CAT vs XAT 2025: Understand Key Differences & Similarities
If you are planning to do your MBA in 2025, this question has probably come to your mind: Should I give CAT 2025 or XAT 2025? These are considered to be the two major entrance tests in India, and yet there are differences in their exam pattern, difficulty level, colleges that accept them, and the kind of management aspirant they suit.
In this blog, we will see the nuances of the CAT vs XAT differences and similarities so that you can get an informed choice and accordingly set your CAT and XAT prep strategy.
CAT vs XAT 2025: What Are CAT and XAT?
When comparing CAT 2025 and XAT 2025, it is important to understand how they differ in structure, eligibility, and overall format. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
| Aspect | CAT | XAT |
| Full Form | Common Admission Test | Xavier Aptitude Test |
| Conducted By | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) | XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Number of Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) | 4 (VALR, DM, QA-DI, GK) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Tough | Moderate to Tough |
| Application Fee | ₹2,400 for General; ₹1,200 for SC/ST/PwD | ₹2,100 (same for all categories) |
| Registration Method | Online through official CAT portal | Online via official XAT website |
CAT Vs XAT 2025: Syllabus and Section-Wise Comparison
CAT Syllabus (2025):
📌VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
📌DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
📌QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
CAT Syllabus Overview
The CAT exam is divided into three main sections. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect in each.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: In this section, you’ll find around 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The questions cover a range of topics such as jumbled paragraphs, reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, grammar, fill-in-the-blanks, sentence completion, syllogisms, sentence correction, idioms, phrases, and antonyms/synonyms, along with analogies.
The reading comprehension part includes 14 questions based on passages that might deal with themes like science, history, politics, economics, the environment, literature, society, and mythology. Most of these passages require you to draw inferences.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: This section comprises a total of 22 questions, a mix of MCQs and non-MCQs. You will come across logical reasoning topics including blood relations, propositions, direction sense, puzzles, as well as tasks related to data interpretation, like arranging data in tables and graphs. There are also concepts involving clocks, calendars, and binary logic.
Quantitative Ability: This section has 22 questions, again a combination of MCQs and non-MCQs, focused entirely on math. Expect to tackle topics like LCM and HCF, algebra, profit and loss, geometry, probability, mensuration, equations, surds and indices, and work and time.
Read More: CAT Syllabus 2025
XAT Syllabus (2025):
📌Verbal & Logical Reasoning
📌Decision Making
📌Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
📌General Knowledge ✅ (Not counted for percentile)
XAT Syllabus Overview
The XAT question paper is divided into four sections, and here are some key points for each one:
Decision Making: This section of the XAT exam is also the toughest. To do well here, you need to thoroughly prepare topics like Logical Reasoning, Arithmetic, Conditions and Grouping, Assumptions, and Data Arrangement, among others.
Verbal and Logical Ability: The next part of the XAT exam focuses on Verbal and Logical Ability (VA-LR). This includes topics such as Antonyms and Synonyms, Jumbled Paragraphs, Sentence Completion, Word Usage, and Editing and Omitting. You’ll find that the Reading Comprehension passages can be quite dense and challenging. Typically, you’ll encounter 2-3 reading passages, with one possibly being a short poem.
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation: If you want to succeed in this section, it is crucial to have all the math formulas, tricks, and theorems down pat. This segment covers various topics like Percentage, Profit and Loss, Geometry, Probability, Averages and Partnerships, Algebra, Simple and Compound Interest, LCM and HCF, along with Graphs, Pie Charts, Data Analysis, Mensuration, Time, Speed and Distance, Ratios and Proportions, Inequalities, and Linear and Quadratic Equations.
General Knowledge: To excel in this section, the best approach is to make reading the newspaper a habit. Keeping up with national and international news, as well as current affairs, will definitely help you navigate this part. Plus, there’s no negative marking for incorrect answers in this section!
Read More: XAT Syllabus 2025
Key Difference:
CAT does not have a Decision-Making or GK section, while XAT tests both.
