CAT vs MAT: What is the Difference Between MAT and CAT Exam?
CAT VS MAT- CAT and MAT are two of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. Candidates often appear for both exams in a hope to get a good MBA college through them. Preparation for both CAT and MAT together may pose challenge to some aspirants. So before taking the plunge into MBA preparation. read here the key differences between CAT and MAT.
CAT vs MAT - MBA admissions in India are based on entrance exams. There are a number of national and state level entrance exams through which aspirants get to their dream MBA college. Among over 50 MBA entrance exams, CAT and MAT are two of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. A large number of candidates apply for both every year. Should you appear for both CAT and MAT or choose one between the two? To make this decision, let's understand the difference between CAT and MAT exam.
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MAT is easier than CAT but it offers lesser option than CAT in terms of MBA colleges. About 1,300 MBA colleges in India accept CAT score for admission. These include the top ranked B-schools, IIMs, MDI, SPJIMR, FMS, IITs, IMT, IMI and many other popular private and government management institutes. MAT is accepted by over 800 popular private B-schools in India. Some of these B-schools include Amity University, Dr. D.Y. Patil B School-Pune, ITM University, GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research, OP Jindal Global University, Christ University, JIMS Rohini, Jain University among others. So the choice between CAT and MAT should be based on which college type are you aiming for MBA.
- CAT vs MAT: Highlights
- What is the Difference Between CAT and MAT?
- CAT vs MAT: Exam Conducting Body
- CAT vs MAT: Eligibility Criteria
- CAT vs MAT: Frequency of Exam
- CAT vs MAT: Exam Pattern
- CAT vs MAT: Exam Duration
- CAT vs MAT: Difficulty Level
- CAT vs MAT: Marking Scheme
- CAT vs MAT: Exam Fee
- CAT vs MAT Exam: Key Differences
- Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score Apart from IIMs
- Top Colleges Accepting MAT scores
CAT vs MAT: Highlights
Here's a table indicating major difference between CAT and MAT. This is to help you understand which of the two is suitable for your requirement and career plan.
| CAT | MAT |
|---|---|
| CAT is of high difficulty level exam | MAT is a low difficulty level exam |
| CAT requires a minimum of 9 months of preparation | MAT preparation can be done in less than 6 months |
| CAT is accepted by IIMs and all top ranked MBA colleges | MAT score is not accepted by IIMs and top MBA colleges in India |
| Most of the government institutions accepted CAT score of MBA admission | MAT score accepted by only private colleges which have registered with AIMA for student shortlisting |
CAT as everyone knows is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India. What makes MAT also a popular choice is that it offers multiple attempts to candidates to improve their score in the same academic session. If one is not satisfied with their MAT score, they can reappear in the same academic year and improve the score but other entrance exams including the CAT does not have this option. Also, CAT is much tougher than MAT.
What is the Difference Between CAT and MAT?
The major difference between the two is that while CAT is accepted by all top MBA colleges in India, MAT isn't. In this article, we have discussed the difference between CAT exam and MAT exam. Knowing the main differences between CAT exam and MAT exam will help you decide which exam to opt for, in this academic year.
CAT vs MAT: Exam Conducting Body
CAT: The exam is conducted annually for admissions to MBA/PGDM courses. It is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on rotation basis. Every year, one of the top IIMs is given the responsibility to conduct the exam. CAT is a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode exam and the most popular of all MBA entrance exams.
MAT: The exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT exam is conducted several times in four months (February, May, August and December) in three modes - Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT).
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CAT vs MAT: Eligibility Criteria
CAT eligibility criteria: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised board or university with minimum of 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA in the qualifying exam. Candidates belonging to SC, ST and PWD/DA categories must have obtained a minimum of 45 per cent aggregate.
Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025
MAT eligibility criteria: This exam is a boon for candidates who have scored below 50 per cent in graduation. Any graduate with passing marks can appear for MAT exam. There is neither age limit nor minimum percentage required for appearing in the exam.
Also Read: MAT Eligibility Criteria 2025
CAT vs MAT: Frequency of Exam
CAT: The exam is conducted on a single day in three sessions. Test slot is allotted to candidates by the examination body on the basis of receipt of application.
