CAT vs XAT vs MAT vs CMAT: Which Exam Is Right for Your PGDM Program?
CAT, MAT, XAT and CMAT are the top MBA entrance exams in India. They are pathway to a successful management career.
CAT vs XAT vs MAT vs CMAT
Choosing the correct CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT Management Exam is very important for your PGDM journey. Each of these exams has its own pattern and difficulty level. You have to understand the differences between them to make decisions wisely. Your chosen exam will have to align with your PGDM program to be effective in your career.
On that note, let’s find out the differences between these exams and which ones are actually suitable for a bright career ahead.
- Overview of the Exams
- Comparison Between the Exam Patterns
- Question Type and Difficulty Level
- Who Should Take Which Exam?
- Conclusion
Overview of the Exams
These exams are crucial for you to secure admission in the best PGDM colleges in India. Each of these exams differs in its own way. You need to understand each of them in depth to improve your chances of pursuing PGDM programs. Let us explore the basics of these exams one by one:
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- CAT
Common Admission Test, also known as CAT, is a national-level entrance exam. It allows you to get admission in top B-Schools. It is singlehandedly the biggest entrance test for MBA in the nation.
- XAT
The complete form of XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test. It is also a national-level entrance test conducted by Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI). This exam has been conducted for more than 70 years to select students for MBA programs.
- MAT
Management Aptitude Test, MAT, is a national entrance-level exam held by the All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT score is accepted in more than 800 MBA institutes all over India.
- CMAT
Common Management Admission Test or CMAT is an aptitude test conducted by the National Test Agency (NTA). It is meant for PGDM/MBA courses present in government-recognised institutes.
Comparison Between the Exam Patterns
Understanding the various factors related to these exams is important for your preparation for PGDM programs. A clear differentiation between these exams will help you in choosing the right test for you based on your strengths. It will also enhance your probability of getting into the best PGDM colleges throughout the country.
Given below is a table that will help you in understanding the distinct differences between these exams. Differences are on the basis of parameters like sections, mode, duration and frequency:
| Parameters |
CAT |
XAT |
MAT |
CMAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sections |
Verbal ability and reading (VARC), Data interpretation and logical reasoning (DI & LR), Quantitative Ability (QA) |
Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative ability & data interpretation, general knowledge |
Language comprehension, data analysis and sufficiency, mathematical skills (quantitative aptitude), intelligence and critical reasoning, and economic and business environment |
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability, General Awareness, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (optional paper) |
| Mode |
CBT |
CBT |
CBT, IBT and PBT |
CBT |
| Duration |
2 hours |
180 minutes |
2 hours |
3 hours 30 minutes for the optional paper |
| Frequency |
Once a year |
Once a year |
Multiple times a year |
Once a year |
Question Type and Difficulty Level
These exams also differ mainly on the basis of question types and difficulty levels. It is vital for you to realise these variations when choosing the right exam. This will also impact your chances of getting started with PGDM courses.
- Type of Questions
| Exam |
Type of questions |
|---|---|
| CAT |
48 MCQs and 18 non-MCQs |
| XAT |
Objective-type MCQs |
| MAT |
Objective-type MCQs |
| CMAT |
Objective-type MCQs |
- Difficulty Level
| Exam |
Level of difficulty |
|---|---|
| CAT |
High difficulty level |
| XAT |
Moderate to high difficulty level |
| MAT |
Comparatively easier than CAT and XAT |
| CMAT |
Comparatively easier than CAT and XAT |
Who Should Take Which Exam?
Each of these exams will serve a unique purpose for you and target different aspirants. You must know which exam you should take. This will help you in chalking out your preparation strategy and coordinating your preparation effectively. Given below is a table that helps in understanding your target entrance exam for PGDM (MBA) Admission 2026:
| Exam |
Target Aspirant |
|---|---|
| CAT |
You can opt for this if you are targeting top B-schools like IIMs and others |
| XAT |
This can be your preferred exam if you are targeting to get into XLRI |
| MAT |
You can apply for MAT if you are looking for flexible test dates and Tier 2 or 3 B-Schools |
| CMAT |
This can be your prioritised exam if you are aiming at affordable colleges that AICTE approves |
Conclusion
The right management entrance exam will help you secure admission in the best PGDM colleges all over India. Each of these exams differs in its patterns, levels of difficulty, question types, frequencies and durations. CAT and XAT can lead you to the top B-Schools throughout India.
On the other hand, MAT and CMAT will help you pursue B-schools with moderate levels of preparation. If you are looking for one among the top NIRF-ranked B-Schools, JIMS Rohini can be a great choice. It is accredited to NAAC and NBA and ranks among the top 100 business institutes in India, and facilitates you with a structured curriculum for your PGDM program.
According to the official JIMS website, both MBA and PGDM are postgraduate courses in Management. A postgraduate degree can be awarded by a University, whereas an autonomous institution can only offer the PGDM programme. JIMS specifically provides PGDM courses. In comparison Autonomous institutions have much more flexibility compared to the University system when it comes to curriculum, and faculty of pedagogy. In addition, the PGDM curriculum is usually broader and heavier with considerable emphasis on practical exposure, case studies, and soft skills training, closely aligning with the needs of industry and recruiters.