CAT vs NMAT 2025: Is NMAT Easier than CAT? Key Differences Explained

Overview: Is NMAT easier than CAT? Although CAT scores are widely accepted in Indian institutes, NMAT scores are accepted in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, and the Philippines. Let's find out which is better: NMAT or CAT!

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• CAT, or the Common Admission Test, is a prestigious exam conducted by IIMs. More than 1,000+ B-schools in India accept its score.
• On the other hand, NMAT, the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude test, offers a unique global perspective by opening the door for admission across different countries. 

Every year, over 3 lakh MBA aspirants appear for exams like CAT and NMAT. But which one is better for pursuing management courses? Let's find out is NMAT exam tough or easy and the NMAT Difficulty level.

Also Read | How to Prepare for CAT in One Year

Is NMAT easier than CAT? Key Highlights

The Common Admission Test (CAT) and the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test (NMAT) are both significant MBA entrance exams in India. 

CAT is conducted once a year by one of the IIMs, while NMAT, administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), offers the flexibility to choose exam dates and allows three attempts to improve scores within a testing cycle. 

This difference makes NMAT a convenient option for those seeking flexibility and multiple opportunities to enhance their scores. Let’s look for some more key differences between NMAT and CAT: 

Important Features	NMAT 2025	CAT 2025
Examination Full Form	Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test	Common Admission Test
Conducting Body	Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)	Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)
Exam frequency	3 times during the 70-day-long test-taking window.	Once a year
Exam Sections And Sectional Timings	Language Skill – 28 minutes Quantitative Skill – 52 minutes Logical Reasoning – 40 minutes	40 minutes are provided for each section Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
Number of Questions	Overall Questions: 108	Overall Questions: 66
Exam Duration	2 hours	2 hours
Negative marking	There is no negative marking for an incorrect answer.	-1 for MCQs questions and 0 for TITA questions
Application fee	INR 3000 + applicable taxes	SC/ST/PwD: INR 1250/- GEN: INR 2500/-
Difficulty Level	Easy-Moderate Level (NMAT Difficulty Level)	Moderate-Difficult Level

Also Read | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year

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Is NMAT Easy to Crack?

The NMAT exam is considered moderately challenging, with an NMAT difficulty level that is easier than exams like CAT or XAT but still competitive. Its main challenge lies in time management and accuracy across three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. With consistent practice and a smart strategy, many candidates find it manageable.

Is NMAT Easier Than CAT: When Considering the Conducting Body?

Comparing NMAT and CAT 2025 helps candidates understand the differences between these two entrance tests. 

Both exams are for postgraduate admissions: NMAT is an MBA entrance exam accepted by colleges in Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines, and Morocco, and CAT is a national-level exam conducted by IIMs for admission to management courses at IIMs and other top B-schools.

• NMAT: Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council
• CAT: Conducted by the Indian Institute of Management on a rotational basis

So, is NMAT easier than CAT? The global outreach and multiple attempts in NMAT make it appealing to many

Also Read | NMAT Selection Process

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Is NMAT Easier Than CAT in Terms of Exam Difficulty?

The CAT and NMAT exams have different difficulty levels. Given its lower difficulty level, candidates who are well-prepared for the CAT often find the NMAT easier.

Remember that CAT and NMAT have different difficulty levels. People who prepare for CAT may find NMAT easier.

Although they cover similar topics, there are some minor differences. NMAT emphasises speed, while CAT does not necessarily require quick responses.

This means that some people may do well in CAT but may not necessarily excel in NMAT, given its emphasis on speed and accuracy. This raises the common question: is NMAT easier than CAT for those with strong time-management skills?

Also Read |  How Many Students Appear for CAT Exam Every Year

Download Free Subject-wise NMAT 2025 Syllabus PDF Now

Is NMAT Easier Than CAT 2025 Based on Eligibility Requirements

While comparing NMAT vs CAT exams, it is best to review the eligibility criteria. For the CAT exam, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). 

You are also eligible to apply if you are awaiting results or are in the final year of your degree.

As for the NMAT exam, eligibility criteria depend on the application/admission eligibility of the respective B-school. The general requirements include: 

• A 3-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline (50%) or equivalent CGPA. 
• Candidates in the final year of graduation can also apply, as can those who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) or are awaiting results. 
• There is no age limit to apply for NMAT by GMACTM. However, meeting the minimum eligibility criteria for NMAT 2025 does not guarantee shortlisting by the B-school to which the application is submitted.
• Hence, for many students, comparing options, is NMAT easier than CAT in terms of eligibility? Possibly yes, due to its more flexible requirements.

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Is NMAT Easier Than CAT 2025 According to the Exam Syllabus

To understand “how is NMAT different from CAT exam,” you should also understand the NMAT and CAT syllabus and exam pattern of both exams. Both CAT and NMAT consist mainly of three sections that analyse the candidate's knowledge and analytical skills.

