What is the difference between MAT and CAT exam?

As per expert analysis, the most important difference between MAT and CAT exam is in the exam frequency, syllabus, exam duration, marking scheme, and eligibility. So, if you want to prepare for these exams simultaneously, then you must note the below points: CAT is conducted by IIMs once every year. MAT is conducted by AIMA several times throughout the year, including February, May, September, and December There is the only mode of exam in CAT, i.e., CBT. In the case of MAT, there are 3 different modes, such as CBT, PBT, and IBT. There is no sectional time limit in MAT, while it is the trend in CAT.

What is the difference between CAT and MAT Syllabus?

There is huge difference between MAT and CAT exam syllabus. CAT syllabus consists of 3 chapters: VARC, DILR, and QA. In comparison, the MAT syllabus covers 5 chapters, including Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment.

Which one is tougher in comparison between MAT vs CAT?

Considering the facts like marking scheme, the difficulty level of the questions, test structure, CAT is tougher than MAT. So, if you want to prepare for both exams, you need to follow an exam-specific study between MAT vs CAT.

Which is better CAT or MAT?

If you dream of joining IIMs, it is necessary to appear for the CAT exam as IIM accepts only the CAT score. If you just want to pursue MBA from any of the best institutes in Indiaacppet IIMs, XLRI, and Symbiosis, then it is better to give MAT. So, choose MAT vs CAT wisely and obviously follow your dream.

Can I prepare for both MAT and CAT together?

If you want, then you definitely cat prepare for both of these exams together. But it will be quite challenging as there is a huge difference between MAT and CAT exam. However, you can give it a try in the following way- Analyse MAT vs CAT exam pattern Attempt Online CAT test series and MAT test series Solve previous year’s question paper continuously.

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MAT vs CAT – Difference Between MAT and CAT Exam

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 13th, 2023

MAT vs CAT provides complete details about MAT (Management Aptitude Test) and CAT (Common Admission Test) which will help you make an informed decision. CAT and MAT Exam are the most popular national-level MBA entrance tests for admission into the top B-schools in India. The aspirants who wish to have an MBA degree mostly take both of these exams. The basic Difference Between MAT and CAT exam is that the CAT is the only key to enter IIMs, while with MAT result, you can get admission to other B-schools like Amity University, Christ University, Alliance University, Taxila Business Schools, and many more.

It is the biggest dilemma for MBA aspirants whether to give CAT or MAT or both. If the aspirants wish to prepare for both of these exams, they must be aware of the MAT and CAT Exam differences. Here, our experts have analysed a detailed study of MAT vs CAT to help the aspirants in their smooth preparation.

Table of content

1. MAT vs CAT Similarities
2. Difference Between MAT and CAT Exam
3. MAT vs CAT Exam Eligibility
4. MAT vs CAT Exam Frequency
5. MAT vs CAT Exam Pattern
6. MAT vs CAT Time Duration
7. MAT vs CAT Marking Scheme
8. MAT vs CAT Syllabus
9. MAT vs CAT Conducting Body
10. MAT vs CAT Application Fee

MAT vs CAT Similarities

Both of these exams are conducted for admission into MBA programmes in different B-schools in India. Thereby, there are some basic points in which both of these exams are similar. Note the below table for MAT vs CAT exam similarities.

Components	Details
Course for admission	MBA/PGDM
Level of Exam	National
Exam Medium	English
Negative Marking	Yes

Difference Between MAT and CAT Exam

There are several differences between these two MBA entrance tests. However, the major differences between these two exams are in the exam frequency, exam pattern, duration, eligibility, marking scheme, syllabus, and conducting body.

One of the biggest differences between CAT Exam and MAT Exam is that MAT offers a chance to improve your score by multiple attempts while CAT has no such provision.

