CMAT vs CAT Similarities
Both of these exams are conducted for admission to MBA in B-schools. Note the below table to get an idea about the similarities between CAT vs CMAT.
Components | CAT VS CMAT Details |
Course for admission | MBA/PGDM |
Exam Mode | Online Computer-based |
Level of Exam | National |
Exam Frequency | Once in Every Year |
Exam Medium | English |
Negative Marking | Yes |
CMAT vs CAT Exam Pattern
It is important to determine the difference between CAT vs CMAT in terms of the number of questions, sections and marking scheme. Note the below table to get an idea of exam patterns and key elements of both of these exams.
Components | CAT Paper Pattern | CMAT Paper Pattern |
Question Type | MCQs and TITA | MCQ |
Duration | 120 minutes (as per CAT 2021) | 180 minutes |
Total Number of questions | 66 (as per CAT 2021) | 100 |
Marking Scheme | +3 For Every Correct Answer -1 For Every Incorrect Answer (None for Non-MCQs) | +4 For Every Correct Answer -1 For Every Incorrect Answer |
Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes (as per CAT 2021) | No |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to High | Easy to Moderate |
Official Website | iimcat.ac.in | cmat.nta.nic.in |
Get a detailed analysis of the CAT Exam Pattern and CMAT Exam Pattern
CAT vs CMAT Sectional Overview
The aspirants, preparing for both CAT and CMAT, must be aware of CAT and CMAT exam sections. Note the below two tables to understand the sectional overview of CMAT vs CAT.
CAT Paper Pattern
Exam Sections | Total Questions | Number of MCQ Questions | Number of TITA Questions | Section-wise Time Limit |
VARC | 24 | 19 | 5 | 40 |
DILR | 20 | 15 | 5 | 40 |
QA | 22 | 14 | 8 | 40 |
Total | 66 | 48 | 18 | 120 (as per CAT 2021) |
CMAT Paper Pattern
| Type of questions | No. of questions | Maximum Marks |
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
CMAT VS CAT Syllabus
Check the CAT and CMAT syllabus to know the difference between CAT and CMAT question papers and preparation strategies. When comparing the CAT syllabus with the CMAT syllabus, there are two additional sections in CMAT - General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
The CAT & CMAT syllabus for the three common sections almost remains identical.
CMAT vs CAT Participating Institutes
Both CAT and CMAT have approximately 1000 participating institutes all over the country. Note the below table to get an idea about the participating institutes for both CAT and CMAT. The major difference between CAT and CMAT for MBA colleges is IIMs. IIMs only accept CAT scores.
CAT | CMAT |
All IIMs accept CAT scores along with colleges link XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, IMI, and SPJIMR. | Accept IIMs, all other institutes that provide MBA/PGDM courses accept CMAT scores. AICTE- Approved Institutions / University |
How to Prepare for CAT and CMAT
The aspirants may find three common sections in CAT and CMAT, with an almost identical syllabus. So, if you want to prepare for both of these exams then you can easily start your preparation. Our experts have listed some strategies to help aspirants who want to prepare for CAT and CMAT simultaneously.
While preparing note the difference between CAT and CMAT paper patterns and the extra sections in CMAT.
- Be very specific about the CAT syllabus and CMAT syllabus
- Make a study plan for each of these exams. Start your preparation with QA and DI, as both of these exams have these two sections
- For the Quantitative Ability section, always be focused on knowing the concepts and solving tricks rather than learning the formulae.
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