para jumbles, Para summary, Odd sentence out, Inferences, Predictions, One-word substitution, Solving Main idea and title questions, Drawing Conclusions.

Reading Comprehension

RC passages

Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation

Binary Logic, Syllogism, Directions, Clocks and calendars, Tables, Graphs, Charts, Connectives, Logical Sequence, Matching/ Puzzles, Number and Letter Series, Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagrams, Coding-Decoding, Caselets and Table

Quantitative Aptitude

Geometry, Trigonometry, Averages, Percentages, Number Systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration, Modern Maths, Profit and loss, Simple & Compound Interest

NMAT VS CAT: Exam Pattern

Candidates can go through the below table to understand the major differences in th NMAT vs CAT exam patterns.

NMAT vs CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Highlights

Particulars

NMAT 2024 Exam

CAT 2024 Exam Details

Exam sections

  • Quantitative skills
  • Logical reasoning
  • Language skills
  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC),
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR),
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Duration of exam

120 minutes

120 minutes

Total number of questions expected

108

66

Total marks

324

198

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

MCQs and Non-MCQ

Marking Scheme

  • No NMAT Negative marking.
  • Three marks for the right answer.
  • Each question will carry 3 marks
  • 1 mark negative marking for every wrong answer
  • No negative marking for Non-MCQs

NMAT VS CAT Cut-off: Top B-Schools Accepting Scores

Cutoff marks expected for the MBA admissions for top 10 colleges are listed below. MBA cutoff marks for NMAT vs CAT are determined by factors such as the number of candidates attending the exam, difficulty level of the exam, reservation policy, previous year's cutoff trends and many others. The MBA entrance exam's expected 2024 cutoff marks are mentioned in the table below.

NMAT Cutoff 2024

CAT Cutoff 2024

NMAT vs CAT: Selection Process

The selection process of NMAT or CAT entrance exams usually have written test in the first round followed by GD or personal interview. The candidates who qualified in the first round only will be eligible to participate in the next round of the selection process.

NMAT Selection Process 2024

The NMAT selection process comprises two steps that are mentioned below:

  • Step 1: The candidates have to appear for the NMAT 2024 exam.
  • Step 2: The candidates will be shortlisted based on the NMAT scores.
  • Step 3: Shortlisted candidates might appear for the Case Discussion and Personal Interview rounds.
  • Step 4: The final merit list will be released based on the Academic performance, NMAT 2024 score, Work experience and Case discussion / personal interview.
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CAT Selection Process 2024

The candidates who cleared the CAT 2024 will be invited for the CAT selection process by the participating institutes, including the IIMs and non-IIMs. The MBA admission criteria can vary from one institute to another based on CAT 2024 score, WAT, and GD/PI. Check out the CAT selection process for the MBA / PGDM programmes.

  • Step 1: Shortlisting of the candidates based on the CAT cutoff.
  • Step 2: Candidates shortlisted can attend the written test done by the institutes.
  • Step 3: Candidates must go through the group discussion or personal interview round.
  • Step 4: Based on the performance of candidates in the previous academic qualifications and CAT selection process the final result will be announced.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the cutoff marks required to qualify for NMAT 2024?
A:

Candidates who obtained NMAT cutoff marks above 200 will be offered admission to top b-schools accepting NMAT scores.

Q: Which is easier, NMAT or CAT?
A:

When comparing the entrance exam pattern and syllabus, the CAT is generally considered more challenging than the NMAT. The NMAT accepting colleges is less as compared to the CAT accepting institutes. Candidates who wish to apply for the MBA programmes at IIMs must qualify for the CAT exam. There are no differences in the exam pattern and syllabus of NMAT or CAT.

