CAT Vs XAT: Is XAT tougher than CAT? A question that is asked by several management aspirants, especially ones who plan on appearing for multiple MBA entrance exams in an academic year to increase their chances of securing MBA admissions. CAT and XAT both are important management exams and hold equal importance as far as MBA admissions are concerned. Analytical ability, logical reasoning, and English communication abilities are some common areas examined in both the CAT and XAT exams.
Both are aptitude exams, and the exam patterns for both these exams are similar. For many aspirants, the question that arises is if 'XAT is tougher than CAT?' Well, the answer to this question cannot be a clear-cut yes or no. There are unique features in both XAT and CAT. For instance, the XAT exam has a sectional time limit that is similar to the CAT exam, but it has a different marking scheme. However, the CAT exam does not have the Decision Making and GK sections that are included in the XAT exam, which call for additional preparation. The CAT is conducted a month before the XAT exam. The difficulty level of the CAT exam usually ranges from moderate to difficult. The XAT exam becomes easy to manage for individuals who appear for the CAT exam.
However, this article will take a look at the similarities and differences between both examinations and will also examine the exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus for both exams. This will help you understand the nature of both CAT and XAT, and help you make an informed decision about which exam you would like to appear for, and which exam tends to be the superior one between CAT vs XAT.
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XAT vs CAT
Although the two management exams are relatively similar, it is important for applicants to comprehend certain minute variations between the two in order to develop an effective study plan.- The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) administer the CAT (Common Admission Test) as a criterion for admission to their different management programs.
- For admission to their MBA programs, a number of other non-IIM member institutions also accept the CAT score.
- To choose the best candidates for management education, XLRI (Xavier School of Management) administers the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) at the national level.
- More than 160 colleges utilize XAT scores to admit students to their MBA programs.
Students aspiring for careers in the management domain often appear for various entrance exams such as CAT, IIFT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, etc. The candidate's ultimate aim is to get admission into the top B-schools and for that, a good percentile in the entrance exams is required. Is XAT tougher than CAT? To answer this, we will look at the similarities and differences between both.
XAT and CAT are both immensely popular but the key difference is that CAT is accepted by the 20 IIMs and over 1220+ B-schools while XAT is accepted by 850+ B-schools. XAT 2024 will be held on January 7, 2024, while the CAT 2023 will be conducted on November 26, 2023. Unlike CAT, XAT has General knowledge and a Decision-Making section that needs extra effort and preparation. Aspirants must note that both entrance exams require a good strategy and preparation plan.
Also Read: CAT vs CMAT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT & Other MBA Entrance Exams
XAT vs CAT: Key Differences and Similarities
Both CAT (Common Admission Test) and XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) share a similar syllabus, excluding the Decision Making and General Knowledge (GK) sections. However, their distinctions become apparent in question types and difficulty levels. In terms of difficulty, CAT and XAT both stand out as more challenging than many other MBA entrance exams. When compared to each other, CAT's Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section is typically considered tougher than its other sections, while XAT's Quantitative Aptitude section tends to be more challenging than its counterparts.
XAT reintroduced the Essay Writing section in 2022, making the exam somewhat longer. In contrast, CAT does not feature subjective or essay-writing questions. CAT's exam pattern has remained consistent over the past five years, with a significant change occurring in the total number of questions, reducing from 76 to 66 two years ago. For some candidates, this modification makes CAT appear easier than XAT.
To assess which exam is more demanding, it's essential to understand the distinctions between the two. Check out the major differences and similarities between the two most popular management entrance exams prescribed in the tabular format below.
Particulars | CAT | XAT |
---|---|---|
Full Form | Common Admission Test | Xavier Aptitude Test |
Conducting Body | IIM | XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Eligibility Criteria | Graduate with 50% aggregate (45% for reserved category candidates) from a recognized university | Graduate (any stream from a recognized university) |
Sections | 3 | 4 |
Exam Mode | Online | Online |
Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 210 minutes |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
Exam Fee | INR 2,400 (General Category) INR 1,200 (Reserved Category) | INR 2,100 |
Registration Process | Online | Online |
This table offers a clear overview of the key differences and similarities between CAT and XAT, aiding prospective MBA candidates in making informed decisions.
