CMAT Vs CAT Exam - Know Difference Between CAT and CMAT
CAT and CMAT are two of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. Conducted almost 2 months apart, they both have their own uniqueness. 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, being a gateway to top B-Schools in India, it can be tough to choose one over the other. 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. Most of the MBA aspirants, appear for both exams to ensure they have adequate options among B-Schools.
CAT 2025 was conducted on November 30 and the result has also been declared. CMAT 2026 will be conducted on January 25 and those who have registered for it, must know the difference between the two to use the experience of CAT 2025 to perform better in CMAT 2026. 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?
CMAT and CAT - Similarities
Both of these MBA entrance exams, are speed based and test candidate's quantitative and reasoning skills. If you have prepared for CAT exam well, you will not require much hard work for CMAT preparation. 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 2,600 (unreserved) and INR 1,30 (reserved) CMAT: INR 2,500 (unreserved), INR 1,250 (women and reserved) |
Check: CMAT exam pattern 2026
Check: CAT exam pattern 2025
Difference Between CAT and CMAT
To determine which of the two is tougher, we must dive into the differences between the pattern and key elements of both CAT and CMAT.
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 main factors that are responsible of difficulty level. Here's a sectional overview of both CAT and CMAT to understand the difference.
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.
- CAT VARC is Reading Comprehension heavy, whereas CMAT has more questions from Grammar and Vocabulary, thus easier for candidates from all education medium.
- DILR and Quants questions of CMAT are also easier than CAT.
- 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 cannot choose to solve questions from their strength area first. Even if they are not well prepared for VARC, they have to solve VARC questions first.
- On the other hand, CMAT does not have a sectional time limit. Thus, candidates can toggle between questions as well as sections, according to their strength and weakness.
CAT and CMAT Participating Institutes
Both CAT and CMAT have over 1,300 participating institutes across India. The primary reason for the popularity of CAT is that it is accepted by IIMs and India's top ranked colleges like SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IITs and others.
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). However, it is not accepted by IIMs or most of the top ranked B-Schools.
Also Read: List of B-Schools accepting CMAT scores
Both CMAT and CAT are national level exams. 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 2025 Exam Analysis
Check: CMAT 2026 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?
- CAT syllabus includes VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. These subjects are also a part of CMAT syllabus.
- Considering CAT is conducted in November and CMAT in January, candidates can prepare for the latter, with basic revision and practice sessions in December.
- CMAT aspirants will have to study GK additionally in December and January. Since, this section is memory based, it is best to pick it up in the last month before the exam.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship section of CMAT is the only unique section, for which candidates will need separate time.
- Best option is to go for CMAT mock tests which can help you improve your control on the subjects already prepared for CAT.
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Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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