CAT vs GMAT: Key Difference Between CAT and GMAT, Which is Easier & Tougher
The two most widely used standardized admissions tests for business schools are the CAT, short for the Common Admission Test, and the GMAT, short for the Graduate Management Admission Test. Both these assessment tests test the abilities needed to succeed in a graduate management program, but each focuses on different areas and comes in vastly different forms.
Both, the CAT and the GMAT are critical tests for MBA aspirants. However, they serve two different purposes in and out of education.
- The CAT is a multiple-choice test where admission is mainly to the premier business schools of India called IIMs and others affiliated with it.
- In contrast, the GMAT is accepted worldwide as an entrance exam to most of the business schools across the globe.
- The CAT is also a yearly examination in which candidates are tested on their quantitative ability, verbal skills, and logical reasoning.
- The GMAT, on the other hand, is a relatively flexible examination that can be taken multiple times during the year. Students may opt for their schedule for testing. For such students seeking management education abroad, it would be the best choice.
Important Differences Between CAT and GMAT
| Feature |
CAT |
GMAT |
| Who Conduct It |
IIM |
GMAC |
| Where Is It Accepted |
India |
worldwide |
| How Many Times Can You Take It |
Once in year |
Five times a year |
| How Long Do Scores Last |
1 year |
5 years |
| Total Time for Exam |
2 hours |
3 hours 7 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty |
Tougher quantitative section |
More demanding verbal section for some |
Frequency and mode of exam
- While the IIMs conduct CAT once a year in a fixed window (usually the last week of November or the first week of December).
- GMAT is available throughout the year with flexible scheduling options. A candidate can take up to five attempts at the GMAT in a year and no more than eight in his lifetime.
CAT vs GMAT Exam Pattern
- The CAT has three modules that take 120 minutes in total and carry 66 questions. These are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
- On the other hand, the GMAT has four modules-Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning-and this takes nearly 187 minutes, including an optional break that is used for resting, and carries a total of 64 questions.
CAT vs GMAT: Scheme of Marking
- Both CAT and GMAT have negative marking schemes, where for every wrong answer, marks are subtracted.
- CAT provides percentiles against candidates whereas GMAT has an adaptive scoring scheme in which the level of difficulty varies with performance and a score range between 200 and 800.
CAT vs GMAT Exam Syllabus
The Common Admission Test (CAT) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are two of the most important exams for business study aspirants but are different in terms of their format and syllabus. Here is a comparison of their syllabi in key points.
CAT Syllabus
The CAT has three sections:
- VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension): This section covers the following topics: reading comprehension; para-jumbles; critical reasoning; and verbal ability that includes synonyms and antonyms.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This includes data interpretation with the help of tables and graphs, logical reasoning puzzles, seating arrangements, and blood relations.
- Quantitative Ability: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, modern mathematics, containing topics like probability and permutations.
Key topics
- VARC: Reading comprehension passages Para jumbles Critical reasoning
- DILR: Data interpretation (graphs, tables) Logical reasoning (puzzles, arrangements)
- QA:
- Arithmetic: Percentages, profit and loss, time-speed-distance
- Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations
- Geometry: Properties of shapes, mensuration
GMAT Syllabus
- Analytical Writing Assessment: Tests essay-writing ability of argument analysis.
- Integrated Reasoning: Tests the ability of a student to evaluate information given in multiple formats from different sources.
- Quant Section: Tests mathematical abilities and understanding of elementary concepts.
- Verbal Section: Tests reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.
Key Topics:
- Analytical Writing: Argument analysis
- Integrated Reasoning: Multi-source reasoning, table analysis
- Quantitative:
- Problem-solving
- Data sufficiency
- Reading comprehension
- Critical reasoning
- Sentence correction
Test Duration
- The total time for CAT is 120 minutes with no break.
- GMAT takes nearly 187 minutes and allows an optional break after completing the Integrated Reasoning section.
Difficulty Level
- While both tests are tough and dissimilar, focus areas tend to vary quite considerably.
- CAT is generally called the tougher quantitative section because of a background in advanced mathematics and logical reasoning skills.
- The GMAT test is adaptive, so a candidate has the chance to do better the further one goes by progressing based on preliminary answers to questions that he is likely able to answer correctly, though its verbal sections can be trying for those whose primary language is not English.
Conclusion
Choosing between the CAT and GMAT is strictly according to the aspirations of a student. CAT is for the top MBA programs in Indian institutes. But if a student wants to target international opportunities or go abroad, then GMAT is more convenient because it has wider acceptance by business schools all over the world. Both tests require a good amount of preparation along with a good understanding of the format and expectations behind them.
