GMAT vs CAT Differences: Which is Better?
GMAT and CAT are the two popular management entrance exams in India. Check the detailed comparative analysis between GMAT and CAT here.
The admission season for postgraduate management courses such as MBA, PGDM, PGPM etc. has been started. We assume that those aspirants who are looking forward to seeking admission in management courses for the academic session beginning 2023 have already started preparing for a number of MBA entrance exams in India such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, IIFT etc.
It is very often that we find students applying for multiple exams to increase their chances of admissions, enhance their knowledge and to choose the best institute from the options available. Mostly, all the national-level management entrance exams follow a similar kind of syllabus, but the pattern and marking scheme could be different.
In order to mitigate the confusion among the MBA aspirants on different MBA exams, pattern, syllabus, marking scheme etc., CollegeDekho has come up with a detailed comparison between the popular MBA entrance exams. In this article, let us have a look at the comparison between CAT and GMAT - both of which have a large number of takers year after year as per statistical data.
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About GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test:
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts GMAT examination. Recently, GMAC had introduced changes in the exam by reducing its duration by 30 minutes. Top B-Schools in India consider GMAT score for the admission to PG management courses. Apart from Indian institutes, majority of the international B-Schools also consider GMAT score for the admission.
About CAT or Common Admission Test:
IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) conduct CAT exam every year for the admission into PG management courses. Apart from IIMs, top B-Schools in India such as SPJIMR, IMT, FMS, IMI etc., also consider the CAT score for the admission. In all, close to 3,000 B-Schools in India consider CAT score for the admission to MBA/ PGDM courses.
GMAT vs CAT Eligibility Criteria
CAT: Candidates must have cleared bachelor degree with at least 50% marks. Candidates who have appeared for final year examination may also apply for CAT.
GMAT: Candidates must have passed a bachelor degree from any recognised institution. There are no minimum marks criteria for the GMAT examination. Final year candidates may also apply for GMAT.
GMAT vs CAT Exam Pattern
CAT: CAT is divided into three sections namely Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Candidates will have complete the examination within 3 hours and they cant switch between the section.
GMAT: GMAT will be divided into four sections namely Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing. There is a sessional limit in this exam also but GMAT allows the candidates to choose which section they want to answer first.
GMAT vs CAT Difficulty Level
CAT: CAT is one of the difficult exams for MBA. Its difficulty level generally remains high
GMAT: GMAT is also a difficult MBA entrance exam but it is comparatively easier than CAT.
Also Read:How to Approach CAT 2023 Question Paper?
GMAT vs CAT: Validity of Exam Score
CAT: CAT scores are valid for one year and it is accepted by all IIMs and more than 2000 MBA colleges in India
GMAT: GMAT scores are valid for admission up to 5 years and its scores are accepted by more than 2400 MBA institutes across the globe.
Comparison between GMAT and CAT:
Exam Name | GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
Conducting Body | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) | IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) |
Exam Mode | Computer-Adaptive Test | Computer-Based Test |
Frequency of Exam | There are no fixed GMAT dates. Students are free to choose any date according to their convenience and availability. Students can take the exam five times a year. | Once a Year |
Duration | 3 hours 7 minutes(including optional 8-minute break) | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
Number of Sections | 04 | 03 |
Sectional Time Limit |
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Types of Question Format | The level of difficulty of questions will keep on changing according to your calibre. | 72-75 questions are MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions), rest Non-MCQs. |
Option to Choose Order of Attempting Sections | Student has the flexibility to choose the section order in which they feel most comfortable taking the exam. | Candidates are not allowed to switch between sections |
Total Marks | 800 | 300 |
Marking for Correct Answer | - | 03 |
Marking for Incorrect Answer | No Negative Marking | -1 |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
Syllabus Difference |
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| Top Colleges Accepting Exam Score | ||
Exam Date 2023 | There are no fixed GMAT dates. Students are free to choose any date according to their convenience and availability. Students can take the exam five times a year. | November 2023 |
Which Entrance Exam Should I Take – GMAT or CAT?
Choosing between the two popular entrance exams like CAT and GMAT could be a challenging task for the students. You can choose both or choose one as per your feasibility, comfort and locality of the institute.
Also Read: MBA in India vs MBA Abroad: Which is More Valuable?
Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting CAT Scores
The table provided below will help you know some well known MBA colleges in India that accept CAT scores.
College | Fee |
INR 16,02,000 | |
INR 5,84,000 | |
INR 2,30,000 | |
INR 4,53,000 | |
INR 8,00,000 | |
INR 1,92,000 |
Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting GMAT Scores
Provided below is the list of some well known MBA colleges in India that accept GMAT scores
College | Fee |
INR 8,00,000 | |
INR 4,40,000 | |
INR 24,61,000 | |
INR 17,25,000 | |
INR 20,58,500 | |
INR 10,30,000 |
Related Articles:
CAT vs CMAT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT & Other MBA Entrance Exams | |
GMAT vs GRE: Which Exam to take for MBA in Abroad Universities? |
If you have any queries related to CAT, GMAT or any other management entrance exam, you can post your queries on the Collegedekho QnA zone.
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