CAT vs XAT 2025 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
| Parameter | CAT 2025 | XAT 2025 |
| Number of Questions | 68 | 95 |
| Total Marks | 204 | 95 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect MCQ No negative marking for non-MCQs |
+1 for the correct answer -0.25 for incorrect answer -0.1 penalty for more than 8 unattempted questions No negative marking in GK |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section (Total: 120 minutes) | Part 1:Aptitude Test (170 minutes) Part 2:General Knowledge (10 minutes) |
Read More: CAT Exam Pattern 2025
XAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT vs XAT 2025: Difficulty Level
DILR has generally been considered a tricky section in CAT 2025, along with the unpredictable difficulty of Quantitative Aptitude (QA). There has not been a fixed pattern in this exam, so aspirants find it tough to predict trends based on previous years. The sets in DILR have been filled with more logic and have become extremely time-consuming for candidates who require analytical thinking, low decision-making, and pressure. Besides, the scaled 2-hour format duration itself offers very little scope for reattempts or error correction, thus making time management a critical skill for acing CAT 2025.
The Decision Making section of XAT 2025 in the exam is often the snatcher of the overall score! Kind of presenting ethical dilemmas, business situations, and day-to-day challenges to test one’s judgment and clarity of thought, it is something that can never be learned by formulas or rote ways of learning! Then, XAT Verbal Ability questions stand a challenge even for seasoned readers, with abstract Reading Comprehension passages, dense vocabulary, and almost a dozen types of nuanced critical reasoning questions that are beyond the interpretations of regular English prep.
All these factors combine to put CAT 2025 and XAT 2025 on the unique scales, requiring individual strategies.
Colleges Accepting CAT vs XAT
CAT 2025 is the gateway to some of the most prestigious B-Schools in India. The exam is accepted by all 21 IIMs, making it essential for those targeting top-tier management education. In addition to the IIMs, other highly reputed institutions like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and various IIT B-Schools also accept CAT scores, giving aspirants access to a wide range of elite MBA programs.
XAT 2025, conducted by XLRI, also opens doors to several renowned B-Schools. The top colleges accepting XAT scores include XLRI Jamshedpur, XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar), IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, Great Lakes, IRMA, and LIBA. These institutes are known for their strong academic rigour, experienced faculty, and excellent placement records.
It is important to note that while some colleges accept both CAT and XAT scores, not all institutions do. So apply carefully after knowing details of your desired college, so your exam choice directly influences your college options.
Cutoffs and Score Comparisons
Here are a few examples of comparison:
CAT Cutoffs (General Category):
| Name of the IIMs | Final Admission CAT Cutoff 2024 Percentile (Lowest Score to Secure Admission) (General – Overall) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 93.76 |
| IIM Bangalore | 91.97 |
| IIM Calcutta | NA |
| IIM Lucknow | NA |
| IIM Indore | 92.92 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 88.14 |
| IIM Vizag | 82.03 |
| IIM Rohtak | 96 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
Read More: CAT Cutoff 2025
XAT 2025 Cutoffs:
| XAT colleges | XAT 2025 Cutoff Score | Cutoff Percentile |
| XIMB-Bhubaneswar | 23-24 | 91-92 |
| SPJIMR-Mumbai | 24-26 | 93-95 |
| IMT-Ghaziabad | 22-23 | 90-91 |
| GIM-Goa | 21+ | 85-90 |
| TAPMI-Manipal | 20+ | 80-85 |
| IRMA-Anand | 20+ | 80-85 |
| MICA-Ahmedabad | 21+ | 80-85 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | 20-21 | 80-85 |
| LIBA-Chennai | 20+ | 80-85 |
| KJ Somaiya-Mumbai | 18.5+ | 80-85 |
Read More: XAT Cutoff 2025
CAT vs XAT 2025- Final Verdict:
Both CAT and XAT open doors to India’s best MBA programs. Your choice should depend on:
Target colleges
Exam strengths
Career goals and ROI preference
If you’re serious about your MBA dream, attempt both CAT & XAT 2025. With a similar syllabus and a 1-month gap between exams, your prep can be easily aligned.
CAT vs XAT 2025: FAQs
Is the CAT exam pattern different from XAT?
Yes. CAT 2025 has 3 sections and lasts 120 minutes, whereas XAT 2025 has 4 sections plus an essay, and lasts 210 minutes, making it longer and more sectionally diverse.
Is the syllabus the same for CAT and XAT 2025?
Both cover QA, VARC, and LRDI, but XAT adds two extra sections — Decision Making and General Knowledge, which are not part of the CAT 2025 syllabus.
Does CAT or XAT have sectional time limits?
CAT 2025 has fixed 40 minutes per section, while XAT 2025 gives 167 minutes for 3 sections, followed by additional time for GK and Essay, offering more flexibility.
Which is tougher: CAT 2025 or XAT 2025?
Both exams have different patterns and syllabuses, so it all depends on what you choose, how you compare sections, and your career goals.
