MBA exam season has begun and it is time for the candidates to keep a track on the latest events of all the upcoming popular entrance exams. The detailed comparison between CAT, CMAT, NMAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP, ATMA and MAT can be checked here.
Aspirants looking forward to MBA admissions 2021 may have started preparing for the numerous entrance exams that began in October 2020. The notifications of many entrance exam such as CAT, MAT, IIFT etc.will be released on their respective websites. It is advisable for candidates to have complete awareness on the schedule of upcoming MBA entrance exams in India so that they do not miss out any of the important dates. Almost all the top MBA exams have a similar syllabus and exam structure, however, it may vary a bit from exam to exam.
Candidates should also understand that if they appear for multiple entrance exams, then the chances of getting admission in top management schools of the country will be more. Preparing for multiple entrance exams will also enhance the knowledge of the candidates and will enable them to perform well in upcoming entrance exams.
Also Read: GMAT vs CAT Differences: Which is Better?
It is often challenging to choose the best entrance exam for getting admission in MBA course. CAT is one of the popular management exams conducted by IIMs. CAT score is also considered by 3,000 non-IIM B-Schools across the country.
In this article, a detailed comparison has been made between the CAT and other MBA entrance exams such as CMAT, NMAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP, ATMA and MAT. The comparison will help the candidates to choose the best exam depending on their time and preparation.
Comparison between CAT, CMAT, NMAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP, ATMA and MAT:
The detailed comparison between CAT and other popular MBA entrance exams such as CMAT, NMAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP, ATMA and MAT can be checked below.
Exam Name | CAT | CMAT | NMAT | XAT | IIFT | SNAP | ATMA | MAT |
Conducting Body | IIMs | National Testing Agency (NTA) | GMAC | XLRI Jamshedpur | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | Symbiosis International Deemed University | Association of Indian Management Schools | All India Management Association |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test | Expected to be Conducted in Online Mode from 2019 | Online Test | Online & Offline Test | Computer-Based and Paper-Based test |
Frequency of Exam | Once a Year | Twice a Year | Candidates can re-take the exam within the stipulated exam dates | Once a Year | Once a Year | Once a Year | Five Times a Year | Four Times a Year |
Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) | 180 Minutes (3 Hours) | 120 Minutes (2 Hours) | 60 Minutes (1 Hour) | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) | 2 ½ Hours (150 Minutes) |
Number of Sections | 03 | 04 + 01(Optional) | 03 | 04 | 06 | 04 | 06 | 05 |
Sectional Time Limit |
| No Time Limit |
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| No Time Limit | No Time Limit | 30 Minutes for Each Section |
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Types of Question Format | 72-75 questions are MCQs, rest Non-MCQs. | Objective Type MCQs | Objective Type MCQs | Objective Type MCQs | Objective Type MCQs | Objective Type MCQs | Objective Type MCQs | Objective Type MCQs |
Option to Choose Order of Sections | Candidates are not allowed to switch between sections | Candidate can answer questions in any section | Test taker can choose the order of sections in NMAT. Once the order of the sections is selected, the NMAT test taker should follow this order. | - | Candidate can answer questions in any section | Candidate can answer questions in any section | Candidates need to Answer Each Section Accordingly | Candidate can answer questions in any section |
Total Marks | 300 | 400 | 120 | 100 | 100 | 60 | 180 | 200 |
Marking for Correct Answer | 03 | 04 | 01 | 01 | Changes from Section to Section: -
| 01 | 01 | 01 |
Marking for Incorrect Answer | -1 | -1 | No Negative Marking | -0.25 (MCQs in XAT GK section are free from Negative Marking) | Changes from Section to Section: -
| Each wrong answer attract 25% negative marks | No Negative Marking | ¼ of the total marks or 0.25 mark |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficulty | Moderate to Difficult | Easy to Difficult | Easy to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
Syllabus Difference |
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Top 05 or 10 Colleges Accepting Exam Score |
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Exam Date 2020/2021 | 28th November 2021(Tentative) | Last week of March 2021/ First week of April 2021 | First week of January 2022 | First week of January 2022 | First week of January 2022 | First week of January 2022 | Second week of February 2022 | 20th February 2021 |
Also Read: MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Which is More Valuable?
CAT Vs XAT
Here is the comparison between CAT and XAT exam.
CAT Vs NMAT
Provided below is the difference between the IIM CAT and NMAT
CAT Vs SNAP
Check the comparison between CAT and SNAP provided below
MAT vs CAT
Here is the difference between CAT and MAT
Other Popular MBA Colleges in India
Check the table below for some other popular colleges in India known for their MBA courses.
| College | Location | Course Fee (in Rs. lakhs) |
| Amity University Manesar | Gurgaon | 8.64 |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Jalandhar | 5.80 |
| Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management (VVISM) | Hyderabad | -- |
| International Institute of Business Studies (IIBS) | Bangalore | 7.46 |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | 2.06 |
| Jagannath Institute of Management Studies (JIMS) | New Delhi | 5.34 |
| ICFAI Business School (IBS) | Hyderabad | 10.50 |
| GITAM Deemed University | Visakhapatnam | 8.50 |
| BML Munjal University | Gurgaon | 10.50 |
| D Y Patil University School of Management | Mumbai | 8.40 |
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If you need help with admission to MBA colleges, fill our Common Application Form (CAF) or call our toll-free student helpline number 1800-572-9877. For the latest updates on all the above entrance exams, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.
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