GRE vs CAT: Check Out the Major Differences Between CAT vs GRE

Overview: GRE vs CAT: which is best for higher studies? Both CAT vs GRE are ranked among the most prestigious entrance exams where IIMs accept CAT, and the GRE is accepted worldwide. Read on to know the major differences between CAT and GRE!

• CAT, or the Common Admission Test, is a national entrance exam that allows you to pursue an MBA from the top business schools, such as IIMs in India. 
• GRE or Graduate Record Examination, is the most popular entrance exam accepted worldwide by various renowned institutes.
• Deciding between GRE vs CAT often confuses MBA aspirants to choose either both or the best GRE vs CAT exam.

Scroll down to learn the major difference between CAT exam and GRE!

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Also Read |How to Prepare for GRE and CAT Simultaneously?

GRE vs CAT: Major Highlights 

The GRE or Graduate Record Examinations, is the most popular entrance exam conducted throughout the year at about 1000+ test centres worldwide and more than 160 countries. It is performed to get admission to the top business schools and universities to pursue higher studies.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance examination created to gain admission to Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs at top Indian business schools. 

Here are the key highlights of GRE vs CAT exam:

Considering Factors for GRE vs CAT	GRE	CAT
Full Form	Graduate Record Examination	Common Admission Test
Conducting Body	Educational Testing Service (ETS)	Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)
Purpose	Admission into graduate programs abroad	Admission into management programs in India
Exam Format	Computer-based	Computer-based
Sections	Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Test Duration	Approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes	Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
Exam Frequency	Offered throughout the year	Conducted once a year (typically in November)
Test Acceptance	Widely accepted by international universities	Primarily accepted by Indian institutes
Exam Eligibility	No specific eligibility criteria	Graduates or final-year undergraduate students

Know more | Is CAT and GMAT Preparation Same?

GRE vs CAT: Important Dates

There is no fixed date for the GRE as it is a computer-based entrance exam conducted every month in India on all days except the general and gazetted holidays. If you wish to apply for the GRE exam, then you should check the exam date and slot availability at their selected centre before proceeding with the registration process.

While the CAT exam is held once a year in the month of November, the registration process starts in August. You can check the regular updates for CAT exam on their official website.

Know more | Which is IIM Is best for MBA?

GRE vs CAT: Eligibility Criteria

Although the GRE and CAT exams have no age limit, they differ in their educational qualifications. 

For the GRE exam, you do not need to have any specific educational background. You just need to register it with a valid passport that has to be shown while identification at the test centre.

Here are the eligibility criteria for GRE vs CAT exam: 

Criteria	GRE Eligibility	CAT Eligibility
Age	There is no specific age requirement	There is no upper age limit for CAT exam.
Educational Qualifications	Although no such educational qualification is required for a master’s degree, you should have a graduation certificate in any discipline.	Bachelor's degree with 50% (general category) or 45% (reserved category) from a recognised university

Also Read | CAT exam syllabus.

GRE vs CAT: Exam Pattern

Before choosing the best among CAT vs GRE, you should know the exam pattern. Here is the difference between the CAT exam pattern and GRE exam pattern:

GRE Sections	GRE Section Score Range	(Current) GRE Exam Pattern
GRE Analytical Writing (score range: 130-170)	130- 170	1 Section, 2 essay tasks, total - 60 minutes
GRE Quantitative Reasoning (score range: 130-170)	130-170	2 sections, 40 questions, total - 70 minutes
GRE Verbal Reasoning (Score range: 0-6)	0-6	2 Sections, 40 questions, total - 60 minutes
Unscored Section	-	Varies
Research	-	Varies
Total GRE Exam Duration	-	3 hours 45 minutes

Read more | Is CAT tougher than GMAT?

CAT Paper Pattern 2024
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test
Duration of exam	120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
Number of questions	66
Total marks	198
Medium of question paper	English
Number of Sections	3
Number of answer choices	4
Marking Scheme	+ 3 for every correct answer -1 for every wrong answer 0 for unattempted question
Sections	1. VARC 2. DI & LR 3. QA
Question Type	MCQ and non-MCQ

Read More | How to Prepare for CAT in One Year

GRE vs CAT: Syllabus

In many ways, the GRE and CAT syllabuses are comparable; however, there are some differences in the exam format and difficulty level.

The GRE is an adaptive test. It is not question-wise adaptive but section-wise adaptive. On the other hand, CAT has a fixed set of questions for everyone taking the same test slot. The GRE score is valid for five years, while the CAT score and percentile is valid for only one year.

Comparison of GRE and CAT Syllabus

Factors to Consider	GRE	CAT
Test Type	Section-wise adaptive	Fixed set of questions
Score Validity	5 years	1 year
Verbal Ability	Includes multiple-choice questions and a vocabulary test. Assesses vocabulary and high-level reading ability.	Generally considered easier. Focuses on reading comprehension and grammar.
Quantitative Aptitude	Covers arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. Format varies; some questions require direct input of answers.	Covers arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. More challenging than GRE, with multiple-choice questions having only one correct answer.
Data Interpretation	Not specifically tested.	Assesses the ability to analyze and understand data using bar graphs, line graphs, data tables, pie charts, and other statistical tools.
Analytical Writing	Requires candidates to write opinions on given topics and solve arguments, focusing on clear, rational, and intellectual thinking.	Not a separate section. Writing skills are not directly tested.

Also Read | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year

GRE vs CAT: Top Institutions 

The GRE scorecard is valid for 5 years and is widely accepted by various institutes and universities worldwide. On the other hand, the CAT scorecard is valid only for one year and is majorly accepted by the IIMs and other top B schools in India. 

Here is the list of the top institutes accepting GRE vs CAT score card: 

Top institutes accepting GRE scorecard

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
• University of Cambridge (UK)
• University of Oxford (UK)
• Harvard University (USA)
• Stanford University (USA)
• Imperial College London (UK)
• ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
• National University of Singapore (NUS) (Singapore)
• UCL (UK)
• University of Toronto (Canada)
• University of Pennsylvania (USA)

Top Institutes Accepting CAT Score CardIIM Ahmedabad

• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Raipur
• IIM Udaipur
• IIM Rohtak
• IIM Visakhapatnam
• SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
• TAPMI Manipal
• Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
• Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar (XIMB)
• K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai
• LIBA Chennai
• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
• Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development, Mysore

Conclusion

Both the GRE vs CAT exam assess your strengths and weaknesses in the areas tested by each exam to make an informed decision. Ultimately, the right choice will be the one that aligns with your academic goals and propels you towards your dream program. Remember, it's not just about the exam itself but the future opportunities it can unlock for you. Good luck!

Check here: Enroll in our CAT online coaching program to enhance your CAT exam preparation