CMAT Vs CAT Exam - Know Difference Between CAT and CMAT
CAT or CMAT, confused about which entrance exam is tougher to attempt? Read this article and know the differences between CAT and CMAT and their similarities.
CAT and CMAT are the two most popular entrance exams for MBA admission. Besides, gateway to top B-Schools, CMAT and CAT, both have several similarities leading to confusion among the MBA aspirants. CAT is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, whereas, CMAT is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Both CMAT and CAT are conducted nationally for admission to more than 1000 institutes.
CAT receives more than three times the applications received for the CMAT exam. In CAT 2024, the total number of application received was 3.29 lakh, where as number of applications received in CMAT was around 75000. CMAT is the most preferred choice after CAT in comparison to MAT. Many candidates who appear for CAT, appear for CMAT too, as it offers them better options in terms of college choices (government/private both). In a poll conducted by Shiksha, the larger percentage of candidates said they prefer to appear for CMAT.
CMAT most preferred choice after CAT
The difficulty level of CAT is higher than CMAT. Considering there is less competition in CMAT, one may say CAT is tougher. However, one must consider all the pros and cons before choosing one out of the two management entrance exams. Knowing the differences can help you decide which exam to appear and which college to choose for MBA admission 2025. Read this article further to know the insights on CAT Vs CMAT.
- CMAT and CAT - Similarities
- Difference Between CAT and CMAT
- CAT Vs CMAT - Sectional Overview
- CAT and CMAT Participating Institutes
- CAT Preparation
- CMAT Preparation
- How to Prepare for CAT and CMAT Simultaneously?
- FAQs on CMAT vs CAT
CMAT and CAT - Similarities
Both the entrance exams share identical traits leading to confusion among the aspirants. Here are all the similarities between CAT and CMAT.
Similarities between CMAT & CAT| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course for admission |
MBA/ PGDM |
| Exam level |
National |
| Mode of exam |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Number of option choices per question |
4 |
| Frequency of exam |
Once a year |
| Medium of exam |
English only |
| Negative marking |
- 1 mark (for MCQs only) |
| Exam fee |
CAT: INR 2,500 (unreserved) and INR 1,250 (reserved) CMAT: INR 2,500 (unreserved), INR 1,250 (women and reserved) |
Check: CMAT exam pattern 2025
Check: CAT exam pattern 2025
Difference Between CAT and CMAT
To determine which exam is tougher, we must dive into the differences between the pattern and key elements of both the exams.
CAT Exam Vs CMAT Exam
| Particulars |
CAT |
CMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Type of questions |
MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA) |
MCQ only |
| Exam duration* |
2 hours |
3 hours |
| Number of sections |
3 sections |
5 sections |
| Sectional time limit* |
40 minutes per section |
No |
| Marks per question |
3 marks per correct response |
4 marks per correct response |
| Exam difficulty level |
Moderate to hard |
Easy to moderate |
| Official website |
CAT Vs CMAT - Sectional Overview
Sections in any management entrance exam are identical. Division of questions, duration and marking scheme are the primary elements responsible for an asymmetry between the difficulty standards. Space below mentions the sectional analysis of CAT and CMAT.
CAT Sectional Overview
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Sectional Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
72 |
40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
66 |
40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
66 |
40 minutes |
| Total |
68 questions |
204 marks |
160 minutes |
CMAT Sectional Division
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Sectional Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Comprehension |
20 |
80 |
No |
| Logical Reasoning |
20 |
80 |
|
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation |
20 |
80 |
|
| General Awareness |
20 |
80 |
|
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
20 |
80 |
|
| Total |
100 |
400 |
180 minutes |
CMAT VS CAT - Section analysis to judge the difficulty levels
- The difficulty level of all three sections in CAT is moderate to high. In contrast, the three common sections in CMAT are comparatively easy.
- Test takers find the General Awareness section of CMAT to be the toughest among the other sections.
- Sectional time limit in CAT is another factor accounting for a higher difficulty level of the Common Admission Test (CAT). Due to the sectional time limit, candidates are unable to navigate across sections.
- Comparatively, CMAT does not have a sectional time limit. Thus, candidates can leave a particular question for the end and proceed with other questions in the exam.
| Download: CAT syllabus PDF | Download: CMAT syllabus PDF |
CAT and CMAT Participating Institutes
Both CAT and CMAT have over 1,000 participating institutes across India. The primary reason for the popularity of CAT is IIM admission. 20 IIMs situated across the nation only accept CAT score for management admission.
Also Read: List of B-Schools accepting CAT scores
CMAT is also a sought after management entrance exam in India accounting to its recognised participating institutes. About 1300 institutes offering MBA/ PGDM courses based on CMAT are recognised by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
Also Read: List of B-Schools accepting CMAT scores
Both CMAT and CAT have over 1,000 participating institutes. However, the number of candidates appearing for CMAT is much lesser as compared to CAT. Therefore, CMAT can be considered as the easier entrance exam for MBA admission. Candidates will have a better chance of scoring high in CMAT accounting to lower competition.
Check: CAT 2024 Exam Analysis
Check: CMAT 2025 Exam Analysis
CAT Preparation
The table below mentions links to study material, tips and tricks, and a holistic preparation plan to crack CAT exam.
Check out free online mock tests for CAT, created by Shiksha
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
CMAT Preparation
The table below mentions links to tips/tricks, study material, and overall preparation plan from experts to ace CMAT 2024.
Check out free online mock tests for CMAT, created by Shiksha
| CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CMAT_Mock_Test_2 | CMAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
How to Prepare for CAT and CMAT Simultaneously?
Both CAT and CMAT have three common sections with a nearly identical syllabus. Therefore, the preparation for both exams can go hand in hand. Here are some strategies followed by toppers to prepare for PCM subject groups of competitive exams.
- Considering CMAT is conducted in January and CAT is conducted in November; start General Awareness preparation around the month of September.
- You should have completed the CAT syllabus before September; thus, along with General Awareness preparation, your primary aim must be to take as many CAT mock tests as possible.
- Make a section-specific study plan for CAT. Sections in CMAT have an identical syllabus to CAT with an easy to moderate difficulty level as compared to CAT. Thus, do not focus on the CMAT syllabus except for General Awareness.
- For the Quantitative Ability section, focus on knowing the concepts rather than learning the formulae.
- Include breaks between the preparation plan to avoid facing exam stress.
NOTE - According to the several CMAT toppers’ recommendations, you must prepare for the General Awareness section at least three months before the exam.
Read More:
- Is XAT tougher than CAT?
- Difference between CAT and GMAT
- Difference between CAT and MAT
- How difficult is the IIFT exam as compared to CAT?
- How is NMAT different from CAT?
FAQs on CMAT vs CAT
Q: Is CAT tougher than CMAT?
Q: How is CAT similar to CMAT?
Q: When is the CAT exam held?
Q: When is the CMAT exam held?
Q: Can I prepare for CAT and CMAT simultaneously?
Q: What is the difficulty level of the General Awareness section in CMAT?
Q: Is there any sectional time limit in CAT?
Q: Is there any sectional time limit in CMAT like in CAT?
Q: Does IIMs accept CMAT score for admission?
Q: Can I prepare for CMAT using CAT study material?
Q: Which section of CMAT has the maximum weightage?