Although both CAT and GMAT test the candidate’s English Language and Quantitative Ability and Logical Reasoning skills, the two are poles apart in many aspects.
Common Admission Test or CAT and Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT are two of the top most management entrance tests, scores of which are accepted by all the top B-schools, including the IIMs.
The basic difference between the two is that while CAT is a national level entrance exam; GMAT is a global exam, scores of which, are accepted by all business schools worldwide. Conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council, GMAT scores are acceptable mainly in case of NRI/Foreign students in India. However, some top India institutes like SPJIMR, Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI, Gurgaon accept GMAT scores of domestic candidates too. In India, most of the institutes accept GMAT score for admission to Executive MBA programmes.
Both CAT and GMAT are considered to be tough nuts to crack. Every year over two lakh students in India take CAT exam. About equal number of MBA aspirants take the GMAT as well. Domestic candidates who plan to pursue management studies in the upcoming academic year, can take either both the exams or choose to appear for one of them, depending on the MBA course and institute they shortlist. Although both CAT and GMAT test the candidate’s English Language and Quantitative Ability and Logical Reasoning skills, the two are poles apart in many aspects. This article will tell you what is the difference between GMAT and CAT exam.
What is the difference between GMAT and CAT exam?
Exam Conducting Body
GMAT: GMAT is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council.
CAT: CAT is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management on rotation.
GMAT eligibility criteria: To appear in GMAT, the aspirant must have a bachelor’s degree in any stream or equivalent from a recognized university. Final year graduation candidates are also eligible to apply. There is no minimum marks required to appear in GMAT.
CAT eligibility criteria: To appear in CAT, the aspirant must have a bachelor’s degree in any stream with minimum of 50% marks or equivalent from a recognized university. Final year Graduation candidates are also eligible to apply.
Frequency /Mode of Exam
GMAT: GMAT is held throughout the year, the candidate can book an exam slot for self from the given calendar as per their convenience. The aspirant can also re-take the exam five times within 12 months. A maximum of eight attempts are allowed to any candidate in his/her lifetime.
CAT: CAT is conducted by the IIM only once a year. CAT application process begins in August and the exam is held in the last week of November or first week of December.
Exam Pattern
GMAT: GMAT question paper consists MCQs from Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning and an Analytical Writing. There is sectional time limit for each section but the candidate can choose the order in which they wish to answer each section. Also Read: GMAT exam pattern
CAT: CAT exam is held in online mode for three hours in two slots on a scheduled date. The candidates are required to follow the chronology of the question paper, i.e. neither they can choose to answer the section of their choice, nor can they go back to incomplete question skipped earlier. The CAT question paper consists of MCQs and a few key-in answer type questions. Also Read: CAT exam pattern.
Exam Syllabus
GMAT syllabus: GMAT assesses a candidate on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning and the Analytical Writing Assessment.
CAT syllabus: CAT syllabus includes topics from Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
Also Read:
Exam Duration
GMAT: GMAT is held for 187 minutes.
CAT: CAT is held for 180 minutes.
Difficulty Level
GMAT: GMAT is the toughest MBA entrance exam. Not only due to the tough questions asked but also due to a peculiar marking scheme.
CAT: CAT is known as a tough MBA exam. The difficulty level of the questions remain on the higher side year on year.
Marking Scheme
GMAT: GMAT has a peculiar marking scheme. The candidates are marked between 200 and 800. Section wise, candidates are scored 0-6 for Analytical Writing Assessment, 1-8 for Integrated Reasoning, 0-60 for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Also Read: GMAT scoring process
CAT: tThe CAT used to be a 100-question exam till 2019, but in 2020 the number of questions reduced. The CAT exam now has 66 questions carrying three marks each for right answer. There is negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer. Total marks of CAT is 198. Also Read: CAT score vs percentile
Exam Fee
GMAT: GMAT exam fee is USD 250 for all countries.
CAT: CAT exam fee is INR 2200 for General and NC-OBC candidates and INR 1100 for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Physically Disabled candidates.
Validity of Exam Score
GMAT: GMAT score is accepted by more than 2,100 management institutes across the globe. GMAT score is valid for admission for up to five years.
CAT: CAT score is accepted by all the 20 IIMs and over 1,100 management institutes in India. CAT score is valid for admission for only one year.
Also Read:
Try this CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 1Try second CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 2Difference Between CAT and GMAT
Before concluding, let us take quick glance at how GMAT and CAT are different from each other:
| Features |
GMAT |
CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Full Form |
Graduate Management Admission Test |
Common Admission Test |
| Conducting body |
Graduate Management Admission Council |
Indian Institute of Management |
| Validity |
Global/for five years |
In India only, valid for only one year |
| Eligibility |
No minimum percentage required in bachelor’s degree |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50% marks |
| Frequency |
Anytime of the year |
Once a year (November end or December beginning) |
| Mode of Exam |
Online |
Online |
| Exam Sections |
|
|
| Number of sections |
4 |
3 |
| Number of questions |
80 Questions |
66 questions |
| Exam Duration |
187 minutes |
120 minutes |
| Sectional time limit |
|
40 minutes for each section |
| Difficulty level |
High |
High |
| Marking Scheme |
|
|
| Exam Fee |
USD 250 |
|
Read More:
- Difference between CAT and XAT
- Difference between CAT and IIFT exam
- Difference between CAT and NMAT
- Difference between CAT and MAT
FAQs on difference between CAT and GMAT
Q: Which exam is tougher? CAT or GMAT?
Q: Which is more candidate friendly? CAT or GMAT?
Q: What is the major difference between CAT and GMAT?
- CAT candidates get only one attempt in a year whereas GMAT candidates get five attempts.
- CAT score is valid for one year only whereas, GMAT score is valid for five years.
- CAT is conducted on a single day for all applicants. GMAT candidates can choose exam day and slot as per convenience.
- CAT score is valid for admission to MBA colleges in India only, while GMAT score is valid for admission to MBA colleges in India and abroad.
Q: What is the fees of GMAT exam for Indian students?
Q: Which top MBA colleges in India accept GMAT scores?
Q: How many times can I take GMAT?
Q: Is there an option of retake in CAT exam?
Q: How different is CAT syllabus from GMAT syllabus?
Q: Which exam offers more options of MBA colleges in India. CAT or GMAT?
Q: What is the minimum marks required to appear for GMAT?
Q: Can I take GMAT from home?
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