CAT vs XAT Syllabus: Differences and Similarities
CAT and XAT are the two most popular MBA entrance exams in India. A candidate who appears for CAT also appears for XAT. So, what are the differences and similarities between XAT syllabus and CAT syllabus? Are they both tough? Can you crack both by preparing the same topics? Read this article to know these answers.
CAT and XAT are the top MBA entrance exams in India. Lakhs of MBA aspirants appear for these two exams every year. While CAT is the gateway to top IIMs and over 1,300 MBA colleges in India, XAT is a ticket to XLRI, Jamshedpur and over 800 top B-Schools in the country. As MBA aspirants prepare for both CAT and XAT which are conducted a month apart, here we discuss the difference between syllabus of CAT and XAT, or similarity?
Both CAT and XAT test MBA aspirants' analytical ability, logical reasoning and English communication skills. They both are aptitude tests and have similar test patterns. The amount of dedication required for preparing both exams is almost the same however, an important point to note this that one cannot prepare for both exams together. They need to have different preparation strategy and timelines as the topics included in CAT and XAT syllabus may be the same but the nature of questions is different. Moreover, XAT has two extra subject - Decision Making and General Knowledge which requires exam specific preparation strategy.
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- CAT vs XAT
- Difference Between CAT and XAT
- Difference Between CAT and XAT Syllabus
- Exam Pattern: CAT vs XAT
- Download XAT Previous Year Question Papers
- Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers
CAT vs XAT
Both CAT and XAT are speed-based tests in which candidates have to solve a certain number of calculation intensive as well as inference based questions in a limited time period. The nature of questions is MCQ and there is negative marking for incorrect attempts in both CAT and XAT. Key subjects to prepare for these exams are Reasoning, Mathematics and English. CAT and XAT are similar as well as different in many aspects including syllabus, exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions.
CMAT syllabus is somewhat same as CAT syllabus. It has two extra subjects, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and General Awareness. However, these two subjects are not tough and can be covered alongside Quantitative Aptitude, English and Logical Reasoning. Despite having less subjects CAT is tougher than CMAT.
XAT 2025 exam had only 2 sections in the question paper, Part 1 had Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making and Verbal Ability. Part 2 consisted of General Knowledge section. Essay Writing has been removed from the entrance test. It is a part of XLRI PI selection process. The total time duration of XAT exam now is 180 minutes. Part 1 is for170 minutes and Part 2 is for 10 minutes. There is no sectional time limit within the section.
XAT 2024 had Essay Writing and the exam duration was 3.5 hours. Essay Writing was clubbed with GK.
Difference Between CAT and XAT
Look at the table below to understand the difference between CAT and XAT exams:
| Details |
CAT |
XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria |
Graduate with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for Reserved category candidates) from a recognized university |
Graduate in any stream from a recognized university |
| Exam Mode |
Online |
Online |
| Difficulty Level |
Moderate to Difficult |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Exam Fee |
INR 2,500 (INR 1,250 for Reserved category students) |
INR 2,200 |
| Registration Process |
Online |
Online |
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Difference Between CAT and XAT Syllabus
Majorly, the syllabus of CAT and XAT is same, but the difference lies in the number of sections, type of questions, marking scheme and time duration. When it comes to the difficulty level, both of these exams are more difficult than other MBA entrance exams. Let’s look at the CAT vs XAT syllabus below:
| Details |
CAT |
XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Sections |
3 |
4 |
| Name of the Sections |
|
|
| Exam Duration |
120 minutes |
180 minutes |
Also Read: Is XAT tougher than CAT?
The main difference between CAT and XAT syllabus is that the former has three subject while the latter has four subjects XAT has General Knowledge as the fourth section which are not there in CAT. Let's find out other differences and similarities between CAT and XAT syllabus.
CAT Syllabus Overview
CAT exam consists of three sections. Look at some of the key points for each section below.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: The Verbal Ability part of this section of the CAT question paper has about 10 questions. All of the questions in this section are MCQs which means that the candidates will have to type the answers for each. It includes jumbled paragraphs, comprehensions, verbal reasoning and logic, grammar, fill in the blanks, sentence completion, syllogisms, sentence correction, idioms, phrases, parajumbles, antonyms and synonyms, analogies, etc.
