Difference Between CAT and GMAT Syllabus

The CAT and GMAT, although having similarities in their syllabus, have unique patterns and structures. Understanding the difference between the CAT and GMAT syllabus is essential for ambitious candidates aspiring to attend renowned business schools, whether in the country or abroad. Acquiring this comprehension is the first stride in formulating an effective preparation approach and making a well-informed choice.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Common Admission Test (CAT) hold immense importance in the journey towards securing a spot in top business schools, both in India and abroad. The CAT is a national-level examination that opens doors to over 1,200 B-Schools in India. It attracts numerous aspiring candidates each year. On the other hand, GMAT is a global benchmark, recognized by over 2,100 management institutes worldwide, including more than 100 premier Indian B-Schools. While GMAT is accepted by the Indian Institute of Management for Executive MBA programs and foreign category students, many non-IIM MBA institutes accept both CAT and GMAT for their MBA/PGP, EPGP, and other esteemed courses.

The decision of which test to take often presents a perplexing dilemma for aspiring applicants. Therefore, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the differences in the syllabus to make a dedicated choice between the two exams and prepare accordingly.

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CAT vs GMAT: Exam Highlights

The two exams, GMAT and CAT, serve the purpose of assessing skills in quantitative ability and reasoning. However, they differ in certain aspects like test length, number of questions, and the duration for which the scores remain valid. Refer to the table below for a comparison between the two exams:

Difference Between CAT and GMAT Syllabus: An Overview

The main difference between the CAT and GMAT syllabus lies in the inclusion of the Analytical Writing Assessment section in GMAT, which is not present in the CAT. This article will discuss the syllabus of both CAT and GMAT, highlighting their similarities and differences.

The CAT syllabus covers important topics in Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). On the other hand, the GMAT syllabus also covers Quantitative, Logical, and Verbal Reasoning, but with sections such as Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning. Moreover, GMAT includes an additional section called Analytical Writing Assessment.

Now, let's delve deeper into the specific topics included in both CAT and GMAT syllabus.

GMAT Syllabus: A Section-wise Analysis

The GMAT syllabus for 2023 encompasses over 50 topics from the Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment sections. The GMAT syllabus for 2023 encompasses more than 50 topics from four main sections: Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. These sections are further divided into sub-sections, such as Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension in the Verbal Section, and Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency in the Quant Section.

Below is the table of the GMAT exam sections:

In the Verbal Section, these topics are divided into sub-sections such as Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. Similarly, in the Quantitative Section, the topics are further classified into Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency.

GMAT Quantitative Syllabus 2023

The GMAT Quant section consists of 31 multiple-choice questions that assess data sufficiency and problem-solving skills. Those taking the test have a time limit of 62 minutes to complete this section.

Below is the table of Quantitative Reasoning topics for GMAT:

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Syllabus 2023

The GMAT 2023 Verbal section includes 36 multiple-choice questions that focus on reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. Test-takers are allocated 65 minutes for this section. Below is the table of Verbal Reasoning topics included in the GMAT exam syllabus:

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Syllabus

Similar to the Integrated Reasoning (IR) section, the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section does not contribute to your overall score on the GMAT. In this section, you are required to analyze issues, understand information, and effectively convey your ideas through an essay. It assesses your critical thinking skills and your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly.

Analytical Writing Assessment Topics

Argument Essay: This section requires you to evaluate the reasoning presented and develop your own argument. Your ability to reason well will be assessed, so it is crucial to carefully analyze the given argument for logical soundness and avoid making unfounded assumptions. Additionally, pay close attention to syntax and grammar to effectively support or counter the criticism presented in the question.

Issue Essay: In this section, you will be tasked with writing an essay centred around a given issue. Your essay should express your opinion within approximately 600 words. You have the option to either support the provided statement or present your own perspective. However, it is essential that you articulate your opinion in a well-structured manner, as you will be evaluated based on this criterion.

