Which management entrance exam is more difficult- XAT or CAT?

Both XAT and CAT exams are considered to be a bit difficult because of its vast syllabus and level of difficulty. However, students often find XAT to be more difficult as the number of sections and questions is more than the CAT exam. Two of the sections, namely Decision-Making and the Verbal are an extra addition to the XAT exam, which makes it quite lengthy and difficult.

Which management entrance exam should I prepare for- XAT or CAT?

Both the exams have been marked to be difficult because of the different sections included in them. XAT is highly scoring in two of its sections- Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation. While CAT is scoring in Verbal Ability and Decision-Making sections. Thus, candidates are advised to select them as per their strengths.

Do IIM colleges accept XAT score?

No, the IIM colleges do not accept the XAT scores of candidates for admission. The XAT exam is conducted for admission into Xavier's affiliated colleges. However, only one IIM college, i.e., IIM Lucknow accepts the XAT scores for admission into MBA courses.

Can an aspirant clear XAT by preparing for CAT only?

No, not completely. Though half of the syllabus of both the exams are similar and thus shall count to be helpful. But two of the sections, Decision-Making and Verbal Ability are additional in the XAT exam, thus candidates will need to prepare them seperately.

Does XLRI accept CAT scores?

No, the XLRI Jamshedpur does not accept CAT scores for MBA admission. Though CAT is a national-level management entrance exam, XLRI conducts its separate entrance exam for MBA admissions.

Is XAT Tougher than CAT?

Both XAT and CAT are difficult management entrance exams with different exam format and syllabus. However, students often ask is XAT tougher than CAT as because of the vast syllabus and sectional cut offs.

Table of Contents

Is XAT Easier Than CAT Exam?
Similarities and Differences of XAT vs CAT
XAT vs CAT Syllabus
XAT vs CAT Exam Pattern

Both XAT and CAT exams are conducted separately on different dates and sessions. However, if you are attempting the CAT exam,you often wonder if, Is XAT tougher than CAT? However, one must note that the syllabus, exam pattern, normalisation, and other steps are all different in both exams.

XAT Exam is competitive as the number of sections is more than the CAT Exam. MBA aspirants searching for the answer to if XAT is tougher than the CAT exam, often wonder about the differences between the XAT and CAT exams.

When it comes to the difficulty level, the simple answer to this question is that it depends on your preparation. Find the similarities and differences in XAT and CAT exam is the sections below.

Is XAT Easier Than CAT Exam?

XAT and CAT both are competitive national-level management examinations. Each year thousands of candidates appear for both exams.

Besides, it depends on the candidate and how they prepare. XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test, and CAT is the Common Admission Test.

Similarities and Differences of XAT vs CAT

Here we have detailed the similarities and differences between both exams. Go through the specifications to know the details of the exam and know is XAT tougher than CAT.

Similarities and Differences: XAT vs CAT
Details	XAT	CAT
Full Form	Xavier Aptitude Test	Common Admission Test
Conducting Body	Xavier School of Management (XLRI)	Indian Institutes of Management for admissions into (IIM)
Category	PG	PG
Frequency	Annually	Annually
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test	Computer-Based Test
Exam Pattern	MCQ	MCQ
Exam Level	High	Moderate to High
Examination Type	National	National
Paper Medium	English	English
Official Website	xatonline.in	iimcat.ac.in

Check Other Entrance Exams Comparison Here:

XAT vs CAT Syllabus

Let us now see the detailed syllabus of both exams. There are three sections in the CAT exam and four sections in XAT. CAT exam has both MCQ and non-MCQs, but XAT concentrates on MCQs. You can check the XAT syllabus 2025 and CAT syllabus 2025 in the table below.

