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Author :
Shilpa Nigam |
CAT (Common Admission Test) and MAT (Management Aptitude Test) are both Indian national-level entrance exams for admission into MBA programs. CAT is widely known and famous among students because all the IIMs and other top-tier 1 institutes accept its score.
MAT is also a valuable and standard entrance test with a more regional approach, as it covers most of the tier 2 and tier 3 cities as the examination centers, including metro cities. The MAT exam reaches a wide range of students across different regions in India who aspire to pursue an MBA.
Here is the comparative description of both CAT and MAT.
Exam Fee Comparison
|
Exam |
Fee (General) |
Fee (SC/ST/PwD) |
Notes |
|
CAT |
2,300 |
1,150 |
The fee is for a single exam. |
|
MAT |
2,100 – 2,750 |
N/A |
The fee for one test (PBT, CBT, or IBT) is 1,650 – 2,100, while the fee for PBT + CBT can be 2,750 – 3,600. |
|
Feature |
CAT |
MAT |
|
Number of Sections |
3 |
5 |
|
Sections |
|
|
|
Exam Format |
|
|
|
Total Questions |
100 |
200 |
|
Time Limit |
180 minutes |
150 minutes |
|
Marking Scheme |
+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
+1 for correct, -0.25 for incorrect |
|
Frequency |
Once a year |
Four times a year |
|
Difficulty |
Difficult |
Easier |
|
Conducted By |
IIMs on a Rotational basis |
All India Management Association (AIMA), |
No, the MAT exam is not harder than the CAT.
The MAT is generally easier and designed to test basic concepts in mathematics, English, and reasoning, making it more approachable for a wider range of students.
In contrast, the CAT is much more difficult and is primarily aimed at admissions to top B-schools like the IIMs, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
The MAT is also conducted multiple times a year, giving students several chances to improve their scores, while the CAT is held only once annually.
Overall, MAT is considered a simpler and less stressful option compared to the CAT.
CAT is considered better as it opens doors to top B-schools, offers higher salary packages, and provides strong support for entrepreneurship and leadership development.
Students who aim for top B-schools like IIMs or elite management institutes should take the CAT exam. It’s ideal for those seeking high-level careers in business, consulting, or leadership roles. The CAT exam is much tougher and evaluates candidates at a very high standard. It is designed for admission to top-tier institutes that nurture exceptional talent and develop future business leaders
Students who want admission to good management colleges across India should take the MAT exam. It’s ideal for those looking for flexible options and a moderate difficulty level. The MAT exam is more accessible and caters to a wider range of students. It helps candidates gain admission to reputable mid-tier management institutes across India with a good salary package.
In the end, it’s your own skills, dedication, and mindset that help you grab the best opportunities, either from CAT or MAT.
No, MAT is not hard, but definitely challenging — you need to sharpen your skills in all five subjects: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis, Intelligence & Reasoning, and Business Environment.
It takes dedication and a smart strategy to clear MAT, but with focus and practice, you can master it.
-MAT is easier, held multiple times a year, and accepted by many B-schools, while CAT is tougher, held once a year, and mainly for top IIMs.
-No, MAT isn’t better than CAT — but it’s easier and more flexible. CAT is tougher and leads to admission in top IIMs and elite B-schools, while MAT offers wider accessibility to many good management institutes.
No, MAT and CAT do not have the same syllabus. Both exams cover different subjects, question patterns, and difficulty levels — almost nothing is identical between them.
-CAT is conducted once a year, whereas MAT is held four times a year — in February, May, September, and December — giving students multiple opportunities to appear and improve their scores.
