What is the difference between CAT vs CMAT?

When going through details about CAT vs CMAT , there is a difference between the number of sections, marking scheme, participating colleges and more. CAT and CMAT is online exams with a difference in time duration.

Which is good CAT vs CMAT?

If you have complete preparation, then every exam is easy. The CAT exam allows you to take admission to IIMs whereas CMAT allows you to take admission to other top MBA colleges. Note the difference between CAT vs CMAT to decide for yourself.

Is the syllabus of CAT and CMAT same?

CAT vs CMAT syllabus is almost similar for three sections- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, RC, Verbal and Logical Reasoning. CMAT syllabus has two additional sections – General Awareness and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

What is the marking scheme for CMAT vs CAT?

Note the below points for CMAT vs CAT marking scheme: In CAT: +3 for every correct answer; -1 for every incorrect answer. There are no negative markings in the CAT TITA question. In CMAT: +4 For Every Correct Answer, -1 For Every Incorrect Answer What is the main difference between CAT and CMAT? The main difference between CAT and CMAT is in its exam section. CAT has three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA CMAT has 4 sections with an additional one optional section: QT & DI, LR, LC, GA, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Is CMAT easy than CAT?

As per past trend analysis and cutoff, if the difficulty level is compared for CMAT vs CAT- CAT is a little more difficult than CMAT.

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CMAT vs CAT: Similarities and Differences between CAT and CMAT

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 13th, 2023

CMAT vs CAT will cover all the differences and similarities between the exam to provide a clear picture to the aspirants. If the aspirants want to prepare for both of these exams, they must be aware of a few things for which these two exams are quite different. We have highlighted the below points on CMAT vs CAT to ensure the aspirants understand the basic difference between CAT and CMAT.

CAT vs CMAT: these two are the two different national-level MBA entrance exams for admission to different management programs in B-schools. CAT (Common Admission Test) and CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) are the two most popular MBA exams. IIMs conduct CAT while CMAT is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) to choose aspirants for admission in B-schools.

Table of content

1. CMAT vs CAT Similarities
2. CMAT vs CAT Exam Pattern
3. CAT vs CMAT Sectional Overview
4. CMAT VS CAT Syllabus
5. CMAT vs CAT Participating Institutes
6. How to Prepare for CAT and CMAT

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
Departments / Constituent Colleges /Affiliated Colleges.

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.