What are the differences between the GMAT and CAT?

TL;DR

• The CAT exam is only accepted at business schools in India, while the GMAT can be submitted at schools worldwide
• Both exams test you on essential skills for a graduate degree, and are tailored to business school study
• The GMAT can be taken online or at a test center, while the CAT can be taken at test centers throughout India

As in the United States and Europe, MBA admissions to business schools in India typically require you to take an entrance exam. To land a place at any of the top Indian b-schools, you’ll need an exam score so they can assess your application.

Two popular MBA entrance exams are accepted by the top business schools and private colleges in India. These are the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which is conducted by GMAC, and the Common Admission Test (CAT), conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management.

But what are the key differences between the two exams? Below is everything you need to know about the GMAT and the CAT.

What is the GMAT exam?

Over 2,400 b-schools across 110 countries accept GMAT scores for applications to MBA programs and other business master’s degrees.

Compared to the CAT, which is a domestic exam only offered by Indian schools, the GMAT exam can give you more flexibility if you’re applying to business schools abroad and in India. If you have previously applied unsuccessfully to Indian business schools after taking the CAT, the GMAT also offers an alternative route to admission.

In addition to top business schools in countries including the US, the UK, Europe, Singapore and Canada, a GMAT score is also accepted for flagship programs at over 190 Indian institutions, including (but not limited to):

• Indian School of Business
• IIMs (executive MBA programs)
• Xavier School of Management
• MDI Gurgaon
• SP Jain Institute of Management & Research
• IMT Ghaziabad
• Great Lakes Institute of Management
• BITS Pilani
• IFIM Institutions Bangalore
• Goa Institute of Management
• FORE School of Management
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management

How do the GMAT and the CAT exam differ?

Both the GMAT and the CAT exams are designed to measure the quantitative ability and reasoning skills that are crucial for business school candidates. However, while some of the exam content is similar, the exams differ in important factors such as the test length, number of questions, and the validity period of the score.

Both the CAT and GMAT are computer-based exams, with the GMAT offering additional flexibility, as it can be taken either at a test center or online at home, whereas the CAT is taken solely at a test center. There are approximately 370 CAT test centers across 170 cities in India, and you can choose up to five city preferences on your application.

Another significant difference is that the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, which means the difficulty of subsequent questions is based on your performance on the previous question. The 64 questions in the GMAT exam are split between three sections, which can be answered in any order: Quantitative Reasoning (21), Verbal Reasoning (23), and Data Insights (20). You should also pay attention to the time limits for each section, as there’s a score penalty for not finishing each section.

For the CAT, you’ll need to answer 68 questions across three sections, with no flexibility to change the order: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) (24), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) (22), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) (22). Marks are deducted for every wrong multiple-choice answer in the CAT exam.

GMAT test-takers can preview their unofficial score onscreen immediately after completing the exam—you’ll receive an Official Score Report within 3-5 business days of completing the exam. A CAT Official Score Report, meanwhile, is typically only available approximately one month after the test date.

Your CAT score is valid for 1 year, while your GMAT score is valid for 5 years after the test date. You can also take the GMAT five times in one year, while the CAT exam allows only one attempt per year on a fixed date.

Preparation time for the CAT exam is typically longer—it can take a first-time test-taker an average of one year to prepare. A general guideline for first-time GMAT test-takers is about six to eight weeks of focused study, though it may take longer to prepare if you have other commitments like full-time work.

Summary of the differences between the GMAT and the CAT

How do I prepare for the GMAT or CAT exam?

Your first step to preparing for the GMAT or CAT should be getting to know the test. Acquaint yourself with the format of the exam and identify a score range that you’d like to aim for, perhaps based on average GMAT scores at your first-choice business school.

There are lots of GMAT prep resources available to help you study for the exam, including official GMAT prep products provided by GMAC. These include sample questions and answer explainers to help you identify areas of weakness and prepare you for the specific questions that might come up in the exam.

You might also consider CAT or GMAT prep courses, which will give more structure to your study and offer you the expertise of an exam expert who can guide you throughout the process. However, these courses can be costly.

How do I register for the GMAT exam?

The GMAT exam can be taken at any point throughout the year, so you’ll need to consider how much time you’ll need to prepare before you schedule your exam.

You can register for the GMAT exam online by signing up for an account on mba.com. You’ll need to provide some personal information before selecting your preference for an online or in-person test.

How do I register for the CAT exam?

Registration for the CAT usually opens in August of the year prior to your enrollment and ends in September. So, if you’re planning on starting your MBA in 2027, registration will open in early August 2026.

The CAT exam is held annually in November, so you should have already started your preparation for the exam when you register for the test.