GMAT vs. CAT Differences Posted by: Career Anna August 30, 2013 0 1 inShare Common Admission Test or CAT is a compulsory test that students have to go through in order to gain admission into the prestigious IIM’s. Many other colleges in India accept CAT Scores too. GMAT, on the other hand, is essential in order to gain admission into foreign MBA Colleges. Many aspirants in India are not aware of the differences between GMAT and CAT. I am writing this article so that GMAT vs. CAT Differences are clear to you. Colleges Covered CAT is accepted by all the IIM’s and many other Top B-Schools in India. GMAT is necessary if you wish to do an MBA abroad. Many Indian MBA Colleges accept GMAT Score too. GMAT vs. CAT Differences iamge 2 GMAT vs. CAT Test Frequency Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted once a year, in the months of October – November. This year it will be conducted between Wednesday,16 October 2013 and Monday,11 November 2013. GMAT, unlike CAT, is conducted throughout the year and can be taken any time during the year. However, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration while selecting a date for GMAT. Some of these are college deadlines, 3 week delay in sending official scores to colleges, 31 day buffer between second attempt, etc. Score Validity: GMAT vs. CAT Differences CAT Scores are valid only for 1 year. So, if you are appearing for CAT 2013, you will only be eligible for applying to the 2014-2016 batch in IIM’s and the other colleges that accept CAT Score. GMAT Score is valid for a period of 5 year and you can apply anytime during that period to various colleges that accept GMAT. You can reappear for GMAT after a gap of 31 days after an attempt. Your highest GMAT Score is counted (if you are giving multiple attempts) and this gives GMAT takers the freedom to appear for GMAT again without worrying about getting a lower score this time. Difference in Fees The fees for Common Admission Test is Rs. 1600 while that of GMAT is $250 (at current value of USD, it is approximately Rs. 17000). CAT is a much cheaper option for a student while GMAT is not easily affordable for many. Format of Test CAT is a Computer Based Test and has 2 sections:- 1) Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning and 2) Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation. Once you have attempted a section, you cannot go back to the section. You can however go back to previous questions in the same section. GMAT is a Computer Adaptive Test. The candidate is shown one question at a time and the next question depends on how you answer the question. If you give a correct answer, you will get a slightly difficult question the next time. If you give a wrong answer, you will get a slightly easier question next. Once you have answered a question, you cannot go back to the same question. Duration of Test and Marking The CAT has two sections (a) Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and (b) Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. Both the sections are timed separately and you cannot jump from one section to another. Each section lasts for 70 minutes. There is a fifteen minute tutorial that is played before the actual test begins. The total duration, hence, adds up to 155 minutes or 2 hours and 35 minutes. There is negative marking in CAT. In the GMAT, the ‘Analytical writing assessment’ (AWA) section comprises of a 30-minute ‘analysis of an argument’. The ‘Integrated reasoning’ section lasts another 30 minutes. The ‘Quantitative’ and the ‘Verbal’ section have 75 minutes each. The total time thus adds up to three and half hours. There is no negative marking in GMAT. The score is calculated out of 800 marks (QA and Verbal) and AWA is given a score in the range of 0 to 6. Results CAT Scores are officially declared in the month of January and you do not get any idea of your score after you have finished the exam (Of course, except the gut feeling). GMAT, however, tells you your score once you finish the test. It is displayed to you on the screen on submission of the test. The official scores take three weeks time to reach, however.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:28:05 +0000
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