SNAP vs CAT: Which is Tougher?

SNAP vs CAT: Which is Tougher? The CAT exam is considered to be tougher than the SNAP exam, as there is a lot of competition and the exam level is very difficult.

Table of Contents

SNAP vs CAT: Major Highlights
SNAP Exam Pattern vs CAT Exam Pattern
SNAP vs CAT: Syllabus
SNAP vs CAT: Selection Process
Key Differences Between CAT and SNAP
Top Colleges Accepting SNAP and CAT Exams
SNAP vs CAT: Level of Competition
Faqs

If students are appearing for either SNAP or CAT, or both, they must check the SNAP vs. CAT analysis. The SNAP and CAT MBA admission examinations are two of the top MBA entrance exams in India. The CAT exam is generally considered more challenging and competitive than SNAP, as it is a widely recognised entrance exam for prestigious IIMs and other top B-schools. On the other hand, SNAP is conducted only for admission into colleges of Symbiosis International University and is considered less challenging than CAT.

Additionally, only MCQs will be asked in the SNAP exam, while both MCQs and non-MCQs will be asked in the CAT exam . CAT is primarily accepted by the IIMs, where Class 10 and 12 marks, Graduation marks, performance in WAT & PI, and weighted work experience will be considered in the selection process. However, only the SNAP exam score, WAT, GE, and PI will be considered during the SNAP selection process. Students eager to know which exam is better, SNAP or CAT, can go through the major exam highlights, exam pattern, syllabus, etc.

Also Read:

List of Non-IIM MBA Colleges to Apply to Before and After CAT 2025 Exam	List of MBA Colleges without Sectional CAT 2025 Cutoff

SNAP vs CAT: Major Highlights

There are several differences between the SNAP and CAT exams in terms of exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, and other aspects. Let’s take a look at some of the major differences between the two entrance exams mentioned in the table below:

Particulars	SNAP Exam	CAT Exam
Full form	Symbiosis National Aptitude Test	Common Admission Test
Conducting Body	Symbiosis International (Deemed) University	Indian Institutes of Management (on a rotational basis)
Eligibility	The candidate must have completed Graduation with a minimum 50% aggregate (45 % for SC/ST/PwD candidates)	The candidate must have completed Graduation with a minimum 50% aggregate (45 % for SC/ST/PwD candidates)
Sections	3	3
Exam mode	Online	Online
Exam Duration	60 minutes	120 minutes
Difficulty level	Moderate to Difficult	Difficult
Exam Fee	INR 2,250 for all candidates + INR 1000 (per SIU institute)	INR 2,400 for General and OBC candidates and INR 1,200 for Reserved category candidates
Official Website	snaptest.org	iimcat.ac.in

SNAP Exam Pattern vs CAT Exam Pattern

The first two important dimensions that need to be considered while differentiating between two exams are the exam pattern and syllabus. Both of them form the basis of any given exam. Here is the exam pattern for both CAT and SNAP:

Particulars	SNAP	CAT
Number of Sections	3 General English Quant, DI & DS Analytical and Logical Reasoning	3 VARC DILR QA
Sectional Time	None	VARC – 40 minutes DILR – 40 minutes QA – 40 minutes
Number of Questions	60	66
Duration of Examination	60 mins	120 mins
Negative Marking	-0.25 for each incorrect response	1 for MCQ-type questions 0 for Non-MCQ type questions
Difficulty Level	Easy to Moderate	Moderate to Difficult
Learn More	SNAP Exam Pattern	CAT Exam Pattern

Also Read: How to Approach SNAP Question Paper?

SNAP vs CAT: Syllabus

The syllabus of both CAT and SNAP is more or less the same, having Quant, Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning. For CAT and SNAP, students need to study the following subjects:

Subject	SNAP	CAT
English	Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension Grammar Para jumbles Para Completion Odd Sentence Out	Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension Grammar Para jumbles Para Completion Odd Sentence Out
Quantitative Ability	Algebra Arithmetic Geometry Trigonometry Mensuration Number System	Algebra Arithmetic Geometry Trigonometry Mensuration Number System
Data Interpretation	Pie Chart Graphs Tables Venn Diagrams	Pie Chart Graphs Tables Venn Diagrams
Analytical and Logical Reasoning	Blood Relations Alphanumeric Series Odd One Out Input-Output Statement and Assumptions Calendars Cause and Effect Coding-Decoding Statement and Conclusions Pattern Series and Sequences Syllogism Seating Arrangements	Blood Relations Alphanumeric Series Odd One Out Input-Output Statement and Assumptions Calendars Cause and Effect Coding-Decoding Statement and Conclusions Pattern Series and Sequences Syllogism Seating Arrangements
Learn More	SNAP Syllabus	CAT Syllabus

