GATE vs CAT Exam 2024: Know the Difference between CAT and GATE Exam

Q: What is the difference between CAT and GATE?

CAT stands for Common Admission Test and is for applicants seeking admission into Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), while GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering and is for postgraduate students seeking admission into engineering, technology and architecture courses.

Q: Which exam do I take for Business Administration?

If you are looking to pursue a business administration course, then you should take the CAT exam.

Q: What is the duration of the CAT and GATE exams?

The CAT exam typically lasts for the duration of 3 hours, while the GATE exam is typically of 8 hours duration.

Q: Is there any age limit to appear for the CAT and GATE exam?

No, there is no age limit for appearing in the CAT or GATE exams.

Q: Is there a difference in the scoring pattern of CAT and GATE exams?

Yes, the CAT exam is conducted on a percentile basis, and the GATE exam is conducted on a marks basis.

Q: GATE vs CAT: Which is Tough?

GATE is often considered tougher due to its technical depth, while CAT challenges aptitude and speed. Difficulty varies depending on individual strengths.

Q: CAT vs GATE: Which is Better?

CAT is ideal for management careers, offering entry to top B-schools, while GATE is suited for technical roles and higher studies in engineering. The choice depends on career goals.

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

October 22, 2024

Overview: CAT and GATE are two entrance tests that are well-known in India. So, what is the difference between CAT and GATE Exam? Let's find out!

Both CAT and GATE exams are highly competitive and require lots of planning and hard work to get through.
Knowing the difference between the two exams is essential for students to make an informed decision about which exam to take.

Read on to learn the CAT vs GATE exam pattern, GATE vs CAT application fees, important highlights and more!

What is a CAT exam?

The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is a national-level management aptitude test conducted by the IIM for admission to the MBA courses offered by its campuses and over 1,200 B-schools in India.

The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on 24 November 2024, and the last date to apply for the CAT exam is 13 September 2024. You can apply through the given link:

CAT Registration 2024 Direct Official Link

What is the GATE exam?

GATE is an All India Test authorised and managed in several across India.

The GATE committee conducts the exam.

The GATE exam assesses a student’s knowledge in subjects like Engineering and Science.

Note that multiple PSUs also use the GATE scorecard to recruit applicants for distinguished jobs at Indian Oil, GAIL, Hindustan Petroleum, etc.

GATE vs CAT Difference between CAT and GATE Exam Highlights 2024

Here is the difference between GATE vs CAT Exam listed in the table below:

CAT Exam	GATE Exam
IIM conducts the CAT Exam	IIT conducts the GATE Exam
CAT admissions are for management courses at IIMs.	GATE admissions are for M.E/ M.Tech (from IITs) subjects at PSU jobs.
Total Marks for CAT are 198	Total Marks for GATE is 100
The mode of the exam is online	The mode of the exam is online
Sections - VA, VARC and DIRL	General Aptitude and respective subjects selected by candidates
Eligibility - Bachelor's degree	Eligibility—The minimum requirement for applicants is 10+2+3, meaning that individuals in their third year of undergraduate study or higher—or who have already finished it—can also apply for the GATE entrance exam.
CAT scores valid for one year	GATE scores valid for three years
MCQs and Short Answers	Type of Questions - MCQs, MSQ's and NAT

Check | How to get good score in CAT exam?

A key difference between GATE and CAT is the scope of exams.

The GATE exam is designed to assess the comprehensive knowledge of the subject. In contrast, the CAT exam tests your knowledge in specific areas as per the CAT exam pattern, such as verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.

Students aspiring to pursue a career in management can choose the CAT; similarly, students who are aspiring to pursue a career in engineering courses can take the GATE exam.

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Download Free VARC Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

GATE vs CAT Exam 2024: Important Dates

Here are the important dates of the Common Admission Test and the GATE exam:

Important Dates	GATE Exam	CAT Exam
Registration Starts	24 August 2024	1 August 2024
Registration Ends	26 September 2024	20 September 2024
Admit Card Download Date	January 2025	5 November 2024
Main Exam Date	1st, 2nd, 15th, and 16th February 2025	24 November 2024
Result Declaration	March 2025	December 2024

Check | CAT vs JEE 2024

GATE vs CAT Exam: Application Fees 2024

While filling out the application form or either the GATE 2024 or CAT 2024 exam, you need to pay the application fees. The difference between the CAT and GATE exam application fees are:

GATE Exam Application Fees 2024

Category	Regular Period	Extended Period
Female candidates SC/ST/PWD (per test paper)	Rs. 900	Rs. 1400
All other candidates, including foreign nationals (per test paper)	Rs. 1800	Rs. 2300

CAT Entrance Exam Fees 2024

Category	Fees
For other categories	INR 2500/-
For Reserved Categories	INR 1250/-

Check | CMAT vs CAT Exam: Know the Differences

Download Free VARC Sample Questions for CAT Exam

GATE vs CAT Exam: Exam Pattern & Syllabus Insights

Both exams are conducted online and at a particular time. Here are the major differences between the exam pattern and syllabus of CAT and GATE exams:

Parameter	GATE Exam	CAT Exam
Conducting Body	Indian Institute of Technology	Indian Institute of Management
Mode of Exam	Online	Online
Purpose	Entrance for M.Tech/ME or PSUs	Entrance for MBA (IIMs, FMS, MDI, SP JAIN, etc.)
Exam Pattern	Computer-based test (CBT)	Computer-based test (CBT)
Sections	Multiple papers based on the subject (27 options)	Three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
Question Types	MCQs and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions	MCQs and non-MCQs across all sections
Total Marks	100	198
Total Number of Questions	65	66
Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)	2 hours (120 minutes)
Section Sequence	Varies by subject	Fixed: VARC → DILR → QA
Syllabus	Subject-specific, including engineering math and core topics	VARC: Reading comprehension, English usage, grammar DILR: Logical reasoning, data interpretation QA: Algebra, geometry, arithmetic, number systems, modern math, etc.

Check | CAT Online Coaching 2025

Download Free DILR Study Plan by Supergrads

Difference Between CAT and Gate Exam (GATE vs CAT): Eligibility Criteria

There are some eligibility criteria that you need to fulfill while appearing for CAT or GATE entrance exam. These include:

Eligibility Criteria	GATE Exam	CAT Exam
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, or science OR a master’s in science/mathematics/statistics/computer applications, OR an equivalent qualification.	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institute.
Minimum Percentage	No minimum percentage is required.	General and OBC-NC: At least 50% or equivalent CGPA. SC, ST, and PWD: At least 45%.
Graduation Duration	No specific duration is required.	Minimum three-year bachelor’s program.
Final Year Students Eligibility	Yes, final-year students can apply.	Yes, final-year students can apply if they complete their coursework on time.
Age Limit	No upper age limit.	No upper age limit.
Work Experience	Not required.	Not required.
Number of Attempts	No limit on the number of attempts.	No limit on the number of attempts.
Nationality	Open to both Indian and international applicants.	Primarily for Indian citizens, but some international candidates can apply.

Check | How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024: Know Here!

Conclusion

The CAT and GATE exams are two very different exams in terms of preparation, scope, and difficulty levels. While CAT is an entrance test for management courses, the GATE exam is mainly related to engineering.

Due to the unique requirements of each exam, it is important to thoroughly research and understand the differences between the two before finalising the decision to appear in either of them.

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