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XAT vs CAT: XAT stands for Xavier Aptitude Test which is conducted by XLRI (Xavier School of Management) for admissions in XLRI and other 150+ MBA colleges in India. CAT stands for Common Admission Test which is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) for admission into IIM colleges and other 1000+ B-schools in India. Each year, the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) conducts both exams, which are computer-based tests (CBT).
XAT vs CAT
| Feature | XAT | CAT |
| Conducting body | XLRI Jamshedpur | IIMs |
| Number of Sections | 4 | 3 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 30 mins | 2 hours |
| Difficulty level | Higher (especially Decision Making & GK) | High (especially VARC & DILR) |
| Total Questions | 95 | 68 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Negative Marking | Yes, but GK has no negative marking | Yes |
| Acceptance | XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, etc. | IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, etc |
Also Read, XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026, Age Limit, Educational Qualification
XAT vs CAT: Which is Better?
When in confusion between which one to choose, XAT or CAT, keep in mind your career goals, targeted colleges, difficulty preference, and exam strengths. Given below is the comparison between XAT and CAT:
| Criteria | XAT | CAT |
| Colleges & opportunities | XLRI, XIMB, IMT | All IIMs, FMS, MDI |
| Exam pattern and difficulty | For those who are good at logical reasoning, business ethics, and GK | For those who excel at DILR & Quant |
| Marking scheme | +1 for correct & -0.25 for incorrect answer | +3 for correct & -1 incorrect answer |
| Time durations | 3 hours | 2 hours |
Best choice: If it is possible, then take both tests to maximise your chances.
Also Read, CAT Notification 2025, Expected Release Date, Download PDF Link
XAT vs CAT Difficulty Level
Both XAT and CAT are among the toughest MBA entrance exams in India. The difficulty level varies in both exams based on section-wise complexity, additional topics and time pressure.
The overall difficulty level of XAT and CAT is given below:
| Criteria | CAT | XAT |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate - High | Moderate - High |
| Toughest Section | DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | Decision making (DM ) |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Medium (Arithmatics, Algebra) | Moderate to Tough (Geometry & Arithmetic) |
| Verbal Ability (VARC) | High RC Focus | More Grammar & Critical Reasoning |
| Time Pressure | High (fixed time per section) | Moderate (No sectional time limit) |
XAT is slightly tougher than CAT because of its additional Decision Making and General Knowledge sections.
XAT vs CAT: Sectional-wise Difficulty levels
| Sections | CAT | XAT |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Focus on Algebra, Number Systems, and Logarithms | Focus more on Arithmetic & Geometric-focused Not as tricky as CAT’s QA section |
| Verbal Ability | (VARC)
| (VA & LR)
|
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | (DILR)
| (VA & LR)
|
Also Read, XAT Notification 2026, Check Release Date, Download Link
CAT vs XAT Syllabus
XAT and CAT are both the entrance exams for admissions in B-school. Both have similar core subjects, but they differ in structure and difficulty levels.
Sections in XAT and CAT:-
| Sections | CAT | XAT |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Yes | Yes |
| Logical reasoning & Data Interpretation (DILR) | Yes | Yes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Yes | Yes |
| Decision making (DM) | No | Yes (Unique to XAT) |
| General Knowledge (GK) | No | Yes (Not counted in percentile) |
The difference in difficulty level is given in the above section and listed below is the common topics in both the exams (XAT & CAT):
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC in CAT, VA & LR in XAT)
- Reading Comprehension (RC) – 70% of CAT’s VARC
- Para Jumbles & Odd Sentence Out
- Grammar & Sentence Correction
- Vocabulary-based Questions
- Critical Reasoning & Inference-based Questions
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (DILR in CAT, part of VA & LR in XAT)
- Seating Arrangements & Puzzles
- Blood Relations & Directions
- Syllogisms & Logical Connectives
- Tables, Graphs, and Caselets
- Data Sufficiency
Quantitative Aptitude (QA & DI in CAT, QA in XAT)
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio, Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss)
- Algebra (Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Number System & LCM-HCF
- Probability & Permutations
Also Check, CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF, Download Section-wise Syllabus PDF
XAT vs CAT Colleges
XAT and CAT are both exams for admissions in top MBA colleges in India. Given below is the list of the best colleges accepting XAT and CAT scores:
MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
| Levels | B-schools |
| Premium B-schools (Tier-1) |
XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar) |
| Other top B-schools |
Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai & Gurgaon) FORE School of Management (New Delhi) |
| Other good colleges | KJ Somaiya institute of Management (Mumbai) GIM (Goa Institute of Management) IRMA Anand |
MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score
| Levels | B-schools |
| Tier-1 | |
| Top Non-IIM B-school |
|
| IIT & IIM mumbai |
|
CAT vs XAT Cut Off Scores
The cut-off scores for CAT and XAT vary depending upon the colleges and institutes. However, the key differences between both XAT & CAT cut-offs are as follows:
| Criteria | CAT | XAT |
| Top College Cut-offs | 98-99+ percentile | 92-95+ percentile |
| Easier for Non-Engineers | No | Yes (HRM at XLRI) |
| Sectional Cut-offs | Yes (VARC, DILR, QA) | Yes (DM, QA, VA & LR) |
| Raw Score vs Percentile | Percentile based | Percentile-based |
XAT vs CAT Exam Pattern
XAT and CAT exams are more or less similar but they differ in format, sections and structure. The comparison is given below:
XAT vs CAT: Overall Comparison
| XAT | CAT | |
| Number of Sections | 4 sections
| 3 sections
|
| Exam Duration | 3 hours | 2 hours |
| Exam Flexibility |
|
|
XAT vs CAT: Number of Questions & Difficulty level
| Feature | XAT | CAT |
| Total Questions | 95 | 68 |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate-High (Tricky Decision Making & critical Reasoning) | Moderate-High (Challenging DILR & RC- heavy VARC) |
| Question Types | MCQs | MCQs + TITA (Type in the Answer) |
XAT vs CAT: Marking Scheme & Negative Marking
| Criteria | XAT | CAT |
| Correct Answer | +1 | +3 |
| Incorrect Answer | -0.25 (except GK ) | -1 |
| Unattempted Questions | -0.1 (if more than 8 left blank) | No penalty |
XAT vs CAT: Conclusion
Choosing between XAT and CAT depends on your strengths, goals, and the B-schools you want to join. CAT is ideal if you're aiming for IIMs or top institutes like FMS and SPJIMR, and you're strong in Quant, DILR, and VARC. It has sectional time limits, so it's best for those who can manage time under pressure. XAT, on the other hand, is perfect for those targeting XLRI, XIMB, and IMT, and who excel in Decision Making, GK, and Logical Reasoning. It offers more flexibility as it has no sectional timing.
If you're still unsure, the best advice is to attempt both exams. This increases your chances of admission into top B-schools across India. In the end, it’s not about which test is harder, but which one suits your skillset and career plan better. Prepare well, stay focused, and you’ll do great!
