ATMA Exam vs CAT Exam: Which Exam is Easier for MBA Aspirants?
AIMS Test for Management Admissions 2026 ( ATMA )
ATMA registration 2026 (Aug)
19 Jul '26 - 3 Aug '26
ATMA and CAT are both MBA entrance exams. But, they differ in terms of pattern, difficulty level, etc. The syllabus of these exams is similar but with considerable differences. Check the article below to know the difference between CAT and ATMA and which exam is easier for MBA aspirants.
ATMA exam vs CAT exam
ATMA exam vs CAT exam: AIMS Test for Management Admissions or ATMA is a national-level exam conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) for admission to MBA, PGDM, MMS, MCA and PGDBA courses. More than 750 management institutes across India accept ATMA scores for admission to their management programmes. And, Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test for admission to MBA courses in India. Each year, one of the IIMs conducts the CAT exam. MBA admissions across 22 IIMs is based on the CAT scores, followed by unique selection processes. Besides IIMs, CAT exam is accepted by over 1600 institutes in India, including FMS Delhi, MDI, SPJIMR, IIT-DoMs and more.
ATMA and CAT are both MBA entrance exam and have similar syllabus, but they have considerable differences such as difficulty level, pattern, etc. Check the article below to know the difference between CAT and ATMA and which exam is easier for MBA aspirants.
ATMA vs CAT Exam Pattern 2026
Check the table below to know the comparison between CAT and ATMA exam pattern 2026:
| Features | ATMA | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of section | 6 | 3 |
| Duration | 180 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Number of question | 180 MCQs | 68 MCQs |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Sectional Time Limit | Yes (40 minutes per section) | Yes (40 minutes per section) |
| Sections | Quantitative Aptitude Verbal Skills Analytical and Logical Reasoning |
Quantitative Aptitude Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
Commonly asked questions
The ATMA exam is conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS). AIMS is a networking body of B-schools in India for the professional development of management education. This networking body is the official representative of Indian Management Schools in India as well as in some important international forums. Many top institutes such as IIMs, ISB, ASCI, Xavier Institutions, Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool), NMIMS, ICFAI, MDI, SP Jain, and many other management departments of various Universities are the members of AIMS. AIMS also have tie ups with international bodies such as Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia (AMDISA), European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Usually, the ATMA exam is conducted in computer-based test mode in more than 100 test cities. The exam is accepted by over 600 B-Schools across India, and the scores obtained in the ATMA exam are considered for admission to MBA and MCA courses offered by these institutes.
ATMA exam is a nation level MBA entrance exam conducted by Association of Indian Management Schools. Courses such as MS and PGDM are also offered through ATMA exam. The exam is conducted in the CBT test format multiple times a year. The exam checks numerical, verbal and logical abilities of students taking the exam. Duration of the exam is three hours and has MCQ type questions. The exam is accepted by over 700 B-Schools across India, and the scores obtained in the ATMA exam are considered for admission to various management courses offered by these institutes.
PID number or the Personal Identification Number is given to students when filling ATMA application form. It can be used to download the ATMA admit card and result. PID can also be used for future communications for admissions via the ATMA exam. Aspirants can login into the ATMA login portal with PID number.
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Why is CAT Considered Difficult Than Other MBA Exams?
CAT exam is conducted by the IIMs in India. It is a national level MBA exam and every year over 2.3 lakh candidates appear for the exam. The competition has increased over the past few years with over 3 lakh candidates applying for the exam. CAT scores are accepted by the top B-Schools in India. To select the best candidates, these test takers have to go through tough criterias and so, CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions.
Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they cannot use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike ATMA exam. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.
Also Read: CAT 2026 preparation tips
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