Are you wondering is GMAT easier than CAT? Which one is tougher or easier CAT or GMAT? In this article, we will discuss the major differences between CAT and GMAT. CAT and GMAT are both MBA entrance exams to get admission in top MBA colleges. The basic difference between the two is that while CAT is a domestic entrance exam; GMAT is a global exam which is valid for admission to all business schools worldwide.
- After qualifying CAT, candidates will become eligible to get admission in IIMs while candidates who qualify GMAT will also be offered admissions into some of the top Business Schools worldwide.
- CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Mangement while GMAT is conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council.
- Some top India institutes like SPJIMR, Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI, Gurgaon accept GMAT scores of domestic candidates too. At the same time CAT is also accepted by IIMs and many other MBA colleges for Executive MBA, Phd, MPhil, FPM, etc.
Want to know GMAT Vs CAT which is better? You can watch the video below by “CATKing” to know Which Is Easy To Crack? How Many Hours To Study? and many more.
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GMAT vs CAT: Know Key Difference Between CAT and GMAT
Some of the prominent points which distinguish CAT from GMAT are stated below:
- CAT is conducted by one of the older IIMs every year on a rotational basis to select candidates for admission to PGP, PGDM and other courses.
- Other than IIMs various other colleges like FMS, SPJIMR, and JBIMS also accept CAT scores.
- CAT Scores are accepted by nearly 1000 B-schools in the country.
- GMAT is conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council
- GMAT Score is also utilized by IIMs and several other business schools for admission to certain seats (for example seats reserved for NRI/Foreign candidates). However GMAT has a wider scope globally as many reputed international universities accept GMAT scores
- Overall, around 300 colleges accept GMAT score.
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Is GMAT easier than CAT? An Overview
The table below wuill help us understand the difference between GMAT and CLAT clearly. We have included all aspects of both exams in the table.
|
Features |
GMAT |
CAT |
|---|---|---|
|
Exam Full Form |
Graduate Management Admission Test |
Common Admission Test |
|
Conducting body |
Graduate Management Admission Council |
Indian Institute of Management |
|
Validity |
Global/for five years |
In India only, valid for only one year |
|
Eligibility |
No minimum percentage required in bachelor’s degree |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50% marks (45 % for SC/ST/PwD candidates) |
|
Frequency |
Anytime of the year |
Once a year (November last week) |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online |
Online |
|
Exam Sections |
|
|
|
Number of sections |
4 |
3 |
|
Number of questions |
64 Questions |
68 questions |
|
Exam Duration |
135 minutes |
120 minutes |
|
Sectional time limit |
|
40 minutes for each section |
|
Difficulty level |
High |
High |
|
Marking Scheme |
|
|
|
Exam Fee |
USD 250 |
|
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GMAT vs CAT: Which is Tougher?
The overall, difficulty level of CAT is higher than GMAT. GMAT has a well defined syllabus which makes it relatively easier in terms of preparation whereas, CAT syllabus is not as well defined as GMAT, hence the time invested can be more too.
- The uphill task in CAT is the LRDI section, which has been very high on the difficulty level from past two years. On the other hand, GMAT has the IR section which is much easier than LRDI in CAT.
- Also, quantitative aptitude section of GMAT is slightly easier than CAT. On the other hand, Verbal Section of GMAT can be challenging for Indian test takers who are non-native English speakers. Vocabulary used in verbal section questions in GMAT are of comparatively advanced level. Therefore, for aspirants who find English a tough nut to crack, GMAT will not be a cakewalk.
- GMAT is an adaptive test i.e. the difficulty level of your next question depends on your performance in the previous question. Thus, GMAT is a test of ability as it constantly adapts and refines the test to your ability level. CAT has an objective level of difficulty for all its examinees.
