Shiksha poll reveals that CAT and IIMs remain the first choice among MBA aspirants, despite stiff competition to crack both. Read more.
CAT and IIMs popular choice for MBA
Common Admission Test or CAT is the top most MBA entrance exam in India. In the past 2 years, we have seen the number of applicants rise from 2 lakhs plus to 3 lakhs plus. With MBA increasingly becoming the default PG degree for job seekers a large number of aspirants apply for various entrance exams in India. The top 5 national level MBA entrance exams are CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP and NMAT. Among these five CAT stands tall in popularity as it is a gateway to not only the IIMs and other top B-schools in India, but also to over 1300 other MBA colleges (Tier 2 and Tier 3 included).
As the MBA entrance exam kicks in, Shiksha conducted an online poll asking users their preference among to MBA entrance exam and not surprisingly, CAT was the most popular choice. Shiksha asked the users –
Which of these MBA entrance exams are you targeting for admission next year?
A total of 2270 users shared their preference. The Shiksha poll suggests:
55% respondents are targeting CAT for MBA admission next year. 16% respondents are targeting MAT, whereas 11% are targeting XAT. The percentage of respondents who prefer SNAP and NMAT is dismal 10% and 8%.
Result
Shiksha poll results reinforces the fact that despite being an exam of high difficulty level and sill competition, CAT remains the top choice. The reason could simply be in the fact that it is accepted by all top ranking MBA colleges in India and thus, ensures a good start to career in terms of profile, industry and remuneration.
Similarly, IIMs are the preferred choice among MBA aspirants through CAT. In another poll conducted by Shiksha, users expressed their interest in IIMs more than other colleges for pursuing MBA, despite the fact that it is very tough to get into the IIMs, unless you have a 99+ percentile (General category) and a stupendous academic record. About 1700 users participated in Shiksha poll –
Which college are you targeting with CAT 2025?
The result was as per expectation. 56% of users said they are targeting IIMs, whereas only 15% said, they are targeting non-IIMs. On the other hand, a good percentage of users (29%) said they are targeting both, which is a good outlook towards higher studies and career.
Poll result
CMAT syllabus is somewhat same as CAT syllabus. It has two extra subjects, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and General Awareness. However, these two subjects are not tough and can be covered alongside Quantitative Aptitude, English and Logical Reasoning. Despite having less subjects CAT is tougher than CMAT.
CAT 2025 exam will be conducted on November 30, 2025. IIM Kozhikode will be conducting the CAT this year. CAT exam notification 2025 is expected by July 30, 2025 and the registration window will open by August 4, 2025. Check out Shiksha.com for latest updates on CAT 2025. Also download Shiksha app for personalised assitance. Participate in our next poll here:
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CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 lakh candidates apply for it. Since the last two years, the competition has increased further with oveer 3 lakh candidates applying for the exam.
The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 3 lakh test takers there is a need for stringent criteria. That's why, the CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam except XAT. Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.