Introduction
Understanding the difference between the top MBA entrance exams is helpful to candidates to choose better universities. XAT vs CMAT section covers the details about XAT, CMAT and the comparison between XAT & CMAT.
Comparison
XAT vs CAT:
XAT:
XAT remains for Xaviers' Aptitude Test. It is a national level test directed by XLRI consistently to select the most suitable candidates for management education. Furthermore, more than 100 different colleges will accept XAT exam scores to consider students for the administration programs.
CMAT:
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is an online computer-based test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), India. It is a national-level admission test for facilitating institutions to select suitable students for Admission in all Management programmes approved by AICTE.
XAT Vs CMAT - Comparative Analysis
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) conducts CMAT while XLRI conduct XAT.
- XAT is the MBA entrance test for XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB and 150 other MBA colleges. IIMs, FMS, MDI, IITs, SPJIMR and other top MBA colleges in India do not accept CMAT score.
- CMAT is of low difficulty level exam as compared to XAT exam.
- No candidate in CMAT is disqualified and is eligible for shortlisting, however IIMs shortlist the candidates on the basis of minimum qualifying sectional score.
| Component | XLRI - XAT | AICTE CMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Date | January 6, 2019 | January 19, 2019 (Tentative) |
| When to Apply | August 3rd week to December 2nd week | October 2nd week to December 3rd week |
| Exam Conducted by | Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) |
| Testing Mode | Computer Based Test | Computer Based Test |
| Total Questions | 100 (Since 2017, earlier 98) 99 Questions in 2019 | 100 |
| Overall Time Limit to Attempt the Exam | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| ype of Questions | 99 MCQs | 100 MCQs |
| Answer Options for MCQs | 5 | 4 |
| Marks Awarded for each Correct Answer | 1 | 4 |
| Negative Marking | 74 MCQs with 1/4 negative marking; No negative marking for 25 MCQs on GK | 1/4 negative marking |
| CAT Vs XAT Difficulty | Difficulty level is higher | Easy to Moderate |
| Difference Between XAT & CMAT Syllabus: | ||
| Total Sections | 3 (Main sections) 1 (GK) | 4 |
| Section-1 | Verbal and Logical Ability - 26 questions | Logical reasoning - 25 questions |
| Section-2 | Decision Making - 21 questions | Language Comprehension - 25 questions |
| Section-3 | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation - 27 questions | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation - 25 questions |
| Section-4 | General Awareness - 25 questions | General Awareness - 25 questions |
| Facility to Choose Order of Sections | Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit | Yes, Any question from any section within overall time limit |
| Individual Sectional Time Limit | No Sectional Limit | No Sectional Limit |
| Top MBA Colleges Accepting Exam Score | XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, XIMB and 145 other MBA colleges | JBIMS, K J Somaiya, N L Dalmiya, IFMR, PUMBA, BIMTECH, Great Lakes, GIM Goa and hundreds of other MBA colleges |