Is CAT Exam Tough? Check Difficulty Level and Exam Pattern

Overview: Is CAT exam tough or easy? The CAT exam is one of the main MBA entrance exams conducted every year in November. Read on to know the difficulty level of the CAT exam here!

• The Common Admission Test 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 29th November 2026.
• It consists of three major sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2026 by SuperGrads

• The CAT (Common Admission Test) exam is widely considered one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in India, known for its high difficulty level, competitive nature, and time constraints.
• The questions are designed to test a wide range of skills, including quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal ability, requiring a strong understanding of fundamentals.

In this blog, besides answering the question "Is CAT exam tough?", we will cover many other aspects like why it's considered challenging, its difficulty level, and most importantly, how you can overcome this challenge and ace the exam.

Learn More | How to Prepare for CAT in 6-Months

Understanding the CAT Exam Structure 2026

Before we evaluate whether is CAT exam tough, it’s crucial to understand its structure. The CAT exam comprises three main sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section tests specific skills and requires a tailored approach. The difficulty of the CAT exam lies not just in the questions themselves, but in the competition, time management, and pressure involved.

Download Free DILR Preparation Tips by Supergrads

Overview: Is CAT Exam Tough or Easy

What Makes CAT the Toughest Exam in the Country?The Common Admission Test (CAT) is widely regarded as one of the most competitive entrance exams in India. Each year, lakhs of aspirants attempt it with the hope of securing a seat in prestigious B-schools, particularly the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This often leads to a pressing question: How hard is CAT exam?

1. Standard Questions

How hard is CAT exam? The questions in the CAT exams do not just contain formula applications.

Rather, they require a high level of critical and, most importantly, analytical thinking to comprehend the conceptual questions from the fundamental concepts. Hence, the complexity becomes high.

2. Competitive Nature

As you saw the above statistical chart, it must be understood that aspirants like you are pulling themselves for the limited seats.

3. Time-Bound Online Test

The entrance test is completely time-bound. As per the CAT paper pattern, there were 66 conceptual questions which are to be solved in 120 minutes with a sectional timing of 40 minutes.

This requires aspirants to maintain the speed as well as accuracy.

4. Complicated Syllabus

The syllabus of the CAT exam is never released by any official authority beforehand.

It becomes tricky for candidates to prepare for an entrance from a syllabus based on CAT previous year's question papers, which are asked from a wide range of topics.

Struggling with VARC? Download Free CAT Daily Plan to Make It Easy

How Tough is CAT Exam?

Given its comprehensive nature, it's natural to ask, "How hard is CAT exam?" When discussing the toughest exams in our country, the CAT entrance exam is always part of the discussion.

Nowadays, management has become a prominent and feasible career choice for many aspirants who wish to advance in the business and corporate world. Many candidates want to get into the top B-schools in the country. As almost all B-schools accept the scores of one common entrance test, the competition rises.

Because of this reason, the CAT exam is conducted every year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). But how hard is CAT exam? IIMs are the top choice for candidates pursuing postgraduate management programs like an MBA.

Learn More |  CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2025

Make QA Preparation Easier – Download Your CAT Daily Plan PDF

Learn More |  Advantages of CAT Exam

Why Do Students Find the CAT Exam Tough?

To objectively evaluate the question is CAT exam tough, we need to look at the factors that contribute to the perception of difficulty:

1. High Level of Competition: Each year, over 2 to 3 lakh students appear for the CAT exam, but only a small fraction secure admissions into top IIMs. This high level of competition can make the process seem intimidating and tough to many aspirants.

2. Unpredictable Exam Pattern: While the exam generally adheres to a consistent structure, the number of questions and the difficulty level of each section can vary slightly each year. This unpredictability contributes to the common doubt is How hard is CAT exam?

3. Time Management: The strict time limit per section forces candidates to think quickly and accurately. Even well-prepared candidates can find it challenging to complete each section in the given time frame, which intensifies the difficulty.

4. Conceptual Depth: The Quantitative Ability section often includes questions that require deep conceptual understanding and smart shortcuts. For students from non-mathematical backgrounds, this can be especially challenging, prompting them to ask How hard is CAT exam for arts or commerce students?

Check: Eligibility Criteria for CAT Exam 2026 Explained

How to Make CAT Less Tough? Preparation Tips

If your question remainsHow hard is CAT exam?, here are a few steps to help make the journey smoother:

1. Start Earl: Begin your preparation at least 8 to 10 months before the exam. This gives you ample time to understand concepts, build test-taking strategies, and improve your weak areas.