The Reading Comprehension part of this section includes 14 question based on passages pertaining to science, history, politics, economics, environment, literature, society, mythology, etc. The passages are mostly inference based.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: This section of CAT exam has 22 questions in total which will be both MCQs and non-MCQs. This section has questions based on logical reasoning, blood relations, propositions, direction sense, puzzles, data interpretation data arrangement, tables, graphs, data structure, clocks and calendars, binary logic, etc. Read More: CAT preparation plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
- Quantitative Ability: The third and the last section of CAT has 22 MCQ and non-MCQ type questions. This sections is all about Mathematics. Topics like LCM and HCF, Algebra, Profit and Loss, Geometry, Probability, Mensuration, Equations, Surds and Indices, Work and Time, etc. make up this section.
XAT Syllabus Overview
XAT question paper consists of four sections. Look at the some of the key points for each section below.
- Decision Making: The first section of XAT exam is the most difficult one too. If you want to crack this section then you must prepare topics related to Logical Reasoning, Arithmetic, Conditions and Grouping, Assumptions, Data Arrangement, etc. thoroughly.
- Verbal and Logical Ability: The next section of XAT exam is VA-LR which has topics like Antonyms and Synonyms, Jumbled Paragraphs, Sentence Completion, Word Usages, Editing and Omitting, etc. The Reading Comprehension passages of XAT are often dense and complicated. There are 2-3 RC passages, one of which is a short poem.
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation: If any candidate wants to crack this section of the XAT exam then he/she must have all the Mathematics formulae, tricks, theorems on their finger tips. This section comprises topics like Percentage, Profit and Loss, Geometry, Probability, Averages and Partnerships, Algebra, Simple and Compound Interest, LCM and HCF, Graphs, Pie Charts, Data Analysis, Mensuration, Time, Speed and Distance, Ratio and Proportions, Inequalities, Linear and Quadratic Equations.
- General Knowledge: There is only one way to excel in this section, and that is to make newspaper your friend. Follow national and international news as well as current affairs and that will help you get through this section. There is no negative marking for this section.
Also Read:
Exam Pattern: CAT vs XAT
Apart from having MCQs, there is no similarity between CAT and XAT patterns. Look at the table below to understand key differences between CAT and XAT exam pattern:
| Details |
CAT |
XAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions |
68 |
95 |
| Total marks |
204 |
95 |
| Marking scheme |
Yes. +3 marks for correct answer -1 mark for incorrect answer |
Yes. +1 mark for correct answer - 0.25 mark for incorrect answer. 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than 8 un-attempted questions No negative marking in GK section |
| Type of questions |
MCQs and non-MCQs |
MCQs |
| Number of choices in MCQs |
4 |
4 |
| Sectional time-limit |
Yes |
Yes |
| Time required for preparation |
6-9 months |
6-9 months |
Also Read:
Basically, there is not much difference in the syllabus of CAT and CAT however, the Decision Making and GK sections in the latter makes it necessary for candidates to prepare for both the exams separately. If you need to ace these exams, practice a lot of mock test and solve sample papers.
CAT Mock Test
Shiksha offers free CAT mock tests for practice. Aspirants can attempt these CAT mock tests and check their preparation level.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solution |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
XAT Mock Test
Shiksha offers free XAT mock tests for practice. Aspirants can attempt these CAT mock tests and check their preparation level.
| XAT_Mock_Test_1 | XAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| XAT_Mock_Test_2_ | CMAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Download XAT Previous Year Question Papers
Click on the links below for free PDFs of XAT question papers of previous years. Use these XAT previous year papers for practice.
Download CAT Previous Year Question Papers
Click on the links below for free PDFs of XAT question papers of previous years. Use these CAT previous year papers for practice.
Read More:
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- How to prepare for XAT in 3 months
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- CAT Preparation Guide: Best Books, Study Material and Tips
- How to prepare for XAT: Tips from toppers
- Best Books to Study for XAT
- How to prepare for XAT in 1 month
- How to prepare for XAT in 3 months
- How to prepare for XAT in 6 months
CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 lakh candidates apply for it. Since the last two years, the competition has increased further with oveer 3 lakh candidates applying for the exam.
The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 3 lakh test takers there is a need for stringent criteria. That's why, the 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. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam except XAT. 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 can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.