Q: Which exam is right for you, CAT or NMAT?
A:
  • If a candidate is aiming for the top IIMs, then they should opt CAT.
  • If a candidate prefers a more flexible exam with multiple attempts, then NMAT could bethe  right choice. 
Q: Is CAT harder than NMAT?
A:

Both CAT and NMAT exams are the most challenging MBA entrance exams. While comparing the exam syllabus of CAT or NMAT, appears to be similar. Candidates preparing for the CAT can also secure good marks in NMAT. Compared to NMAT, CAT is tougher.

Q: Is NMAT easy to crack?
A:

Candidates can easily crack the NMAT exam if they have a proper study plan, dedication and hard work. The NMAT exam is conducted to analyse the mathematical, logical, language and analytical abilities of students.

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Questions related to NMAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NMAT ?
I got 181 in nmat which college should I apply where I am not trying for top tier I need a decent college

Hi Artful

First, Congratulations on scoring 181 in the NMAT exam. I've suggested to you some decent college names as per your score.

Here are some colleges which give admission to those students who score around 181. You should target these colleges -

  1. Shiv Nadar University
  2. Woxsen School of Business
  3. Amity University
  4. Thapar School of Management
  5. Alliance University
  6. ITM Group of Institutions
  7. ICFAI Business School (IBS)
  8. Bennet University

These are some colleges which give admission to those aspirants who score more than 170+ in the NMAT exam. If you need to know more about the colleges with cutoffs, you should visit our official website, careers360.

Here is the link- https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/top-b-schools-accepting-nmat-scores-and-cutoffs

I hope this information helps you.

Best Wishes


Read Complete Answer
D
Dhruv Sharma
17 Nov'25
which mba colleges in hyderabad are accepting nmat

Hello there!!

Attached below is the link of the list of top colleges accepting NMAT from Hyderabad. Kindly go through the link from the official website of Careers360.

https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-mba-colleges-in-hyderabad-accepting-nmat-by-gmac

Thank you!

Read Complete Answer
R
Ritika
10 Nov'25
i booked my nmat exam but i missed exam date sceduling can i scedule my exam in any way ?

Hello, This is a difficult situation. Unfortunately, if you paid your NMAT registration fee but missed the deadline to schedule your exam slot, you generally cannot schedule that attempt. The scheduling window is strict, and once it closes, you lose that attempt and the fee is forfeited. "Rescheduling" is a paid option that only applies if you have already scheduled a date and want to change it to a different date (at least 72 hours in advance).

  • My strong recommendation is to immediately log in to your NMAT dashboard and check if the option to register for a "Retake" is available. If not, you must contact NMAT customer support right away to explain the situation, though it is very likely you will have to book and pay for a retake.

I hope you found this information helpful, and for any study related problems you can ask in careers360 app.

Have a great day!

Read Complete Answer
J
Jishan Mondal
31 Oct'25
I booked my nmat exam but missed the last date to book a slot. can i schedule a retake by any chance? or if there is any other solution, please kindly help.

Hello,

If you have booked the NMAT exam but missed the slot booking deadline, unfortunately, you cannot schedule the exam for that attempt now, as NMAT strictly closes the slot booking once the window ends.

However, you can still book a retake only if your previous attempt was completed within the exam window and the retake registration is open on your NMAT dashboard. If you didn’t take the first test at all, you’ll need to wait for the next NMAT cycle.

It’s advised to keep checking your NMAT by GMAC account and official notifications in case the window is extended or reopened. Otherwise, you’ll have to reapply in the next session when registrations begin again.

Hope you understand.

Read Complete Answer
S
Sankalp Agrawal
26 Oct'25
When will the MBA(law) application be online for 2026-28 batch, I am in final year of graduation and also appearing for NMAT for same., kindly let me know when would it be online.

Hello,

The application dates for MBA (Law) 2026–28 batch are not announced yet.

Since you are appearing for NMAT, you can expect the forms to be released around the time of NMAT registrations , which usually begin in August. Most likely, the applications will open by August or September 2025.

You should keep checking the official admission website of the college for exact updates.

Hope it helps !

Read Complete Answer
P
Prachi Kumari
29 Aug'25
View all

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