1. Exam Overview

• CAT (Common Admission Test): Conducted by the IIMs, it is the primary gateway to all IIMs and several other top B-schools in India.

• XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test): Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, it is accepted by XLRI and 160+ other B-schools across India.

2. Syllabus Comparison

• VARC (CAT) vs. Verbal & Logical Ability (XAT):
  CAT tests reading comprehension and verbal reasoning. XAT includes RCs, grammar, and vocabulary but often has more emphasis on critical reasoning and slightly trickier RC passages.

• LRDI (CAT) vs. Decision Making + QA & DI (XAT):
  CAT’s LRDI section is puzzle and DI heavy. XAT, on the other hand, has a unique Decision-Making section (caselets on ethical and business dilemmas), making it stand out.

• QA (CAT) vs. QA & DI (XAT):
  Both include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math. XAT’s quant section is slightly tougher conceptually, while CAT has more data-driven questions.

• GK (XAT only):
  XAT includes a General Knowledge section (not part of percentile calculation but considered in XLRI’s final selection).

• Essay (XAT only):
  Candidates shortlisted for the XLRI PI round also write an essay during the exam.

3. Difficulty Level

• CAT: Known for unpredictable LRDI, moderate to tough QA, and RC-heavy VARC.

• XAT: Considered tougher overall due to Decision-Making and inclusion of GK + Essay, along with challenging QA.

4. Exam Pattern

• CAT: 120 minutes, 3 sections (VARC, LRDI, QA). Mix of MCQs and TITA. Sectional time limit of 40 minutes each.

• XAT: 190 minutes, 5 parts (Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quant & DI, GK, Essay). Mostly MCQs; sectional time limits.

5. Eligibility Criteria

• CAT: Open to all graduates with minimum percentage as specified by IIMs.
  XAT: Open to all graduates (no minimum percentage requirement).

6. Marking Scheme

• CAT: +3 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs); no negative marking for TITA.

• XAT: +1 for correct, -0.25 for wrong; an additional penalty of -0.1 for >8 unattempted questions.

7. Preparation Tips

For CAT:

• Strengthen basics in QA and LRDI.

• Practice high-level RCs.

• Take regular mocks to adapt to changing difficulty levels.

For XAT:

• Prepare separately for Decision-Making (analyzing caselets, ethical/business reasoning).

• Brush up GK with current affairs and static GK.

• Practice essay writing (short, structured, opinion-based).

• Sharpen quant concepts since XAT QA tends to be tough.

8. Top Colleges Accepting Scores

• CAT: All IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT B-schools, and more.

• XAT: XLRI Jamshedpur (BM & HRM), XIM Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, LIBA, Great Lakes, and others.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which is tougher, CAT or XAT?
A: XAT is often considered tougher because of the Decision-Making, GK, and Essay sections, along with challenging QA. CAT, however, is more competitive due to the number of aspirants and limited seats.

Q: Can I appear for both exams?
A: Yes, many aspirants write both CAT and XAT to widen their options.

Q: Which exam should I choose?
A: If you want to target IIMs and FMS, go for CAT. If XLRI, XIMB, or IMT Ghaziabad are on your radar—or you enjoy analytical and ethical reasoning—then XAT is a strong choice.