NMAT vs CAT syllabus, both exams have an almost similar syllabus, with only 2-3 topics not being present in the other exam. It is easy for most candidates to attempt NMAT if they have prepared for CAT or vice versa.
NMAT vs CAT Syllabus: In both the exams' syllabi, the majority of the topics are similar to each other. In each section, there are only 2- 3 topics that are not included in the other exam's curriculum.
All MBA aspirants probably have heard about two of the most popular entrance exams, i.e., NMAT and CAT, which are the gateway to top business schools in India. It is advised to go through the similarities and differences between the NMAT vs CAT syllabus in terms of the exam pattern, test structure, and marking scheme.
CAT vs NMAT Syllabus 2025
In the comparison of the NMAT vs CAT syllabus, one of the similarities is that both exams are more or less the same with three sections each.
Topic-wise, the CAT syllabus is a little vast and is also slightly more difficult compared to NMAT syllabus. In spite of undergoing massive changes in the exam pattern and structure, the NMAT syllabus/ topics are more or less the same.
Tabulated below are the sections in the NMAT vs CAT syllabus:
| NMAT | CAT |
| Verbal Ability (VA) | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Quantitative Ability (QA) |
Also Read: How to Prepare for CAT 2025 Exam in 3 Months?
Topic-wise Comparison of NMAT vs CAT Syllabus
Both NMAT and CAT have almost the same topics with the CAT exam covering the topics a little more in-depth. This section covers the sectional breakup of VARC, DILR, and QA sections in the NMAT vs CAT syllabus.
NMAT vs CAT Syllabus: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The detailed list of topics in the VARC section of the NMAT syllabus vs CAT syllabus is shown below:
| NMAT | CAT |
| Fill in the Blanks | Fill in the Blanks |
| Sentence Error/Correction | Sentence Completion |
| Para Jumbles | Jumbled Paragraphs |
| Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension |
| Statement Correction | Sentence Correction |
| Idioms, Phrases, Clauses | Idioms |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | Antonyms |
| English Grammar & Vocabulary | Grammar |
| Word Meaning | Different Usage of the Same Word |
| English Usage | Contextual Usage |
| Analogies | Verbal Reasoning |
| - | Para Completion and Inference |
| Foreign Language Words used in English | |
| Analogies | |
| Verbal Logic | |
| One-word Substitution |
Also Read:
- How to Prepare for CAT Using Arun Sharma Books?
- CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Syllabus
NMAT vs CAT Syllabus: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Most of the topics in DILR are the same in NMAT and CAT syllabus but CAT has a few additional topics.
| NMAT | CAT |
| Coding & Decoding | Coding-Decoding |
| Series | Series |
| Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments | Assumptions Proposition |
| Multi-dimensional Arrangements | Data Arrangement |
| Puzzles | Puzzles |
| Arrangement | Seating Arrangement |
| Family Tree | Family Tree |
| Numeric Grid | Bars |
| Critical Reasoning | Pie Charts |
| Calendars | Clocks and Calendars |
| Syllogism | Syllogism |
| Statement Conclusions | Statements |
| Course of Action | Proposition |
| Grouping & Conditionalities | Data Structures |
| Sequential Output | Data Sufficiency |
| Venn Diagrams | Caselets |
| Ranking in Queue | Sets |
| Implicit Statements | Binary Logic |
| Decision Making | Line Graphs |
| Logical Consistency | Venn Diagram |
| Direction Sense |
NMAT vs CAT Syllabus: Quantitative Ability (QA)
The QA section of NMAT exam also carries questions on Data Interpretation which may indicate that the NMAT syllabus has more topics. The topics included in the QA section of the NMAT vs CAT syllabus are as follows:
| NMAT | CAT |
| Coordinate Geometry | Geometry |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometry |
| Mensuration | Mensuration |
| Ratio and Proportion | Ratios and Proportion |
| Number System | Number System |
| Work and Time | Work and Time |
| Probability | HCF & LCM |
| Algebra (Linear/Quadratic Equation | Algebra |
| Profit and Loss | Profit & Loss |
| Simple/Compound Interest | In-equations Quadratic and Linear Equations |
| Permutations and Combinations | Geometric Progression |
| Percentage | Percentage |
| Average | Average |
| Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables | Partnership (Accounts) |
| Time, Speed and Distance | Time-Speed-Distance |
| Mixture & Solution | Surds and Indices |
| Logarithms | Logarithms |
| Modern Math | Inequalities |
| 2D & 3D Geometry and Statistics | |
| Quantitative Skills | |
| Arithmetic |
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Exam Pattern and Test Structure of NMAT vs CAT 2025
Another point to be noted in the comparison of the NMAT and CAT exams is the exam structure. The CAT exam is conducted only once a year and the NMAT exam is conducted in an 88-day test window wherein the candidate can attempt the exam thrice.
The test pattern for both CAT and NMAT is quite similar as both of these exams consist of MCQs, and the candidates have to choose the correct option. Shown below is the NMAT exam pattern vs CAT exam pattern for your reference:
| Components | NMAT | CAT |
| Total Number of Questions | 108 Questions | 66 Questions- MCQs: 48, Non-MCQs: 18 |
| Number of Sections | 3 Sections- Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative skills | 3 Sections- VARC, DILR, QA |
| Sectional Timing | Language Skills: 28 Minutes | 40 minutes for each section |
| Logical Reasoning: 40 Minutes | ||
| Quantitative Skills: 52 Minutes | ||
| Total Marks | 360 | 198 |
Read More: CAT vs CMAT vs NMAT vs MAT which is better?
NMAT vs CAT Marking Scheme 2025
Another difference in the NMAT vs CAT syllabus analysis is that NMAT does not have negative marking and CAT has negative marking for MCQs. Only the non-MCQ parts of the CAT exam have no negative marking.
More details about the marking scheme of both the NMAT and CAT exams can be found in the table below:
| NMAT | CAT |
| VA- 36 MCQs (No negative marking) | VARC- 8 (Non- MCQs), no negative marking18 (MCQs), negative markingTotal Questions- 26 |
| LR- 36 MCQs (No negative marking) | DI- 10 (MCQs and Non-MCQs), LR- 14 (MCQs and Non-MCQs), Total Questions- 24 |
| QA- 36 MCQs (No negative marking) | QA- 26 (MCQs and Non-MCQs), MCQs- 18, Non -MCQs- 8 |
Sectional Time Limit in NMAT vs CAT
Each section in CAT is to be attempted in a timeframe of 40 minutes whereas, in NMAT, it completely varies. Find below the section-wise time limit for both CAT and NMAT exams:
| Section | NMAT | CAT |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 52 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | 40 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability (VA) | 28 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
Also Read: Is CAT Exam Tough?
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NMAT and CAT share most syllabus topics. -
Just 2-3 topics differ per section in each exam. -
Both entrance exams consist of three sections. -
CAT syllabus is generally vaster and tougher.
