Which exam is better: CAT or GMAT?

Introduction

There are many exams that students who want to get into MBA colleges and business schools should take up. The CAT is the most popular exam for entry into B schools in India. On the other hand, if you wish to enrol in business schools at a global level, the GMAT is the right exam for you. The two exams for postgraduate courses are very important. However, this article will try to elucidate which is the better exam for you. Read on to find the differences between CAT and GMAT and which one to choose.

Table of Contents

The differences between CAT and GMAT.. 1

What do they look for?

Conclusion

FAQ

The differences between CAT and GMAT

There are distinct differences between the CAT exam and the GMAT test. The differences are as follows-

● The CAT full form is the Common Admission Test, while the GMAT full form is the Graduate Management Admission Test.

● The CAT examination is held under the authority of IIM or the Indian Institute of Management, a prestigious chain of institutions offering the most illustrious MBA degrees in India.

● The eGMAT exam, on the other hand, is held by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

● The CAT exam eligibility for students is at least 50 percent in their graduation examination. Any applicant with marks higher than that can apply.

● The GMAT eligibility is, however, not constrained to any kind of marks or percentage.

● The CAT Result is valid in India only, and the validity period is only a year.

● The GMAT result is valid on a global level, and you can see its validity for colleges for about 5 years from the year of the exam.

● The CAT exam date comes once a year, and thousands of students around the country sit for it.

● On the other hand, GMAT exam dates can be booked any time of the year and have multiple sessions.

● The CAT entrance exam has about 66 questions on paper for the student to attempt. \

● The GMAT exam paper, on the other hand, has 81 questions for the student to attempt.

● The Indian CAT exam has about 3 sections of questions from different areas.

● The GMAT exam pattern has 4 sections based on varied areas.

● The duration of CAT IIM Exam is 2 hours, whereas the eGMAT is 3 hours long.

● The CAT exam pattern does have a negative 1 marking which is not present in the GMAT question paper.

All these factors and facts are taken into consideration when planning which examination to take for higher studies. However, both exams are easy if you put in the right type of preparation and devote enough time.

In the number of times that you can take the GMAT exam, there is flexibility which makes it easier. However, in terms of attempts, the CAT exam is a far cry because the exam can only be taken once a year. The CAT may seem like an easier exam because it has fewer questions. However, the GMAT is a far more standardized test and is also easy to attempt.

Moreover, the opportunities that the GMAT brings with it after you successfully attempt it are also far greater in nature. With a GMAT score, you can unlock any opportunity that you like for yourself.

What do they look for?

In every examination, there are certain parameters on which the examinee is judged. The CAT exam and GMAT also have different parameters for judging a candidate's abilities. The CAT syllabus judges a candidate's ability to interpret data and do quantitative analysis. The examination focuses on numerical aptitude and logical reasoning.

On the other hand, the GMAT exam pattern and syllabus judge overall analytical skills and verbal reasoning. The GMAT examination is far broader in scope than the Indian CAT exam. Both exams test the examinee's verbal, mental, and logical strengths. The colleges will be looking at these abilities before admitting students to a fresh batch.

The CAT exam score is valid in India and is accepted by IIMs and other prestigious business schools in the country. The GMAT result, on the other hand, is accepted by colleges in India as well as on a global level. Students who wish to broaden their scope and study abroad should sit for the GMAT. The GMAT opens more doors for you.

That said, a candidate should also look at the cost of attempting the exams. The accessibility and affordability of the exams also matter a lot. You need to see if you can afford to sit for the GMAT multiple times a year. The GMAT exam, of course, costs more than it costs to sit for the CAT examination. You might not get more attempts at the CAT exam dates. However, you can prepare for a whole year and then sit for the exam at a very small price in Indian rupees.

Conclusion

The two exams differ greatly from each other. However, the two exams are very important based on the educational goals you want to achieve. Depending on what type of opportunities you wish for and which test you can afford, you should register for either or both. The CAT is perfect for you if you are staying in India for higher studies. However, the GMAT can help you not only in India but also in other countries of the world.

There are many platforms today that offer GMAT online coaching and CAT preparation classes. One such good platform is the Physics Wallah platform. You can register on it today and start benefiting from their classes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the cost of sitting for CAT?

Ans. The registration fee for CAT is somewhere between Rs 2000 to Rs 2300 which is far less than the cost of GMAT.

Q2. How much does it cost to register for GMAT?

Ans. Registering for GMAT takes a lot of money. It takes around Rs 16000 in Indian money to register for the GMAT.

Q3. What is the format of the GMAT test?

Ans. The GMAT test is adaptive in nature.

Q4. What is the format of the CAT test?

Ans. The CAT test is linear in nature and format.