Is CMAT Easier Than CAT?
Whether CMAT is easier than CAT depends on what you mean by “easier”—but in general, most candidates find CMAT less challenging than CAT in terms of difficulty level.
1. Difficulty Level
CAT (Common Admission Test)
- Higher difficulty, especially in VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) and DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning).
- Questions are often tricky, designed to test problem-solving under pressure.
- Adaptive marking patterns (percentile-based competition with top students).
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
- Moderate difficulty.
- More straightforward questions, often direct application of formulas and concepts.
- Additional section on General Awareness.
2. Exam Pattern
| Feature | CAT | CMAT |
|---|
| Sections | VARC, DILR, QA | QA, LR, Language Comprehension, GK, Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
| Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Question Type | Mostly MCQs + some TITA (no options) | MCQs only |
| Negative Marking | -1 for wrong answer | -1 for wrong answer |
3. Competition Level
- CAT: Used for admission to IIMs and other top B-schools → very high competition.
- CMAT: Accepted by many reputed but generally non-IIM B-schools → competition is relatively lower.
4. Which One Should You Choose?
Take CAT if:
- You aim for IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, or top private colleges.
- You are strong in Maths & Logical Reasoning and can handle pressure.
Take CMAT if:
- You prefer easier Quant/LR and want backup options.
- You are targeting good B-schools like JBIMS, SIMSREE, K J Somaiya, NIBM.
- You want a GK advantage (since no negative marking).
5. Final Verdict
- CMAT is easier in terms of syllabus, competition, and scoring.
- CAT is tougher but offers better ROI (top IIMs/XLRI).
- Ideal strategy: Prepare for CAT first, then attempt CMAT/XAT/MAT as backups.
Let’s Discuss
What is the most effective way to prepare for the CAT exam in a short time?
