CAT vs XAT Syllabus: Differences and Similarities

CAT and XAT are the two most popular MBA entrance exams in India. 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 vs XAT Syllabus

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. So, since there are so many similarities between the two, is XAT syllabus same as CAT?

As MBA aspirants prepare for both CAT and XAT which are conducted a month apart, here we discuss the difference between CAT and XAT syllabus; and similarities too.

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. But they are not the same. One cannot prepare for CAT exam and XAT exam with the same study material. 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.

CAT vs XAT: Which one is Tougher?

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.

Also Read:

• XAT Registration Last Date
• CAT Registration Last Date

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 syllabus vs XAT syllabus below:

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 of the CAT syllabus

• 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.

Read More: CAT exam previous year paper

XAT Syllabus Overview

XAT question paper consists of four sections. Look at the some of the key points on XAT syllabus 2027:

• 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.

Exam Pattern: CAT vs XAT

Apart from having MCQs, there is no similarity between CAT exam pattern and XAT exam pattern. Look at the table below to understand key differences between CAT and XAT exam pattern:

Read More:

• How to prepare for CAT
• How to prepare for XAT 2027
• List of the colleges accepting CAT score
• List of the colleges accepting XAT score

CAT vs XAT: Which Exam to Attempt?

The answer to this question is simple. Attempt the exam for colleges you are targeting. CAT for admission to the IIMs and all top tier B Schools among the 1300+ score accepting colleges, including IIT DoMs. XAT is for admission to XLRI and is accepted by a range of Tier 1 and Tier 2 MBA colleges. So, first figure out which are your target colleges. Check fees, infrastructure, location, placements, course specializations, ROI and alumni review to make the list. After that, choose either CAT or XAT.

Ideally an MBA aspirant should attempt both CAT and XAT the syllabus largely overlaps each other. A lot of MBA colleges (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3) accept both XAT and CAT score, so attempting both exams increases the chances of you getting your preferred college. So, choose wisely.

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