2. Practice Mock Tests: Mock tests simulate the actual exam environment and help you manage time effectively. They also enable you to identify patterns in your mistakes and areas that need improvement.

3. Use the Right Resources: Make sure you rely on updated and credible study materials. Consider enrolling in comprehensive coaching programs, such as those provided by SuperGrads, which offer video lectures, doubt sessions, and free mock tests.

4. Stay Consistent: Regular study, consistent practice, and a positive mindset are more important than erratic bursts of preparation. Consistency builds confidence, which in turn reduces fear and stress.

Read more: How CAT Toppers Prepared and Succeeded

Is CAT Exam Tough for Beginners?

For someone just beginning their preparation, the overwhelming syllabus, high competition, and time-bound nature of the paper can make them wonder:How hard is CAT exam? The answer lies in your preparedness. If you are consistent, focused, and strategic, the exam becomes more manageable with time.

Get 60+ CAT DILR Practice Questions – Download PDF for Easy Prep

 Is CAT Exam Tough for Everyone? Myth vs. Reality

Myth: Only engineering graduates can crack the CAT exam.
Reality: The CAT exam is designed to assess aptitude, not academic background. Every year, successful candidates emerge from diverse fields such as commerce, humanities, and science.

Myth: Coaching is mandatory to clear CAT.
Reality: While coaching can provide structured guidance, many aspirants achieve high scores through self-study, utilizing quality resources, discipline, and consistent effort.

Myth: Years of preparation are required to succeed in CAT.
Reality: Although an early start can be beneficial, numerous aspirants have cracked CAT with well-planned, focused preparation over just 4–6 months.

So, is CAT exam tough in absolute terms? The answer lies in your level of preparation, strategic planning, and dedication. It is not the exam itself, but your approach that defines the difficulty.

Is CAT Exam Tough? How to Overcome It Strategically

Now that you got the answer to the question "How hard is CAT exam?", it's important that you prepare for this tough competition and high difficulty level. The following are the tips for you to escalate your CAT exam preparation:

# 1: Simplify and streamline the approach for your CAT exam preparation by taking a mock test. This initial step helps you identify your starting point and set your goals. A pre-preparation mock test highlights the areas you need to improve.

# 2: After understanding your current standing and target, clarify all fundamental concepts and their applications.

# 3: Take mock tests regularly to familiarize yourself with the CAT's question types, key concepts, and strategies for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Logical Reasoning (LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) sections.

# 4: Based on your strengths, develop a strategy for efficiently covering the entire syllabus and begin taking sectional tests to deepen your understanding of each subject.

# 5: Finally, revision is critical. Once you've covered the CAT 2026 syllabus, dedicate time to revise thoroughly to reinforce your knowledge and improve your confidence before the exam.

Read More: CAT Total Marks and Weightage Distribution

Learn More |  CAT Exam Preparation Books 2026 

Minimum Score Required to Get into IIMs Through CAT 2026

CAT Cut off for IIM is announced to release the qualifying percentile in their official admission brochure. If you're wondering 'How tough is CAT exam? The table below provides the category-wise CAT cut-off for IIM for 2026:

IIM	General	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
IIM Ahmedabad	80	75	80	70	60
IIM Bangalore	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Kozhikode	85	75	75	65	55
IIM Calcutta	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Lucknow	90	82	82	65	60
IIM Mumbai	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Indore	90	80	90	60	50
IIM Raipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Rohtak	95	78	90	55	30
IIM Udaipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Kashipur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Trichy	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Ranchi	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Shillong	75	75	75	60	50
IIM Visakhapatnam	80	70	72	45	35
IIM Jammu	Male- 90 Female- 87	Male- 72 Female- 70	Male- 68 Female- 65	Male- 52 Female- 50	Male- 37 Female- 34
IIM Nagpur	90	76.5	80	60	40
IIM Amritsar	85	75	85	55	40
IIM Bodh Gaya	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Sambalpur	74	74	70	54	40
IIM Sirmaur	92	74	70	54	40

Download DILR Sample Questions PDF to Make It Easy for CAT 2026

Conclusion

Is CAT Exam Tough? The CAT exam is undoubtedly challenging, but it is not impossible to crack.

The perception of its toughness stems from its competitive nature, the diverse skill set required, and the time management pressures involved.

The CAT cut off for different B-schools varies from college to college and is based on various factors such as the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, etc.

The CAT cut-off for IIMs varies from year to year. Generally, a student must get a percentile of 90+ to be shortlisted for the IIMs. 

Check | How to Prepare for the CAT Exam at Home?