GMAT vs CAT Differences: Which is Better?

Sakunth Kumar

Updated On: July 07, 2023 01:10 am IST | CAT

GMAT and CAT are the two popular management entrance exams in India. Check the detailed comparative analysis between GMAT and CAT here.

GMAT vs CAT

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.

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.

Also Read:CAT 2023 Exam Day Instructions - Check Rules, What to Carry, Other Guidelines

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.

CAT Eligibility CriteriaGMAT Eligibility Criteria

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. 

CAT Exam PatternGMAT Exam Pattern

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

  • Analytical Writing Assessment – 30 Minutes
  • Integrated Reasoning – 30 Minutes
  • Quantitative – 62 Minutes
  • Verbal – 65 Minutes
  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 60 Minutes
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning – 60 Minutes
  • Quantitative Ability – 60 Minutes

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

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Reasoning
  • Sentence Correction
  • Vocabulary
  • Data Sufficiency
  • Essay Writing
  • Graphic Interpretation
  • Multi-source Reasoning
  • Table Analysis
  • Two-part Analysis
  • Grammar
  • Para Correction
  • Sentence Correction
  • Word Usage
  • Analogies
  • Idioms
  • Para Jumble
  • Pie Chart
  • Graph Tables
  • Data Arrangement
  • Arithmetic
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Calculus
  • Trigonometry
  • Mensuration
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

ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad

INR 16,02,000

Amity University, Gwalior, Gwalior 

INR 5,84,000

Sanskriti University, Mathura

INR 2,30,000

University of Engineering & Management, Kolkata

INR 4,53,000

Shailesh J Mehta School of Management, Mumbai

INR 8,00,000

Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi 

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

International Institute of Business Studies, Bangalore

INR 8,00,000

Amity University Chhattisgarh, Raipur

INR 4,40,000

IIM Ahmedabad

INR 24,61,000

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

INR 17,25,000

S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai 

INR 20,58,500

KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 

INR 10,30,000

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.

For admission-related assistance, call on our toll-free number  1800-572-9877 or fill our Common Application form.

Related Articles

MBA Entrance Exams 2023-23 in India - Check Schedule Here

CAT vs CMAT, NMAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT & Other MBA Entrance Exams

All About the CAT Exam - Check Exam Details & Procedure

GMAT vs GRE: Which Exam to take for MBA in Abroad Universities?

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

news_cta

FAQs

Who is the conducting body of CAT and GMAT?

The conducting body of CAT is IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) while the conducting body of GMAT is GMAC(Graduate Management Admission Council)

How many sections are there in GMAT and CAT?

There are three sections in the CAT examination while three sections are there in GMAT examination.

Which exam is more difficult. GMAT or CAT?

Both the exams are difficult but the difficulty level of CAT is higher than the GMAT. GMAT has a well-defined syllabus that makes it compatible with easier than CAT.

What is the total duration of CAT and GMAT?

The total duration of the CAT exam is 120 minutes. On the other hand, the duration of GMAT is 3 hours 7 minutes(including optional 8-minute break)

Is there a sectional limit in CAT and GMAT examination?

Yes, there is a sectional limit in both the CAT and GMAT examination. Once the sectional time is over, candidates will be passed to the next section.

/articles/gmat-vs-cat-exam/
View All Questions

Related Questions

Fees structure at LPU PUNJAB

-Khushi RathiUpdated on March 22, 2024 09:51 PM
  • 24 Answers
mayank Uniyal, Student / Alumni

Dear Khushi, 

The fee structure of Lovely Professional University Punjab varies course-wise. The LPU course duration of the MBA programme is 2 years divided into 4 semesters while the BBA course at the university is of 3 years divided into 6 semesters. The university accepts both LPUNEST and CUET scores for admission. Hence, if you are willing to get admission then you must enrol before the last date.  The per semester programme fee of the LPU BBA course is Rs 80,000. Note that, the university offers scholarships for LPUNEST and CUET students as well. You can avail the scholarship benefit …

READ MORE...

lpu distance education : What is the last date for applying courses through lpu distance education?

-AdminUpdated on March 22, 2024 09:51 PM
  • 35 Answers
Navneet, Student / Alumni

Kindly visit the online distance education website of LPU, for the last date inquiry. As per the recently released recognition list of India’s different universities for offering Distance Education (DE) programmes; Distance Education Bureau of University Grant Commission (UGC) has accorded approval to Lovely Professional University (LPU) consecutively for 12th Academic Session. This prestigious recognition has once again enabled LPU to run 19 Distance Education programmes in Punjab. In fact, LPU is the only private university in Punjab, which has been given recognition to offer DE programmes in the state. Worth immediate noticing, the last date of admission for the …

READ MORE...

Entrance exam : I am in 12th science now. How I apply for next academic year entrance exam??

-Rushit patelUpdated on March 22, 2024 09:51 PM
  • 32 Answers
Sakunth Kumar, Student / Alumni

Dear Student,

You can visit the official website of LPU to submit the online application form for LPUNEST entrance exam or Please fill the Common Application Form on our website. Our counsellors will get back to you and guide you through the admission process for Science courses at LPU. 

READ MORE...

Do you have a question? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Recent Articles

Subscribe to CollegeDekho News

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekho terms of use and privacy policy

Top 10 Management Colleges in India

View All
Top
Planning to take admission in 2024? Connect with our college expert NOW!