The CAT, or Common Admission Test, comprises three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability (QA).

In contrast, the NMAT exam consists of language, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills. Here's a simplified way to understand the topics covered in the different sections:

Exam Sections	NMAT Exam	CAT Exam
Logical Reasoning/Abstract Reasoning	Classification Syllogisms Coding and decoding  Symbol-based questions Blood relation questions Matrix-type questions Linear and circular arrangements, Alphabet questions Other reasoning questions	Arrangements Analogies Critical Reasoning Coding and Decoding Clock and Calendar Sequence and series Blood relations Directions Syllogisms Puzzles
Quantitative Aptitude	Numbers Percentages Ratios and proportions Averages Time and work Partnership Simple and Compound Interest Integers  HCF and LCM Permutation and combination Coordinate geometry Set theory Probability Venn diagrams Progression arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Relationship.	Number system Work and time pipes, and Cisterns Averages Percentages Compound Interest Arithmetic Progression Quadratic and Linear equations  Ratio and proportion  Simple interest, Time, speed and distance Profit and loss
Verbal Ability / Reading Comprehension	Analogies Synonyms and Antonyms Fill in the blanks Cloze test Idioms Paragraph summary Para jumbles  Jumbled sentences RC Passages Odd one out Tenses Sentence correction Parts of speech Phrasal verbs Choose the correct preposition Identify the error.	Reading Comprehension General grammar Sentence Completion Sentence Correction Synonyms and Antonyms One word substitution Jumbled paragraphs Contextual usage Odd one out  Fill In the blanks  Idioms Syllogisms Vocabulary

Also Read | Latest Changes in CAT Syllabus

Is NMAT Easier Than CAT 2025 with Respect to Sectional Timings?

In a series of findings, the differences between NMAT and CAT are also evident in the sectional time limits for both exams.

These exams have a total duration of 120 minutes, but the individual section times for CAT and NMAT differ. 

Here is the detailed version of CAT exam duration and NMAT sectional timings: 

CAT Exam Sectional Timings

Exam Sections	Total Questions	Section-wise Time Limit
VARC	24	40 minutes
DILR	20	40 minutes
QA	22	40 minutes
Total	66	120 minutes

NMAT Exam Sectional Timing 

Sections	Questions	Section-wise Time Limit
Language Skills	36	28 Minutes
Quantitative Skills	36	52 Minutes
Logical Reasoning	36	40 Minutes
Total	108	120 Minutes

Also Read | CAT Exam Marks vs Percentile

Is NMAT Easier Than CAT 2025 in Exam Pattern and Format?

While looking for the differences between NMAT and CAT, it is best to compare their exam pattern. Both exams include multiple-choice questions, but CAT also has non-multiple-choice questions called TITA questions. Unlike NMAT, CAT exam pattern imposes a penalty for wrong answers to multiple-choice questions, deducting a -1 mark for each incorrect response. 

NMAT Exam Pattern 2025

NMAT Sections	Number of Questions	Time to Attempt	NMAT Score Range
Language Skills Section	36 questions	28 minutes	Score range: 12-120
Quantitative Skills Section	36 questions	52 minutes	Score range: 12-120
Logical Reasoning Section	36 questions	40 minutes	Score range: 12-120
Total	108 questions	120 minutes	Score range: 36-360

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Section	Number of MCQs	Number of Non-MCQs	Total Questions
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	21	3	24
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	14	6	20
Quantitative Ability	14	8	22
Marks are given the correct answer	+3 marks given to every correct answer
Negative marking	-1 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer, and 0 negative mark for non-MCQ questions

Also Read |  CAT Exam Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score

List of Colleges Accepting NMAT vs CAT Score 2025

Here is the list of top B-schools accepting CAT scores and NMAT scores. 

Management colleges Accepting CAT scores	Management Colleges Accepting NMAT Scores
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad	SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore	K J Somaiya Institute of Management
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow	Indian School of Business (ISB) (Advanced Management Programme in Business Analytics (AMPBA)
Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta	Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) - South Africa
SPJIMR Mumbai	Lagos Business School - Nigeria
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) Delhi	Africa Business School

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NMAT vs CAT: Which Exam is Easier for You

The CAT exam is tougher, with unpredictable questions and intense competition for IIMs. NMAT is comparatively easier, offering flexible attempts and a candidate-friendly structure. CAT tests advanced quantitative, logical, and verbal skills under strict time limits. NMAT provides moderate difficulty, making it less stressful for management aspirants.

Conclusion 

Is NMAT easier than CAT? Well, it depends on various factors, including individual preparation and test-taking strategies. Both exams have unique features, and candidates should make an informed choice based on their career goals and aspirations. Understanding the differences between NMAT and CAT will help candidates select the exam that aligns with their skills and ambitions.

Find: List of CAT Subjects 2025