Many people dream of getting an MBA from a reputable college, but they are torn between which entrance exam to take GMAT or CAT?. Both of these exams are graded according to the candidate’s aptitude level.

Both the GMAT and the CAT are standardised assessments used for MBA admission. Both, however, have different levels of acceptance. GMAT is a worldwide exam approved by over 7000 MBA programs, but Indian business schools solely accept CAT.

If you want to make a name for yourself in the business world and get into a reputable MBA program, you need to understand the GMAT and the CAT. This article will show you how to cleanse your mind from the situation and point you on the proper route regarding GMAT vs CAT.

GMAT vs CAT: Highlights

The CAT and GMAT are two of the most prominent management entrance exams, and they can lead to significant B-Schools and IIMs around the world (Indian Institute of Management). While the CAT is an entry path to the country’s top-ranked business schools, the GMAT is well recognized worldwide, and its scores are accepted by some of the world’s best management and research institutions. Here are the fundamental differences between the GMAT and the CAT.

Basis of Difference	CAT	GMAT
Full Form	Common Admission Test	Graduate Management Admission test
Conducting Authority	Indian Institutes of Management	Graduate Management Admission Council
Accepted by	Indian Business Schools only	Global and Indian Business Schools
No. of times conducted in a year	Once	Round the Year
Validity of the score	One Year	Five Years
No of Attempts Allowed	No restrictions	Eight in a lifetime
Mode of Exam	Online and Offline	Online & Offline
Duration of the Exam	2 hours (40 Minute for each section)	3 hours 7 minutes (two optional 8-minute break can be availed)
No. of Sections	Three	Four
Exam Sections	Quantitative Aptitude Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	Verbal Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Integrated Reasoning  Analytical Writing Assessment
Total No. of Questions	76	80
Type of Questions	MCQ as well as non-MCQ	MCQ as well as non-MCQ (different for each Section)
Total Marks	228	800
Fee Structure	General category: Rs 2,000 SC, ST and PwD category: Rs 1,000	250 USD

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Check out : GMAT Results And Scores

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GMAT vs CAT difficulty

Because the CAT’s curriculum pattern is not established, the overall difficulty level of the CAT is higher than the GMAT. As a result, the CAT requires more preparation time, but the GMAT can be prepared in just a few days and result in a 700+ score. The CAT quantitative section is more complex than the GMAT quantitative section. Non-native English speakers, on the other hand, face a more significant struggle on the Verbal section of the GMAT due to the sophisticated vocabulary used.

The difficulty level of the CAT is objective. In contrast, the GMAT is an adaptive test in which your performance on the previous question determines the difficulty level of the following question.

GMAT vs CAT syllabus

Mentioned below are GMAT VS CAT syllabus :

GMAT Syllabus

Section	Description
Analytical Writing	The AWA portion consists of a brief argument that the candidate must examine and break down. It assesses the candidate’s ability to reason logically as well as their written communication skills.
Integrated Reasoning	This portion contains a variety of graphs, charts, and word problems that assess the candidate’s ability to interpret and comprehend data presented in a variety of formats.
Quantitative Reasoning	There are two types of questions in this section: data sufficiency and problem-solving. It assesses the candidate’s mathematical abilities.
Verbal Reasoning	There are questions on Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, and Critical Reasoning. It assesses the candidate’s command of the English language.

The CAT Exam is divided into three parts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) (QA). The candidates are tested on distinct criteria in each area of the CAT Syllabus.

Section	Description
Verbal Ability	Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability are the two key components of this division, as the name implies. The Reading Comprehension section has 4-5 paragraphs with multiple questions that the candidate must answer after reading them.
Data Interpretation	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning are the two equal elements of this section. Data is presented in tabular or graphical form in the Data Interpretation section. The question posed must be addressed using this information. Data is also provided in the Logical Reasoning part, usually in the form of word problems..
Quantitative Aptitude	The Quantitative Aptitude section is essentially a Mathematics section based on concepts covered in 10th grade. It assesses the candidate’s basic mathematical abilities.

