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Is XAT tougher than CAT? When comparing XAT VS CAT, both depict almost the same difficulty levels. They share similarities and have their own differences. CAT and XAT are among the top MBA entrance exams taken for MBA admission in India. So let’s discover more about MBA admissions through the CAT Vs XAT comparison. When we think about XAT VS CAT, which is better? The number of MBA colleges accepting CAT scores is higher than that accepting XAT scores. How the XAT differs from the CAT exam will be understandable by reading this XAT vs CAT article.
Candidates can not challenge the final answer key of CAT 2025, as it is prepared after examination of objections raised by candidates against the preliminary answer key.
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The difference between XAT and CAT is mainly based on their syllabus, type of questions, marking scheme and time limits. MBA aspirants who have prepared for the CAT exam can easily appear for the XAT exam. The topics covered in the CAT syllabus are similar to the XAT syllabus. Have a look at the XAT Vs CAT tabular differentiation, similarities and difficulty levels in this article.
Top MBA colleges like IIMs, IITs, MDI, XLRI, XIMB, SPJIMR, etc. offer admission based on the MBA entrance exams like CAT and XAT. So a common question arises, which one is better CAT or XAT? Or is CAT tougher than XAT? CAT and XAT are both moderately difficult and equally competitive. As per the exam analysis, the toughest section of CAT exam is DILR and of XAT exam is the Quantitative Aptitude section.
Particulars | CAT 2025 | XAT 2026 |
Full form | Common Admission Test | Xavier Aptitude Test |
Conducting Body | IIM | XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50 % aggregate (45 % for SC/ST students) | Graduate in any stream from a recognised university |
Exam mode | Online | Online |
Marking Scheme | +3 marks for correct answer | +1 mark for a correct answer |
Type of Questions | MCQ & TITA (Type In The Answer) | MCQ and Essay |
Exam fee | INR 2,400 for General category | INR 2,100 |
Mode of registration process | Online | Online |
No. of accepting B-schools | 21 IIMs & 1000+ B-schools in India | 160+ MBA colleges |
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The major difference between XAT and CAT is their syllabus, types of questions and exam pattern. The difficulty levels are almost the same. Like any other MBA entrance syllabus, both exams consist of the same sections, like QA, DILR, VA and RC passages. The only difference between them is that XAT exam consists of additional sections like GK, decision making and essay writing. Check out the differentiation between CAT and XAT.
Basis of Differentiation | CAT 2025 | XAT 2026 |
Sections | VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude | Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay Writing |
Number of Sections | 3 | 5 (including GK, Decision Making and essay writing) |
Additional Sections in XAT | None | Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay Writing |
Negative Marking for Un-attempted Questions | No | Yes |
Time Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours 30 minutes |
Specific Difficulty Areas | DILR section is often challenging | The decision-making section is unique and challenging |
Apart from differences, there are various similarities between these top MBA entrance exams. CAT and XAT share a similar syllabus, and both carry negative markings. From CAT vs XAT comparison, we can say that both of them are a speed-based test that examines the accuracy of the candidates. Have a look at the similarities between XAT and CAT exam.
Basis of Similarities | CAT 2025 | XAT 2026 |
Sections | Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude | Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude + Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay |
Number of Sections | 3 | 3 (excluding GK, Decision Making and Essay) |
Types of Questions | Analytical Ability, Logical Reasoning, English Communication Skills | Analytical Ability, Logical Reasoning, English Communication Skills, Decision Making, General Knowledge, Essay |
Syllabus Similarity | Yes | Yes |
Negative Marking Scheme | Yes | Yes |
Speed-based Test | Yes | Yes |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT and XAT exam pattern are completely different from each other but their syllabus still have certain similarities. Let's have a look at the comparison between the XAT and CAT exam pattern and their syllabus through a table.
Details | CAT Marking Scheme | XAT Marking Scheme |
Number of Questions | 66 | 100 |
Total Marks | 198 | 100 |
Negative Marking |
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Number of choices in MCQs | 4 | 5 |
Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes for each section | 175 minutes for Part 1 (VA, QA, DM), 5 minutes for Part 2 (Mock Keyboard Testing) and 30 minutes for Part 3 (GK Essay Writing) |
Candidates can check the XAT and CAT 2025 exam dates for the MBA admission 2026-28 session.
MBA Exam | MBA Exam Date |
CAT 2025 | November 30, 2025 |
XAT 2026 | January 04, 2026 |
After going through all the differences and similarities between XAT and CAT entrance exams, candidates must decide which MBA exam they want to take. They must prepare an effective study plan and start with the preparation of the exam they wish to appear for. Before preparing a study plan, it is crucial to know the syllabus of CAT and XAT syllabus mentioned below.
CAT 2025 Syllabus | |
XAT 2026 Syllabus |
Check out the CAT 2025 preparation tips and exam preparation tips for XAT 2026 listed below in the table.
Have a look at the best XAT and CAT study material like previous year CAT question papers, XAT question papers and mock test series to help you prepare for these upcoming MBA entrance exams.
Given below are the XAT and CAT previous year question papers:
Given below are the best mock test series by Careers360 for XAT and CAT 2025 preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) does not accept XAT score for MBA admission. IIM's only accept CAT score.
The question of whether IIM or XLRI is better depends on specific career goals and preferences. XLRI is mainly known for its Human Resources (HR) programme, while IIMs are preferred for broader management roles, especially in finance and consulting.
No, Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) do not accept XAT scores for admission to MBA programme. They primarily accept scores from the Common Admission Test (CAT).
No, the CAT and XAT syllabi are not the same as XAT includes separate sections for Decision Making and General Knowledge, which are not the CAT exam.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
With a projected CAT percentile of 87% but not clearing sectional cutoffs, your chances at top IIMs are limited because they require both overall percentile and sectional minimums. However, you still have a good shot at other reputed management institutes and non-IIM B-schools. Consider colleges like NMIMS, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and other well-ranked private or state-level B-schools that accept CAT scores and weigh your profile holistically. Your academic record, BSc in Animation with 80%, and 5 years of work experience at Ubisoft India are strong points and may help in institutes that value work experience in their selection process. Also, explore institutes that accept XAT, MAT, or CMAT, where your profile can be competitive.
Hope this helps you.
Good Morning,
NIT Rourkela CAT cutoff range is between 70-85 percentiles for the general category. 70 is the minimum percentile needed to apply, and 85 is the highest percentile. However, the maximum percentile depends on the particular year competition. It can be changed.
Thank You.
If you filled the UGC NET form under EWS but you don’t have a valid EWS certificate, then forget using the EWS category. They won’t accept it. You’ll automatically be treated as General category during document verification.
And no, this won’t make your form “invalid” or “illegal.” It just means you won’t get the EWS benefit.
So yes — you can still go for General category posts and Professor recruitment. Just don’t try to submit a fake/invalid certificate; that will get you disqualified.
Hello,
If your CAT admit card shows your surname first followed by your first name as entered in the form, it is correct. You do not need to worry about this format as long as it matches the details you provided. Ensure all other information on the admit card is accurate and carry it to the exam along with the required identification documents.
Hope this helps you.
Hello,
If your CAT admit card has a different date of birth than your Aadhaar card, you should get it corrected immediately . Here’s what you can do:
Check the CAT website : Log in to your candidate portal and look for the option to correct personal details.
Contact the CAT helpdesk : Email or call them explaining the issue. Attach a copy of your Aadhaar card as proof.
Do not ignore it : The date of birth must match your ID, otherwise you may face problems at the exam or during admission.
Usually, the CAT authorities allow corrections before the exam, so act quickly.
Hope it helps !
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