CAT vs CMAT 2024: Difference between CAT and CMAT Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Cut offs

Overview: This article is a valuable resource provides a detailed overview of the CAT vs CMAT, and major difference between CAT and CMAT exams, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your admissions in your target b-schools to pursue MBA.

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• Aspiring management students gear up for the management entrance exams but often need help choosing the Common Admission Test (CAT) or the Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT). 
• Although both tests are linked to admissions to postgraduate courses in management, several differences between them should be understood before making the final selection. 

It's highly recommended that you read this article to learn about the CAT vs CMAT and difference between CAT and CMAT exams. You need to make an informed decision about the entrance test that's right for you.

CAT vs CMAT 2024: Difference Between CAT and CMAT Exam

CAT or CMAT, which is tougher to attempt? To get the right answer, we need to understand both exams from the basics, including the highlights, paper pattern, duration, participating B-schools, etc.
Check the difference between CAT vs CMAT exam listed in the table below.

Particulars	CAT	CMAT
Conducting Body	IIMs	All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Type of questions	MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA)	MCQ only
Exam conducted in which month	Nov	Jan/ Feb
Exam duration*	2 hours	3 hours
Number of sections	3 sections	5 sections
Course offered	MBA	PGDM
Sectional time limit*	40 minutes per section	No
Difficulty level	High	Moderate
Marks per question	3 marks per correct response	4 marks per correct response
Negative Marking	33% negative marking	25% negative marking
Exam difficulty level	Moderate to hard	Easy to moderate
Official website	iimcat.ac.in	cmat.nta.nic.in

Check | CAT Exam Cut Off and CMAT Exam Cut Off 

CAT vs CMAT 2024: Difference Between CAT and CMAT Exam Pattern

What is the difference between CAT vs CMAT exam pattern? Is CMAT easier than CAT exam? 

While both exams assess an applicant’s aptitude for management-related courses, they differ in exam patterns, content, format and duration. The CAT vs CMAT exam pattern is as follows-

CAT Exam Pattern

Take a look at the sections to prepare for the CAT exam:

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

Check | CAT Exam Pattern and CMAT Exam Pattern

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CMAT Exam Pattern

Take a look at the sections to prepare for the CMAT exam.

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

Check | CAT Application Form and CMAT Application Form

CAT vs CMAT 2024: Difference Between CAT and CMAT Exam Syllabus

Understanding the difference between CMAT vs CAT, CMAT and CAT exams gives you an idea of how to choose the right one. Starting with the syllabus of CMAT vs CAT exam, let's look at what topics are covered under each section of the receptive exams:

Know more | CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2024

CAT Exam Syllabus

The difference between the CAT and CMAT syllabuses is as follows. The overall CAT exam syllabus 2024 has three sections to study. 

• Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Time and Work
• Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation: This section covers a diverse range of topics, including seating Arrangements, Blood Relationships, Syllogisms, Tables, Graphs, and Data Caselets, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience for students.
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: Para-Jumbles & Para-Summary, Sentence Completion, Inferences, RC Passages-Based Questions

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CMAT Syllabus

There are five sections of CMAT that are covered under the CMAT syllabus. 

• Quantitative Techniques: Algebra, Time-Speed-Distance, Alligation & Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc.
• Logical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc.
• Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc.
• General Awareness: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up business.

Check | How to Start Preparation for CAT Exam?

CAT vs CMAT 2024: Difference Between CAT and CMAT Exam Participating Colleges

The CAT exam participating colleges include 20 different IIMs and several other top Business schools and Institutes nationwide. On the other hand, CMAT is more flexible when it comes to participating colleges.

CMAT vs CAT exam It is accepted by thousands of national and state-level participating institutes, which include AICTE-approved institutes and autonomous B-schools, giving students with different academic backgrounds a chance to appear for the exam.

Therefore, it can be affirmed that although CAT and CMAT are broadly similar, several distinctions must be considered when choosing the best-fitting entrance exam for your MBA admissions.

Learn More | Benefits of CAT Exam Preparation for MBA

Download Free VARC Sample Questions for CAT Exam

CAT Participating Universities

• All IIMs
• XLRI Jamshedpur
• MDI Gurgaon
• IMI 
• SPJIMR etc

CMAT Participating Universities

AICTE-approved institutions, university departments, constituent colleges, and affiliated colleges to accept CMAT scores. Except for IIMs, most MBA/PGDM-offering colleges accept CMAT scores. 

Read More | How is CAT Exam Preparation Possible in One Year

Similarities Between CAT and CMAT and Differences between CMAT vs CAT Exam

These are some common similarities between CAT and CMAT.

Components	CAT VS CMAT Details
Course admission	PG Management Course
Mode of Exam	CBT
Level of Exam	National
Exam Frequency	Once in Every Year
Exam Medium	English
Negative Marking	Yes (-1)

Conclusion

It is clear from this article that understanding the CAT vs CMAT and difference between the CAT and CMAT exams is essential for students who wish to pursue a management course. The IIMs mostly prefer the CAT exam, whereas many institutes and universities in India accept the CMAT exam.

After having equipped oneself with the knowledge of the differences between the two exams CMAT vs CAT, one can make a wise decision in the best interests of one’s future.