GRE vs CAT Exam 2024: Check Out the Major Differences Between CAT vs GRE

Q: Which test should I take, GRE or CAT?

Choose the test that matches your education goals. GRE is for a wide range of graduate programs in the USA and other countries. CAT is mainly for Indian business schools.

Q: How often can I take the GRE or CAT test?

You are eligible for the GRE up to 5 times yearly, with a 21-day gap between attempts, while once a year for the CAT exam.

Q: Are GRE and CAT the same?

No. GRE is for graduate programs abroad; CAT is for management programs in India.

Q: Is CAT coaching enough for GRE?

CAT coaching helps with some skills like quantitative aptitude and critical reasoning but may not cover all GRE sections.

Q: Is CAT accepted abroad?

No, CAT is for Indian management programs. For international programs, you need GRE or GMAT.

Q: Is GRE tougher than CAT?

The GRE is generally considered less challenging than the CAT, especially in quantitative sections, but the difficulty varies based on individual strengths and the exam's purpose.

Q: Is CAT and GRE syllabus same?

No, the CAT and GRE syllabi differ: CAT focuses on quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, and logical reasoning for MBA admissions, while GRE covers quantitative and verbal reasoning, along with analytical writing, for a broader range of graduate programs.

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

November 12, 2024

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!

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:

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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

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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, 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:

Know More | Is CAT and GMAT Preparation Same?

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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

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GRE vs CAT: Exam Pattern

Before choosing the best among CAT vs GRE preparation, 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

Check: What After CAT Exam Exam 2024

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 are 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. The 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.

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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.

Check: CAT Exam Slot timings

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)

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Top Institutes Accepting CAT Score Card

IIM 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

Check: CAT Exam Colleges List

Conclusion

Both the GRE and CAT exams 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 also about the future opportunities it can unlock for you. Good luck!

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