NMAT vs CAT vs XAT: Candidates often wonder which is better: NMAT, CAT, or XAT? The right choice depends on their preferred institute, specialisations, and career goals.
CAT opens doors for MBA/PGDM/PGP programs in 22 IIMs and other top business schools.
NMAT is conducted for MBA admissions in NMIMS and other good colleges, whereas XAT scores are accepted by XLRI Jamshedpur and other 250+ MBA colleges in India.
NMAT is conducted 3 times a year, whereas CAT and XAT are conducted once a year.
Continue reading for a detailed comparison of NMAT vs CAT vs XAT for reference.
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT- Overview
Here is the quick overview of NMAT vs CAT vs XAT exam shared below for reference:
| Parameter | CAT 2026 | NMAT 2026 | XAT 2027 |
| Full Form | Common Admission Test | NMAT by GMAC | Xavier Aptitude Test |
| Conducting Body | IIMs (on rotation) | GMAC | XLRI Jamshedpur |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based (CBT) | Computer-Based (CBT) | Computer-Based (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 68 | 108 | 95 |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Number of Attempts | 1 per year | Up to 3 per year | 1 per year |
| Negative Marking | Yes (−1 for MCQs) | No | Yes (-0.25 for Part 1) |
| Exam Date 2026/27 | November 2026 | Nov-Dec 2026 | January 2027 |
| Colleges Accepting | 22 IIMs + 1,500+ B-schools | 50+ institutes | 250+ B-schools |
| Registration Opens | August 2026 | August 2026 | July 2026 |
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT-Eligibility
Eligibility plays an important role in the application and admission process.
The minimum required eligibility is a bachelor’s degree with minimum required marks shared below:
| Exam | Eligibility |
| NMAT | Bachelor’s Degree from any recognised University/ Institution. General category applicants must obtain at least 50% marks or equivalent in graduation. Reserved category (SC/ST) applicants must obtain at least 45% marks or equivalent in graduation. No age limit restrictions. Final-year students can also apply. |
| CAT | Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage. Professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with the required percentage. Students in their final year can apply. General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must obtain at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) in the qualifying degree. |
| XAT | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university The degree must be of at least 3 years in duration Students in their final year can also apply.There is no age limit for XAT. No specific percentage for your graduation is specified. There is no restriction on the number of attempts |
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT-Syllabus
Understanding the syllabus of these entrance exams can help you focus on topics that matter. The syllabi for NMAT, CAT, and XAT differ in terms of the number of questions, sections, marking scheme, and other parameters. Check details below.
CAT Exam Syllabus for VARC
| Topic | No. of Questions (Approximate) | Approximate Weightage |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 questions | 67-68% |
| Para Jumble | 3-4 questions | 12-13% |
| Summary | 3-4 questions | 12-13% |
| Odd Questions | 2-3 questions | 7-8% |
CAT Exam Syllabus for DILR
| DI & LR Topics | No. of Questions (Approximate) | Approximate Weightage (%) |
| Tables and Charts | 3-6 | 45–50% |
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangements | 2-4 | 55-60% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 2-4 | 5-10% |
| Games and Tournaments | 4-5 | 10-20% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 4-5 | 5-10% |
| Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets | 2-3 | 5-10% |
CAT Quant Topic-Wise Weightage
| Topic | Weightage |
| Number System | 5-10% |
| Arithmetic | 35-50% |
| Algebra | 30-35% |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 10-15% |
| Modern Maths | 5-10% |
XAT Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude & DI
| Section | Topic |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Percentages. Time & Work, Speed, Time & Distance, Profit & Loss, Probability, Ratio & Proportion, Lines, Circles, Equations, Functions, Progressions, 3D Figures, Polygons, Permutations & Combinations |
| Data Interpretation | Graphs, Charts Tables |
