Is The CAT Exam Tough?

Published on 10th March 2025, 10:00 AM

As CAT 2025 draws near, more than 3 lakh MBA candidates across are struggling with only one important question, "Is the CAT exam really that tough?". The CAT exam can appear daunting due to its standing as one of the most difficult entrance exams for the esteemed Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools. Here, we dissect the intricacy of the CAT exam, its format, and practical methods for cracking it.

CAT 2025 Exam - Overview

CAT, or Common Admission Test, is a management entrance test conducted by the Indian Institute of Management. Candidates who successfully pass the CAT exam in 2025 will be admitted to the top MBA colleges in India. A basic overview of CAT 2025 is given below:

CAT Exam Particulars	Description
Exam Name	Common Admission Test
CAT 2025 Official Website	www.iimcat.ac.in
CAT Conducting Body	The Indian Institute of Management
Frequency	Annually
CAT 2025 Registration Mode	Online
CAT Exam Mode	Computer-based
Number of Test Takers	3.29 lakh (in 2024)
CAT Helpdesk	Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in Phone: 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free)

Also Check: CAT Exam Pattern

Understanding The CAT Exam Structure

Before diving into the difficulty level, it's essential to familiarize ourselves with the CAT exam format. The CAT is a three-section test comprising:

> Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

> Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

> Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section tests distinct skill sets, and a thorough grasp of the CAT syllabus is crucial. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes, with each section allocated 40 minutes.

How Tough Is It To Score In CAT?

CAT score vs percentile describes the relationship between CAT scores and percentiles varies each year depending on the exam’s difficulty level and how many students take it. If we talk about CAT 2024, the exam was easier compared to the previous year, which is why the scores correspond to higher percentiles.

CAT PERCENTILE	VARC SCORE	DILR SCORE	QA SCORE	OVERALL SCORE
100	59	63	57	151
99	41	38	33	96
98	36	34	29	85
95	30	27	22	70
90	24	22	17	57
85	20	19	14	49
80	18	17	11	43

Evaluating The Toughness Factors

> Content Complexity:

> VARC: This section challenges candidates’ comprehension skills and vocabulary. The passages can range from easy to moderately complex, but their length and depth often add to the pressure.

> DILR: Known for its tricky puzzles and data sets, this section can be daunting. Candidates must interpret data and demonstrate logical reasoning under time constraints.

> QA: While some candidates may find the quantitative section straightforward, it often includes high-level mathematical concepts that require strong foundational knowledge and problem-solving skills.

> Time Management: Time is an enemy in the CAT. Each section requires not only accuracy but also speed. This dual pressure can elevate the perceived difficulty, especially if candidates lack practice.

> Competition Levels: The sheer number of candidates (often exceeding 2 lakh) aiming for a limited number of seats in leading B-schools compounds the exam's difficulty. The competitive nature necessitates not only a solid grasp of topics but also a strategic exam approach.

> Psychological Factors: The pressure of performing well can lead to anxiety, which can adversely affect performance. Maintaining a calm and focused mindset is essential to tackling the exam on D-day.

Comparison Of CAT To The Other Competitive Exams

The CAT exam is a test of aptitude and is often compared to other competitive exams. There’s a lot of discussion about how challenging the CAT exam really is. Here’s a comparison of CAT with a few national-level entrance exams:

Is The CAT Exam Tougher Than JEE?

Both CAT and JEE are national-level exams held annually, but they serve different purposes. JEE focuses on subjects like Maths, Physics, and Chemistry from high school (classes 11 and 12). In contrast, CAT is an aptitude test aimed at assessing candidates' logical skills for future management roles. Because CAT tests a broader skill set and allows students from any educational background to take it, many consider CAT to be slightly tougher than JEE.

Is The CAT Exam Tougher Than UPSC?

Although the UPSC exam format is typically more complex, both CAT and UPSC are regarded as difficult in their respective domains. The UPSC exam has a variety of question styles, such as essays and short responses, whereas CAT mostly consists of multiple-choice questions type questions. Furthermore, UPSC covers a greater variety of subjects than CAT, whose syllabus is less well-defined and derived from past papers.

Is the CAT Exam Tougher Than IPMAT?

In general, IPMAT is less challenging than CAT. In comparison to IPMAT which has a large number of candidates ranging from 18,000-20,000, CAT has a larger candidate pool of 2.55 lakh and a more comprehensive syllabus. The IPMAT exam is considered to cater to undergraduate students and is generally regarded as having moderate difficulty. It focuses on fundamental abilities in reasoning, verbal ability, and numeric aptitude. CAT, on the other hand, is one of the most difficult and sought-after management entrance exams in India. It is intended for postgraduate students and necessitates a great deal of study and practice. These questions assess a candidate's capacity for analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving.