Updated on Jan 23, 2026 16:37 IST
Planning to get enrolled in an MBA programme? Confused about CUET PG and CAT, which exam to prepare for? Read this Shiksha article to learn about the difference between CUET PG, and CAT exams, for which exam a candidate can prepare, the exam pattern and the complete admission process of the respective exams.

Planning to get enrolled in an MBA programme? Confused about CUET PG and CAT, which exam to prepare for? Read this Shiksha article to learn about the difference between CUET PG, and CAT exams, for which exam a candidate can prepare, exam pattern and the complete admission process of the respective exams. 

CUET PG vs CAT

Also Read: CUET PG Vs IIT JAM: Which is Better for Master’s Degree

About CUET PG

CUET PG assesses candidates' subject-specific knowledge and general aptitude, making it a comprehensive evaluation tool. It offers a wider range of CUET PG courses, including humanities, social sciences, commerce, and science programmes ( master's degree programmes like MSc, MA, MCom, MFA and professional degree programmes like MBA, BEd, MEd, LLB and LLM).

Paper Code

Test Paper

Registered candidates

Appeared candidates

COQP12

General (MBA, etc.)

97880

74116

About CAT

Common Admission Test is a highly competitive exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management for admission to their flagship MBA programmes and those of other top B-schools in India. 

Table of contents
  • CUET PG vs CAT: Detailed Comparison
  • CUET PG vs MBA: Which One is Better?
  • CUET PG vs CAT: Key Differences You Should Know
  • CUET PG vs CAT Difficulty Level and Syllabus
  • CUET PG vs CAT for MBA: Career Opportunities, Salary Range and ROI
  • CUET vs CAT which is better (Placement Comparison)

CUET PG vs CAT: Detailed Comparison

The following table presents a detailed comparative analysis between the CAT and CUET PG exams:

Specifications

CUET PG 

CAT

Full name

Common University Entrance Test (For Postgraduate Courses)

Common Admission Test

Conducting Authority

National Testing Agency

IIM Calcutta (2026)

Courses for admission

MSc, MTech, MA, M.Com, MBA, MCA

MBA/PGDM

Number of test takers

6-7 lakhs

Around 1 Lakh for MBA

2-3 lakhs

Frequency of the exam

Once a year

Once a year

Exam Date

Between March 11 to March 28, 2026. 

In the month of November

Number of days

18 days (3 shifts each day)

One Day

Duration of test

105 Minutes or 1 hour 45 minutes

120 minutes/ 2 hours

Mode of exam

Computer-based

Computer-based

Total marks

300 marks 198 marks

Marking scheme

+4 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

 

+3 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

Subjects/sections

  • Domain Knowledge (Opted Subject Specific)
  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) 
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Ability (QA)

Total number of questions

75

66

Official website

https://pgcuet.samarth.ac.in/ 

https://iimcat.ac.in
Q:   What is the difference between CUET PG MBA and CAT exam?
A:

CUET MBA syllabus and CAT syllabus are both designed to assess aptitude for management studies.

Key Difference:

CUET PG MBA: This exam covers a wider range of topics, including general knowledge, current affairs etc.

CAT:  It is designed to assess a student problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and ability to handle complex data. 

Q:   What is the difference between CUET PG and IIT JAM?
A:

IIT JAM is for PG scientific and engineering courses in IITs and other premier institutons while CUET PG is a wider platform for admissions to postgraduate programs across private, state and central universities.

CUET PG vs MBA: Which One is Better?

In this Section, candidates will be able to find which entrance exam is better for them based on the exam pattern, syllabus, top participating institutes and placement parameters.

CUET PG Syllabus vs CAT Syllabus

Here is the detailed difference between the CUET PG and CAT syllabi here:

CUET PG MBA Syllabus

CUET PG 2025 MBA syllabus is designed in such a way for candidates to test their language comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation and Reasoning ability. CUET PG MBA Syllabus is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics relevant to MBA studies. It emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Difficulty level is designed to be challenging for CUET PG MBA 2025 Preparation. Syllabus is bilingual (English and Hindi) to cater to a wider audience.

Here we bring the CUET MBA 2026 for the various subjects that would be tested through this exam across domains:

CUET PG MBA Syllabus For English Comprehension

  • English Grammar
  • English Usage Errors
  • Jumbled Para
  • Sentence Correction
  • Sentence Improvement
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Paragraph Completion
  • One-word Substitution
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Idioms & Phrases

CUET PG MBA Syllabus For Hindi Comprehension

  • हिन्दी व्याकरण
  • अशुद्ध प्रयोग
  • पररच्छेद का उहित क्रम
  • वाक्य शुहद्ध
  • वाक्य पररष्कार
  • पाठ बोधन
  • वाक्य की पूणणता
  • अनेक शब्द केहियेएक शब्द
  • समानाथी एवंहविोम
  •  मुिावरेएवंकिावते

CUET PG MBA Syllabus For Maths/Quantitative Ability

  • Partnership
  • Simple Interest and Compound Interest
  • Profit & Loss
  • Percentages
  • Pipes and Cisterns
  • Time Speed Distance
  • Problems on Train
  • Work and Wages
  • Time and Work

CUET PG MBA Syllabus For Logical Reasoning

  • Ranking Tests
  • Linear
  • Arrangements
  • Matrix Arrangements
  • Sequencing
  • Statements Arguments
  • Cause and Effects
  • Statements Assumptions
  • Statements and Conclusion
  • Number Series
  • Blood Relationship Tests
  • Coding and Decoding
  • Inferences
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Analogy Test
  • Symbol Based Problems
  • Direction and Distance Test

CUET PG MBA Syllabus For Data Interpretation

  • Pie Charts
  • Line Charts
  • Bar Graphs
  • Tabular Charts
  • Mixed Graphs
  • Data Sufficiency
  • Graph Number Systems
  • Tabulation
  • Sets and Venn Diagrams

CAT MBA Syllabus

CAT syllabus PDF prepared by Shiksha has CAT quant syllabus, CAT VARC syllabus and CAT DILR syllabus. It has further description of these topics and sub topics in detail and can be very useful for CAT 2026 preparation. Download CAT exam syllabus PDF below for faster preparation:

Download CAT syllabus PDF:

CAT Syllabus PDF

CUET PG vs CAT Participating Institutes

  • CUET PG is accepted by a wide range of central universities, state universities, deemed universities, and private institutions across India.
  • Many prestigious central universities like Delhi University, JNU, BHU, and Hyderabad University accept CUET PG scores for their postgraduate programmes. 

Also Read:

CAT:

  • Elite management institutes: CAT primarily caters to top-tier management institutes, such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other prestigious B-schools.  
  • Focus on managerial and leadership skills: These institutes offer management programs that require strong analytical, quantitative, and verbal reasoning abilities.

Key Difference:

While CUET PG offers a wider range of options for postgraduate studies, CAT primarily focuses on management programmes at top-tier institutions.

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CUET PG vs CAT: Key Differences You Should Know

When people compare CUET PG vs CAT, which one is better, they mainly look at four things.

  • These are career goals, college type, exam difficulty, and salary (ROI).
  • CAT is for students who want to study in IIMs and top MBA colleges.
  • Many colleges provide high-paying jobs after an MBA.
  • CUET PG is for students who want to pursue MBA or PG courses in Central and State Universities.
  • These colleges are more affordable and easier to enter.
  • CAT is hard and very competitive.
  • CUET PG is easier and open to more students.

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CUET PG vs CAT Difficulty Level and Syllabus

One big question students ask is the CUET PG vs CAT difficulty level.

CAT Exam CUET PG Exam
  • CAT is one of the toughest exams in India.
  • CUET PG is easier compared to CAT.
  • Questions are tricky.
  • Questions test basic knowledge.
  • Time pressure is very high.
  • Less pressure on speed.
  • You must be fast and accurate.
  • More focus on understanding concepts.

What are the main topics of CAT?

Check out the following list to know the main topics related to the CAT exam

  • Quantitative Aptitude 
  • DILR 
  • VARC 
  • Speed and accuracy are very important

What are the main topics of the CUET PG Syllabus?

Go through the following list to know the important topics in the syllabus.

  • General Aptitude and Logic
  • General Knowledge and Current Affairs
  • Subject knowledge (MBA or PG subject)

CUET PG vs CAT for MBA: Career Opportunities, Salary Range and ROI

Students searching for CUET PG vs CAT for MBA often feel confused.