XAT Syllabus for Decision Making
- Analytical Reasoning
- Data Arrangements
- Ethical dilemmas
- Logic based
- Situational Issues
- Managerial issues
- Caselets
- Financial issues
XAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning
- Reading comprehension passages (including poems & cartoons)
- Para-completion and jumbled sentences
- Critical & analytical reasoning
- Grammar-based questions and cloze tests
- Vocabulary
- Analogies
- Idioms & phrases
XAT Syllabus for General Knowledge
| Subject | Topic |
| Static GK | History, Economy, Geography, Business |
| Current Affairs | Indian economy, International organizations, Awards, Budget updates, Politics, Books & authors, Science |
NMAT Syllabus 2026 for Language Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Error Identification
- Para Forming
- Sentence Completion
- Prepositions
- Analogies, etc
NMAT Syllabus for Quantitative Skills
| Topic | Syllabus |
| Number Properties | Basics of Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, Divisibility of Numbers and finding Unit Digit, Factors, Multiples, Least Common Multiples (LCM) and Highest Common Factors (HCF)Logarithm |
| Number Properties | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple and Compound Interest, Time and Work, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Partnership |
| Algebra and Probability | Equations and Inequalities, Permutations and Combinations, Probability, Sequences and Series |
| DI-Caselets and Tables | – |
| DI-Graphs and Charts | – |
| Data Sufficiency | Number Properties, Arithmetic, Algebra Probability |
NMAT Syllabus for Logical Reasoning
| Topic | Syllabus |
| Critical Reasoning | Conclusion-based questions, Assumption-based questions, Inference-based questions, Strengthening/Weakening |
| Deductions | Statement-Conclusion, Statement-Course of Action, Statement-Assumption, Statement-Argument, Fact analysis |
| Analytical Puzzles | Analytical Puzzles, Input-Output |
| Other Reasoning | Missing value in figures, Decision Making, Syllogism, Set Theory, Venn Diagrams, Ranking Test |
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT-Exam Pattern
Candidates should understand the exam requirements before applying for the NMAT, CAT, or XAT exams.
For example, there is a negative marking in the CAT & XAT exams, but NMAT has no negative marking. Check the complete details below.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
The CAT exam usually comprises 68 questions. The test duration is 120 minutes (2 hours). Each question carries 3 marks. A negative marking of 1 mark will apply for every wrong answer in MCQs.
Check the CAT exam pattern 2026 below:
| Section | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
XAT Exam Pattern 2027
The XAT exam is a computer-based test and comprises nearly 95 multiple-choice questions. The XAT paper has two time-bound parts. The test duration is 180 minutes (170 minutes in Part 1 and 10 minutes in Part 2).
Each question carries 1 mark. There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks in Part 1. No negative marking applies in Part 2.
Check the expected XAT exam pattern below:
| Part | Subject | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
| Part 1 | Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR) | 26 | 170 minutes |
| Decision Making (DM) | 21 | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 | ||
| Part 2 | General Knowledge (GK) | 20 | 10 minutes |
NMAT Exam Pattern 2026
The NMAT exam is conducted in CBT mode and comprises 108 questions. The test duration is 120 minutes with a sectional time limit.
There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Here is the expected NMAT 2026 exam pattern for reference:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Exam Duration | Score Range |
| Language Skills | 36 questions | 28 minutes | Score range 12-120 |
| Quantitative Skills | 36 questions | 52 minutes | Score range 12-120 |
| Logical Reasoning | 36 questions | 40 minutes | Score range 12-120 |
| Total | 108 questions | 120 minutes | Score range 36-360 |
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT- Difficulty Level
CAT is widely considered the toughest of the three because of its unpredictable nature, especially DILR. XAT’s Decision Making section may confuse many students because it’s not something you can prepare for conventionally.
