Difference between CAT and GMAT Syllabus: Check Topic-wise detail here
CAT and GMAT are two of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India having similar syllabus but different approach. Can one prepare for both CAT and GMAT together? We have listed the difference between CAT and GMAT syllabus in this article. Take a look.
Difference between CAT and GMAT syllabus - Common Admission Test or CAT and Graduate Management Aptitude Test or GMAT are the two top MBA entrance exams. Since they both are for MBA admission, many students may feel that syllabus of both will be same. It is not so. CAT and GMAT syllabus may largely be same but there’s uniqueness to both. Candidates do have to study reasoning, quantitative aptitude and verbal ability for both CAT and GMAT, but the topics and nature of questions are quite different. You can't prepare for both CAT and GMAT simultaneously due to vast difference between pattern and structure. For both CAT and GMAT, single minded focus and dedicated exam preparation is necessary. In this article we have listed the difference between CAT and GMAT to help you in making a decision.
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The biggest difference between CAT syllabus and GMAT syllabus is the composition of topics. In this article, we will discuss the syllabus of CAT and GMAT and their differences and similarities.
CAT vs GMAT: Difference in Syllabus
CAT syllabus includes important topics from Quantitative, Logical and Verbal Reasoning, under the sections - Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
GMAT syllabus also includes Quantitative, Logical and Verbal Reasoning but under sections - Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Data Insights. Let’s take a look at the topics included in CAT and GMAT.
Also Read: Difference between CAT and GMAT
GMAT Focus Edition syllabus includes three sections each of the same time limit. Check out the sections on the new GMAT along with the number of questions and topics tested on the exam:
- Quantitative Reasoning (21 Questions in 45 Minutes) = Algebra + Arithmetic
- Verbal Reasoning (23 Questions in 45 Minutes) = Reading Comprehension + Critical Reasoning
- Data Insights (20 Questions in 45 Minutes) = Data Sufficiency + Multi-source Reasoning + Table Analysis + Graphics Interpretation + Two-part Analysis
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and Sentence Correction (SC) do not form a part of the GMAT Focus Edition.
GMAT syllabus
GMAT Syllabus: Verbal Reasoning section
Check the table below for Verbal Reasoning topics included in the GMAT exam syllabus.
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GMAT Syllabus: Quantitative Reasoning
Check the table below for Quantitative Reasoning topics included in the GMAT exam syllabus.
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CAT 2025 syllabus will be announced along with the exam schedule in July 2025. The CAT 2025 conducting IIM will release the exam notification carrying application dates, exam dates, eligibility criteria, fees, courses and CAT syllabus. The syllabus for CAT 2025 will include all the important topics of Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.
CAT syllabus comprises topics like Quantitative, Logical and Verbal Reasoning, under the sections - Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
Whereas, GMAT Focus Edition syllabus comprises sections on Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. Irrespective of the exam, it is important for the students to understand the pattern and the syllabus of the exam they are appearing for.
GMAT Syllabus: Data Insights
Check the table below for Data Insights topics included in the GMAT exam syllabus.
| Data Insights topics for GMAT |
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CAT syllabus
CAT Syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude
Check the table below for Quantitative Aptitude topics included in the CAT exam syllabus.
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CAT Syllabus: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Check the table below for VARC topics included in the CAT exam syllabus.
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CAT Syllabus: Logical Reasoning
Check the table below for Logical Reasoning topics included in the CAT exam syllabus.
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CAT Syllabus: Data Interpretation
Check the table below for Data Interpretation topics included in the CAT exam syllabus.
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CAT vs GMAT: Difference in Exam Pattern
Let’s take a look at the main difference between GMAT exam pattern and CAT exam pattern:
| Features |
GMAT exam pattern |
CAT exam pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Sections |
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| Number of sections |
Four |
Three |
| Total number of questions |
64 |
66 |
| Exam duration |
2 hours 15 minutes |
2 hours |
| Question type |
MCQs |
MCQs and key-in answers |
| Sectional flexibility |
Can decide order of sections to answer |
Have to follow chronology of the CAT question paper |
| Total number of attempts |
Can take the exam five times a year |
Can take the exam only once a year |
| Marking scheme |
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Conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, CAT is a national level entrance exam accepted by over 1,300 B-Schools in India for admission. GMAT, is a global exam valid for admission to 2,100 management institutes across the world and over 100 Indian B-schools. IIMs accept GMAT for Executive MBA programmes and in case of foreign category students. But many MBA colleges in India accept CAT and GMAT both for admission to their MBA/PGP, EPGP, PhD and other courses. So, an MBA aspirant may get confused while choosing which MBA entrance exam to take.
CAT Mock Test by Shiksha
Checkout free CAT mock test by Shiksha for practice:
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solution |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
FAQs Related to CAT and GMAT Syllabus
Q: Is GMAT easier than CAT?
Q: What is the difference between CAT and GMAT exam?
Q: Is CAT preparation enough to appear for GMAT?
Q: How many attempts are allowed in GMAT?
Q: For how long is GMAT score valid?
Q: Is GMAT exam fee higher than CAT exam fee?
Q: What is the difference in syllabus of CAT and XAT?
Q: How many months is required to prepare for CAT exam?
Q: How many months is required to prepare for GMAT?
Q: Can I score 650 plus in GMAT without coaching?
Q: I am planning to study MBA abroad. How much GMAT score should I target?
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GMAC has introduced the GMAT Focus Edition. The GMAT Focus Edition syllabus and pattern are different from the current GMAT 2023 exam. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and Sentence Correction (SC) are not a part of the GMAT Focus Edition syllabus. A new section, called Data Insights (DI), has been introduced. Data Sufficiency (DS), which used to form a part of the GMAT Quants section, will now be a part of the Data Insights (DI) section. Moreover, the GMAT Focus Edition is shorter than the current version of the GMAT 2023 exam by about an hour.