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CAT vs NMAT: Understanding the Key Differences and Similarities
Edited By Alen Tom Shaji | Updated on Jul 17, 2024 11:22 AM IST | #NMAT
NMAT VS CAT - NMAT or CAT, which is easier to crack? Which one should you give? NMAT and CAT are the top entrance exams accepted by the top colleges and universities for MBA admissions. By comparing NMAT vs CAT, the exam pattern and syllabus appear to be similar. NMAT and CAT entrance exams are accepted by the majority of the MBA institutions in India. NMAT is a national-level entrance exam accepted by NMIMS and many others conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council. However, CAT is a national-level entrance examination accepted by all IIMs and other B-schools in India.
This Story also Contains
- Is NMAT easier than CAT?
- Differences Between CAT and NMAT: Key Points
- NMAT VS CAT: Know the Difference
- NMAT Syllabus vs CAT Syllabus
- CAT Syllabus
- NMAT VS CAT: Exam Pattern
- NMAT VS CAT Cut-off: Top B-Schools Accepting Scores
- CAT Cutoff 2024
- NMAT vs CAT: Selection Process
- NMAT Selection Process 2024
- CAT Selection Process 2024
Is NMAT easier than CAT?
NMAT vs CAT: Candidates can apply for the NMAT exam and CAT exam based on their eligibility criteria. Candidates who scored 50% minimum aggregate marks in any relevant bachelor programme or final year students from an approved university can register for the CAT exam or NMAT entrance exam. Read this article of careers360 to get the answers to the dilemmas such as which exam is easier NMAT or CAT?, Is CAT harder than NMAT? and Is it easier to crack NMAT?
Differences Between CAT and NMAT: Key Points
CAT (Common Admission Test) and NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) are the entrance exams for admission to MBA courses in top institutions. Candidates can understand the basic details of the NMAT vs CAT exam.
NMAT vs CAT: Overview
Particulars | CAT | NMAT |
Full Form | Common Admission Test | NMIMS Management Aptitude Test |
Conducting Body | IIMs | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) |
Number of Attempts | Once every year | Three attempts in a year |
Application Fee |
| Rs. 2800 |
Negative Marking | Yes | No |
Also Read:
Top 20 MBA Entrance Exams: Which one to take this year | A Complete Guide
How to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams? - Section-Wise Tips, Strategy & Guide
NMAT VS CAT: Know the Difference
NMAT is conducted once a year. Candidates who failed to meet the NMAT cutoff marks on the first attempt can retake 2 times in the same year. The NMAT retake exam can taken only after a 15-day gap from the previous attempt. While the CAT exam is conducted once a year only.
NMAT Additional Window: Candidates who do not use three attempts of the NMAT exam can register for the NMAT additional window. Exam slots available for the additional registration window are limited and slots are offered on a first come first serve basis. Candidates who already have an account in the NMAT exam portal can only able to use the NMAT additional window.
NMAT Syllabus vs CAT Syllabus
NMAT and CMAT are the entrance exams accepted for admission to the top B-schools in India. There are 3 topics to be covered in the NMAT Vs CAT entrance exams. The CAT exam syllabus consists of sections such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). However, the NMAT syllabus consists of Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Skills, and Language Skills. Candidates can check out the below tables to know the sectional-wise topics of NMAT vs CAT exam syllabus.
NMAT Syllabus
NMAT Section-wise questions | NMAT exam 2024 Syllabus |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
NMAT exam Quantitative Aptitude |
|
Logical Reasoning of NMAT 2024 |
|
CAT Syllabus
CAT 2024 Syllabus | CAT exam 2024 Topics |
Verbal Ability | Para jumbles, Para summary, Odd sentence out, Inferences, Predictions, One-word substitution, Solving Main idea and title questions, Drawing Conclusions. |
Reading Comprehension | RC passages |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | Binary Logic, Syllogism, Directions, Clocks and calendars, Tables, Graphs, Charts, Connectives, Logical Sequence, Matching/ Puzzles, Number and Letter Series, Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagrams, Coding-Decoding, Caselets and Table |
Quantitative Aptitude | Geometry, Trigonometry, Averages, Percentages, Number Systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration, Modern Maths, Profit and loss, Simple & Compound Interest |
NMAT VS CAT: Exam Pattern
Candidates can go through the below table to understand the major differences in th NMAT vs CAT exam patterns.
NMAT vs CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Highlights
Particulars | NMAT 2024 Exam | CAT 2024 Exam Details |
Exam sections |
|
|
Duration of exam | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
Total number of questions expected | 108 | 66 |
Total marks | 324 | 198 |
Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | MCQs and Non-MCQ |
Marking Scheme |
|
|
NMAT VS CAT Cut-off: Top B-Schools Accepting Scores
Cutoff marks expected for the MBA admissions for top 10 colleges are listed below. MBA cutoff marks for NMAT vs CAT are determined by factors such as the number of candidates attending the exam, difficulty level of the exam, reservation policy, previous year's cutoff trends and many others. The MBA entrance exam's expected 2024 cutoff marks are mentioned in the table below.
NMAT Cutoff 2024
NMAT 2024 | NMAT 2024 Expected Cutoff |
200+ marks | |
90+ percentile | |
200+ marks | |
80+ percentile | |
200+ marks | |
150+ | |
100+ | |
140+ | |
160+ | |
GITAM School of International Business (GSIB), Visakhapatnam | 140+ |
CAT Cutoff 2024
CAT 2024 | CAT 2024 Expected Cutoff |
99-100 | |
99-100 | |
99 | |
97+ | |
97+ | |
97 to 98 | |
95+ | |
95+ | |
95+ | |
94 |
NMAT vs CAT: Selection Process
The selection process of NMAT or CAT entrance exams usually have written test in the first round followed by GD or personal interview. The candidates who qualified in the first round only will be eligible to participate in the next round of the selection process.
