When it comes to an MBA, aspirants need help to differentiate between different MBA exams. Among the various exams available, they often need clarification to differentiate between CAT and MAT exam while starting their preparation. They are two of the most preferred MBA entry tests in India.
The CAT (CAT full form: Common Admission Test) exam is a computer-based test that is conducted annually by the IIMs on a rotational basis for admission into various graduate management programs. It has three sections:
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR),
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and
- Quantitative Aptitude (Quant).
40 minutes are given for each section. It is by far the most popular and one of the toughest MBA exams in the country.
On the other hand, the All India Management Association has been conducting the MAT Exam (MAT full form: Management Aptitude Test) since 1998. The MAT exam consists of 5 sections and is conducted multiple times a year. More than 600 business schools use MAT to give admission to their MBA and allied programs. It is conducted in three modes:
- Online (Computer-based)
- Offline (Paper-based)
- Remote (Internet-based)
Decoding CAT vs MAT: Factors of Difference between CAT and MAT
Following are some of the factors, on the basis of which the CAT and MAT exam differs:
Frequency of CAT and MAT Exam
The MAT exam is conducted 4 times a year. It is conducted in February, May, September and December. There are different modes for students to choose from such as PBT, IBT, and CBT. Candidates can choose more than one mode and dates for all these modes may vary.
The CAT exam is conducted once a year generally on the last Sunday of November. The exam is held in three different slots on the same day.
Therefore, aspirants have only one chance to crack the CAT exam in a year whereas they get multiple opportunities to crack the MAT exam in a year.
Conducting Body of CAT and MAT Exam
The CAT exam is conducted annually by the IIMs on a rotational basis. One of the IIMs takes responsibility and releases a notification for the CAT exam. For example, IIM Lucknow was the conducting body of the CAT 2023 exam and IIM Bangalore was the conducting body of the CAT 2022. One of the best IIMs is given the responsibility to administer the CAT exam.
AIMA (All India Management Association) conducts the MAT exam Multiple times a year. Aspirants get multiple opportunities to take the MAT exam in a year and are also given the choice of taking the exam from or at a test centre.
Exam Pattern of CAT and MAT Exam
The exam pattern for the CAT and MAT exam is completely different. It also differs based on the number of questions, time limit, number of sections, and sectional time limitations.
The table below will make the difference more clear:
| BASIS | CAT | MAT |
| Number of questions | 66 | 200 |
| Exam Sections | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude (Quant) | Language comprehension(LC), Data Analysis and sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, Indian Global Environment, Mathematical Skills |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes | No |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours | 2.5 Hours |
Eligibility Criteria of CAT and MAT Exam
| CAT | MAT |
| Candidates must have a minimum 50% or equivalent CGPA( 45% for SC, ST, and PWD/DA ) from a recognized university. | Graduate students with a minimum 50% or equivalent CGPA( 45% for SC, ST, and PWD/DA ) from a recognized university. |
| Candidates awaiting their results or final-year students are also eligible to apply. | Final-year undergraduate students can also appear. |
| Candidates having a professional degree such as CS/CA/FCAI/ICWA with the required percentage can also appear. | Candidates having a professional degree such as CS/CA//ICWA |
Marking Scheme of CAT and MAT Exam
The CAT Exam has 66 questions in total. 3 Marks are given for every correct answer and a negative marking of -1 for every wrong answer. There is no negative marking for non-MCQs.If a candidate does not attempt a question, no marks are cut.
The MAT exam has 200 questions. 1 mark is awarded for every right answer and -0.25 for every wrong answer. No marks are deducted in case a question is not attempted by a candidate.
Exam Fees of CAT and MAT Exam
| CAT | MAT |
| Rs 2400 for general and OBC candidates. Rs 1200 for SC/ST/PwD | Rs 2100 for one mode and Rs 3300 for two modes. |
CAT vs MAT: Top Colleges accepting CAT and MAT exams
CAT and MAT exams are two of the most important exams for an MBA in India. Some of the top colleges and B schools accept these exams and give admission based on scores achieved in these exams.
What are the Major Career Options after an MBA?
Top Colleges Accepting Admission through the CAT Exam
- Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
- Indian Institute of Management Lucknow
- Indian Institute of Management Indore
- Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode
- Indian Institute of Management Shillong
- Indian Institute of Management Udaipur
- Indian Institute of Management Ranchi
- Indian Institute of Management Raipur
- Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam
- Indian Institute of Management Jammu
- Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- SPJIMR, Mumbai
- FMS, Delhi
Top Colleges Accepting Admission through MAT Exam
- Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development, Mysore
- SPJIMR, Mumbai
- School of Business, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun
- Christ University, Bangalore
- National Institute of Technology Warangal
- VIT Business School, Vellore
- Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai
- AIMS Institutes, Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Kolkata
- Doon Business School, Dehradun
- PSG Institute of Management, Coimbatore
- ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai
- New Delhi Institute of Management, Delhi
Conclusion
Both CAT and MAT exams are trendy, however, CAT exams are accepted by IIMs and other top prestigious schools. MAT exams are generally accepted by tier 2 and tier 3 institutions. Because of its competitive format and extremely challenging questions, the CAT typically calls for a more thorough preparation period. For people who prefer an easy exam or who have less time for preparation, MAT might be a better choice.
Candidates are required to go through the exam pattern, and syllabus of both exams and then consider their strengths, and weaknesses before choosing whether they have to take both exams or one of them. The CAT may be more manageable for you if you excel in logical reasoning and mathematics. Conversely, the MAT might be a better fit if you are proficient in general aptitude and language comprehension.
FAQs
Q1. Which exam is more difficult? Is MAT Exam tough?
The MAT exam is often regarded as easier due to several factors such as the absence of a sectional time limit, lower competition, and a broader range of colleges accepting its scores. Consequently, the CAT exam is considered more challenging.
Q2. Is there any age limit for appearing for CAT and MAT exam?
Both the CAT and MAT exam do not impose any upper or lower age limits.
Q3. What are the modes of the MAT exam?
The MAT exam offers three modes: Paper Based Test (PBT), Computer Based Test (CBT), and Internet Test (IBT).
Q4. What are the modes of the CAT exam?
The CAT exam is exclusively conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
Q5. How many times can one take the CAT and MAT exam?
Candidates are permitted to take the CAT exam once annually and the MAT exam up to four times a year. There are no restrictions on the maximum number of attempts for either CAT or MAT exams.
