Is XAT easier than GMAT when applying to XLRI PGDM-GM?

Question

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

XAT isn&rsquo;t necessarily easier, it&rsquo;s just different. The tricky part is the Decision Making section, which doesn&rsquo;t appear in GMAT or most other entrance tests. The GK section isn&rsquo;t scored in the final percentile but can still affect how you&rsquo;re evaluated during interviews.
GMAT, on the other hand, has no GK or Decision Making, just Quant, Verbal, and the new Data Insights section. It&rsquo;s adaptive and computer-based, meaning the difficulty adjusts as you go. If you're not used to that format, it can throw you off. But GMAT prep resources are far more structured and widely available, so studying tends to be more straightforward.
So if you&rsquo;re someone who&rsquo;s better at structured logic, charts, and grammar, GMAT will feel more manageable. But if you're comfortable with unpredictable question types and ethical reasoning, XAT can work well.

Supriya J · Answer

Some think XAT is easier because it&rsquo;s more familiar to those who&rsquo;ve prepped for CAT or similar Indian exams, but in practice, it depends on what you're better at.

XAT has more reading-heavy sections, and Decision Making isn&rsquo;t easy to master, it doesn&rsquo;t follow fixed formulas.
GMAT is tighter on time and penalizes mistakes more due to its adaptive format.
The Data Insights section in GMAT tests how well you interpret tables, graphs, and logic, all in one. It&rsquo;s unique and catches many off guard if they skip practicing it.
XAT doesn&rsquo;t have a written essay in the exam anymore, but you might face writing tasks later during interviews.

If you prefer test structure, official mock support, and global recognition, GMAT has the edge. But if you're used to verbal reasoning in varied formats, XAT is doable.  In short, go with the test that fits your strengths, not just the one that looks easier on paper.

J.P Singh · Answer

Yes, XAT can feel easier than GMAT for some candidates, especially those used to Indian competitive exams.
&bull; The syllabus is familiar to many CAT aspirants, which reduces the learning curve.&bull; Decision-making questions reward common sense and workplace thinking rather than advanced math.&bull; XAT is a paper-based, single-attempt exam, which some find less stressful than adaptive testing.&bull; GMAT demands sustained accuracy over a longer duration, which can be tough for candidates out of practice.
For PGDM-GM, neither exam guarantees an edge &mdash; comfort with the test style matters more than perceived difficulty.