XAT Syllabus	CAT Syllabus
Verbal and Logical Ability English vocabulary-based questions Critical Reasoning Correction of errors in sentences, correct use of words Completion of sentences Narration of Incidents Literature and fiction	Verbal and Logical Ability Reading Comprehension Vocabulary-Based (Synonyms/ Antonyms) Usage of Grammar Critical Reasoning (and its numerous applications) Idioms Sentence Correction Analogies or Reverse Analogies Para Completion Facts Interference Judgment Fill in the Blanks
Decision Making/ Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Conditions and Grouping Test Data Arrangement Test Decision Making in a situation Case Lets Analytical Reasoning Situational Questions	Decision Making/ Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Charts/ Tables (Bar Chart, Pie Chart, Caselets, Line Charts) Column Graphs Venn Diagrams Pie Chart Direction Sense Puzzles Series Clocks and Calendars Data Structures Blood Relations Arrangements Coding-Decoding
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation Arithmetic: HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances, Number Systems Algebra: Hypothesis of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation, Combination, Sequence and Series Mensuration-Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes, and Cistern. Geometry Probability Profit and Loss Quadratic Equations Logarithm Statistics Linear Equations Trigonometry	Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation Arithmetic: HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances, Number Systems Algebra: Hypothesis of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation, Combination, Sequence and Series Mensuration: Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes, and Cistern. Percentage Logarithm Set Theory & Function Simple and Compound Interest Trigonometry Calculus Geometry
General Knowledge Conventional GK Constitution of India Business & Economy Books & Authors Capitals & Currencies International Relations Merger & Acquisitions Nation and States Literature Awards and Recognitions Economics	The CAT syllabus has no General Knowledge section

XAT Syllabus

CAT Syllabus

Verbal and Logical Ability

English vocabulary-based questions
Critical Reasoning
Correction of errors in sentences, correct use of words
Completion of sentences
Narration of Incidents
Literature and fiction

Verbal and Logical Ability

Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary-Based (Synonyms/ Antonyms)
Usage of Grammar
Critical Reasoning (and its numerous applications)
Idioms
Sentence Correction
Analogies or Reverse Analogies
Para Completion
Facts Interference Judgment
Fill in the Blanks

Decision Making/ Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Conditions and Grouping Test
Data Arrangement Test
Decision Making in a situation
Case Lets
Analytical Reasoning
Situational Questions

Decision Making/ Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Charts/ Tables (Bar Chart, Pie Chart, Caselets, Line Charts)
Column Graphs
Venn Diagrams
Pie Chart
Direction Sense
Puzzles
Series
Clocks and Calendars
Data Structures
Blood Relations
Arrangements
Coding-Decoding

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

Arithmetic: HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances, Number Systems
Algebra: Hypothesis of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation, Combination, Sequence and Series
Mensuration-Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes, and Cistern.
Geometry
Probability
Profit and Loss
Quadratic Equations
Logarithm
Statistics
Linear Equations
Trigonometry

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

Arithmetic: HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances, Number Systems
Algebra: Hypothesis of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation, Combination, Sequence and Series
Mensuration: Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes, and Cistern.
Percentage
Logarithm
Set Theory & Function
Simple and Compound Interest
Trigonometry
Calculus
Geometry

General Knowledge

Conventional GK
Constitution of India
Business & Economy
Books & Authors
Capitals & Currencies
International Relations
Merger & Acquisitions
Nation and States
Literature
Awards and Recognitions
Economics

The CAT syllabus has no General Knowledge section

Q. Is XAT Quant easier than CAT?

Ans. The difficulty level of the Quant section for both the management exams is similar. The topics included in the Quant section remain the same however, the level of the questions differ.

You May Find This Helpful for Both the Management Exams:

XAT vs CAT Exam Pattern

Let us see the XAT Exam Pattern 2025 and CAT Exam Pattern 2025 along with the marks distribution to know the competitive nature of XAT vs CAT. There are fewer questions in CAT than in XAT, but the marking scheme differs. If you check here, you will find the total marks of XAT is 100 whereas CAT is 198.

XAT vs CAT Exam Pattern
Particulars	XAT Exam Details	CAT Exam Details
Number of Sections	4	3
Type of Questions	100 MCQs	70% Objective (Multiple Choice)
Type of Questions	-	30% Non-objective
Marking Scheme	+1 mark for every right answer	+1 mark for every right answer
	1/4 mark will be deducted	-1 for every wrong answer in certain sections
	No negative marking for GK questions	-
Duration	180 minutes	120 minutes
Total Marks	100	198

XAT is generally considered tougher than CAT due to its unique sections like Decision Making, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing. While CAT focuses more on speed and data interpretation, XAT tests ethical reasoning and broader thinking. The difficulty level can vary by individual, but XAT is often seen as more unpredictable and diverse in question types.