SNAP vs CAT: Selection Process

SNAP Exam

SNAP is a university entrance exam conducted by the Symbiosis International Deemed University for admission to various courses of study offered by its affiliated universities. The SNAP selection process is based on three stages:

SNAP score
Group Exercise (GE)
Personal Interaction (PI)

Particulars	Weightage for Final Merit List (in %)
SNAP Score (out of 60, scaled down to 50 marks)	50
Personal Interaction(PI)	40
Group Exercise (GE)	10
Total	100

CAT Exam

To qualify for an MBA course and other graduate management courses at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools like JBIMS, PUMBA, etc, the CAT score is the most important criterion. However, apart from that, one must also make sure to clear the rest of the rounds of the IIM CAP 2025 or the CAT selection process. The CAT selection process generally involves the following stages:

CAT Score
Written Ability Test
Group Discussion/Personal Interview

CAT Parameters	Weightage
CAT Score	25%
Group Discussion (GD)/ Personal Interview (PI)	30%
Written Ability Test (WAT)	10%
Class 10 Academic Records	10%
Class 12 Marks Academic Records	5%
Graduation Academic Records	10%
Weighted Work Experience	10%
Total	100%

Key Differences Between CAT and SNAP

Apart from the differences between the exam pattern, syllabus, and selection process of SNAP and CAT, the two fair different in other aspects as well. Given below is a list of differences we can see between the CAT and the SNAP examination:

Category	SNAP	CAT
Conducting Body	Symbiosis International (Deemed University)	Conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis
Difficulty Level	Easier; focuses on speed & accuracy	More difficult; tests conceptual understanding & problem-solving approach
Types of Questions	Only MCQs	MCQs + Non-MCQs (TITA); approx. 80% MCQs & 20% TITA
Marking Scheme	(+1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect)	(+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect)
Application Fee	₹2250 for all candidates	₹2400 (General/NC-OBC); ₹1200 (SC/ST/PwD)
Exam Duration	60 minutes; no sectional time limit	120 minutes; 40 minutes per section
Acceptance by B-Schools	Accepted only by 16 Symbiosis institutes	Accepted by all IIMs and most management institutes across India

Also Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting SNAP Scores

Top Colleges Accepting SNAP and CAT Exams

One of the biggest differences between SNAP and CAT is the acceptance of each exam score among B-schools. Take a look at the top colleges accepting SNAP and CAT mentioned in the table below:

MBA Colleges Accepting SNAP Scores	MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune	IIM Ahmedabad
Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies & Research (SICSR), Pune	IIM Bangalore
Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development (SCMHRD), Pune	IIM Kozhikode
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Bengaluru	IIM Calcutta
Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Pune	IIM Lucknow
Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC), Pune	IIM Mumbai (Previously NITIE)
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), Pune	IIM Indore
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Hyderabad	IIM Visakhapatnam
Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management (SIOM), Nashik	Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon
Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management (SITM), Pune	S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) Mumbai
Symbiosis School of Sports Science (SSSS), Pune	International Management Institute (IMI) New Delhi
Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune	Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (FMS), New Delhi
Symbiosis School of Media & Communication (SSMC), Bengaluru	Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar (XIMB) Bhubaneswar
Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Pune	Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance (SSBF), Pune	Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM) Chennai
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Nagpur	T. A. Pai Management Institute - TAPMI (Manipal)
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Noida	Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research , Mumbai

SNAP vs CAT: Level of Competition

Both SNAP and CAT are popular MBA entrance exams in India, and both these exams have lakhs of applicants every year. However, the CAT exam has a significantly higher level of competition when it comes to the MBA admission process, simply due to the number of applicants that apply for the CAT each year. Last year, the CAT exam had 2.88 lakh applicants, whereas the SNAP exam had 1.4 lakh applicants.