Your performance in the AWA section is scored on a scale of six points. The essay receives two independent ratings, and an average score is derived from them. The topics covered in this section can vary, ranging from general subjects to current business news.

GMAT Integrated Reasoning (IR) Syllabus 2023

The GMAT IR section includes 12 multiple-choice questions that cover diverse question types such as two-part analysis, multi-source reasoning, graphic interpretation, and table analysis. 

Below is the table of Integrated Reasoning topics included in the GMAT exam syllabus:

Also Read:GMAT vs GRE

CAT Syllabus: A Section-wise Analysis

The CAT syllabus for 2023 consists of primarily three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (Quant) 

The CAT Exam Syllabus is vast, and aspirants need to understand how to maximize their scores in each section. To strengthen their preparation, it is essential to comprehend the section-wise breakdown of CAT, including the weightage of various sections and topics. A thorough understanding of the CAT exam syllabus is essential as it forms the foundation and vital starting point for preparing for the prestigious IIM entrance examination. 

Note: The table provides an overview of the CAT Exam Syllabus for the year 2023, including the number of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs in each section, along with the total number of questions and details about the topics covered in each section.

• The CAT Syllabus for 2023 includes the VARC section, which encompasses various topics related to Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and English Grammar.
• The CAT DILR syllabus comprises topics that involve the analytical interpretation of data presented through Pie Charts, Puzzles, Bar Graphs, and Tables.
• The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the CAT syllabus comprises mathematics topics from classes 9 and 10, which include Algebra, Arithmetic, Trigonometry, and Mensuration.

CAT VARC Syllabus

The VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section is the first section of the CAT exam, and candidates have 40 minutes to complete it. This section holds significant importance, with approximately 70% weightage of the total score. The CAT VARC syllabus for 2023 encompasses the following topics:

Candidates should thoroughly prepare these topics to excel in the VARC section of the CAT exam.

CAT DILR Syllabus 2023

The DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) section is the second section of the CAT exam, and it is relatively less defined compared to other sections in the CAT Exam Syllabus. The CAT DILR syllabus for 2023 includes two subsections:

Data Interpretation: Data will be presented in the form of graphs, charts, or other visualizations, and candidates will be required to solve questions based on the provided information.

Logical Reasoning: In this subsection, candidates may be given information in a non-structured manner and will need to structure it and derive outcomes to solve the given questions. Here's a brief overview of the topics covered in the CAT DILR syllabus:

The number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sub-sections is generally equally distributed. This means that students who are more comfortable in one of the sub-sections can still clear the cut-off if they perform well in that particular part of the CAT 2023 Paper.

However, it's worth noting that the CAT DILR Section has been evolving slightly in recent years. The questions now combine Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning rather than being strictly segregated into separate DI and LR questions as before.

CAT Quant Syllabus

The CAT Quant Syllabus for 2023 covers a comprehensive range of mathematical concepts studied in school. It comprises several important topics, including:

Arithmetic: This topic often accounts for a significant number of questions in CAT exams, making it crucial for all students to prepare thoroughly.

Algebra: With the second-highest weightage in terms of question frequency, a solid understanding of algebraic concepts is essential for success in the CAT exam.

Numbers: Regularly tested in the CAT exam, candidates should possess a clear understanding of basic number concepts to ensure they don't miss out on easy marks.

Geometry: Includes sections on Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, and Mensuration. Acquiring a firm grasp of these topics will equip aspirants with the ability to tackle various questions with confidence in the examination.

Topics for the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus as shown in the table below

CAT vs. GMAT: Is There a Difference in the Exam Pattern?

There are several fundamental differences between the exam patterns of these exams. Please refer to the table below to see a few distinctions between GMAT and CAT exam pattern in 2023: 

In a nutshell, it is clear that while both exams assess skills in quantitative ability and reasoning, they have unique section-wise patterns and structures. We hope the above article was helpful in understanding the differences between the CAT and GMAT syllabus for aspiring candidates to help them make an informed decision for the upcoming exams.