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IPMAT or CAT which is better among the two? Well, considering the target audience both the management programs are suited for different types of candidates. The major differentiating factor between the two is the accessibility or eligibility to each program. Candidates can appear for an IPMAT exam right after they finish school but to take the CAT exam a candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. It depends on a particular candidate's preferences and career goals, and which one is better suited for them.
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IPMAT or CAT which is better alternative for a management aspirant. Through IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test) candidates can become eligible for applying to the five-year integrated management program offered by various IIMs and other top B-Schools. CAT on the other hand allows candidates to apply for a regular MBA program offered by any of the MBA colleges across India (given that the particular college accepts CAT scores for MBA admission).
Knowing the major differences between the two MBA entrance exams can provide a defined edge in understanding which is best for them. The key differences between IPMAT and CAT exams are listed in the table given below.
Aspect | IPMAT | CAT |
Purpose | Specific for applying to the IPM program only. | For admission to all kinds of MBA, PGDM, and MMS programs offered by various institutes across the country. |
Target Audience | Primarily for students who have just finished school (10+2). | For graduates wanting to pursue a career in the field of management. |
Exam Structure | Includes exam sections on Quantitative Ability, Quantitative Ability, and Verbal Ability. | Includes three exam sections VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude) |
Difficulty Level | Less difficult. Easy to Moderate | Can be considered between moderate to difficult. |
Frequency | Once every year. | Once every year. |
Admission Process | After the exam, the applicants who clear the IPMAT cutoff for the respective college are required to participate in the GD/PI round for final selection. | Applicants clearing the CAT cutoff for the applied college will have to go through the selection process involving GD/PI rounds. |
Accepting Colleges | All the major B-Schools across India. |
The pros and cons of IPMAT and CAT are mentioned below.
IPMAT
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CAT
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The ideal situation for a candidate to choose between the IPMAT or CAT exam is described below.
Choose IPMAT if you have recently completed school looking for an early introduction to a management and business administration program. Ideal for candidates who prefer a structured pathway from graduation to post-graduation. But candidates should be able to the program for five whole years.
Choose CAT if you are a graduate with no or some work experience in any professional domain. CAT is ideal for candidates aiming for a wide range of prestigious institutions to pursue an MBA program from and are prepared for a highly competitive admission process.
CAT can be considered better than IPMAT as it is a much more flexible alternative for MBA aspirants. However, candidates wanting a structured management program from graduation to postgraduation can go for IPMAT.
The IPMAT acceptance rate is a mere 0.006 i.e. for every 1000 applicants only 6 or 7 can make it to the final merit list. Apart from the IPMAT score the Personal Interview round also carries a significant weightage in the overall selection process. The weightage of the Personal Interview is 35%.
A good CAT score will depend on the college that a candidate aims for. If the goal is to pursue an MBA from IIMs then a good score would be percentile between 98-99.9. Other than IIMs a percentile between 90-99 would be considered good enough.
The eligibility criteria for IPMAT exam include 60% marks in 12th standard for General category candidates and 55% marks for reserved category candidates. Along with that a valid IPMAT scorecard clearing the cutoff will also be required.
Hello,
Here you can get study material for CAT :
https://bschool.careers360.com/download/ebooks/cat-quantitative-aptitude-questions-answers-pdf
Hope it helps !
Balancing CAT preparation with college studies requires strategic planning and time management. Here’s a concise approach to help you prepare effectively:
1. **Create a Timetable**: Allocate dedicated time for CAT preparation daily, even if it’s just 2-3 hours. Focus on one CAT section (VARC, DILR, QA) each day to maintain balance. Weekends can be used for extensive practice and mock tests.
2. **Leverage College Breaks**: Use gaps between classes, study breaks, or commute time to revise formulas, solve quick questions, or read newspapers to enhance your reading comprehension and vocabulary for VARC.
3. **Focus on Basics First**: Strengthen your fundamentals in Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation. Use your college academic breaks to dive deeper into complex topics.
4. **Mock Tests & Analysis**: Start taking mock tests early to build exam temperament. Analyze your mistakes thoroughly to improve your strategy and time management.
5. **Consistency over Intensity**: Study regularly, even for short periods. Consistency will help you cover more topics without overwhelming yourself.
6. **Balance Both Priorities**: Ensure your college assignments and studies are managed well to avoid last-minute stress. Prioritize subjects in both CAT and college where you need more attention.
By maintaining a disciplined schedule and staying focused, you can efficiently manage both CAT preparation and college studies.
hope this helps you!!
Hello Nikita,
To get into any of the top IIMs, such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, or Indore, a good percentile in CAT is required, although academics play a vital role too. Let's break it down below:
CAT Score: 98+ percentile is an excellent score and makes one competitive.
Academic Scores:
Your 10th score at 84% is quite good.
A 12th score of 65% is on the lower side, which might hamper your chances at some of the top IIMs since they give weightage to past academic performance.
IIM Selection Criteria:
Every IIM has its own weightage for the scores of academics, CAT percentile, work experience, if any, and diversity.
For example, IIM Ahmedabad requires consistent academic records, while IIM Bangalore puts the strongest focus on work experience and diversified profiles.
Graduation: You are currently pursuing graduation, and your performance during that will also be considered in the shortlisting process.
While your CAT score is going to be the major pointer, your academic record-doing in class 12-is going to affect your prospects a bit at IIMs that place significant emphasis on your past performance. Still, you will have a healthy shot, at least at institutes like Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore, where a good score in CAT may offset lower marks in academics.
If you have diverse profiled extracurricular activities, leadership roles etc, or work experience, then it can build up your application further.
Hello!
Prep for CAT 2024: Application Pattern
Syllabus: Focus on those areas that fall under the syllabus; for instance, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
Books: Stick to standard books from renowned authors, say, Arun Sharma for Quant, Norman Lewis in vocabulary, and some mock tests available from TIME, IMS, or Career Launcher.
Mock Tests: Take mocks and study the mistakes made.
Time management: F ocus on speed and accuracy.
If you need a more structured approach, consider a coaching institute.
Start early and become a regular.
Wishing you the best! thankyou!
Hello,
While starting your CAT preparation late can be challenging, it's still possible to achieve a good score with focused effort. Prioritize understanding the exam pattern, and focus on key areas like Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability.
Create a structured study plan, practice regularly with mock tests, and review your performance to identify weaknesses. Use quality study materials and consider joining a coaching class if time permits. Stay consistent and motivated, and remember that dedicated effort in the coming weeks can lead to positive results.
You can refer to the following article for help :
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/last-minute-preparation-strategy-for-cat
Good luck!
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