The MBA exam season is finally here, and with it comes a mix of anxiety, excitement, and endless strategy discussions. If you’re a serious aspirant, you’ve already marked 30th November 2025 on your calendar—that’s when CAT 2025 will test lakhs of students across India. But here’s the catch: the MBA journey doesn’t end with CAT. Just a few weeks later, in December, comes SNAP 2025, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University’s entrance test.
Two exams. Two very different approaches. One career-defining season.
This is where many aspirants get stuck—should you focus only on CAT, or prepare for both? The truth is, CAT and SNAP are not rivals, but complements. They test different aspects of your ability and, when approached strategically, can maximize your chances of landing in a top B-school.
CAT vs SNAP – Same Syllabus, Different Battlefields
At first glance, CAT and SNAP look similar. Both test Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Skills. But if you’ve been solving mocks, you’ll know the exam philosophies are poles apart.
| Exam | Style | Key Challenge | Ideal Strategy |
| CAT | Deep aptitude test | Tough DILR + unpredictable RC | Patience, selective attempts, accuracy |
| SNAP | Speed-driven test | 60 questions in 60 minutes | Quick decision-making, smart elimination |
Think of CAT as a marathon—it rewards endurance, calmness, and the ability to walk away from time traps. SNAP, on the other hand, is a 100m sprint—every second counts, and confidence is king.
Smart Prep Crossover – Let CAT Work for SNAP
Here’s the best part: 80% of your CAT prep automatically covers SNAP.
- Quant & LR: CAT-level practice makes SNAP questions feel manageable.
- VARC: Regular CAT RC practice sharpens comprehension for SNAP’s shorter passages.
- SNAP-specific add-ons: Work on General Knowledge and lightning-fast calculations (Vedic math, approximations).
In short, if you’re serious about CAT, you’re already 70% ready for SNAP—you just need a speed upgrade.
Mindset Switch: From Marathon to Sprint
One of the biggest mistakes aspirants make is carrying their CAT “marathon mindset” into SNAP. That doesn’t work.
- CAT Mindset: Attempt fewer questions, focus on accuracy, stay calm through difficult sets.
- SNAP Mindset: Attempt more questions, maximize attempts, trust instincts, and avoid overthinking.
The 10-day window between CAT and SNAP should be your gear-shift phase. Practice 4–5 SNAP mocks to rewire your brain for speed and agility.
College Routes After CAT & SNAP
This is where your strategy gets real. Percentiles are not just numbers; they are routes to specific doors.
- CAT 99%+ → IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta; FMS Delhi; JBIMS Mumbai.
- CAT 95–99% → ISB, IIT Bombay (SJMSOM), IIT Delhi (DMS), IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi; TISS Mumbai; MDI Gurgaon; IIFT Delhi; IISC Bangalores
- CAT 85–94% → SPJIMR Mumbai, TAPMI, BIMTECH, Great Lakes, and top Delhi-NCR PGDM institutes.
- SNAP 97–99% → SIBM Pune, SCMHRD Pune.
- SNAP 85–95% → SIIB Pune, SIBM Bangalore, SIOM Nashik, SITM Pune.
- SNAP 70–85% → Specialized Symbiosis schools (HR, operations, digital, healthcare).
So, while CAT may give you access to IIMs and FMS, SNAP ensures you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Both lead to premium institutes, but with different strengths.
Why College Route Matters More Than Just Percentiles
Here’s the reality: two students with 90 percentile in CAT may end up on very different trajectories.
- One uses platforms like MyCollegeRoute, compares ROI, placements, and specialization, and lands in a Delhi NCR B-school with strong consulting placements.
- Another randomly applies, gets stuck in a mid-tier college with poor ROI, and regrets it.
That’s the difference. Percentiles open doors, but college route decides the journey.
MyCollegeRoute helps aspirants with:
- Comparing top MBA colleges in Delhi NCR, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad.
- Checking fees, placements, and specializations (Finance, HR, Analytics, International Business).
- Shortlisting colleges that align with your percentile, not someone else’s dream.
The Dual-Exam Advantage
Sitting for both CAT and SNAP is like buying two tickets for the same career flight. Even if CAT doesn’t go your way, SNAP gives you another shot at a top B-school. And here’s the secret: companies rarely ask “CAT or SNAP?” during placements—they look at your skills, specialization, and performance in B-school.
So, by giving both, you’re diversifying your risk and maximizing your opportunities.
100-Day Challenge – Your Roadmap
- August: Strengthen basics for CAT; simultaneously start GK prep for SNAP.
- September: Dive into CAT mocks; add one SNAP mock every two weeks.
- October: Ramp up mocks (CAT + SNAP). Train for endurance and
- November: Fine-tune CAT, stay calm for D-day. Switch gears post-30th for SNAP.
- December: Peak performance for SNAP—quick, sharp, and confident.
Closing Note – Beyond Percentiles, Towards Possibilities
The MBA exam season is not about CAT versus SNAP—it’s about CAT and SNAP. Both demand different versions of you, and both open powerful routes to leadership careers.
So, as you count down to CAT on 30th November and gear up for SNAP in December, remember:
- CAT makes you a strategic thinker.
- SNAP makes you an agile decision-maker.
- Together, they make you a future leader.
Don’t just chase a percentile. Chase your best-fit route.