CAT vs GMAT, Can I Crack GMAT if I am Preparing for CAT?

Preparing for competitive exams like the CAT (Common Admission Test) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) simultaneously can be daunting for aspirants looking forward to getting an education in management since they have different structures. However, with strategic planning and disciplined preparation, you can prepare for both.

Before diving into the similarities in structure and identifying the topics that require separate preparation, let's first understand the basics of the CAT and GMAT exams.

CAT vs GMAT: Overview

What is Common Admission Test?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive exam in India, serving as a gateway to prestigious business schools, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Conducted annually, CAT evaluates candidates on their proficiency in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The exam is known for its rigorous nature and stress on speed and accuracy, making it a challenging yet rewarding pursuit for aspiring management professionals. Excelling in CAT requires a strategic approach, intensive preparation, and a keen understanding of the exam pattern and types of questions.

What is Graduate Management Admission Test?

TheGraduate Management Admission Test(GMAT) is a globally recognized exam designed to examine the skills necessary for success in management programs, such as MBA programs. Conducted many times in a year, the GMAT evaluates candidates on their Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal abilities. Known for its adaptive testing format, the GMAT adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the test taker's performance, providing a precise measure of their capabilities. Scoring well on the GMAT opens doors to prestigious business schools worldwide and so the preparation requires a strategic study plan, and familiarity with the exam's unique structure and content.

Can I Crack GMAT if I am Preparing for CAT?

Navigating between the CAT and GMAT involves understanding their distinct structures and evaluation criteria. While both exams are pivotal for aspiring management students, they differ significantly in format, question types, and scoring methods. Understanding these differences will help candidates to adjust and tailor their prep according to the exams they are going take. Here the few of the differences:

• Verbal Section: While GMAT includes high-level critical reasoning questions demanding quick and logical thinking, CAT's critical reasoning part is generally of lower difficulty compared to GMAT and includes additional question types like odd sentence out, jumbled sentences etc.
• DI Section: While data interpretation is a part of LRDI section in CAT, GMAT has a separate section for it called Integrated Reasoning which includes topics like Data Sufficiency, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis.
• Quants section: The latest GMAT Focus Edition only includes Arithmetic and Algebra sections for Quants whereas for CAT aspirants will need to additional sections like Geometer, Number system, Modern math etc.
• Analytical Writing Assessment: GMAT has a dedicated section where candidates has to give a writing assessment by critically analyze a situation while CAT has no such section. CAT only includes MCQ and TITA questions.
• Test Structure and Strategy: GMAT uses an adaptive pattern where question difficulty adjusts based on previous responses, influencing the flow of the exam and candidate cannot go back to already answered questions whereas CAT allows candidates to navigate freely within a section, revisiting and changing answers, and choosing to skip questions without penalty.

Here's a table highlighting the key differences between the CAT and GMAT exams:

Similarities Between CAT & GMAT Exam

Both the CAT and GMAT are important gateways for business schools, assessing candidates on their core competencies. Despite their distinct formats and purposes, both the exams also share some similarities which aspirants can leverage to enhance their preparation and give both the exams based on that preparation. Here are few of them:

• Quantitative Reasoning: Both exams test quantitative reasoning skills. Topics such as algebra, arithmetic are central to both, requiring a strong mathematical foundation and problem-solving ability. There is NO geometry questions in GMAT exam while in CAT it covers almost 20% of the Quant section. 
• Verbal Ability: The verbal sections of both exams assess reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and verbal abilities. Candidates must be proficient in understanding complex texts, evaluating arguments, and comprehending paragraphs.
• Analytical Skills: Analytical and logical reasoning skills are crucial for both exams. Candidates need to interpret data, recognize patterns, and draw logical conclusions from various types of information.
• Time Management: Effective time management is essential for success in both the CAT and GMAT. Both exams are time-bound, requires quick thinking and the ability to work under pressure within the allotted time.
• Computer-Based Testing: Both exams are conducted as computer-based tests. Familiarity with the digital format, habit of taking test on a screen, including navigation and answering questions on a computer is vital for candidates preparing for these exams.
  Understanding these similarities can help candidates streamline their preparation, leveraging their strengths in common areas while making adjustments for each exam's unique aspects.

Preparing for GMAT and CAT Together

So, can I crack GMAT with CAT preparation? Absolutely yes. It's possible to crack the GMAT while preparing for the CAT, given their similarities in their syllabus. Both exams includes quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills, although they differ in parameters like question types and exam structure. Understanding the similarities and differences between the CAT and GMAT allows aspirants to tailor their preparation to complete the lack and leverage the similarities.
Aspirants can use their CAT preparation for a strong foundation for GMAT and further study for specialized GMAT topics like extensive verbal critical reasoning, core data interpretation and Analytical Writing Assessment which CAT lacks. Further candidates will also need to focus on understanding the unique format of the GMAT, including its adaptive testing approach.

Conclusion

While GMAT's about reasoning whereas CAT's about speed and accuracy and hence preparing for both will require slight adjustments in approach. Utilize CAT's rigorous practice to build a strong foundation in quantitative and verbal skills. Supplement this with GMAT-specific materials to familiarize yourself with its format and question types. Balancing both exams is achievable with disciplined study plans, strategic resource allocation, and regular practice tests. Ultimately, leveraging your CAT preparation can enhance your GMAT success.

FAQs

How long does it take to prepare for GMAT and CAT?
While preparing for CAT can take around 1 year, preparing for GMAT will take 4 to 6 months if its done with CAT preparation.

Can we give both GMAT and CAT?
Absolutely yes. It's possible to give both the exams because of their similarities in their syllabus. Candidates can further tailor their preparation according to the need of the specific exam they are giving.

Can GMAT score be used for IIM?

IIMs only use GMAT score for their executive education options or as an eligibility requirement for NRI and Foreign Nationals. A domestic candidate will have to appear for CAT for admission into a 2 year full time MBA program at IIMs.

Is GMAT easier than CAT?
While both the exams are high in difficulty level, CAT is considered tougher to crack than GMAT as GMAT has a fixed syllabus and can be taken multiple times in a year. Quants which can be a pain point for many aspirants is easier in GMAT than CAT.