XAT VS CAT Exam 2024, Differences, Similarities, Check Now.

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – XAT and CAT are popular exams for people who want to study management. They are a bit similar but also have some differences. It’s important for students to understand both to do well in the exams. Sometimes, students wonder which one to choose. Both exams can get you into good business schools. If you’re thinking about preparing for both, it’s a good idea to know the differences and similarities between XAT and CAT.

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Overview

Every year, there are exams called XAT and CAT for people who want to study management and get into top business schools. Let’s take a quick look at both of these exams.

Particulars	XAT	CAT
Conducting Body	XLRI Jamshedpur	IIMs on rotational basis
Exam Frequency	Once a year	Once a year
Exam Mode	Online	Online
Total Sections	5	3
Duration	190 minutes	120 minutes

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Similarities

CAT and XAT are both exams in India for getting into MBA programs, so there are some basic things that are the same in both. Look at the table below to see how CAT and XAT are similar.

Components	Details
Course	MBA/PGDM
Difficulty Level	Moderate to Difficult
Sectional Timing	Yes
Exam Mode	Online Computer-based
Level of Exam	National
Number of Attempts	Once in Every Year
Exam Frequency	Once in Every Year
Exam Medium	English
Negative Marking	Yes

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Difference

It’s important for aspirants to understand how XAT and CAT are different. Take a look at the table below to see the key distinctions between XAT and CAT.

Components	CAT	XAT
Full-Form	Common Admission Test	Xavier Aptitude Test
Conducted by	IIMs	XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of XAMI
Time Duration	120 Minutes	190 Minutes
Application Fees	INR 2300/- for general category (INR 1150/- for reserved category)	INR 2000/-

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Exam Pattern

The test patterns for XAT and CAT are quite alike, involving multiple-choice questions (MCQs). However, CAT includes TITA questions, which are not part of XAT. Additionally, the marking scheme and time limits for each section vary between XAT and CAT. Here are some key points highlighting the distinctions between XAT and CAT.

Particulars	XAT	CAT
Total number of Questions	101	66
Total Sections	Part 1 (Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation)Part 2 (General Knowledge, Essay)	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation and Logical
Types of Questions	MCQs + 1 Essay	MCQs and TITA
Total Marks	100 marks	198 marks
Marking Pattern	•+1 for every Correct Answer •-0.25 for every negative answer •Negative marking for every unattempted question after 8 unattempted questions •Negative marking does not apply to GK section	•+3 for every Correct Answer •-1 for every negative answer •No negative marking for TITA questions

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Exam Syllabus

If you’re getting ready for the XAT exam, it’s crucial to know what’s in the syllabus. XAT and CAT have different syllabuses. XAT has two parts with a total of five sections, each with a specific time limit. On the other hand, CAT has three sections. Take a look at the table below for a quick look at the XAT vs CAT syllabus.

Particulars	XAT	CAT
Number of sections	5	3
Sections	Part 1 Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning Decision Making Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation Part 2 General Knowledge Essay	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Quantitative Ability Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Sectional Time	Part 1-165 minutes Part 2- 25 minutes	40 minutes per section

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Exam Syllabus Latest Changes

Certainly! Here’s the information presented in a proper table format for CAT and XAT:

Aspects	CAT	XAT
Number of Sections	3	3
Parts	VARC, DILR, QA	Part A: English and Logical Skills, Decision Making, Part B: Practice using a computer keyboard, Part C: GK and Essay Writing
Total Sections	6	3
Total Questions	76	105
Essay Writing	Not included in the main exam	Evaluated only in GD-PI round if qualified
Changes (2019 to 2020)	Total Questions: Decrease from 76 to 66	–
Changes in CAT	Total Score: Decrease from 228 to 198 VARC: Decrease from 26 to 24 DILR: Decrease from 24 to 20 QA: Decrease from 26 to 22	–
Syllabus	Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude	English, Logical Skills, Decision Making, Math & Data Understanding, GK, Essay

This table provides a structured comparison of various aspects between CAT and XAT.

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Marking Scheme

The way XAT and CAT are marked is quite different. Check the table below to see the variations in the marking scheme between XAT and CAT.

Components	CAT	XAT
Marks Awarded	+3 (for every correct answer)	+1 (for every correct answer)
Marks Deducted	-1 (for every correct answer)	-0.25 (for every incorrect answer)
Unattempted Questions	No deduction	Beyond 8 unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted for each unanswered question
Questions without Negative Marking	TITA questions	GK Questions

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Institutions

CAT and XAT scores are recognized by over 1000 B-schools in India. However, if your goal is to exclusively pursue studies at IIMs or XLRI and XAMI member institutes, you need to attain separate scores for CAT and XAT. Take a look at the table below to understand the participating institutes for both CAT and XAT across the country.

CAT	XAT
CAT is popular because IIMs accept only the CAT scores.	To become eligible for admission in the XLRI Jamshedpur, the candidate needs to appear for the XAT exam only
Apart from IIMS, other institutes like IITs, FMS-Delhi, etc accept only the CAT Score Card for their shortlisting process.	Apart from XLRI, some of the XAMI (XLRI Associate) members also accept XAT scores in their selection process.

XAT VS CAT Exam 2024 – Frequently Asked Question