If you are an MBA aspirant, one of the first thing you need to decide is which all exams will you want to write. From a wide range of exams conducted at national, state or university level, it only makes sense to choose your exams wisely and economically (cost factor).
Each exam and its exam pattern are unique, be it CAT, XAT, SNAP, or MAT. The difference lies in:
- No. of questions – total and sectional
- Sections
- Type of questions – MCQs or Non-MCQs or Combination
- Time Duration – total and sectional
- Marking scheme
- Difficulty level
However, if you look closely the sections are similar and most topics are overlapping. All exams test you on:
- English Language – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning – Logical, Analytical, Critical, Verbal
- Mathematics – Quant, Data Interpretation, Data Adequacy and Data Sufficiency
In addition, some other areas where you may be tested are – general awareness (CMAT) and decision making (XAT)
If you are writing an array of management entrance tests along with CAT 2019 you must prepare smartly. Few things to keep in mind are:
- Compare the syllabus
- List down all common and different topics
- Understand the difficulty level of each exam
- Prepare the individual topics based on the difficulty level of each exam
- Write individual mocks for each exam you are preparing.
For our students’ reference, we have collated the syllabus topics for top 5 exams – CAT 2019, XAT 2020, SNAP 2019, CMAT 2020 and IBSAT 2019.
English Language
Note: Reading comprehension is common across all exams.
|
CAT 2019 |
XAT 2020 |
SNAP 2019 |
CMAT 2019 |
IBSAT 2019 |
|
Analogy |
Antonyms - Synonyms |
Analogy |
Analogy |
Analogies |
|
Antonyms |
Completion of paragraph |
Antonyms - Synonyms |
Antonyms - Synonyms |
Cloze test |
|
Contextual usage |
Correct Use of Words |
Comprehension passages – prose and poetry |
Contextual Usage |
Contextual usage |
|
Fill in the blanks |
Fill in the Blanks |
Fill in the Blanks |
Fact Inference and Judgement |
English Grammar |
|
Foreign language words used in English |
Jumbled Paragraphs |
Idioms and phrases |
Figures of speech |
Idioms and Phrases |
|
Grammar |
Sentence Completion/Correction |
Jumbled paragraphs |
Fill in the blanks |
Incorrect words |
|
Idioms |
Vocabulary |
One-word substitution |
Foreign language words used in English |
Para Jumble |
|
Jumbled paragraphs |
Sentence Completion/Correction |
Grammar |
Punctuation |
|
|
One-word substitution |
Syllogisms |
Matching word meanings |
Replace the missing words |
|
|
Para Completion and inference |
Verbal Reasoning |
Odd word out |
Sentence completion |
|
|
Para-jumbles |
Odd man out |
Paragraph formation questions |
Spot the error |
|
|
Reading Comprehension |
Phrases |
Syllogisms |
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Sentence completion/correction |
Prepositions |
Synonyms and Antonyms |
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|
Syllogisms |
Spellings |
Usage of appropriate words |
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|
Verbal Logic |
Syllogisms |
Vocabulary |
||
|
Verbal Reasoning |
Quantitative Ability
|
CAT 2019 |
XAT 2019 |
SNAP 2019 |
CMAT 2019 |
IBSAT 2019 |
|
Algebra |
Algebra |
Algebra |
Allegation & Mixtures |
Algebra |
|
Averages |
Averages |
Averages |
Algebra |
Arithmetic Progression |
|
Geometric Progression |
Binomial Theorem |
Binomial Theorem |
Averages |
Average |
|
Geometry |
Complex numbers |
Complex numbers |
Co-ordinate geometry |
Co-ordinate Geometry |
|
HCF & LCM |
Co-ordinate geometry |
Co-ordinate geometry |
Clocks & Calendars |
Discount |
|
Inequalities |
Equations - Linear & Quadratic |
Equations - Linear & Quadratic |
Geometry |
Geometry |
|
In-equations Quadratic and linear equations |
HCF & LCM |
HCF & LCM |
HCF & LCM |
Inequalities |
|
Logarithms |
In-equations |
In-equations |
In-equations Quadratic and linear equations |
Installment Payments |
|
Mensuration |
Interest - Simple & Compound |
Interest - Simple & Compound |
Installment Payments |
Mensuration |
|
Number system |
Logarithm |
Logarithm |
Logarithms |
Mixtures and Alligations |
