How do I Prepare for CAT and GMAT Together?

Can I Prepare for CAT and GMAT Together?

Well, the answer is yes. You can prepare for CAT and GMAT together. Actually, the aspirants need a lot of dedication if they want to do GMAT and CAT Preparation together. CAT is a national-level MBA Entrance Exam, while the GMAT score has international acceptance also. In this article, BYJU’S Exam Prep experts have given some tricks and tips to assist the aspirants to know the answer to the question, Can I Prepare for CAT and GMAT Together?

Challenges for GMAT and CAT Preparation Simultaneously

The aspirants who want to know the answer to the question, ‘Can I Prepare for CAT and GMAT Together’ must understand that they will face difficulty in handling the intensity of knowledge required for particular topics in these tests.

A logical study plan is really required to Prepare for GMAT for CAT Together. However, the biggest challenge you may face is to understand the syllabus of both of these exams. The syllabus of both of these exams is different, as there is an analytical writing part in the GMAT exam. The table below summarises the comparison between the GMAT and CAT Syllabus.

Key Components	CAT	GMAT
Number of Sections	3	4
Sections	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Quantitative Ability	Analytical Writing (Argumentative Essay Analysis) Integrated Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning

Candidates need to understand that the Analytical Writing Assessment section of GMAT requires candidates to write a critique of the given argument after analyzing it. However, CAT does not have an Analytical Writing Assessment section. CAT has MCQs and Non- MCQs/TITA questions from 3 sections, namely -VARC, DILR, and QA.

How to Prepare for GMAT and CAT Together?

The aspirants preparing for both of these exams side by side must be aware of the time they are giving for each section of GMAT and CAT. You must make a daily schedule by dividing your time for GMAT and CAT preparation daily. If you are a college student, you can manage your time with your regular coursework studies and utilise your free time to revise the important formulas to solve quants and reasoning sections.

☛ See Also: CAT Preparation Daily Schedule

Additionally, if you are a working professional, you must manage your time after working hours. But, do not get distracted by the other entertainment, like weekend parties, and remain focused on your preparation.

☛ See Also: CAT Preparation Tips for Working Professionals

Our Experts have listed a few points for those who want to know, ‘Can I prepare for CAT and GMAT Together?’

Conceptual Clarity

The aspirants must focus on conceptual clarity to clear all their doubts while simultaneously preparing for GMAT and CAT. Conceptual understanding is very important to ace both exams without getting confused.

Candidates are aware that CAT and GMAT test the aspirants’ aptitude skills that require spontaneity of mind and the capability to understand every question. If you want to ace, both exams, focus on the syllabus.

Analytical Writing Practice

The aspirants must maintain a fixed schedule daily to practise analytical writing. It is only asked in GMAT, and AWA is a compulsory section in GMAT. Practise 3-4 argumentative writing and analyse so that you can master this section properly.

Utilise CAT Preparation to Ace GMAT

The aspirants can utilise their CAT preparation to ace GMAT. It will be an effective strategy and simultaneously help you with GMAT and CAT Preparation. First, you must look at the different sections of GMAT and CAT to know and check

To utilise CAT preparation skills to ace GMAT, the aspirants must be aware of the similarities and differences in both exams.

Best Books to Prepare for CAT And GMAT Together

Aspirants preparing for both CAT and GMAT exams must have the right choices of books. These books have a rich quality of content and help the aspirants to cover all the important topics for the exam. Our expert team has listed a few Books for CAT and GMAT preparation below to help you to make your preference list.

CAT Books	GMAT Books
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT – Arun Sharma?	GMAT Official Guide 2023
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT – Nishit K. Sinha	Kaplan GMAT Complete
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT – Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay	Power Score verbal trilogy Bible
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal – S. Chand publications	Manhattan Prep Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT – Nishit K. Sinha	–
Quantitative Aptitude for All Competitive Examinations – Abhijit Guha	–

Similarities Between GMAT and CAT

Both GMAT and CAT are the management entrance exam and evaluate the aspirants’ quantitative, verbal, and reasoning ability. Thereby, there are some basic similarities between these two exams. Note the table below to get an overview of the Similarities between the CAT vs GMAT.

Components	CAT and GMAT
Exam	Management Entrance
Mode of Exam	Online Computer-Based

Differences Between GMAT and CAT Preparation

The main difference between these two exams lies in the exam pattern and syllabus. So, before you start preparing for GMAT and CAT together Differences Between CAT and GMAT. however, our experts have listed some basic differences between these two exams so that the aspirants can understand which one to choose for better career opportunities.

Criteria	CAT	GMAT
Exam Fee	2300/- For General Category (1150/- for Reserved Category)	275 US Dollar
Exam Frequency	Once in a Year	Can be given throughout the year with 16 days gap
Score Validity	1 Year	5 Years
Exam Duration	120 Minutes (40 Minutes Sectional)	3 and 1/2 Hours
Syllabus	3 Sections VARC DILR QA	4 Sections Verbal Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Integrated Reasoning Analytical Writing Assessment
Question Types	MCQs and TITA	Computer-adaptive, i.e. the subsequent questions become more difficult based on the candidate’s response in the previous question.
Negative Marking	Yes	No
Number of Attempts	1 in a year	5 times in a year (16 days gap in between)
Exam Level	National	International