One of the reasons why the CAT exam has so many applicants each year is the wide acceptance of the CAT result among B-schools in India. The CAT exam is accepted by over 1300 MBA colleges across the country. On the other hand, SNAP is accepted by colleges affiliated with Symbiosis International University and 20 other private MBA institutes. Therefore, candidates prefer the CAT exam over SNAP as it helps them have more options when applying for MBA colleges for admission.

Related Links:

How to Crack CAT in the First Attempt?	CAT Score Vs Percentile
CAT vs CMAT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP & Other MBA Entrance Exams	Top MBA Colleges that Accept CAT Percentile Below 90 Other than IIMs

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FAQs

Is CAT Preparation Enough for SNAP?

While CAT and SNAP share the same syllabus, candidates should allocate a significant amount of time for exam-specific preparation. The differing exam patterns and difficulty levels necessitate focused preparation for each exam, even when using the same study materials.

Is the Eligibility Criteria for SNAP Different from CAT?

The eligibility criteria for SNAP are the same as those for CAT. Candidates must have completed their graduation with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate (45 percent for reserved categories) or be in their final year of undergraduate studies.

Is the Syllabus of SNAP Different from CAT?

The syllabi for SNAP and CAT are quite similar. Both exams include sections on Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. Therefore, candidates preparing for CAT can seamlessly prepare for SNAP as well. Focusing on solving sample questions and mock tests can help candidates master SNAP after CAT preparation.

What Are the Benefits of SNAP Over CAT?

SNAP offers a unique advantage over CAT in that candidates can attempt the exam multiple times within the same academic session. In contrast, CAT permits only one attempt per academic session. SNAP candidates have up to three attempts, with their best score considered for SIU MBA admission.

How Many MBA Colleges Accept CAT Scores for Admission?

CAT scores are widely accepted by approximately 1,200 MBA colleges across India. This list includes all 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), as well as other esteemed institutions like SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, FMS, IITs (DoMS), IMI, GLIM, LIBA, and more. CAT holds a prominent position in India's MBA landscape, with both government and numerous private institutions considering CAT scores for admission across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 categories.

How Many MBA Colleges Accept SNAP Scores for Admission?

SNAP exam scores are accepted by all 16 Symbiosis International (Deemed) University-affiliated institutes. The admission process at SIU includes Group Exercise (GE), Writing Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI).

What is the Difficulty Level of SNAP Exam?

The SNAP exam is known for its relatively manageable difficulty level. Both sectional and overall difficulty levels typically fall within the easy to moderate range. Unlike CAT, SNAP does not impose a sectional time limit, allowing candidates the flexibility to select the number of questions they wish to attempt without concern for sectional cutoffs. Additionally, candidates can retake the SNAP exam to enhance their scores.

What are the key differences between SNAP and CAT?

The key difference between SNAP and CAT is:

SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International University, primarily for admission to its institutes, whereas CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and is accepted by a wider range of B-schools.
SNAP has a different exam pattern and syllabus compared to CAT.
SNAP typically has questions on General English, Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, and Analytical and Logical Reasoning, whereas CAT focuses on Verbal Ability and reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.

Which exam should I choose, SNAP or CAT?

The choice between SNAP and CAT depends on your career goals and the institutes you wish to apply to. CAT is accepted by a larger number of prestigious B-schools, including the IIMs, while SNAP is primarily for Symbiosis institutes.

Is it possible to prepare for both SNAP and CAT simultaneously?

Yes, it's possible to take both exams at the same time, but planning and maintaining a timetable is essential. The students must draw up a study schedule covering all the relevant subjects of both SNAP and CAT, in view of the various syllabi and formats used for these examinations.

Which exam is tougher, SNAP or CAT?

The difficulty level in the exam is subjective and may differ from person to person. However, it is generally considered that CAT is more challenging and competitive than SNAP. It is known that CAT has a higher level of difficulty and some top management institutes in India accept it.

Which exam is easier: SNAP or CAT?

Compared to CAT, SNAP is an easier exam. It is of shorter duration and has less number of questions than CAT. The total number of questions is 60 and candidates get 60 minutes to solve it. For the last two years, SNAP also doesn’t have DI sets and RC passages. The difficulty level of SNAP is way too low than CAT.

What are SNAP and CAT exams?

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) and CAT (Common Admission Test) are two popular entrance exams in India for admission to management programs. SNAP is primarily for Symbiosis International University institutes, while CAT is accepted by numerous Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other B-schools.