CAT vs GMAT: Which Entrance Exam Opens More Doors for MBA Aspirants?

The world of MBA is full of exciting opportunities and transformative decisions. With management education growing rapidly, choosing the right platform is a strategic decision to shape your career trajectory. This is the point, which might feel like a crossroad with two signboards, CAT or GMAT. For decades, the Common Admission Test (CAT) has been the only option to enter an IIM or a top-ranking business school. Crack the CAT exam and you are all set to enter the most prestigious MBA college in the country. On the other hand, there’s the Graduate Management Admission Test or the GMAT exam, which is accepted both in India and abroad.

Now, here things get tricky. Both GMAT and CAT are prestigious MBA entrance exams and are accepted by top-ranking business schools. But the difference between CAT and GMAT lies in various aspects like format, acceptance and career outcomes. If you are also confused between CAT vs GMAT, we have explained both of them in detail in this blog. We have discussed the CAT and GMAT exam preparation, the comparison between the both, their acceptance and format to make things clearer for you.

What is CAT Exam?

CAT or Common Admission Test, is India’s premier MBA entrance exam. It is conducted by IIMs on a rotational basis. So you can say, it is the golden ticket to enter IIMs or other top B-schools in India. The CAT exam consists of three different sections, including verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning, and quantitative ability. The first two sections will test your language proficiency through passage and grammar questions within a 40-minute time frame. On the other hand, the data interpretation section challenges analytical thinking with puzzles and data sets in the next 40-minute window. Then, in the quant section, you are evaluated on a mathematical competency basis.

The CAT exam follows a percentile-based scoring system, where your scores will be ranked against other candidates rather than the absolute scores. You can say that a 99+ percentile can take you to the IIM doors, while a 95+ percentile can help you secure interviews at premier institutions.

Also Read: Top 20 MBA Colleges that Don’t Require CAT scores

What is GMAT Exam?

GMAT full form is Graduate Management Admission Test. It is a globally recognised management entrance exam conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Unlike CAT, which is limited to India only, GMAT is designed for MBA and management-related programmes globally. It has a dynamic format of four sections i.e. analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, and quantitative and verbal assessments.

GMAT scores are valid for five years, offering flexibility. The exam mainly caters to candidates looking for international management institutes or Indian institutes with global recognition. The GMAT score is accepted in over 140 Indian institutions.

Must Read: GMAT Score Chart and Percentile Calculator

Difference Between CAT and GMAT: Highlights

Know the difference between GMAT and CAT exams based on factors like exam mode, conducting authority, validity and more.

Which Exam is Tougher, GMAT vs CAT?

Generally, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) falls on the easier side compared to the CAT. GMAT has a more well-defined curriculum and types of questions than CAT, so it is easier to prepare for it. With 3 to 6 months of diligent preparation, it is possible to achieve a GMAT score of 700 or above.

On the other hand, CAT is more unpredictable and covers a broader range of topics. This needs a more extensive preparation strategy. However, the verbal part of the GMAT is slightly tougher for Indian candidates who are non-native English speakers. Whereas, CAT’s quantitative aptitude part is more challenging. You can say, that overall, GMAT is a light exam, with CAT being a tough MBA entrance exam.

Acceptance of CAT vs GMAT in India

Where CAT is accepted by IIMs and other premier business schools in India, GMAT is accepted globally. So, which entrance exam opens more doors for you, the CAT or the GMAT? If we talk about the global level, it is definitely GMAT. But, in India, CAT is more widely accepted by premier institutions. It depends on the geographical region you are targeting for MBA admission. More than 1,200 B-schools in India accept CAT scores; on the other hand, the acceptance of GMAT is less in India. However, it is accepted in 100+ countries.

Here’s an idea of some popular colleges which accept either of these exams.

Colleges Accepting GMAT in India:

• ✅
  ISB
• ✅
  Few IIMs
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  XLRI Jamshedpur
• ✅
  SPJIMR Mumbai
• ✅
  Great Lakes Institute of Management
• ✅
  MDI Gurgaon
• ✅
  IMT Ghaziabad
• ✅
  TAPMI Manipal
• ✅
  Woxen University
• ✅
  Amity University
• ✅
  ICFAI Hyderabad

Colleges Accepting CAT in India:

• ✅
  All IIMs
• ✅
  FMS New Delhi
• ✅
  SPJIMR Mumbai
• ✅
  MDI Gurgaon
• ✅
  IIFT Delhi
• ✅
  IIT Delhi
• ✅
  MICA Ahmedabad
• ✅
  Great Lakes Institute of Management
• ✅
  Wellingkar Mumbai

GMAT vs CAT: Eligibility Criteria

Although GMAT and CAT serve the same purpose, their eligibility differs in a few aspects. Here’s the eligibility requirements for both exams:

GMAT Eligibility:

• ✅
  You should have completed graduation from a recognised university. There is a minimum or maximum qualification required for the applicant.
• ✅
  You can sit for the GMAT five times in 12 months with a 16-day gap between each re-attempt.
• ✅
  There is no upper age limit to apply for the GMAT, you must have attained 17 years of age at least.

CAT Eligibility:

• ✅
  You must have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or be in the final year of a graduation degree.
• ✅
  You need a minimum of 50% marks for general and OBC-NC category students. For other reserved category students, the minimum percentage is 45%.

Difference Between GMAT & CAT Exam Pattern: Comparison

One of the primary differentiating factors for MBA entrance is the exam pattern. The way the entrance exam is structured will influence your preparation strategy and may determine whether you are fit for this exam or not. While both the CAT and GMAT exams test your analytical, verbal and reasoning skills, the way they evaluate you is very different. Here’s a quick comparison we drew between the GMAT vs CAT exam patterns:

Final Thoughts

In the end, there is no battle between GMAT vs CAT, it’s about direction and future plans. If you are dreaming of walking in the corridors of IIMs and earning high prestige in the Indian corporate sector, CAT is a perfect choice. On the other hand, if you want an easier entry way to reputed business schools in India or top-ranking institutes abroad, you should go for GMAT.
Both exams will lead to prestigious networks and unlock doors to lucrative career opportunities. However, CAT certainly has more popularity in India while, GMAT is accepted globally more than in India.