Difficulty Level of CAT Question Paper
The difficulty level of CAT held in 2025 is mentioned in the table below:
| CAT Slot 1 | CAT Slot 2 | CAT Slot 3 | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficult | Easy | Moderate | RC, Para Summary, Odd Sentence, Para jumbles |
| Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Sales Figures, Scheduling, Parking Slots, Votes polled |
| Moderate | Moderate | Easy | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry |
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CAT vs GMAT - Level of Competition
After qualifying CAT Cut Off i.e. around 99+ percentile for the top IIMs candidates will have to clear the GD, PI, and WAT rounds. Other than that various other factors like Gender Diversity, Work Experience is considering while deciding the final merit list.
| Name of the IIMs | CAT Cutoff Percentile (Safe Score) |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 94–100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 94–100 |
| IIM Calcutta | 94–100 |
| IIM Lucknow | 91–99.5 |
| IIM Indore | 91–99.5 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 91–99.5 |
| IIM Amritsar | 95+ |
| IIM Nagpur | 95+ |
| IIM Sambalpur | 95+ |
| IIM Trichy | 95+ |
| IIM Raipur | 95+ |
| IIM Ranchi | 95+ |
| IIM Kashipur | 95+ |
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In the case of GMAT, its score is accepted by various prestigious institutions i.e. national and international. Therefore, the ratio of applicants to seats is heavily in favor of the GMAT, and your expected chance at success (and hence your return on investment) is better in case of the GMAT, versus CAT. Therefore, the pressure while taking the GMAT often feels lower than in the case of the CAT.
| Management Institutions | GMAT Score |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Massachusetts | 720 |
| Stanford University | 733 |
| The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 725 |
| Harvard University, Massachusetts | 729 |
| The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 719 |
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GMAT Vs CAT Exam Pattern
The pattern for both the tests varies highly. The differences between CAT Exam Pattern and GMAT exam pattern, based on several factors is tabulated below.
|
Parameter |
GMAT |
CAT |
|---|---|---|
|
Sections |
|
|
|
No. of Questions/ Time limit |
|
|
|
Test Duration |
3 Hours and 7 Minutes |
3 Hours |
|
Score reporting |
Absolute score (Out of 800) and percentile score |
Percentile scores |
| Number of Attempts | Overall 8, Max 5 in a year | No Limit on Attempts |
Marking Scheme Comparison
GMAT Vs CLAT: Marking Scheme Comparison
The CAT 2026 Marking Scheme are as follows:
| Section | Total Qs | MCQs (marking scheme) | TITA (marking scheme) | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 20 MCQs (+3 for correct and –1 for incorrect) | 4 TITA (no penalty) | 72 |
| DILR | 22 | 12 MCQs (+3 for correct and –1 for incorrect) | 10 TITA (no penalty) | 66 |
| QA | 22 | 14 MCQs (+3 for correct and –1 for incorrect) | 8 TITA (no penalty) | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 46 MCQs | 22 TITA | 204 |
Quick Links for CAT Preparation:
GMAT Marking Scheme
- GMAT has a set standard of marking unlike other exams.
- Candidates are marked between the range of 200 to 800. Marking pattern of each section is also different:
- 0 to 6 for Analytical writing assessment, 1 to 8 for integrated reasoning amd 6 to 51 for verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning.
Quick Links for GMAT Preparation:
CAT vs GMAT - Admission procedure after the test
Selection Process is an integral part of MBA admissions.The process comprises of various stages in both the tests. After GMAT, admission procedure in most of the top colleges and universities consists of basic essay writing, sending letter of recommendation and interviews.
On the other hand, in CAT, you need to appear for:
- Group Discussion
- Written Ability Test
- Personal Interview.
CAT’s admission process is comparatively tougher than universities under GMAT. Dedicated preparation for group discussion and personal interviews is required after CAT. In GMAT, candidates with good command over the language will have a distinct edge in the selection process.
Top IIMs Selection & Admission Criteria:
CAT vs GMAT – Course Fee Structure
Funds required for pursuing an MBA program is a major deciding factor. Institutes under CAT have a relatively low course fee structure than those under GMAT.
