MBA Entrance Exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 introduced several notable changes compared to previous years. Here are the key changes:

1. Increased Number of Questions:

•  The total number of questions was increased from 66 to 68.

•   This increase was specifically in the DILR section, which now had 22 questions instead of 20.

2. Removal of Para-Jumbles in VARC:

•  The VARC section no longer included para-jumbles questions.

•   This was a significant change as para-jumbles had been a staple of the CAT exam for many years.

3. Changes in VARC Question Format:

•   The VARC section mixed VA questions with RC passages instead of grouping them separately.

•   This change might have affected the exam-taking flow for some candidates.

4. Difficulty Level:

•   The DILR section was generally considered slightly easier than in previous years.

•  The QA section was also slightly easier, with many questions falling in the moderately difficult range.

•  The VARC section remained at a moderate-to-difficult level, similar to previous years.

These changes impacted the overall exam-taking strategy and the approach required to tackle different sections. Candidates who were aware of these changes and prepared accordingly were likely to have a better chance of performing well in the CAT 2024 exam.

CMAT i.e. for Common Management Admission Test is held in English language itself. CMAT is a nationwide entrance examination for aspiring MBA or PGDM candidates seeking admission into institutions across India.

This exam tests an individual's aptitude in the areas of Quantitative Techniques, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. Hence, it enforces competency in English as the medium of communication for all sections since it would make understanding and answering questions much better. Some regional language examinations allow for bilingual options for management programs; CMAT, however, is designed in English only and thereby reduces the level of assessment differences for other applicants across the country. 

Yes, you can definitely take admission into several MBA colleges around Bangalore with a MAT score of 498 because there are several colleges that accept the score for admission purposes. However, some of the top-tier colleges usually take a cut-off higher than that, but many reputed colleges may still consider you for the management quota or other aspects like academic performance, work experience, or personal interview for a score around 498.

Here are some names in Bangalore:

Acharya Institute of Management and Sciences (AIMS)
IFIM Business School
Christ University (may demand higher MAT scores or additional rounds with regard to selection).
Alliance University
Dayananda Sagar University
MS Ramaiah Institute of Management
Presidency University
Check the yearly cutoff of each of these colleges and contact their admissions office to know the detailed eligibility. Most of them opt for group discussions (GD) and personal interviews (PI) as part of their selection procedures.

With a score of 221 in the second NMAT retake, you are eligible for many good business schools that take NMAT scores. Some of the top colleges you can think of applying to are :-

NMIMS Mumbai: Generally, calls for the further rounds are given to students with scores around 210-220 for one of the topmost choices, especially for programs like MBA in Business Management, Marketing, and HR.

The Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME), located in Bangalore: It accepts NMAT scores, and placement is good in marketing, finance, and operations.

So, Shiv Nadar University: It has many MBA programs and considers NMAT; it is also reputed to be good in terms of infrastructure and faculty.

SDA Bocconi Asia Center: This B-school also accepts NMAT scores, and you may be eligible for their PGDM program.