CAT vs MAT Exam – Parameters	CAT Exam	MAT Exam
CAT and MAT Full Form	CAT stands for Common Admission Test	MAT stands for Management Aptitude Test
CAT vs MAT- Exam Conducting Body	CAT is conducted by one of the IIMs	MAT is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA)
MAT vs CAT – Exam Mode	CAT is only conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT Mode)	MAT is conducted in in three modes – Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT)
Exam Frequency	CAT is conducted only once a year	MAT is conducted several times in a year in 4 phases
Number of section	3	5
Time Duration	2 hours	2.5 hours
Marking Scheme	+3 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer	+1 for correct answer -0.25 for every incorrect answer
MAT Exam vs CAT Exam – Difficulty Level	Difficult	Easy – Moderate

MAT vs CAT Exam Eligibility

There are minimum qualification percentages that the aspirants must have if they want to appear for the CAT and MAT exam. So, it is required to check MAT vs CAT eligibility criteria before applying for the exam.

CAT Eligibility: The aspirants must complete their bachelor’s degree from any recognised university with 50% marks in aggregate (45% for the reserve category)
MAT Eligibility: There is no such minimum percentage requirement for appearing for the MAT exam. The aspirants who have completed their graduation studies with a passing mark can appear for this exam.

MAT vs CAT Exam Frequency

Exam frequency for both of these exams is quite different. The aspirants get only a single chance every year to crack CAT, while there are multiple chances to crack MAT in a single year.

CAT is conducted only once every year. There are three slots on a single exam date, and the aspirants have to appear in the test centre as per the exam timings mentioned in their admit card
MAT is conducted several times throughout the year, including February, May, September, and December, in 3 different modes such as CBT (Computer-Based Test), PBT (Paper-Based Test), and IBT (Internet-Based Test)

MAT vs CAT Exam Pattern

Exam pattern for both MAT and CAT exams is different in terms of the total number of questions, exam sections, total time, and sectional time limit. Note the table below to get an idea about the exam pattern difference between MAT and CAT Exam.

Components	CAT	MAT
Total Number of Question	66 Questions	200 Questions
Exam Sections	CAT Exam Pattern has 3 Sections VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) QA (Quantitative Aptitude)	MAT Exam Pattern has 5 Sections LC (Language Comprehension) Data Analysis and Sufficiency Mathematical Skills Intelligence and Critical Reasoning Indian and Global Environment
Time Duration	120 Minutes	2.5 Hours
Sectional Time Limit	40 Minutes	No

MAT vs CAT Time Duration

The exam duration for both MAT and CAT are quite different. Check the below table and get an idea about MAT vs CAT exam duration

CAT	MAT
The total time duration for CAT is 120 Minutes, with a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. The aspirants need to follow the sequence of CAT Exam. As soon as the 40 minutes for one section is ended up, the computer screen automatically jumps to the next section.	The total time duration for MAT Exam is 2 2.5 Houres. There is no sectional time limit in this exam so that aspirants can choose the paper sequence as per their preferences

MAT vs CAT Marking Scheme

Both of these exams have negative marking schemes, so the aspirants need to work on accuracy at the time of preparation. Note the table below to overview the marking scheme difference between MAT and CAT exams.

Components	CAT	MAT
Total Marks	198	200
Marks Per Questions	+3	+1
Negative Marking	-1 (For MCQs Only)	-0.25
Blank Question	No Marks	No Marks

MAT vs CAT Syllabus

The aspirants, thinking to appear for both CAT and MAT exams, must be aware of the chapters covered in these exams. There is a huge difference between MAT Syllabus and CAT syllabus. Note the below guiding table to get indications for the subjects for MAT vs CAT.

CAT

MAT

CAT syllabus covers the following chapters

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

While MAT syllabus covers the below chapters:

Data Analysis and Sufficiency
Language Comprehension
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
Mathematical Skills
Indian and Global Environment

MAT vs CAT Conducting Body

It is known to all that CAT and MAT exams are conducted by different authorities. The official notification for CAT Exam is released once is every year by one of the IIMs. CAT 2021 was conducted by IIM Ahmedabad, while IIM Indore conducted CAT 2020.

On the contrary, MAT notification is released by AIMA (All India Management Association). It is conducted several times throughout the year, including February, May, September, and December, in 3 different modes, such as CBT (Computer-Based Test), PBT (Paper-Based Test), and IBT (Internet-Based Test). The most important advantage of the MAT Exam is that the aspirants can decide to take the exam from their home or at the test centre as per their preferences.

MAT vs CAT Application Fee

Note the below table to overview the exam fee difference between MAT and CAT exam.