Is CAT Exam Tough: Overview, Minimum Score Required, comparison with other exams
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India’s most prestigious and competitive entrance exams for admission to top-tier business schools such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading management institutes. Held annually, the CAT exam is a benchmark for evaluating candidates’ aptitude in quantitative ability (QA), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC). As India’s most popular management entrance test, one of the key questions students usually ask before beginning their CAT prep is – Is CAT exam tough?
The answer to this question depends on many factors, all of which we’ve explained below.
In this blog, we delve into various aspects of the CAT exam to provide aspiring candidates with a comprehensive understanding. We will discuss the exam’s difficulty level, the minimum score required for admissions, and how it compares with other prominent management entrance exams. If you are gearing up for the CAT, this guide will help you focus on your academic journey.ย
Update: The CAT exam 2025 will be held on November 30th, 2025 by IIM Kozhikode.
Is CAT Exam Tough to Crack: Overviewย
| CAT Exam Particulars | CAT Exam 2025 Details |
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Institute | IIM Kozhikode |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| CAT Exam Date 2025 | Sunday, November 30th, 2025 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50% aggregateย
(45% for SC/ST students) |
| Number of Applications in the CAT exam | About 3.28 lakh |
| Exam Purpose | Study at IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India |
| Courses Offered Through CAT Exam | MBA/ PGDM |
| No. of test cities for the CAT Exam | 150 |
Read More โย CAT Exam 2025 โ Exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, registration, and all other details
Is CAT Exam Tough: What Makes CAT the Toughest Exam in the Country?
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is considered one of the toughest exams in India due to several factors.ย
- Firstly, the exam has moderate to high difficulty, and the questions become increasingly difficult over the years.ย
- Secondly, the exam has a time constraint, and candidates must answer all 100 questions in 180 minutes.ย
- Thirdly, the syllabus is complicated and includes a wide range of topics, and candidates must understand the fundamentals of each topic.ย
- Fourthly, the exam is highly competitive, and lakhs of people take it each year, making it challenging to attain a perfect score or even pass it.ย
Is CAT Exam Tough: Minimum Score Required to Get into IIMs Through CAT
| IIMย | General |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Kozhikodeย | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Raipur | 94 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 |
| IIM Kashipur | 94 |
| IIM Trichy | 94 |
| IIM Ranchi | 94 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 80 |
| IIM Jammu | 94 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
| IIM Amritsar | 88 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 94 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 94 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 94 |
CAT Exam, when compared to other Competitive exams:
Is the CAT exam tough when compared to JEE?- Exam Formatย
| Aspect | CAT | JEE |
| Sections | Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Exam Format | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | Approximately 76-100 | Approximately 75-90 (JEE Main) |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)ย
and Non-MCQs (TITA) |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | Varies (typically +3 for correct MCQ, +1 for correct TITA, -1 for incorrect) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect (JEE Main) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours each (JEE Main) andย
3 hours (JEE Advanced) |
| Language Options | English | English, Hindi, and some regional languages (JEE Main) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (for MCQs) | Yes (for MCQs) |
| Calculator Allowed | No | Yes (for a specific section in JEE Main) |
| Mode of Examination | Online (CBT) | Online (CBT) |
Is the CAT exam tough when compared to UPSC?- Exam Format
| Aspect | CAT Exam | UPSC Exam |
| Exam Format | Computer-based Test (CBT) | Pen and Paper Test (PPT) |
| Total Papers/Sections | Three Sections: 1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension 2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning 3. Quantitative Ability |
Two Papers in Prelims (CSAT and GS) and Seven Papers in Mains (Essay and six subjects chosen by the candidate) |
| Duration | 2 hoursย
(60 minutes for each section) |
2 hours for each paper in Prelims Various durations for Mains papers |
| Question Types | Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
Non-MCQsย (Subjective answers) in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
Objective Multiple-choice questions Subjectiveย
(Essay and long answers) in Mains |
| Negative Marking | Yes | Yes |
| Syllabus | Verbal, Quantitative, DI/LR topics as per CAT guidelines | Broad syllabus covering various subjects, including History, Polity, Geography, Economics, and more |
| Language Medium | English | English and Regional Languages |
