VITBS Vellore News & Updates 2026: Notifications, Notice, Result

MAT vs CAT: When it comes to MBA entrance tests in India, CAT and MAT will feature at the top of the conversation. CAT score has a premium value and is accepted by 21 IIMs & 1000+ reputed B-schools across the country. On the other hand, MAT is accepted by over 700 management institutes. Some of the top b-schools accepting MAT are GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research, Dr. D.Y. Patil B School-Pune, ITM University, Christ University, JIMS Rohini, Amity University, OP Jindal Global University, Jain University, etc. The CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) once a year while the MAT is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) four times a year (February, May, September, and December). Notably, candidates must obtain a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) in their Bachelor's degree programme but no minimum percentage criterion has been mentioned for MAT. While CAT has a duration of 2 hours for 66 questions, MAT is held over a duration of 2.5 hours for 200 questions. CAT has a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer while there is no negative marking in MAT.Even though it might seem like the two tests have an uncanny similarity in their syllabus, they are quite different in other aspects. However, the CAT is more difficult to attempt than the MAT exam. Here, we will discuss the difference between CAT and MAT. The biggest distinction as we divide into the CAT vs MAT discussion is the frequency of these exams. While the CAT exam is only conducted once every year, one can appear for the MAT exam 4 times a year. Understanding the distinctions between the CAT and MAT exams can aid you in placing your best foot forward.

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With a CAT 2025 score in the 70-80 percentile range, you can explore admission opportunities in reputable MBA colleges such as BIMTECH Noida, Welingkar Mumbai, IMT Nagpur, and XIME Bengaluru. Each of these institutions sets its admission cutoffs based on factors like program specialisation, location, and current applicant competition. For instance, BIMTECH expects CAT 2025 cutoffs around 70-75 percentile, Welingkar generally requires 70-80 percentile, IMT Nagpur's cutoff is higher, near 85 percentile, and XIME Bangalore usually sets it between 75-80 percentile. Because these thresholds can change yearly, it is essential to verify the specific eligibility criteria and cutoff details of your targeted colleges before applying to ensure your CAT 2025 score meets their requirements.

While IIMs take the lead in the list of colleges for 97 percentile in CAT 2025, non-IIMs like XLRI Jamshedpur, TISS Mumbai and MDI Gurgaon also feature prominently. These colleges offer the traditional MBA course and PGP, PGDM, and PGPM, among others. Although a 97th percentile in CAT can open doors to these prominent B-schools, students will still have to undergo a holistic evaluation and participate in the subsequent rounds of GD/PI/WAT. Make sure to have a clear understanding of the selection process of their target college before applying. Students eager to know more about the expected colleges for 97 Percentile in CAT 2025 can go through the list of IIMs. List of Non-IIMs- IIMs, etc.

What to Expect from CMAT 2026? Aspirants can anticipate the exam to be of a moderate difficulty level, with the overall pattern largely remaining consistent from the previous year. 

CMAT 2026 will include five sections: Language Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, General Awareness, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The exam will be conducted in online mode, carrying overall 400 marks, with each correct answer awarded 4 marks and a penalty of 1 mark for every incorrect response. 

CMAT 2026 is scheduled to be held on January 25, 2026, across 120 cities in India. Check this article to understand what to expect from CMAT 2026, along with insights on CMAT exam pattern, marking scheme, and section-wise structure to help aspirants prepare with clarity.

Also Read: CMAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

The list of colleges accepting 91 percentile in CAT 2025 exam includes some of the top MBA colleges in India, namely, IIM Sirmaur, XIM University, IMI, and DoMs, IIM Vishakhapatnam, and more. Students who score in the range of 91 percentile in the CAT 2025 exam can consider applying to these colleges. The IIM cutoffs for MBA admissions are most likely to fall within the range of 95 and 100 percentile, so getting admission to the top IIMs in India will be quite difficult.

The list of colleges accepting a 92 percentile in CAT 2025 includes esteemed institutions like IIM Udaipur, IIM Bodhgaya, and DoMS, IIT Delhi, among others. Even though a few IIMs offer call invitations to 92 percentile in CAT 2025 candidates, it can get quite competitive. In such a case, applying to top non-IIMs can widen your options and eventually land you a spot in a good B-school. A 92 percentile, although good enough, does not guarantee your admission to any college. After the results are released, you will have to perform well in the next stages of the admission process, such as the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). While each college has its own selection process, these personal assessments often play a crucial role in the final admission decision.