  • CAT MBA is best for those students who wish to get job opportunities in the top corporate companies. Also, with this, they can get a high salary range between INR 20 to 30 lakh in different sectors, consulting and finance firms.
  • CUET PG MBA is best for those who are looking for reasonable fees, excellent education, many career options with a high salary range between INR 4 to 12 lakh in the initial phase of their professional journey.

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CUET vs CAT which is better (Placement Comparison)

When considering MBA placements CAT is generally considered to offer better opportunities than CUET PG. This is primarily due to the prestige and reputation of the institutions that accept CAT scores. Here is the breakdown of the average salaries that the candidates get through CAT and CUET PG participating institutes.

Institute Name
Fee (In Lakhs)
Average salary (In lakhs)
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad
INR 25.00 lakhs
INR  34.45 LPA
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore
INR 24.70 lakhs
INR  35.92 LPA
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta
INR  25.00 lakhs
INR  35.07 LPA
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode
INR  20.50 lakhs
INR 28.05 LPA
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
INR  21.75 lakhs
INR 30.00 LPA
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore
INR  21.17 lakhs
INR 25.68 LPA
College Type
Average Annual Salary Range
Top Tier MBA Colleges (IIMs, XLRI, etc.) INR 20-30 Lakhs
Tier 2 MBA Colleges (Some IITs, FMS Delhi, etc.) INR 15-25 Lakhs
Tier 3 MBA Colleges (State-level universities, private colleges) INR 6-12 Lakhs

Read More:

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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered 2 days ago

There is only one section A for CUET PG exam. Section B which comprises general awarenessa and knowledge has been removed as per exam pattern. Students need to prepare section A which is subject specific to get through. They should cover each and every topic of respective syllabus in order to get go

...Read more

A

Abhishek Rastogi

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 days ago

CUET PG 2026 admit card date has not been released yet. Admit card is usually released a week before exam. As per official notification by NTA, CUET PG 2026 city intimation slip will be released 10 days before exam. As exam is scheduled from March 6, city intimation slip will be released by February

...Read more

K

Kritika Sharma

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 days ago

Though it is difficult to clear CUET PG in two months, but not impossible. With proper plan and strategies in place, students can clear CUET PG in two months. In very first month, students need to complete syllabys and second month should be dedicated to practicing mock exam and solving previous yea

...Read more

A

Anushree Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 days ago

CUET PG 2026 application form process has been concluded. Last date to submit application form was January 23, 2026. Correction window was active till January 30, 2026. Exam is scheduled to be held from March 6 till March 27, 2026 for various courses. No extension has been provided by NTA. 

N

Nishtha Choudhury

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 days ago

Students need to follow proces given below to download CUET PG admit card:

  • Visit official website of CUET PG 2026
  • Click on the tab indicating CUET PG 2026 admit card download or Sign In tab
  • Enter CUET PG 2026 application number and date of birth or password along with the Security Pin 
  • Select the checkb

...Read more

P

Pragati Saxena

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 days ago

NTA has reduced number of centres from 312 to 292 in CUET PG 2026. In addition, students can choose 4 city choices. Earlier they were provided only 2 options. This time, students will have to answer only A section which is domain specific. 

A

Abhishek Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

Registration fee for CUET PG 2026 varies for each category. For General students, registration fee is INR 1400 while for OBC, fee is 1200. SC/ST category students ahve to pay INR 1100 as application fee. This fee is for choosing maximum two test papers. 

K

Kartik Khanna

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

Yes. CUET PG application process has already been completed. NTA had released CUET PG 2026 application form online on December 14, 2026. Last date to submit application form for CUET PG 2026 was January 23, 2026. 

B

Bhumika Chauhan

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

Those who have bachelor's or equivalent degree from recognised institute or college can appear for CUET PG 2026. Final year students are also elligible for CUET PG exam. There is no capping on age in CUET PG exam.

N

Nitesh Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

NTA has not provided exact date for CUET PG city intimation slip. In official notification, NTA has said city intimation slip will be uploaded 10 days before exam. As CUET PG is scheduled from march 6, city intimation slip will be uploaded by February 23, 206.

M

Mukul Kumar Mishra

Contributor-Level 10