CAT vs XAT vs NMAT vs CMAT – Which MBA Entrance Exam Should You Choose?
Are you an MBA aspirant? Then, I am sure that you usually stare at the syllabus, scroll through college cut offs and then you whisper to yourselves saying ,” which exam you should take, CAT vs XAT vs NMAT vs CMAT Or should you give all? Correct? If that is really you! Welcome to my space. This blog won’t confuse you with any jargon, any technical language or any terminologies, in fact, not even a generic advice. I will be direct, simple and give you the information based on what actually matters for you. Let us dive deep in to it.
CAT:
Common Admission Test , commonly known as CAT is the classic, competitive and career defining choice. CAT is usually the first exam name which comes to people’s mind, when they say MBA entrance.
So, now the question arises, should you choose to write CAT? See, if you dream of IIMs, especially the old ones like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta , then yes CAT should be your choice. If you are comfortable with LRDI puzzles, quantitative aptitude and reading comprehension, then CAT should be your choice. CAT is unpredictable, so, if you are comfortable with high competition and unpredictable difficulty levels, then CAT is for you. If you are somebody who is comfortable in exams only when there is a set predefined pattern of exam, and if there were any change, you would panic, then CAT is not for you. You might spoil your D day in that case.
What’s CAT really like:
So, what is the real picture of CAT? Please understand that CAT is not tough because of the syllabus. It is tough because of the competition and its time pressured nature of exam. It has three sections namely Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
It is a time bound test, with the sectional time limit. Calculator is not allowed. The test takes place in three different slots, with probably paper with different difficulty level in every slot, so, normalization happens every year. CAT rewards people who can apply smart strategies rather than syllabus masters. So, if you love challenges, then CAT is the playground you should play on.
Top colleges accepting CAT:
The top colleges which accept the CAT score are all top IIMs and baby IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, IITs’ MBA programs, SPJIMR and many other top private B schools. Read (TOP COLLEGES ACCEPTING CAT 2026) to know the top colleges which accept the CAT score and how. So, if ranking matters a lot to you and IIM tag is a goal, then CAT should definitely be at the top of your list.
XAT:
The next exam which generally pops up when we talk about MBA entrance, it is XAT, the Xaviers Aptitude Test. XAT is built for the deep thinkers and decision makers. XAT has a different vibe. I can term it as CAT’s philosophical cousin. So, you should choose XAT if you are good at critical thinking and decision-making. If you are aiming for XLRI, Jamshedpur, which is one of India’s Best B schools for HR and BM, then XAT should be your choice. If abstract RCs and tricky logical questions excite you and are your strength, then, you should definitely go for XAT.
What is XAT really like:
VARC is tougher and more ‘literary’. There is one different section in this exam called ‘Decision Making’. This section separates the person who just studies from the person who manages. Quantitative Aptitude is generally moderate. There is no sectional time pressure in XAT like CAT has. But, yes, it has overall reasoning on a tougher side. XAT is a kind of exam which actually test how you think. So, just how much you study is not satisfactory. Basically, it tests how you think and not just how you study. It is designed for future managers who have the capabilities to navigate ambiguity and take the right calls.
Top colleges accepting XAT:
The top colleges which accept the XAT score are XLRI, Jamshedpur which provides its flagship programme. The others are XIM, Bhubneshwar, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI etc. Some programs of Great Lakes also accept XAT scores. So, if your strength is reasoning, balanced thinking or articulation, then XAT can be a winning exam for you.
NMAT:
NMAT is student friendly exam. It has a friendly option where you can reattempt the exam. So, if CAT and XAT feel like roller coaster rides of an amusement park, then NMAT will give you a feel of well-designed video game which is structured, mostly predictable and student friendly. You should choose NMAT if you want simple attempts to improve your overall score. If you prefer moderate level questions and not very high difficulty level, and your goal is NMIMS Mumbai or other good private universities, then NMAT should be your choice. If speed and consistency are your strengths rather than learning the complex concepts, then NMAT should be your pick. I have given you enough reasons to NMAT too like I did for CAT and XAT. So, it all depends on your priorities, strengths and preparation.
What is NMAT really like:
The first thing to know about NMAT is that you can retake the exam up to 3 times. The level of difficulty is moderate. However, then speed matters. You can choose your own date and time. There is no negative marking. It has adaptive pattern which means that computer based exam adjusts the difficulty bases on the responses you gave for the previous questions.
Top colleges accepting NMAT: NMAT scores are accepted by NMIMS, Mumbai, SRM, UPES . Some private universities also accept the NMAT scores. Some programs of XIM university accept the scores of NMAT.
CMAT :
The common management admission test , commonly known as CMAT, is a total value for money , gives you high return on your investment, and is an awesome smart back up option. All those students who did not write CAT as expected and spoiled their exam, CMAT is an awesome option for them. CMAT actually does not really get the hype it deserves. The thing to note here is that it opens doors to some excellent B schools especially for students targeting colleges which have great return on investment. You should choose CMAT if you want colleges with good placements at reasonable fees. If you think that GK is your comfort zone, then CMAT is an option for you. Quant and LR feel easier than CAT and XAT. If you want more options in tier-2 or tier 1.5 colleges , then CMAT is an awesome choice you will be making.
What’s CMAT really like:
The National Testing Agency conducts CMAT. So, most of the time, it has a predictable paper style. The level of difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. The major sections are Quantitative aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Language and General Knowledge. Time pressure is fairly manageable for students in CMAT.
Top colleges accepting CMAT:
Apart from the strong state universities accepting the CMAT score, colleges like JBIMS, Sydenham, PUMBA, Great Lakes, Welingkar etc are there which accept the CAT scores.
After reading the details on about the same, I am sure you would have decided in your mind that which exam you want to appear for or the exam probably you will give preference to. Let me simplify this for you.
If you want IIMs or top tier placements , then opt for CAT.
If you want XLRI and tests that reward thinking, opt for XAT.
If you want a flexible, student-friendly exam with multiple attempts , go for NMAT
If you want high return on investment colleges without extreme competition, then definitely go for CMAT.
Always, remember not to choose an exam based on fear. Also, don’t fall to choose the exam based on hype. Choose the exam based on your aptitude, what you aspire, your dream colleges, your budget and your temperament of handling pressure.
So now that you know the truth behind all four exams, let me know in the comments which exam is calling your attention.
Whatever you choose, start today. Because six months from now, the version of you walking into that B-school interview will thank you for making this decision right now.
All The Best !