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Check out : GMAT Test Centres

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GMAT vs GRE vs CAT

Candidates interested in applying to various graduate programs take the CAT, GMAT, or GRE to determine their ability (Masters and Doctoral). The CAT is taken by candidates interested in pursuing management education (or equivalent) in India. In contrast, the GMAT is accepted by candidates interested in pursuing management education abroad or at renowned Indian business schools.

Universities and colleges use the GRE to admit students to their Master’s in Science programs. The abilities examined on the three tests are those that the candidate has acquired throughout time, particularly those caught during high school. As a result, while the skills discussed on the three tests are nearly identical, the grasp of topics and how they are tested differs from one test to the next.

GMAT vs CAT: Exam Pattern

GMAT Exam Pattern: The GMAT Exam is divided into four sections, each time limit. Analytical Writing Assessment: This component consists of one 30-minute argument essay question that a candidate must complete.
This is a non-adaptive portion with 0 to 6 in half-point increments. Integrated Reasoning: The candidate must answer 12 questions in 30 minutes. This is a non-adaptive section, with scores ranging from 1 to 8 in single-digit intervals. This component is likewise graded individually, and the results are not factored into the overall GMAT score of 800.

CAT Exam Pattern: The CAT Exam is administered in an online CBT (Computer Based Test) format and is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Each section has a different number of questions and a different amount of time.

GMAT vs CAT: Validity of Exam score

Every year, over 2 lakh hopefuls sit for the exam to get into one of the country’s top six IIMs, which have around 5000 places. The CAT Exam Score is recognised by the majority of India’s top schools, while the GMAT Score is accepted by over 2300 colleges and 7000 MBA programmes globally. Furthermore, the CAT score is only valid for one year, whereas the GMAT score is valid for five years. As a result, the GMAT Exam far outstrips the CAT Exam’s validity and reach. The fact of the CAT exam expires one year after it is first given.

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Also read : GMAT Registration

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GMAT vs CAT: Eligibility Criteria

In this regard, the CAT and GMAT are unique. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility and the number of times you can take both examinations throughout your lifetime:

GMAT Eligibility Criteria 

• You can take the GMAT individually if you are 18 years old or older. 
• If you are a minor between 13 and 17, you may still take the examination with parental consent.
• You can take the admission exam up to five times a year, and if you are unsuccessful on your first attempt, you can retake the examination after 16 days.
• You can take the admission exam up to five times every year, and if you don’t pass the first time, you can retake it after 16 days.

CAT Eligibility Criteria 

• It can only be taken once a year and on a date set by the governing body, IIM.
• There is no upper age limit for candidates or the number of attempts they can make.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution or its equivalent is the minimum qualification for CAT.
• The test is also open to students in their final year.
• To sit for the CAT exam, candidates must have at least 50% (general category) and 45 per cent (SC/ST).
• Most students do not get good universities at high percentiles because IIMs follow a government-mandated reservation system.
• After the CAT exam, your CAT registration is no longer valid.

GMAT vs CAT: Fee Structure

The CAT Exam is significantly less expensive for Indian candidates than the GMAT Exam. The GMAT Exam registration fee is roughly Rs. 18,000, whilst the CAT Exam registration fee is around Rs. 1900. In this regard, some students find the CAT Exam significantly more appealing than the GMAT Exam. Only the most self-assured candidates would consider taking the GMAT Exam.

CAT	GMAT
The CAT registration fee is Rs 1900 (USD 24.57).	The GMAT registration price is $250 USD (Rs 18316.90).
The CAT exam is not postponed.	Exams for the GMAT can be postponed.
The CAT exam cannot be postponed.	The GMAT exam may be postponed.

Is GMAT tougher than CAT?

Overall, the CAT is more demanding than the GMAT. The GMAT has a well-defined syllabus, making it easier to prepare, whereas the CAT syllabus is not as well-defined. Therefore the time required may be more significant. Furthermore, the GMAT quantitative aptitude part is slightly more straightforward than the CAT. The Verbal Section of the GMAT, on the other hand, can be difficult for Indian test-takers who are not native English speakers. The vocabulary utilized in GMAT verbal section questions is relatively advanced. As a result, the GMAT will not be a stroll in the park for students who struggle with English.

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