NMAT is relatively more accessible, especially with no negative marking and three attempts available.
| Particulars | NMAT | CAT | XAT |
| Sections | Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning | VARC, DILR, Quant | VA & LR, DM, QA & DI, and GK |
| Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | High | High |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking | -1 mark for every incorrect answer in MCQs | -0.25 marks for incorrect answers in Part 1 |
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT-Cutoffs
Cutoffs are the minimum marks that candidates must obtain to get shortlisted for the further admission process. Every year, IIMs release qualifying cutoffs to shortlist candidates for GDPI and other rounds.
Similarly, XLRI Jamshedpur also releases XAT cutoffs for its BM and HRM programs to select candidates for a personal interview. Check the complete details below:
CAT Exam Cutoff 2025 for IIMs
| IIM | GEN | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95+ | 95+ | 90+ | 85+ | 75+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
| IIM Trichy | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Calcutta | ≥85 | ≥75 | ≥75 | ≥70 | ≥65 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90+ | 82+ | 82+ | 65+ | 60+ |
| IIM Vishakhapatnam | 82+ | 72+ | 72+ | 50+ | 40+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 65+ | 55+ |
| IIM Mumbai | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
| IIM Rohtak | 97+ | 93+ | 83+ | 60+ | 50+ |
| IIM Amritsar | 90+ | 90+ | 80+ | 55+ | 40+ |
| IIM Kashipur | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Indore | 90+ | 90+ | 80+ | 60+ | 45+ |
| IIM Sirmaur | 95 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Raipur | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 95 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Ranchi | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 90+ | 80+ | 75+ | 55+ | 40+ |
| IIM Nagpur | 95 | 85 | 85 | 65 | 40 |
CAT Exam Cutoff for Non-IIMs
| Institute | CAT Cutoff Expected) |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 97-98+ |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95+ |
| IIT Kharagpur | 90+ |
| SPJIMR | 85+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 71-72+ |
| FMS | 97-98+ |
XAT Cut Off 2027 (Expected)
| XAT Colleges | XAT Expected cut-off %ile (Approx) |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | 94-98%ile |
| XIM University, Bhubaneshwar | 91-93%ile |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | 90-92%ile |
| IMT Nagpur | 80%ile+ |
| TAPMI | 80%ile+ |
| GLIM, Chennai | 85%ile+ |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | 85%ile+ |
| IRMA, Anand | 80%ile+ |
| LIBA, Chennai | 75%ile+ |
| FORE, Delhi | 75%ile+ |
| GIM, Panji | 85%ile+ |
| BITS Pilani | 70%ile+ |
| K J Somaiya | 70%ile+ |
| NIBM, Pune | 94%ile+ |
| LBSIM, Delhi | 80%ile+ |
| Christ University, Bangalore | 60%ile+ |
NMAT Cut Off 2026 (Expected)
| Institute Name | NMAT cutoff (Expected Score/Percentile) |
| SOIL Institute of Management, Gurgaon | 210+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon | 200+ |
| BML Munjal University, Gurgaon | 65th-70th percentile |
| Jindal Global Business School, Sonipat | 160+ |
| Amity University, Noida | 250+ |
| Chitkara Business School, Chandigarh | 60th percentile |
| SVKM’s NMIMS | 209+ |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | 223-230+ |
| Alliance School of Business, Alliance University, Bangalore | 100+ |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | 200+ |
| VIT Business School (VITBS), Vellore | 50+ |
| ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad | 150+ |
| XIM University (XIMB), Bhubaneswar | 150+ |
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT-Top Colleges Accepting Scores
The exam you choose shapes which B-schools you can apply to. CAT scores are usually accepted by all IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, etc.
