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CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and GMAT are famous MBA entrance exams. These tests are accepted by many MBA colleges in India. These examinations are conducted at all India level and candidates who have graduated are eligible to participate in these examinations. This blog article covers key details about the MBA test so that you can make an informed choice in choosing the test.
Table of Contents
Also Read: XAT Application Process 2024: Last Date, How to Apply, and Form Link
CAT Full Form and Highlights
The abbreviation of CAT is the Common Admission Test. This exam is widely accepted by 1,200 MBA colleges in India. The Indian Institute of Management conducts the CAT exam all over India and is regarded as one of the toughest MBA entrance exams. Read key highlights of the CAT exam 2024 from the table below:
| CAT Exam | Details |
| Conducting Body | IIM |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Exam mode | CBT |
| Exam duration | 2 hours |
| CAT 2024 exam date | 24-Nov-2024 |
| Registration Dates | 03-Aug-2024 to 15-Sep-2024 |
| Eligibility | Graduation with 50 % score (45 % for SC/ST students)Final-year graduation students can also apply |
| Exam fees | INR 2,400 (General category) and INR 1200 (Reserved category) |
| CAT syllabus | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Test(VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Test (DILR)Quantitative Ability Test (QA) |
| CAT pattern | 66 MCQs and non-MCQs |
| No. of test cities, | 155 |
| Course offered | MBA/PGDM |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll-Free) |
| Exam website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
Let’s explore this: PGDM VS MBA
MAT Full Form and Highlights
The abbreviation of MAT is the Management Aptitude Test. This test is regarded as an easy exam. The key benefit of this test is that one can opt for the particular month and the mode in which candidates want to appear for it. Read key highlights of the MAT exam 2024 from the table below:
| MAT Exam | Details |
| Conducting Body | All India Management Association (AIMA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam frequency | Multiple times a year |
| Exam mode | CBT, PBT, and IBT |
| Exam duration | 2.5 hours |
| MAT exam schedule | CBTPBTIBT |
| MAT registration dates | 4th week of March for all the three PBT, CBT, IBT |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any stream from a recognized universityFinal-year graduation students can also apply |
| Exam fees | CBT/PBT- INR 1650CBT- INR 2750 |
| MAT syllabus | Language Comprehension SectionData Analysis & Sufficiency SectionMathematics (Quantitative Aptitude) SectionIntelligence and Critical Reasoning SectionIndian & Global Environment Section |
| MAT pattern | 200 questions in MCQs format |
| No. of test cities | PBT Mode – 27CBT Mode – 26 |
| Course offered | MBA/PGDM |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 011 – 24645100 / 011 – 24617354 / 011 – 43128100 |
| Exam website | https://mat.aima.in/ |
Explore the blog: MBA Career Options
CMAT Full Form and Highlights
The abbreviation of CMAT is the Common Management Admission Test. This test is conducted by the NTA and is valid for admission to all government institutions for MBA and PDGM programs. Read key highlights of the CMAT exam 2024 from the table below.
| CMAT Exam | Details |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency |
| Exam level | National |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Exam mode | CBT |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes for optional paper |
| Exam schedule | Last week of May 2024 |
| Registration Dates | February 2024 to March 2024 |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any stream from a recognised universityFinal year graduation students can also apply |
| Exam fees | INR 2,000 |
| CMAT syllabus | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation SectionLogical Reasoning SectionLanguage Comprehension & Verbal Ability SectionGeneral Awareness SectionInnovation and Entrepreneurship (optional paper) |
| CMAT pattern | 100 questions in MCQ format |
| No. of test cities, | 124 |
| Courses offered | MBA/PGDM |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 0120-6895200 |
| Exam website | https://www.nta.ac.in |
XAT Full Form and Highlights
The abbreviation of XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test. This test is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur every year on the first Sunday of January. XAT is of moderate to high difficulty level. Read key highlights of the XAT exam 2024 from the table below.
| XAT Exam | Details |
| Conducting Body | XLRI, Jamshedpur |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam frequency | Once a year |
| Exam mode | CBT |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| XAT exam date | 07-Jan-2024 |
| Registration Dates | 15-Jul-2023 to 30-Nov-2023 |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any stream from a recognised universityFinal-year graduation students can also apply |
| Exam fees | INR 2,100 |
| XAT syllabus | Decision-Making SectionVerbal & Logical Ability SectionQuantitative Ability & Data Interpretation SectionGeneral Knowledge Section |
| XAT pattern | 102 questions in MCQ format |
| No. of test cities, | 73 |
| Course offered | MBA/PGDM |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 18002674008 |
| Exam website | https://xatonline.in/ |
Also Read: PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management)
GMAT Full Form and Highlights
The abbreviation of GMAT is The Graduate Management Admission Test. This test is highly valued in the context of business and management programs that examine the candidate’s skill sets. Read key highlights of the GMAT exam 2024 from the table below:
| GMAT Exam | Details |
| Commonly known as | GMAT |
| Exam Level | International Level Exam |
| Conducting Body | Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) |
| Language | English |
| GMAT 2024 Registration mode | Online |
| GMAT 2024 Exam Mode | Online |
| Current version GMAT test duration | 3 hours and 7 min |
| Edition GMAT 2024 test duration | 2 hours 15 min |
| GMAT cost(approx.) | Rs. 21000/- |
| GMAT Focus Edition exam fee | Rs. 21000/- |
| GMAT exam fee payment options | Credit Card and Debit Card |
| Chances for Re-attempts | Overall 8 attempts (only 5 chances per year) |
| GMAT Syllabus | Quantitative Reasoning SectionIntegrated Reasoning SectionVerbal Reasoning SectionAnalytical Writing Test |
Also Read XLRI PGDM: Application, Scholarship, Eligibility and More
Conclusion: Choosing the Most Suitable Exam Among CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and GMAT
Deciding on the optimal exam from CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and GMAT is solely dependent on an individual’s targets, professional ambitions, and unique parameters of both educational or career avenues. These examinations are designed to serve distinct purposes CAT is primarily meant for domestic business schools, MAT caters to a more comprehensive range of management institutes, CMAT is designed to seek admission in AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM programs across India, XAT is tailored to specific MBA programs, and GMAT is meant for offshore business schools. Thus, applicants must scrutinize their goals and desired institutions before selecting the most appropriate exam that suits their specifications.
FAQs
It is tough to predict which is the most difficult test among XAT and CAT because both tests are different in terms of test structure and marking scheme.
The Candidates who will score around 92 to 95 percentile, will be shortlisted for the GD-PI round.
GMAT has inclusive eligibility criteria candidates from all nationalities can apply they just need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. There is no specific age restrictions.
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This was all about the “MBA Entrance Exams”. For more such informative blogs, check out our Management Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.