|
Partnership (Accounts) |
Mean – Arithmetic & Geometric |
Mean – Arithmetic & Geometric |
Mean – Arithmetic, harmonic |
Number System |
|
Percentages |
Mixtures and Allegations |
Mixtures and Allegations |
Menstruation |
Percentage |
|
Profit & Loss |
Percentages |
Percentages |
Number Base System |
Permutation and Combination |
|
Ratios and Proportion |
Permutations & Combinations |
Permutations & Combinations |
Partnership (Accounts) |
Probability |
|
Surds and Indices |
Progression - Arithmetic & Geometric |
Progression - Arithmetic & Geometric |
Permutation & Combination |
Profit and Loss |
|
Time-Speed-Distance |
Probability |
Probability |
Pipes and Cisterns |
Ratio and Proportion |
|
Trigonometry |
Profit & Loss |
Profit & Loss |
Probability |
Simple Interest and Partnership |
|
Work and time |
Ratios and Proportion |
Ratios and Proportion |
Profit & Loss |
Simplification |
|
Set Theory |
Set Theory |
Progressions – Arithmetic, Geometric, Maxima & Minima |
Time and Work |
|
|
Speed, Time and Distance |
Speed, Time and Distance |
Ratio & Proportions |
Time, Speed and Distance |
|
|
Trigonometry |
Simple & Compound Interest |
|||
|
Vectors |
Time, Distance, Weights & Heights |
Reasoning – Verbal, Logical, Analytical
|
CAT 2019 |
XAT 2020 |
SNAP 2019 |
CMAT 2020 |
IBSAT 2019 |
|
Assumptions |
Analogy |
Assertion and Reasons |
Analogy Test |
Assumption-Premise-Conclusion |
|
Bars |
Assumption-Premise-Conclusion |
Assumption-Premise-Conclusion |
Assumption-Premise-Conclusion |
Cause and effects |
|
Binary Logic |
Binary Logic |
Binary Logic |
Blood Relations |
Critical reasoning |
|
Blood Relations |
Blood Relations |
Blood Relations |
Cause and Effect |
Data Sufficiency |
|
Caselets |
Coding and Decoding |
Coding and Decoding |
Clocks and Calendars |
Logical Reasoning |
|
Clocks and Calendars |
Clocks and Calendars |
Clocks and Calendars |
Coding-Decoding |
Statements and Conclusions |
|
Coding-Decoding |
Critical Reasoning |
Critical Reasoning |
Comparisons |
Visual reasoning |
|
Data Arrangement |
Fact–Inference-Judgement |
Identifying next number in series |
Deductions |
|
|
Data Structures |
Identifying next number in series |
Identifying Strong and Weak arguments |
Directions |
|
|
Data Sufficiency |
Seating Arrangement |
Identifying valid inferences |
Family tree problem |
|
|
Direction Sense |
Visual reasoning |
Puzzles |
Input & Output |
|
|
Family Tree |
Seating Arrangement |
Identifying probably true probably false |
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|
Sequencing |
Linear word formation |
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|
Statements and Assumptions |
Matrix Arrangements |
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|
Symbol Based problems |
Ranking Tests |
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Visual reasoning |
Seating Arrangements |
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|
Selections |
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|
Series & Analysis |
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Statements and conclusions |
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|
Symbol Based problems |
Data Interpretation
|
CAT 2019 |
XAT 2020 |
SNAP 2019 |
CMAT 2020 |
IBSAT 2019 |
|
Line Graphs |
Bar Graph |
Bar Graph |
Bar Graphs |
Bar graphs and Column graphs |
|
Pie Charts |
Data analysis and comparison |
Pie Charts |
Caselets |
Data Interpretation |
|
Puzzles |
Pie charts |
Series |
Pie Chart |
Graphs representing area |
|
Proposition |
Tables |
Tables |
Line Graph |
Matrix arrangements |
|
Seating Arrangement |
Tables |
Pie chart |
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|
Series |
Venn Diagram |
Tables |
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|
Sets |
Venn diagram |
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|
Statements |
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|
Syllogism |
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|
Tables |
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Venn Diagram |
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