CAT vs XAT: Exam Syllabus
In comparing CAT and XAT, it's important to note that XAT includes sections for Decision Making and General Knowledge that are not part of the CAT syllabus. Below is a section-wise breakdown of the subjects covered in both the CAT and XAT exams:
CAT Syllabus | XAT Syllabus |
---|---|
- Quantitative Aptitude | - Decision Making |
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension |
- Verbal and Logical Ability | - Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation |
- - | - General Knowledge |
Also Read: Colleges in India Accepting XAT Scores
XAT vs CAT: Sectional Weightage
XAT Exam Pattern
Part | Sections | No.of Questions | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Part 1 | Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning | 26 | 175 mins |
Decision Making | 21 | ||
Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation | 28 | ||
Par 2 | Mock Keyboard Testing | - | 5 mins |
Part 3 | General Knowledge | 25 | 30 mins |
Essay | 1 | ||
Total | 101 | 210 mins |
CAT Exam Pattern
According to the CAT exam pattern, the sectional weightage for the CAT exam is as follows:Sections | No.of Questions | Time |
---|---|---|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 mins |
Quantitative Ability | 22 | 40 mins |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 20 | 40 mins |
Total | 66 | 120 mins |
XAT vs CAT: Scope after the Exam
Aspirants must also compare both XAT and CAT in terms of the scope. Here is the tabular comparison of the career scope between both the entrance exams.
Particulars | XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
---|---|---|
Career Scope | XAT is the prestigious entrance exam taken by aspirants to get admission to the top MBA institutions. The career scope of XAT is a little less as compared to that of CAT. The exam is accepted by over 850 top B-schools in India. | CAT is the most popular management entrance exam in India. The career scope of CAT is immensely wide. The exam is accepted by the prominent IIMs and B-Schools in our country. |
Institutes Accepting the Test |
Is XAT Tougher than CAT?
The XAT exam has a sectional time limit, just like the CAT exam, however, the marking scheme is different. On the other side, unlike the XAT, the CAT exam lacks the Decision Making and GK components, which call for additional preparation. Although both exams have the same syllabus (apart from Decision Making and GK), the variation is in the types of questions asked and the degree of difficulty. Both the XAT and the CAT are significantly more difficult than other MBA entrance examinations. Both of them are challenging when compared to one another, although in CAT, the DILR section is typically more challenging than other sections, and in XAT, the Quantitative Aptitude component is usually more difficult than other sections. However, the level of difficulty for both exams is considered to be moderate to difficult.
Due to two components on the question paper—the Decision-Making section and the Verbal section—many students feel the XAT to be more challenging than the CAT. The passages in the XAT's Verbal section are longer than those in the CAT. The Decision-Making component of the XAT is essentially the deciding factor of the exam. The following are some preparation strategies for the XAT's Decision Making section:
- Instead of using an emotional approach to respond to the questions in this section, candidates will be required to follow a logical approach.
- Due to the similarity of the majority of the answer choices, the applicant will frequently be perplexed about the right answer. The elimination process can be applied to these questions to determine the best answer.
- Solving last year's question papers and mock tests might help you prepare effectively for the XAT exam because it will give you an idea of the types of questions that will be asked. Candidates will have a solid understanding of the Decision-Making component of the XAT exam if they are able to successfully answer the questions in the mock exams.
As per past trends, it has been observed that aspirants appear for various competitive exams simultaneously. One question which is frequently asked by applicants is whether preparation for CAT will be sufficient to crack XAT as well. So mentioned below is the answer to your question.
Aspirant's key concepts and foundation must be strong in both cases.
As mentioned above, there are certain differences in terms of the sections and exam pattern. Therefore, XAT requires a different approach and strategy in terms of preparation.
While some parts of the XAT may be seen to be trickier than those in the CAT, the degree of competition in the CAT makes it more difficult. Thus, everything comes down to the preparation plan that must be carefully developed in accordance with the exam's requirements. Ultimately, it depends on the applicant's choices and preferences. The CAT is a far better choice if you wish to seek admission to the IIMs. However, XAT is a fantastic choice if you wish to apply for admission to other top B-schools.
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