Key Differences Between CAT, MAT and GMAT

The CAT, MAT and the GMAT are the most popular Management tests and they are conducted every year for the candidates who want to get admitted to the different management institutes. Though all these examinations are for the management candidates, there is a lot of difference in their date schedules and in the paper patterns. The candidates who have completed their graduation are eligible to appear for this examination. After getting through one of these examinations the candidate can make a choice of the respective management colleges.

If you want to know more about the difference between these three management tests then you can go through the discussion below:

  • CAT conducted by the Indian Institute of Management whereas MAT is conducted by the Indian Management Association, New Delhi. The GMAT is conducted by the International Business Schools or Universities from all over the world.
  • The syllabus of CAT includes Data Interpretation, Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. These days there are a number of reputed Management Colleges who select candidates for management studies based on their CAT scores. The Management Colleges have their own cut off marks and eligibility criteria based on which they select their candidates. The CAT has a 21 day testing Window. The MAT examination is conducted on behalf of the Management colleges in order to choose the different Management candidates. MAT is held 4 times in a year. GMAT consists of a total of 5900 programs and after appearing for GMAT you are eligible to apply for more than 2100 universities from all across the world. This examination is conducted in as many as 112 colleges all over the world. The GMAT examination is conducted five times in a year.
  • CAT and MAT are meant only for candidates who are interested to take admission in the Indian colleges whereas the GMAT is meant for those candidates who are interested to apply for the Management Colleges abroad.
  • CAT, as well as the GMAT examinations, are both computer based whereas MAT is a paper based written examination.

Based on the differences, you can definitely appear for the exam which is most suitable for you. Although, people consider the CAT as a mandatory exam for the MBA aspirants, appearing for MAT along with CAT will definitely be a good option because there are as many as 600 B schools which accept the MAT scores. So if you are able to successfully clear this examination you can apply to as many as 600 B schools. The fee that is required to appear for MAT is also quite reasonable.  You can either make an online payment of the fee or you can even pay the fee in the form of Demand Draft. You also have an option of either appearing for the Computer based examination or if you want you can also appear for the written test. If you choose the online mode then you can choose the time slot based on its availability. When you are filling up the application form then you need to fill in the details of 5 Management Colleges that you want to apply for as then the scores that you obtain in the MAT examination will be directly sent to these institutes.

If you are planning to appear for MAT in the year 2017 then it is important that you start with your preparations immediately. In order to score well, it is important that you choose the study materials properly and also practice solving the previous year’s question papers and appear for mock tests so that you are able to get a feel of the examination and ace it without any difficulty.

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