CAT vs GMAT: Which Exam is Better for MBA?

MBA is your gateway to a better professional future. All those who wants to grow in life, reach a new height in their professional career, and want to be a part of the C-table, they aim for MBAs. Now, the question arises, whether you should take CAT or GMAT. As both of these are entrance exams to get admission into an MBA program, they both serve different purposes, geographies, and opportunities.

While CAT opens door to top management roles in India, GMAT is your key to global opportunities. With the main use of them serving as the admission to top B-schools in India or abroad, it is totally your call on picking the right exam. However, as confusion consumes you to the fullest, today, in this blog, we are going to give you a comparison between CAT vs GMAT and we will see which exam is better.

So, let’s start with the comparison and see how career counselling finally helps you in making the right decision.

CAT vs GMAT- A Basic Understanding!

As stated already, both CAT and GMAT are entrance level exams to get admission into top B-schools in India and abroad, respectively. While both have their advantages, to know which one suits your career path better, you need to have a basic understanding of both these exams. So, let’s see what these exams are and eventually which one will suit your career goals better.

What is CAT?

The Common Admission Test or commonly known as CAT, is India’s most popular entry level test for those who wants to pursue an MBA in India. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Managment (IIMs), this exam is accepted over 1200 business schools in India including prestigious institutions like IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, and more. This test is best for those who are aiming for Indian B-schools and careers primarily within India.

Some of the key highlights of CAT are:

• Computer-based test
• 2 hours duration
• Score valid for 1 year
• Conducted once a year
• Exam registration fee for General category- ₹2,400 and ₹1,200 for reserved category
• Sections: Verbal Ability an Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

What is GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admission Test or commonly known as GMAT is a globally recognised entry level test for MBA admissions. Accepted by over 2,400+ business schools worldwide including some prestigious B-schools like Harvard, and more, this exam is also accepted by selected Indian business schools like ISB Hyderabad and IIM Ahmedabad. This exam is mostly preferred by candidates who are aiming to study abroad and looking for a global career.

Some key highlights of GMAT are:

• Computer-adaptive test
• 3 hours 7 minutes duration
• Score is valid for 5 years
• Conducted multiple times in a year
• Exam registration fee is $275 (₹23,500) for centre exam and $300 (₹25,700) for online exam.
• Sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment.

CAT vs GMAT: A Comparison Table

How to Decie Which Exam to Take?

Now that you have got an overview of what these exams are, it is now time for you to see which of these exams you must take based on your career goals. Here is how you can make the tough call.

1. Define Career Goals

The first factor to consider when you decide between CAT vs GMAT, which exam to take is defining your career goals. As you know that CAT will open doors to top Indian B-schools like IIMs, and on the other hand, GMAT is your gateway to global opportunities. Before making the decision of which exam you must take, you need to define your career goals, whether you want to stick to Indian opportunities or you want to fly abroad and work with the best firms overseas. In making this decision easier, the career counselling experts will help you through a psychometric test. The test will help them analyse your strengths and they will be able to give you a clarity on what would be better for you CAT or GMAT.

2. Shortlist Targeted B-Schools

Your next task in analysing between the two exams CAT vs GMAT is to know where do you see yourself studying, in which business school. Once you have defined your career goals and where you see yourself 20 years from now, it will be easier for you to shortlist what all you are expecting from your course and degree, especially from the college faculty. Some of the things you need to consider while shortlisting is the networking opportunities and placement options after graduation. Top business schools call faculties from top management firms, this gives you the benefit of connecting with professionals directly. In shortlisting the college and exam, the career counselling experts are there to guide you about which exam will take you to which college.

3. Assess your Strength

Before you decide which exam to take whether CAT or GMAT, take a mock test or go through a sample paper. Analyse the questions, understand the format, and get an idea of what the exam is going to look like. The CAT has more of a traditional exam format, with focus on quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning. CAT is best for those whose strength is speed-based problem-solving and data interpretation. On the other hand, the GMAT is best suited for those with analytical writing skills, adaptive test-taking strategies, and strong verbal reasoning as it computer-adaptive exam and adjusts difficulty level based on your performance. When you will take a mock test or consult with counsellors, you will know which of the two exams suit you the best and which exam you can take.

4. Consider ROI and Cost

One of the reasons for pursuing MBA is to have a better paying salary, but before you think about earning, it is time to think about investing. Whether it is about investing in the entrance exam’s registration fee or the college free for two years, investing money in the right direction as per your academic and career goals is necessary. CAT, with a low exam registration fees and affordable tuition fees offer placement opportunities within India only. Whereas, GMAT, with a higher registration fees and expensive tuition fees offer placement opportunities around the world, allowing students to work anywhere and earn great. In picking the right test, it is the career counselling experts who help you have a pros and cons table ready to compare all the options and make a sensible decision.

5. Preparation Time and Resources

The CAT is once a year exam and GMAT happens multiple times but can’t be taken more than 5 times n an annual year. As CAT is more of a traditional exam with more focus on quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning with set questions, it takes more time to prepare for the exam, somewhat around 8-12 months based on one’s strengths. On the other hand, GMAT is an adaptive test, it mould questions’ toughness based on the candidate’s previous responses and hence, it doesn’t require much preparation time. 4-6 months of dedicated practice is more than enough to clear the GMAT exam to study MBA abroad. To prepare for these exams, always use the official resources and study materials or connect with career counselling experts as they are updated with all the recent, relevant information.

Decide your Right Exam with MetaApply Career Counselling

Both CAT and GMAT are great pathways to your management career, offering exceptional opportunities; however, they lead you to two different doors. While CAT keeps you a national professional, with GMAT, you have the opportunity to be an international professional working anywhere in the world. When doing the comparison between CAT and GMAT, do define the term “better” would be unfair as both these exams are popular and respected.

So, if you are wondering which exam is better for you to take CAT vs GMAT, then your answer depends on your goals. And if you are clueless about your goals, then let MetaApply Career Counselling help you. Our counsellor help you have a clarity on your career goals, do skill assessment through MetaApply Psychometric Test, provide financial guidance, help prepare with fool-proof strategies, and at last, reducing your decision fatigue by helping you have a clear understanding of your career choices.

So, what are you still waiting for? Connect with MetaApply IE today and get the clarity you need.