Here’s a comparison of the top colleges you can target:
Top Colleges Through CAT 2026
| College | Fees | Average Package |
| IIM Ahmedabad | INR 27 Lakhs+ | INR 35.22 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | INR 26 Lakhs+ | INR 34.88 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | INR 27 Lakhs+ | – |
| IIM Kozhikode | INR 23 Lakhs+ | INR 28.18 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | INR 20 Lakhs+ | INR 32.3 LPA |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | INR 25 Lakhs+ | INR 32 LPA |
| FMS Delhi | INR 2.32 Lakhs+ | INR 30.1 LPA |
| MDI Gurgaon | INR 25 Lakhs+ | INR 25.6 LPA |
Top MBA Colleges Through XAT
| XAT Colleges | Fees (Approx) | Average Pkg (Approx) |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | INR 27 Lakh+ | INR 31 LPA-INR 33 LPA |
| XIM University, Bhubaneshwar | INR 21 Lakh+ | INR 20 LPA-INR 21 LPA |
| IMT, Ghaziabad | INR 19 Lakh+ | INR 17 LPA-INR 18 LPA |
| IMT Nagpur | INR 15 Lakh+ | INR 10 LPA-INR 11 LPA |
| TAPMI | INR 19 Lakh+ | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| GLIM, Chennai | INR 19 Lakh+ | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| MICA, Ahmedabad | INR 22 Lakh+ | INR 20 LPA-INR 21 LPA |
| IRMA, Anand | INR 16 Lakh+ | INR 15 LPA-INR 16 LPA |
| LIBA, Chennai | INR 19 Lakh+ | INR 10 LPA-INR 11 LPA |
| FORE, Delhi | INR 21 Lakh+ | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| GIM, Panji | INR 21 Lakh+ | INR 14 LPA-INR 15 LPA |
| BITS Pilani | INR 11 Lakh+ | INR 15 LPA-INR 16 LPA |
| K J Somaiya | INR 21 Lakh+ | INR 12 LPA-INR 13 LPA |
| NIBM, Pune | INR 15 Lakh+ | INR 15 LPA-INR 16 LPA |
| LBSIM, Delhi | INR 16 Lakh+ | INR 12 LPA-INR 13 LPA |
| Christ University, Bangalore | INR 6 Lakh+ | INR 10 LPA-INR 11 LPA |
Top MBA Colleges Through NMAT
| Institute Name | Fees (Approx) | Average Package (Approx) |
| SOIL Institute of Management, Gurgaon | INR 17 Lakh+ | INR 12.3 LPA |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon | INR 23 Lakh+ | INR 11.8 LPA |
| BML Munjal University, Gurgaon | INR 15 Lakh+ | INR 13.39 LPA |
| Jindal Global Business School, Sonipat | INR 14 Lakh+ | – |
| Amity University, Noida | INR 4.14 Lakh Per Semester | INR 18 LPA |
| Chitkara Business School, Chandigarh | – | – |
| SVKM’s NMIMS | INR 13 Lakh+ | INR 25.13 LPA |
| K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | INR 23 Lakh+ | INR 12 LPA |
| Alliance School of Business, Alliance University, Bangalore | – | – |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | INR 23 Lakh+ | – |
| VIT Business School (VITBS), Vellore | INR 7 Lakh+ | – |
| ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad | INR 7 Lakh+ | INR 7.81 LPA |
| XIM University (XIMB), Bhubaneswar | INR 23 Lakh+ | INR 18.25 LPA |
Note: The data shared above is just for reference. Candidates should visit the official website of the respective institute for the latest information.
NMAT vs CAT vs XAT- Who Should Take the Exam?
Take the CAT exam if your dream is to pursue an MBA from IIM and you are strong in the VARC and Quant sections. Take NMAT if NMIMS Mumbai is a serious target college, and you want multiple shots at the exam.
Take XAT if XLRI Jamshedpur is your target (XAT is mandatory), and you are good at reading comprehension and reasoning. Choosing the right exam is just Step 1.
The real game begins with smart, structured preparation. That’s exactly where MBA KARO’s Online MBA Coaching comes in. MBA KARO offers expert-led online coaching designed specifically for CAT, NMAT, XAT, and other entrance tests.
Whether you’re a working professional preparing on weekends or a fresh graduate going all-in, MBA KARO has courses built around how you actually learn.
