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.
Also Read: CUET PG Vs IIT JAM: Which is Better for Master’s Degree
Explore colleges based on CUET-PG
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.
- CUET PG vs CAT: Detailed Comparison
- CUET PG vs MBA: Which One is Better?
- 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 (2024) |
| 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, 2024. |
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 |
|
|
| Total number of questions |
75 |
66 |
| Official website |
https://iimcat.ac.in |
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. The difficulty level is designed to be challenging for CUET PG MBA 2025 Preparation. The syllabus is bilingual (English and Hindi) to cater to a wider audience.
Here we bring the CUET MBA 2024 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
The 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 2024 preparation. Download the CAT exam syllabus PDF below for faster preparation:
| Download CAT syllabus PDF 2024: |
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:
- Best MBA Colleges accepting CUET-PG Score in Uttar Pradesh
- Best MBA Colleges accepting CUET-PG Score in India: Fees, Admission, Ranking 2024, Courses, Placements
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.
Also Read:
Key Difference:
While CUET PG offers a wider range of options for postgraduate studies, CAT primarily focuses on management programmes at top-tier institutions.
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:

News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
24 Nov '25 | OUAT 2025 Campus Reporting for... |
Jan '26 | OUAT 2025 Campus Reporting for... |
16 Aug '25 - 19 Aug '25 | IISER 2025 Round 4 Seat Allotm... |
8 Aug '25 - 12 Aug '25 | IISER 2025 Round 3 Seat Allotm... |
Mar '26 | CUET 2026 Application Process |
May '26 | CUET 2026 Exam |
Jul '22 | DAVV CET 2022 Registration |
Dec '24 | TISSNET 2024 Mock Test |
Jun '24 | TISS Online Assessment 2024 |
Jan '26 | BITSAT 2026 application form -... |
May '26 | BITSAT 2026 application form -... |
Student Forum
Answered 2 months ago
Some tips for CUET PG exam prep:
Understand exam format, make sure you have good understanding of computer, choose test center that is convenient for you, arrive early on center.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
See, solve as many previous question papers and it is advised to allocate time to yourself while solving the paper.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
It is advisable to start solving CUET PG question papers as part of your exam preparation at least 4-5 months before the exam date.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
It is conducted once a year. And it typically held in month of March or April. The exact date is announced on NTA a few months before exam
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
It is important because you can be familiar with the exam pattern, identify important topics, boosts confidence, and helps in practice and revision.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
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.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
The candidates can fill up to two cities as per their preferences.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
No, it doesn't change. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been consistently responsible for conducting the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) PG since its inception.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
CUET PG exam is conducted once a year. Exam is typically held in month of March. The exact dates of the exam are announced by the NTA a few months before the exam.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Understand the Exam Structure
Create a Study Plan
Gather Study Materials
Practice Regularly
Solve practice problems
Seek Guidance and Support
Stay Motivated and Positive
Believe in yourself
R
Contributor-Level 9
Candidates can check out the stream-wise CUET PG Zoology 2024 candidates who appeared and registered analysis from here:
18100
14965