Difference Between CAT and MAT Exam
CAT VS MAT EXAMS:
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based entrance exam held every year for post-graduate management education in India. In 2023 around 3.3 lakh candidates were recorded. It is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, it consists of both MCQs and Non-MCQs. It is one of the toughest exams for MBA aspirants.
This highly competitive exam assesses the candidates based on the following:-
- Quantitative Ability
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.
The CAT is generally conducted once a year. The exam is usually held in November, and the schedule is announced several months in advance for the students to prepare. The exam duration is 2 hours(120 minutes).
The CAT will be held at centres in 155+ test cities across the country this year. The list of cities is listed on the official website and the exam center will be mentioned on the admit card for CAT 2024. While filling out the application form, candidates can select their desired exam centres. Each candidate can choose up to six preferred locations in order of preference for their exam centre. The exam presents a range of difficulties, varying from moderate to challenging.
CAT Official Website - https://iimcat.ac.in/
The MAT (Management Aptitude Test) can be taken as paper-based or as computer-based depending on its accessibility. It has been conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) since 1988 and is accepted by more than 800+ business schools in India. The level of the exam can be categorized as easy to moderate. It is not as difficult compared to other exams such as CAT. PBT format is held by approx 39 cities and CBT by 27
MAT assess the candidates by the following five sections:-
- Mathematical skills
- Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
- Language Comprehension
- Data Analysis and Sufficiency
- Indian & Global Environment (Some of the participating schools do not take account of the marks scored in the Indian and Global Environment section. )
Whereas CAT is conducted once a year, MAT is conducted multiple times a year. Commonly, it is held in February, May, September, and December. The exact dates can also vary slightly each year. The time duration is 2 hours(120 minutes).MAT scores are widely accepted by hundreds of Business Schools and University Departments.
MAT OFFICIAL WEBSITE - mat. aima.in/
CAT vs MAT Eligibility Criteria
| CAT |
MAT |
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates) from a recognized university or institution.
- Students in their last year of graduation can also apply, provided they can deliver proof of completing their degree requirements by the time of admission.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for CAT.
- Number of Attempts: There is no limitation on the number of attempts for the CAT.
|
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There is no specific percentage requirement, though some participating institutes might have their criteria.
- Students who are in the final year of their undergraduate program can also apply, but they need to provide proof of completing their degree by the time of admission.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for MAT.
- Number of Attempts: There is no limit on the number of attempts for MAT
|
Exam Pattern
-
CAT
The CAT exam has seen important modifications in the pattern.
| In 2019,100 questions were asked with a time limit of 180 minutes. |
| In 2020,76 questions were asked with a time limit of 120 minutes |
| In 2023,66 questions were asked with a time limit of 120 minutes |
- Each section consists of a different number of questions and question types.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) consists of the most number of questions i.e. 24 with both MCQs and Non-MCQs.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) consists of 22 questions with only MCQs.
- The last section of Quantitative Aptitude (QA) consists of 20 questions with both MCQs and Non-MCQs.
- The medium of the exam will be ENGLISH.
Weightage Of The Sections:-
MARKING SCHEMES
| For each correct answer to the objective questions |
+3 marks.
|
|
incorrect answer to the objective questions
|
-1 mark |
| Non-MCQ questions |
NO NEGATIVE MARKING |
EXAM FEE
| General, EWS, and NC-OBC |
INR 2400/-
|
| SC, ST, and PwD |
INR 1200/- |
The CAT Exam is also divided into different exam sessions which vary from morning, afternoon, and evening shifts at the following times:-
- Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Noon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT SYLLABUS
| SUBJECTS |
TOPICS |
Quantitative Aptitude |
Arithmetic
Geometry: Coordinate Geometry, Mensuration
Algebra: Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression and Functions
Modern Maths: Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination
Number System: Factors and Multiples, HCF, LCM, Remainders
|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension |
Para summary,
Para jumbles,
Inferences, and Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
|
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
Tables (Games and Tournaments),
Pie Charts,
Graphs,
Set Theory,
Venn Diagram
Seating Arrangement,
Blood Relation,
Syllogism and Caselets,
Selection/Election |
Registration starts on August 1, 2024 (10 AM onwards) and ends on September 13, 2024 (Till 5 PM).
The exam date is November 24, 2024.
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MAT EXAM
Just like CAT, MAT has also gone through some significant changes in the exam pattern
AIMA has reduced the total number of questions from 200 to 150, with a time limit of 120 minutes.
Modes of Test: The exam is offered in three formats:
- Paper-based test (PBT)
- Computer-based test (CBT)
- Internet-based test (IBT)
The exam pattern is the same for all formats.
Each section consists of 30 questions.
- Mathematical skills
- Intelligence & Critical Reasoning
- Language Comprehension
- Data Analysis & Sufficiency
- Indian & Global Environment
MARKING SCHEME
| FOR EVERY CORRECT ANSWER |
+1 |
| FOR EVERY NEGATIVE ANSWER |
-0.25 |
| UNATTEMPTED |
0 |
EXAM FEE
| TEST MODE |
FEES |
| IBT, PBT, CBT |
INR 2100/- |
Candidates can also apply for two exams in any format with the fees of INR 3300/-
| Medium of Exam |
English
|
|
Nature of Questions
|
MCQs
|
|
Number of Questions
|
150
|
| Number of Answer Choices |
4
|
SCHEDULE FOR CBT TEST
| LAST DATE FOR CBT ONLINE REGISTRATION-11 August 2024 (Sunday) |
| AVAILABILITY OF CBT ADMIT CARD-14 August 2024 (2.00 PM Onwards |
| CBT TEST DATE-18 August 2024 (Sunday) |
SCHEDULE FOR PBT (PAPER-BASED TEST)
| LAST DATE FOR PBT ONLINE REGISTRATION |
18 August 2024 (Sunday)
|
| AVAILABILITY OF PBT ADMIT CARD |
21 August 2024 (2.00 PM Onwards)
|
| PBT TEST DATE |
25 August 2024 (Sunday) |
MAT SYLLABUS
| SECTIONS |
TOPICS
|
| Language Comprehension |
Idioms and phrases, Para jumbles, Word replacement, Comprehension Passage etc
|
| Data Analysis and Sufficiency |
Bar diagrams, Charts including Simple, Stacked, and Composite Bar charts, Pie charts, Data tables, Caselet data etc
|
| Indian and Global Environment |
Business awareness, a brief knowledge about gk, current news etc |
| Mathematical Skill |
Profit and loss, ratio and proportion, average, probability, graphs etc |
| Intelligence and Critical Reasoning |
coding-decoding, series, blood relation, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning and analysis etc |
Also Read : SNAP 2024 Exam: A Comprehensive Guide
CONCLUSION
Both exams are conducted on a national level with the same purpose, medium, and negative marking but still have a completely different approach. MAT Exam allows you to improve your score through multiple attempts, whereas CAT is conducted only once a year. The score validity of MAT is for one year, the best score is taken from multiple attempts.
The eligibility process is also different, CAT requires candidates to at least score 50% in any degree but MAT doesn't hold any such criteria of percentage. The total number of questions also varies with the difference in marking schemes. The MAT exam is also considered easier than the CAT. Both exams can get you into Top management schools in the country but for IIMs, SIU, and XLRI, only CAT scores are taken into account. Choosing what exam is best for you depends on your goals and skills.
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