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The CAT (Common Admission Test) and SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) are both national-level competitive exams held every year in India. While the CAT exam is conducted primarily for management purposes, the SSC CGL exam is conducted for candidates to get jobs in government companies. To help you more with a proper comparison between the two exams, we have compiled a detailed blog which will help you clear the air.
Table of Contents
What is CAT Exam?
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is one of the most competitive national-level entrance exams conducted in India for admission to various postgraduate management programs, such as MBA (Master of Business Administration). This program is offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools.
Also Read: CAT Exam is for What Purpose? Check Key Reasons
What is SSC CGL Exam?
The SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) Exam is also a national-level examination conducted in India. This exam is conducted to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in different ministries, departments, and organizations of the Government of India.
Also Read: SSC CGL Preparation 2024: Tips, Study Plan and Best Books
CAT vs SSC CGL Exam Overview
It is expected that you might not be aware of the basic difference between the CAT and SSC CGL exams. So, to help you out, we have put a detailed comparison of both the CAT (Common Admission Test) and SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) Exam in a tabular format.
| Details | CAT Exam | SSC CGL Exam |
| Aim of the Exam | Admission in MBA and other management programs | Get jobs in several government companies |
| Conducting Body | Several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Level | Single level exam | Three-tier exam (Tier-I, Tier-II, Tier-III) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree in any field | Bachelor’s degree in any field |
| Syllabus | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability | General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence & Reasoning, English Comprehension |
| Duration of Exam | Around 2-3 hours | Varies as per tiers |
| Frequency of Exam | Once a Year | Once a Year |
| Validity of Score | One Year | One Year |
| Difficulty Level | High | Moderate to High |
| Job Opportunities | NA | Government Jobs |
| Selection Process | Exam result, GD-WAT and PI | Written exams for Tier-I & Tier-II, Test/Descriptive Paper for Tier-III Skill and then Document Verification |
| Acceptance Rate at B-schools | CAT score is important for admission in some of the top B-schools | NA |
Also Read: How to Crack CAT in First Attempt?
CAT vs SSC CGL Exam: Eligibility Criteria
Before anyone sits for the CAT or SSC CGL exam, they need to know the eligibility criteria. Therefore, we have put out a table to help you with the same.
| Particulars | CAT Exam | SSC CGL Exam |
| Educational Qualification Required | Bachelor’s degree in any field | Bachelor’s degree in any field |
| Age Limit | No Age Limit | 18 to 32 years (varies for each designation) |
| Reserved Category Benefits | Candidates from reserved categories can enjoy relaxation in age and qualifications as per government rules. | Candidates get to enjoy relaxation in terms of age, qualifications, and application fees. |
Also Read: CAT Exam Appearing Students in Final Year Graduation
CAT vs SSC CGL Application Process
The CAT (Common Admission Test) and SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) are two distinct competitive exams in India, each serving different purposes. Both processes involve online registration, filling out detailed application forms, uploading necessary documents, and fee payment, but the specifics of each step vary based on the exam requirements. Here’s a comparison of their application processes:
CAT (Common Admission Test) Application Process:
- Registration: Visit the official CAT website.
- Create Account: Register by providing basic details like name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number.
- Login: Use the credentials received on email/SMS to log in.
- Fill Application Form: Enter personal details, academic qualifications, work experience, and select the programs and IIMs you are applying for.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of passport-sized photograph, signature, and other required documents.
- Payment of Fees: Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card or net banking.
- Submit: Review the application form and submit it.
SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) Application Process
- Registration: Visit the official SSC website.
- Create Account: Register by providing basic details like name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number.
- Login: Use the credentials received on email/SMS to log in.
- Fill Application Form: Enter personal details, educational qualifications, and preferences for posts.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of passport-sized photograph, signature, and other required documents.
- Payment of Fees: Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card or net banking, or offline through bank challan.
- Submit: Review the application form and submit it.
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CAT vs SSC CGL Exam Fees
Before appearing for the final exam, candidates must know the exam fees for both the CAT and SSC CGL exams. Take a look at the exam fees for either of the exams.
| Particulars | CAT Exam | SSC CGL Exam |
| Application Fees | General/EWS: INR 2,200 to 2,500SC/ST/PWD: Around INR 1,100 to 1,300 | General/OBC: INR 100 to 200SC/ST/PWD/Female: No Fees |
| Mode of Payment | Online Payment | Online Payment |
CAT vs SSC CGL Exam Syllabus
If you are planning to take either of the exams, you must know the exam syllabus. By knowing the same, the candidate will be able to plan their day and make a proper study timetable. To help you with the same, find below a table which enlists the syllabus for the both CAT and SSC CGL exams.
| Particulars | CAT Exam | SSC CGL Exam |
| Tier 1: Exam Subjects | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC); Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR); Quantitative Ability (QA) | General Intelligence & Reasoning; General Knowledge; Quantitative Aptitude; English Comprehension |
| Tier 2: Exam Subjects | NA | Quantitative Abilities (Paper-I); English Language and Comprehension (Paper-II); Statistics (Paper-III, for Statistical Investigator/Compiler posts); General Studies (Paper-IV, only for specific posts) |
| Tier 3: Exam Subjects | NA | Descriptive Paper in English/Hindi (Letter/Application Writing, Essay Writing, etc.) |
| Syllabus | VARC: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, DI & LR | General Intelligence & Reasoning: Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Word Formation, etc. General Awareness: Static GK, Current Affairs Quantitative Aptitude: Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation, Statistics (Paper-III), Finance and Economics (Paper-IV, for specific posts) |
| Total Marks (Tier 2) | NA | 200 marks (each paper) |
| Total Marks (Tier 3) | NA | 100 marks |
| Negative Marking | Yes | Yes |
| Mode of Exam | NA | Pen and Paper |
| Language Exam is Conducted | English | English/Hindi |
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FAQs
In terms of the difficulty level, it is considered that the SSC CGL exam is must easier to crack than the CAT exam. Though the exam syllabus for both the exams are similar but one can expect a different exam pattern for SSC CGL.
Yes, if the student prepares for the SSC CGL in a time span of six months and goes through the syllabus thoroughly then anyone can crack the exam.
No, the syllabus of the CAT and that of the SSC CGL exams are not similar and are way different. Only some of the chapters in the Quantitative Aptitude and Arithematic are similar.
This was all about the CAT vs SSC CGL exam. For more informative blogs, check out our Management Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page of Leverage Edu.