Is MAT tougher than CMAT Exam? Know Major Differences in Pattern & Syllabus
Confused between MAT and CMAT? Is MAT easier than CMAT? How is MAT different from CMAT exam? Are they both easier than CAT? Know the major differences between CMAT and MAT.
CMAT vs MAT
CMAT vs MAT - MBA aspirants who do not opt for the CAT exam, have the choice of MAT and CMAT. But choosing between the two can be confusing, given than both are national level exams when scoring high is easy. Both CMAT and MAT are much easier than the CAT conducted by IIM and it requires less effort in preparing for them than in CAT. Many MBA aspirants appear for both MAT and CMAT but what if one has to choose between the two? Is MAT tougher than CMAT or is CMAT tougher than MAT? Let’s find out.
MAT and CMAT are both speed based exams having the same syllabus. However, CMAT has an extra section and is more difficult than MAT. The benefit of MAT over CMAT is that one can attempt MAT multiple times in the same academic session to improve the exam score. Another benefit of MAT over CMAT is that it is conducted in computer based mode and paper based mode One can choose the exam mode as per their convenience and location. CMAT is conducted in computer based mode only and one has to visit the designated test centre to take the test. CMAT is conducted only once in a year.
However, CMAT is accepted by all AICTE approved colleges, which includes government as well as private institutes. MAT is accepted largely by private institution . In a poll conducted by Shiksha recently, it was seen that most of the MBA aspirants preferred CMAT over MAT. As per the poll, 47% preferred to appear for CMAT after CAT and 27% preferred to appear for MAT after CAT. Shiksha brings to you major differences between two of the most popular MBA exams i.e. MAT and CMAT - on level of exam difficulty, exam pattern, and other features.
- MAT vs CMAT: Highlights
- Difference in Exam Pattern of MAT and CMAT
- Similarities between MAT Syllabus and CMAT Syllabus
- Difference between MAT scores and CMAT scores
MAT vs CMAT: Highlights
Most of the MBA aspirants appear for both MAT and CMAT. However, if you have to choose between the two check the table below for the key aspects of MAT and CMAT.
| Exam Features |
MAT |
CMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Name |
Management Aptitude Test |
Common Management Aptitude Test |
| Exam Conducting Body |
||
| Frequency of Exam |
Multiple times in four phases per year |
Once a year |
| Participating Colleges |
||
| Eligibility |
Passed or appearing in Bachelor degree in any stream Professional degree in commerce and accounting are also eligible |
Passed or appearing in Bachelor degree in any stream Professional degree in commerce and accounting are also eligible |
| Application Fee |
INR 2,200 for one session INR 3,800 for two sessions |
INR 2,500 for General Male candidate INR 1,250 for General Female candidate INR 1,250 for SC, ST, PWD candidate |
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Difference in Exam Pattern of MAT and CMAT
Both MAT and CMAT are a national level entrance exam but there are major differences between both the exams including difficulty level, test duration, exam pattern and marking scheme.
| Features |
MAT Exam Pattern |
CMAT Exam Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode |
Paper-Based Test mode (PBT) Computer-Based Test mode (CBT) |
Computer-Based Test mode (CBT) |
| Exam Duration |
2 hours |
3 hours |
| Shifts and Timings |
PBT mode – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm CBT mode – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm |
Morning shift - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Evening shift - 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm |
| Exam Difficulty level |
Easy to Moderate |
Moderate to Difficult |
| Sections |
Five |
Five |
| Sectional Time limit |
No |
No |
| Subjects |
|
|
| Total Questions |
150 questions |
100 questions |
| Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Marks |
150 marks |
400 marks |
| Negative Marking |
0.25 marks deducted for each wrong attempt |
-1 mark for each wrong attempt |
Similarities between MAT Syllabus and CMAT Syllabus
The MAT syllabus and CMAT syllabus are same but the names and grouping of subjects are different.