MAT: MAT is conducted multiple times in a year in four phases - February, May, September and December. Dates of IBT, PBT and CBT mode exams are different and candidates can choose one or more examination mode. CBT and PBT mode exams are conducted in single slot, while IBT is conducted in two slots. Candidates can choose IBT slots as per their preference.
CAT vs MAT: Exam Pattern
CAT: Candidates appearing for CAT need to solve questions from subjects like Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
Also Read: CAT exam pattern 2025
MAT: MAT exam paper consists of questions from Indian and Global Environment, Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. The Economic and Business Environment section has GK and current affairs questions.
Also Read: MAT exam pattern 2025
CAT vs MAT: Exam Duration
CAT: The duration of CAT is 120 minutes or two hours. There is a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Candidates have to follow the given sequence to solve the paper and as soon as 40 minutes of one section gets over, the computer screen jumps to the next section automatically.
Download: CAT Question Papers PDFs
MAT: Candidates need to solve 150 questions in 2 hours. There is no sectional time limit thus, candidates can solve the paper in a sequence they prefer. Scores of Economic and Business Environment section is not considered for MAT percentile calculation so candidates can attempt it in the end or leave it as per availability of time.
Download: MAT Question Papers PDFs
CAT vs MAT: Difficulty Level
CAT: Even though CAT has only 68 questions, it is regarded as one of the toughest MBA entrance exams. The question paper is usually of moderate to high difficulty level.
Also Read: CAT Exam Analysis
MAT: MAT has 150 questions but it is an easy exam. The questions in MAT are of easy to moderate difficulty level. A candidate who has prepared for CAT, can easily crack MAT.
Also Read: MAT Exam Analysis
CAT vs MAT: Marking Scheme
CAT: Total marks of CAT is 204. For every correct answer, 3 marks are awarded and there is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect attempt. In case a candidate does not attempt a question, no marks shall be deducted. There is no negative marking for non-MCQs.
MAT: The total marks of MAT exam is 150. Every correct answer carries 1 mark, and 0.25 marks is deducted for every wrong attempt.
Also Read:
CAT vs MAT: Exam Fee
CAT: The registration fee is INR 2,600 for General and NC-OBC candidates. For SC/ST/PWD (DA) categories, the fee is INR 1,300.
MAT: The registration fee for MAT is INR 2,200 for one paper (either IBT, PBT or CBT).
CAT vs MAT Exam: Key Differences
To conclude, let us have a quick recap of difference between CAT and MAT:
| Parameters |
CAT exam |
MAT exam |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Full Form |
Common Admission Test |
Management Aptitude Test |
| Conducting body |
IIM |
AIMA |
| Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50% aggregate |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50% aggregate |
| Frequency |
Once a year (November) |
Multiple times a year in February, May, August and December |
| Mode of Exam |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
|
| Exam Sections |
|
|
| Number of sections |
3 |
5 |
| Number of questions |
68 questions |
150 questions |
| Exam Duration |
2 hours |
2 hours |
| Difficulty level |
High |
Low |
| Marking Scheme |
3 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer |
1 for correct answer -0.25 for every incorrect answer |
| Exam Fee |
General and NC-OBC: INR 2,600 SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,300 |
All categories: INR 2,200
|
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Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score Apart from IIMs
Given below is the list of top 20 MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score other than IIMs. The list includes IITs offering MBA programme through their management studies departments and schools.
| Top CAT Accepting Colleges (Non-IIMs) |
|---|
| 1. MDI, Gurgaon |
| 7. IMI, Kolkata |
| 10. IMI, Delhi |
| 12. IIT Roorkee-DoMs |
| 13. IIT Dhanbad-ISM |
| 14. IMT, Nagpur |
| 15. IPE, Hyderabad |
Also Read: List of all MBA colleges accepting CAT score
Top Colleges Accepting MAT scores
MAT scores are accepted by over 800 MBA colleges in India. Given below is the list of colleges accepting MAT score for admission to their MBA programmes.
| Top MAT Colleges |
|---|
| 8. JIMS Rohini |
| 10. EIILM |
| 12. IILM University |
| 13. SRM University |
| 15. Jain University |
Also Read: List of all MBA Colleges Accepting MAT Score
Check out free online mock tests for CAT and MAT, created by Shiksha
Free Shiksha CAT Mock Test
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Free Shiksha MAT Mock Test
| MAT_Mock_Test_1 | MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| MAT_Mock_Test_2 | MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
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