- The highest fees you need for MBA in India is 20-22 lakhs, for IIM Allahabad, Bombay or Calcutta. Also, with a good CAT score, you can get admission in institutes like FMS (Faculty of Management Sciences), Delhi University, where fee is as low as 10000 per year.
- But on the other hand, under GMAT your fees can be around 40-50 lakhs or even more. You can always try your luck at scholarships to reduce the expenditure.
CAT Fees (as of August 2025)
- General Candidates: Approximately ₹2,600
- SC/ST/PwD Candidates: Around ₹1,300
GMAT Fees (as of mid-2025)
- Test Fee: Approximately US$275
- Approximate Indian Rupee Equivalent: Roughly ₹22,500 to ₹23,000
Also Check CAT Participating Institutes
CAT vs GMAT - Profile requirements
Candidates’ profile plays a crucial role for pursuing MBA after taking both the exams. For management programs offered by IIMs, you do not necessarily need a work experience. However it sure will give you an edge, but it is not mandatory.
- Besides, IIMs check your percentages in Class X, Class XII and Score in Graduation, and these do play an important role in selection. So, to get into an IIM, you do not only need a good CAT score, but a good academic record overall.
- On the other hand, most of the international universities do require at least 2 years of work experience. Mostly, there is no emphasis on your scores obtained in classes X and XII. Also, it should be noted that the quality of education and work experience does matter for top universities like Harvard. Therefore, experience in high profile companies, can help you land in top colleges accepting GMAT score.
Also Check CAT Percentile Calculation
CAT vs GMAT - Number of Attempts and Validity of Score
Number of attempts available under both the exams is an essential factor too. CAT Exam is conducted only a year, which means that you have to appear in the exam on the date, place and time decided by IIMs. And in case you fail to deliver your best on the day, you will have to wait a full year for next CAT.
- GMAT is held within a definite window of dates, and you can choose any date to appear in the exam. Also, you can take GMAT 5 times in an year, and improve your scores. It should be noted that you can retake the GMAT after 16 days of a previous attempt.
- CAT score is valid only for 1 year, which means that if you appear for CAT in November then the score thus obtained can be used for applying for programs in only.
- But GMAT Score has a validity of 5 years from the date of qualifying the exam. This is certainly a big advantage that you get with GMAT.
For a better understanding, some of the differences between CAT and GMAT are tabulated below:
| Parameter | GMAT | CAT |
|---|---|---|
|
Score Validity |
5 Years |
1 Year |
|
Scheduling Flexibility |
Delivered on demand, can be taken up to 5 times a year. With at least 16 days between attempts. |
Conducted only once a year. |
|
Test Fee |
$ 250 (approx INR 17,000) |
INR 2000 |
|
Eligibility |
Lower age limit – 13 years Upper age limit – None |
No lower age limit but bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or equal qualification required. |
|
Number of Attempts |
Maximum 5 attempts in a year (Minimum 16 days between consecutive attempts) Lifetime Limit of 8 attempts overall |
Can be attempted only once every year. No limit on the number of attempts. |
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GMAT vs CAT: Final Verdict
Now, that you have seen an in-depth comparison of all the factors to take into consideration, it will be easier to take an informed decision. Both the exams have their shares of flexibilities and limitations.
- If you cannot not afford to take a very huge amount of loan and a costly international MBA, then CAT is an obvious choice. Also, for freshers who want to immediately pursue an MBA after graduation, CAT is the preferred option.
- GMAT is a better choice if your performance in classes X and XII was average. Appearing for GMAT is obviously more flexible and the score are also valid for a longer duration with a wider acceptance.
- The decision to take GMAT or CAT may involve a lot of factors. Candidates must choose the test after analyzing all the alternatives. MBA is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so take a well thought out and calculated decision for a successful career ahead. Good Luck!
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