| Regional Languages | Some CAT test centres allow for regional language options
ย (as per availability) |
Candidates can choose from various regional languages for Mains |
Read More:ย CAT exam registrationย
Is the CAT exam tough when compared to NEET?- Exam Format
| Aspect | CAT | NEET |
| Sections | Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning | Physics, Chemistry, Biology
ย (Botany and Zoology) |
| Exam Format | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Pen and Paper (OMR sheets) |
| Total Questions | Approximately 76-100 | 180 (45 questions each in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Botany/Zoology) |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs (TITA) | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | Variesย
(typically +3 for correct MCQ, ย +1 for correct TITA, -1 for incorrect) |
+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Language Options | English | English, Hindi, and some regional languages |
| Negative Marking | Yes (for MCQs) | Yes (for MCQs) |
| Calculator Allowed | No | No |
| Mode of Examination | Online (CBT) | Offline (Pen and Paper)ย |
Is the CAT exam tough when compared to IPMAT?- Exam Format
| Particulars | CATย | IPMAT |
| Mode of Examination | Online | Online |
| Medium of Examination | English and Hindi | Quantitative ability (MCQs),ย
Quantitative ability (short answer questions)ย & Verbal ability |
| Duration of the Exam | 2 hoursย
(120 – 40 minutes for each section) |
2 hours
ย (120 – 40 minutes for each section) |
| Subjects | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. | Quantitative ability (MCQs), Quantitative ability (short answer questions) & Verbal ability |
| Type of questions | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – 24 multiple-choice questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning – 20 multiple-choice questions, Quantitative Aptitude – 22 multiple-choice questions. | Quantitative Ability – 25 multiple choice questions, Quantitative ability – 25 short answer questions, and Verbal Ability – 50 questions |
| Total Marks | 198 Marks | 400 Marksย |
| Marking Scheme | For MCQs, +3 is awarded for each correct response, and -1 is awarded for each incorrect response. Unattempted questions will not be marked. | For MCQs, +4 is given for each correct response, and -1 is given for each incorrect response. The questions not attempted will not be provided any marks. |
Summary of Comparison Between the CAT exam and Other Exams
Let’s have a look at the summarized table below for the differences among the CAT exams:
Conclusionย
As you can see, the answer to the questions – Is CAT exam tough – depends a lot of your perspective and level of preparation.
Preparing for the CAT requires dedication, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of its syllabus and exam pattern. Remember, the CAT is not just an exam; it’s a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in management.ย
Approach it confidently and leverage resources wisely. Whether you’re aiming for the top percentiles or simply aiming to clear the cutoffs, every step forward in your CAT journey is a testament to your determination and potential.
This guide has provided valuable insights and guidance to assist you on your path to success in the CAT exam. Best of luck!
FAQs
Is a CAT exam tough to crack?
Yes, the Common Admission Test is a challenging exam, but it is not impossible to crack. Its definitely highly highly competitive and requires strong skills in all sections, like quantitative ability, verbal, and logical reasoning. The CAT exam also seems to be tough due to its low success rates among the total candidates.
Why is CAT exam tough?
Various factors make the CAT exam tough, including high competition, time bound test, changing exam pattern every year, etc. Almost more than 2.8 lakhs of aspirants appear for the CAT exam with a dream to get into the top IIMs. Additionally, the shifts in the exam sections and question patterns make it difficult for the candidates to complete it within a time constraint.
Is 70 a good score in CAT?
It’s a moderate to above-average score. It’s not high enough if you dream to get into IIMs. It will only help you to take admission to Tier-2 and Tier-3 MBA colleges in India.
Is it easy to crack CAT exam?
Yes, if you put the right CAT preparation and study plan in place. Understand the CAT syllabus and paper pattern to begin with and start preparing early. CAT exam has a high difficulty level due to its paper pattern, time restriction, an negative marking. Additionally, attempt multiple CAT mock tests during the last 2 months before the exam date toย crack the exam.
Can I do an MBA without a CAT?
Yes, you can get the MBA without appearing in the CAT exam. There are many MBA colleges that accept admission without CAT exam and offer their own entrance exams like NMAT, XAT, GMAT, MAT, or their own direct admission tests.
What’s the minimum CAT score required to get into IIMs?
The IIMs will announce their CAT cutoff in January 2026. One can check the qualifying percentiles for IIMs in their official admission brochure. Based on the previous years’ analysis the minimum CAT score to get into IIMs like Ahmedabad, Calcutta, and Bangalore is 99%ile+. Other top MBA colleges like FMS and JBIMS also require 99%ile+ for their MBA programs. You must check the complete CAT cutoff for all IIMs along with their sectional cutoffs.
