CAT vs CMAT 2026: Exam Difference, Difficulty Level, Colleges, Fees & Which is Better?

What is CAT?

The full form for CAT in MBA is the Common Admission Test. The CAT 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis in online mode. CAT scores are accepted by IIMs and other top B-Schools than IIMs. Candidates who qualify for the entrance exam with good marks based on the cutoff of CAT are called upon for further rounds as a part of the IIM admission process

What is CMAT?

CMAT exam full form is a Common Management Admission Test which is a national-level entrance test. CMAT 2026 is conducted in online mode by the National Testing Agency i.e. NTA. Until 2018, CMAT was administered by the All India Council for Technical Education yearly as per the regulations of MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development), Government of India.

CAT vs CMAT: An Overview Comparison

Here is an overview comparison of CMAT vs CAT through different parameters.

CAT vs CMAT: Exam Pattern

• CMAT: This exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). CMAT exam pattern comprises 100 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections: Quantitative Technique, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. Each section contains 25 questions, with a total exam duration of three hours. The CMAT is scored on a scale of 400 points.
• CAT: Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT exam pattern is slightly more complex. It consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The total number of questions varies each year but usually hovers around 100, distributed unevenly across the sections. The duration of the CAT is also three hours, and the test uses a scaled score that takes into account the difficulty level of the exam across different sessions.

CAT vs CMAT: Difficulty Level

• CMAT is generally considered to be less challenging than CAT, mainly due to the nature of the questions, particularly in the quantitative sections. CMAT includes a section on General Awareness, which is not present in the CAT, adding a unique dimension to the test.
• CAT is widely regarded as one of the most challenging entrance exams in India, especially due to its high-level quantitative questions and complex data interpretation sets. The verbal section is also known to be particularly tough due to its emphasis on higher-order reasoning and comprehension skills.

CAT vs CMAT: Exam Syllabus

To ace in both exams, you should be aware of the sections and number of questions that can come in the final exam. Here is a comparison of the CAT and CMAT exams according to their sections and number of questions. The CAT exam pattern was revised last year, The total number of questions asked in the previous CAT exam was 68 questions, added 2 additional questions in the DILR section.

CAT: Sectional Analysis

CMAT: Sectional Analysis

CMAT vs CAT: Conducting Bodies and Timing

• CMAT is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), a government-established body responsible for overseeing various entrance examinations. It is usually held once a year, in January or February.
• CAT is organised by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), with a different IIM taking up the responsibility each year. The exam is typically conducted in late November.

CAT vs CMAT: Top Colleges

• CMAT: More than 1000 institutes across India accept CMAT scores. Some of the prominent ones include Great Lakes Institute of Management, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, and Goa Institute of Management.

• CAT: All 21 IIMs in India use CAT scores for admission, making it the more prestigious of the two exams. Besides the IIMs, other top-rated institutions like Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon also accept CAT scores.

Also Read

Top MBA Colleges in India accepting CAT score
Top B-schools Accepting CMAT Scores

CMAT vs CAT Which is Better?

Choosing between CMAT and CAT largely depends on a candidate’s career goals, preferred colleges, and comfort with the respective exam formats. While CAT opens doors to the elite IIMs and is suitable for those looking for a rigorous challenge, CMAT offers a broader array of options and might be preferable for those who are also interested in exploring opportunities in mid-tier management schools. Aspiring MBA students should consider their academic strengths, preparation levels, and career objectives when deciding which exam to pursue.

CMAT Vs CAT: Mock test

Given below are the best mock test series by Careers360 for CMA and CAT exam preparation.