How Difficult is IIFT Exam as Compared to CAT?

CAT vs IIFT - Both CAT exam and IIFT exam are high difficulty level tests, as compared to other MBA entrance exams. But which one is tougher? CAT or IIFT? Let's look at the differences and similarities between CAT and IIFT to know which one is tougher.

CAT exam is one of the most popular management entrance tests and is a gateway to admission in to over 1,300 B-Schools in India. On the other hand, IIFT exam is conducted by Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi for admission to its flagship programme, i.e. MBA in International Business. No other B-school accepts IIFT score for admission. Even though IIFT score is valid for admission to one institute only, thousands of MBA aspirants across the country appear for it every year, thus making it one of the top MBA entrance exams. Both CAT and IIFT entrance exam are equally challenging in their own way. Since they have different exam patterns, candidates need to adopt different preparation strategies.

IIFT vs CAT: Which is Tougher?

Talking about the difficulty level, both the exams are equally difficult. However, few test-takers find IIFT a little more challenging than CAT due to the additional General Knowledge section. IIFT exam is generally conducted within 7-10 days after the CAT exam, thus leaving very little time for preparation of General Knowledge section. However, if you study GK from early on, then it is pretty manageable.To help test-takers understand the similarities and difference between IIFT and CAT, Shiksha has listed down the difficulty level of both the exams. 

CAT vs IIFT Highlights

IIFT exam is conducted by the NTA on behalf of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Here are the key highlights of CAT and IIFT entrance exam which are also the differentiating factors:

IIFT Exam vs CAT Exam: Pattern  

The first thing to note about CAT and IIFT entrance exam is the differences between the two in terms of test structure and pattern.

Check: IIFT exam pattern

Check: CAT exam pattern

Section Wise Difficulty Level of CAT and IIFT

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: The Verbal Ability section is of same difficulty level in both exams. The topics are also usually the same such as sentence correction, parajumbles, odd one out, etc. The Reading Comprehension (RC) passage in CAT is a mix of both inference-based and fact-based types. However, the RC passages in IIFT are fact-based. IIFT focuses more on vocabulary, making this section moderately difficult. The VARC section of CAT, on the other hand, varies between moderate to high.

Quantitative Aptitude: There is no major difference in the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT and IIFT. Both are more or less similar. The difficulty level of this section in both the exams is easy to moderate.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section: Candidates appearing for IIFT need to be quick in their calculations as the exam is more calculation intensive. CAT, on the other hand, does not have questions where intensive calculation is required. The DILR section of CAT exam often turns out to be lengthy, which is not the case with IIFT exam.

CAT vs IIFT Syllabus

There is not much difference between CAT and IIFT exam syllabus as both are management aptitude tests. While both IIFT syllabus and CAT syllabus include all topics of Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, IIFT has an extra subject - General Awareness.

IIFT vs CAT: Syllabus and Difficulty Level 

Based on the questions papers of last few years of both IIFT and CAT, we have made an assessment of section wise difficulty level of both the exams. Check the tables below for details:

Quantitative Aptitude

Given below is the topic-wise difficulty level of Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT and IIFT exam:

DILR 

Given below is the topic-wise difficulty level of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT and IIFT exam:

VARC 

Given below is the topic-wise difficulty level of Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section of CAT and IIFT exam:

Key Differences Between IIFT Exam and CAT Exam 

• In CAT, there is sectional time limit which means candidates have to complete every section within the prescribed time limit. IIFT exam does not have sectional time limit.  
• CAT has three sections and IIFT has four sections (an extra section of General Knowledge).
• Total marks of CAT is 198, whereas total marks of IIFT is 300.
• CAT score is accepted by all 20 IIMs, top MBA colleges in India and over 1,200 other B-Schools. IIFT entrance exam score is valid for admission to IIFT only.

Also Read:

• IIFT eligibility criteria
• CAT eligibility criteria

One of the best ways to prepare for an exam is to solve past years’ sample papers and question papers.

Candidates appearing for IIFT can have a look at IIFT past years’ question papers

Candidates appearing for CAT can view past years’ question papers.  

Read More:

• Difference between XAT and CAT exam
• What is the difference between MAT and CAT exam?
• How is the NMAT exam different from the CAT?
• Difference between GMAT and CAT exam