- The General Awareness section of CMAT is named as Economic and Business Environment in MAT
- The Data Analysis and Sufficiency section of MAT is clubbed with Quantitative Techniques in CMAT
- CMAT has a unique section - Innovation and Entrepreneurship which carries 20 marks
Given below are the topics included in the syllabus of MAT and CMAT exam.
| MAT Syllabus |
CMAT Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Mathematical Skills Topics
|
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation Topics
|
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning Topics
|
Logical Reasoning Topics
|
| Language Comprehension Topics
|
Language Comprehension Topics
|
| Indian & Global Environment Topics
|
General Awareness Topics
|
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency Topics
|
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
|
Difference between MAT scores and CMAT scores
MAT score card mentions sectional scores, overall scores, percentile as well as composite scores. Whereas, CMAT scorecard mentions sectional scores and percentile, overall scores and percentile, overall rank as well.
| Scorecard details |
MAT |
CMAT |
|---|---|---|
| Sections for final scores |
|
|
| Score Type |
|
|
| Total Marks |
200 |
400 |
| Score calculation |
Scores obtained in each section are evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100 Final scores of all sections are scaled from 200 to 800, where 200 being the lowest, and 800 being the highest score Note: Economic and Business Environment section is not included in percentile calculation |
All India Rank is calculated on basis of sectional scores i.e. out of 400 marks Percentile is calculated on basis of rank, raw marks of candidate and total number of candidates appeared for CMAT Note: General Awareness section is not included in percentile calculation |
Yes, the difficulty level of MAT exam is lower than other MBA entrance exams. The question paper is usually of easy to moderate difficulty level. The exam is now held for 120 minutes. There are now 150 questions in the exam paper. There is no sectional time limit in MAT which allows the candidate to plan a strategy according to their strengths and weaknesses. The score of Indian and Global Environment section is not considered for percentile calculation thus candidates don't have the stress of fifth section. Also, solving 150 questions is not mandatory so candidates can choose to solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. Sectional difficulty level of MAT is also lower than other MBA exams. Candidates can attempt the exam multiple times in the same academic year to improve their score. They also have the option to choose the mode of test - CBT, IBT, PBT - which makes it the most student friendly exam. Also, the MAT cut offs for admission are much lower as compared to other entrance exams.
The CBT or computer based mode MAT exam is conducted online in which, candidates have to punch in their answers on the computer screen with the help of the mouse-pad. In PBT mode exam, candidates have to fill an OMR sheet with a blue/black ball point pen with the suitable option as the answer. These days most of the candidates opt for CBT which is way it is conducted twice in a particular exam phase. PBT is conducted only once in MAT exam phase. There is no difference in the exam pattern or syllabus of the MAT CBT and MAT PBT. Candidates can choose the mode of exam at the time of registration as per their convenience. If a candidate is comfortable in pen and paper mode, then they can opt for MAT PBT and if the candidate is comfortable in taking tests on computer, they can opt for MAT CBT. However, the CBT and PBT exams are held in different cities so candidates must check the list of test cities before choosing their exam mode.
MBA colleges accepting MAT exam offer admission on basis of MAT percentile or composite scores. Whereas, for CMAT the colleges offer admissions on basis of CMAT percentile and All India Ranks.
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CMAT syllabus is somewhat same as CAT syllabus. It has two extra subjects, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and General Awareness. However, these two subjects are not tough and can be covered alongside Quantitative Aptitude, English and Logical Reasoning. Despite having less subjects CAT is tougher than CMAT.
Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning topics of CMAT syllabus are same as CAT syllabus. So, an MBA aspirant can prepare for CAT and CMAT simultaneously with the same study material. However, they will need CMAT specific books and resources to study Innovation and Entrepreneurship and GK section. CAT doesn't have these two sections.
Yes, CMAT is much easier that CAT exam. Despite the fact that CMAT and CAT syllabus are same and that CMAT has two more sections than CAT the former is much easier than the latter. The CAT exam is usually of moderate to high difficulty level, whereas the CMAT exam is of easy to moderate difficulty level.
There are key differences between CMAT and CAT which make the former easier. There is no sectional time limit in CMAT so candidates do not face the pressure of completing a given section within certain time limit. In CAT there are 4-5 Reading Comprehension passages which are 500-600 words, and 12-14 question.
In CMAT there is usually, only one Reading Comprehension passage, having 4 questions. The Quantitative Aptitude questions of CMAT are also easier than CAT and so are Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation questions. It is easier to score high percentile in CMAT as the number of applicants is more than one Lacs less in CAT.