NMAT Selection Process 2024
The NMAT selection process comprises two steps that are mentioned below:
- Step 1: The candidates have to appear for the NMAT 2024 exam.
- Step 2: The candidates will be shortlisted based on the NMAT scores.
- Step 3: Shortlisted candidates might appear for the Case Discussion and Personal Interview rounds.
- Step 4: The final merit list will be released based on the Academic performance, NMAT 2024 score, Work experience and Case discussion / personal interview.
NMAT 2024 Preparation Tips
Download NMAT 2024 preparation tips eBook to know the best strategy to crack the exam which cover exam pattern, previous year's analysis, syllabus, best books, mock test & more.
Download EBookCAT Selection Process 2024
The candidates who cleared the CAT 2024 will be invited for the CAT selection process by the participating institutes, including the IIMs and non-IIMs. The MBA admission criteria can vary from one institute to another based on CAT 2024 score, WAT, and GD/PI. Check out the CAT selection process for the MBA / PGDM programmes.
- Step 1: Shortlisting of the candidates based on the CAT cutoff.
- Step 2: Candidates shortlisted can attend the written test done by the institutes.
- Step 3: Candidates must go through the group discussion or personal interview round.
- Step 4: Based on the performance of candidates in the previous academic qualifications and CAT selection process the final result will be announced.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is CAT harder than NMAT?
Both CAT and NMAT exams are the most challenging MBA entrance exams. While comparing the exam syllabus of CAT or NMAT, appears to be similar. Candidates preparing for the CAT can also secure good marks in NMAT. Compared to NMAT, CAT is tougher.
2. Is NMAT easy to crack?
Candidates can easily crack the NMAT exam if they have a proper study plan, dedication and hard work. The NMAT exam is conducted to analyse the mathematical, logical, language and analytical abilities of students.
3. What are the cutoff marks required to qualify for NMAT 2024?
Candidates who obtained NMAT cutoff marks above 200 will be offered admission to top b-schools accepting NMAT scores.
4. Which is easier, NMAT or CAT?
When comparing the entrance exam pattern and syllabus, the CAT is generally considered more challenging than the NMAT. The NMAT accepting colleges is less as compared to the CAT accepting institutes. Candidates who wish to apply for the MBA programmes at IIMs must qualify for the CAT exam. There are no differences in the exam pattern and syllabus of NMAT or CAT.
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Questions related to NMAT
Have a question related to NMAT ?
This is a good score for nmat but this is not it your academic performance will also consider at b schools.here are some colleges you can get by your combining nmat and academic performance score
ISBR Bangalore
Amity University, Noida
IILM, Noida
XIM University
Jain college, Bangalore
LPU, Delhi
After the exam you will get your nmat score through which participating b school called candidates for gd pi rounds.you need to apply to colleges where you are interested according to your preference,score, location, placement.nmims comes in top list of students preference but you cannot apply to it as your score is too low for this institute only nmims indore has low cutoff as compared to all nmims so you can consider it
Take help from here for applying to colleges and their details
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/nmat-selection-procedure
sadafreen356 14 November,2024
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research offers two-year, full-time PGDM , PGDM-BM, 18 months PGPM and Global Management programme. Admission to the PGDM, PGDM BM and PGPM programmes is made through the CAT and GMAT scores only. SPJIMR does not accept the NMAT scores for admission to these programmes. However, if you want to apply for the Global Management programme, then you can apply for admission through the NMAT scores along with CAT/ XAT / GRE/ GMAT scores.
Yash 10 November,2024
Hello Vaish!
When you sit for NMAT, it does take a strict process of identity verification. That can be done as follows:
- Keep valid ID proof with your signature on it such as your passport or PAN card, etc. ID issued by the government with your photo and signature would be considered acceptable. The same will be cross-checked at the time of reaching the test center.
- Digital Signature: These days, their digital signature is quite abundantly collected through the check-in process, which is made on a digital pad or on a device.
- Manual Signature: They may at times ask for your manual signature on an attendance sheet, as proof of your presence during the test.
However, kindly refer to the guidelines by the NMAT exam authorities or the test center for specific information.
Deepti Singh 24 September,2024
MAT and NMAT are both entrance exams conducted for admission into management program in India. While there maybe some overlap in terms of the general aptitude & reasoning sections, it's important to note that they are conducted by different bodies and have different focuses.
MAT covers sections like language comprehension, Mathematical skills, data analysis and sufficiency, intelligence and critical reasoning, and India and Global environment.
NMAT on the other hand, focuses on language skills, Quantitative analysis and logical reasoning.
MAT is conducted in either paper based or computer based but, NMAT is only computer based.
MAT scores are accepted by wide range of management schools across India. While NMAT score are primarily used for admission into NMIMS, and some other institutions.
Given these differences, it's advisable to study separately for each exam.
Rishitha 22 February,2024
Hello aspirant,
Because the NMAT is one of the most well-liked management entry exams, the cutoff scores are relatively high. You can anticipate a call from NMIMS Bangalore or Hyderabad with these marks, but not from NMIMS Mumbai. An alternative to NMIMS, the universities you can attend are:
- Xavier School of Human Resource Management - Bhubaneswar.
- SDA bacconi Asia centre
- ICFAI Business School
- Woxen School of Business Management
- ISBR Business School, Banglore
Thank you
Hope this information helps you.
Sajal Trivedi 22 January,2024
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