Which is easier to crack between CAT vs NMAT?

NMAT is easier if you make the comparison between CAT vs NMAT. The aspirants, who are preparing for CAT, can easily attempt NMAT. One should go through the comparison between CAT and NMAT to understand both the exams better and prepare accordingly.

How is NMAT different from CAT?

NMAT is different from CAT in its exam pattern. Note the below points for better understanding. In CAT: Total number of questions: 66 with a total time of 120 Minutes (Sectional time limit is same for every section) In NMAT: Total number of questions: 108 with a total time of 120 Minutes (Sectional time limit is different for every section) Go through the detailed NMAT vs CAT to note the differences between both the exams.

Does NMIMS NMAT accept CAT score?

no, NMIMS does not accept CAT score. NMAT exam is required if you wish to take admission in Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies and other institutes. If you desire to join only IIMs, you have to appear CAT as IIMs accept CAT scores only.

Is NMAT Quantitative Skills section easier than CAT QA section?

Yes. If you consider the NMAT vs CAT difficulty level and trickiness, then NMAT’s Quantitative Skills section is easier than the CAT QA section. As per previous year analysis, it has been observed that NMAT is easier than CAT.

Can I prepare for both CAT and NMAT simultaneously?

Yes, you can prepare for both CAT and NMAT simultaneously. One should be aware of the NMAT VS CAT exam pattern and the syllabus and should practice CAT and NMAT mock tests.

Home/
CAT & MBA/
Article

NMAT vs CAT – Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme, Syllabus

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 13th, 2023

CAT vs NMAT allows you to understand the similarities and differences between the two exams and helps you make an informed decision about which exam is better. CAT and NMAT are the two common MBA entrance exams that the aspirants attempt every year for admission to MBA programmes in different B-schools across the country. So, if the aspirants want to appear in both, they must be aware of the differences between CAT and NMAT.

Here, BYJU’S Exam Prep experts have given a detailed study of CAT vs NMAT to assist the aspirants in their preparation. NMAT allows you to seek admission to NMIMS University and other institutes whereas CAT exam is for admission to IIMs and other business schools.

Get MBA Exams Important Updates, Study-Notes, Live Doubts Solving Interaction & more, Join BYJU’S MBA Telegram Group Join Now

Table of content

1. CAT vs NMAT Similarities
2. CAT vs NMAT Differences
3. CAT vs NMAT Syllabus
4. CAT vs NMAT Exam Pattern
5. CAT vs NMAT Section-wise Weightage

CAT vs NMAT Similarities

Note the below table to get an idea about the basic similarities between CAT vs NMAT.

Components	Details
Course for admission	MBA/PGDM
Exam Mode	Online Computer-Based
Sectional Timing	Yes
Total Time Duration	120 Minutes
Level of Exam	National
Exam Medium	English

CAT vs NMAT Differences

The aspirants must know the differences between CAT and NMAT. Check the table below to get an overview of CAT vs NMAT differences.

Components	CAT	NMAT
Full-Form	Common Admission Test	NMIMS Management Aptitude Test
Conducted by	IIMs	GMAC
Application Fees	INR 2200/- for general category (INR 1100/- for reserve category)	INR 2300/-
Negative Marking	Yes	No
Number of Attempts	Once in Every Year	3 Times in the same window

CAT vs NMAT Syllabus

The syllabus and exam pattern for both of these exams is a little different. The difficulty level of CAT is higher as compared to NMAT. Check the table below to understand the topics needed to be covered in CAT and NMAT exams.

CAT has a sectional time of 40 minutes whereas, in NMAT all the three-sections Language Skills (28 minutes), Logical Reasoning (40 minutes), and Quantitative Skills (52 minutes) have different sectional time.

CAT	NMAT
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Language Skills
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Ability (QA)	Quantitative Skills

Go through the detailed CAT Syllabus and NMAT Syllabus.

CAT vs NMAT Exam Pattern

The test pattern for both NMAT and CAT is quite similar as both of these exams consist of MCQs, and the aspirants have to choose the correct option. But, the marking scheme of NMAT is different from CAT as there is no negative marking in NMAT.

BYJU’S Exam Prep Expert has listed some important points below to show the difference between CAT and NMAT.

Components	CAT	NMAT
Total Number of Questions	66 Questions MCQs: 48 Non-MCQs: 18	108 Questions
Number of Sections	3 Sections VARC DILR QA	3 Sections Language Skills Logical Reasoning Quantitative skills
Sectional Timing	40 Minutes for each section	Language Skills: 28 Minutes Logical Reasoning: 40 Minutes Quantitative Skills: 52 Minutes
Total Marks	198	360

Check Detailed Exam Analysis of CAT and NMAT for better Preparation.

CAT vs NMAT Section-wise Weightage

The aspirants preparing for CAT and NMAT must be sure about CAT vs XAT sectional analysis. Note the below two tables to understand the section-wise weightage for both of these exams.

CAT
Exam Sections	Total Questions	Number of MCQ Questions	Number of TITA Questions	Section-wise Time Limit
VARC	24	19	5	40
DILR	20	15	5	40
QA	22	14	8	40
Total	66	48	18	120 (as per CAT 2021)

The table below shows the exam pattern of NMAT exam

NMAT
Exam Sections	No. of Questions	Section-wise Time Limit
Language Skills	36	28 Minutes
Quantitative Skills	36	52 Minutes
Logical Reasoning	36	40 Minutes
Total	108	120 Minutes

(Note: The total time duration for CAT vs NMAT is 120 Minutes. But the aspirants must be aware of the sectional time limit, which is different in both of these exams)

The aspirants preparing for both CAT and NMAT must check the syllabus and exam pattern prior to starting preparation. It will help them analyse the points of CAT vs NMAT to prepare strategically for CAT and NMAT both.