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Choosing the right entrance exam for pursuing an MBA can be an important decision for your future career aspirations. The CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) and ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) are two popular options in India. Both exams are designed to evaluate your aptitude in areas like quantitative techniques, language skills, and logical reasoning. Nevertheless, they differ in structure and acceptance by various business schools. Moreover, understanding these differences can help you decide which exam matches your strengths and the MBA programs you aim to join. Check the blog post below and get an idea about the major differences between CMAT vs ATMA.
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Differences Between CMAT vs ATMA
While CMAT scores are widely accepted by many business schools across India, ATMA is recognized by a significant number of institutions as well. However, comprehending these differences can help students decide which test aligns better with their strengths and career goals. Check the table given below for an overview of the CMAT and ATMA exams.
| Particulars | CMAT | ATMA |
| Exam Name | Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) | AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency | Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) |
| Exam Level | National | National Level |
| Exam frequency | Third week of May (tentative) | 4-5 times a year |
| Exam mode | National | Centre-Based Online Mode |
| Duration | Once a year | 3 Hours |
Syllabus | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension & Verbal Ability, General AwarenessInnovation and Entrepreneurship | Analytical Reasoning Skills, Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills |
Exam Pattern | 100 questions in MCQ format | Consists of 180 MCQs where a +1 mark is awarded for a correct answer and 0.25 marks are deducted for an incorrect answer. |
| Exam Medium | English | English |
| Exam fees | INR 2,000 (General category male)INR 1,000 (General category female/reserved category students) | INR 1,500 |
| Exam purpose | Admission to 1,300 MBA colleges | Admission into 756 colleges |
| Course offered | MBA/PGDM | MBA, PGDM, MCA, PGDBA |
| No. of test cities | 124 | 102 test cities (new exam centres added) |
| Exam date | – | Session 1: 18-Feb-2024Session 2: 25-May-2024Session 3: 23-Jun-2024Session 4: 21-Jul-2024 |
| Official website | https://cmat.nta.nic.in/ | http://www.atmaaims.com/ |
Also Read: CMAT Exam: Latest Update, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern
CMAT vs ATMA: Eligibility Criteria
Both exams are designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude for management education, but the exact criteria might slightly vary, so it’s always best to check the specific details for the year you plan to apply.
| CMAT | ATMA |
| The aspirant must have completed graduation or equivalent degree from a recognised university. | Candidates applying for the ATMA exam should be a citizen of India. |
| The aspirant must have completed graduation or equivalent degree from a recognised university. | Any graduate with a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA, from a recognised university, is eligible to apply. |
| Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply for CMAT Exam. | Candidates who are in their final year of graduation can apply provisionally. |
| There is no upper age limit for CMAT. Freshers as well as working professionals can appear for CMAT. | There is no age limit. |
Also Read: ATMA Eligibility Criteria: Details (Out), Qualification, Age Limit
CMAT vs ATMA: Syllabus
While both tests consider similar skills, their structure and emphasis differ, making it essential for candidates to understand the specific requirements of each to prepare effectively.
| CMAT | ATMA |
| Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation | Analytical Reasoning Skills – 1 |
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal & Quantitative Skills – 1 |
| Language Comprehension | Analytical Reasoning Skills – 2 |
| General Awareness | Verbal Skills – 2 |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Quantitative Skills – 2 |
Also Read: CMAT Syllabus: Check Section-wise Important Topics
CMAT vs ATMA: Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Knowing the differences between marking schemes, subjects and exam duration makes it easier for the candidates to understand about the exam pattern followed as prescribed by the exam conducting committee. Comprehending these differences can support learners better prepare and decide which exam aligns with their strengths.
| Particular | CMAT | ATMA |
| Number of sections in the exam | Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, English Language, Logical Reasoning, General Awareness and ( Innovation and Entrepreneurship)Total – 5 Subjects | Analytical Reasoning Skills – I, Verbal Skills – I, Quantitative Skills – I, Analytical Reasoning Skills – II, Verbal Skills –II, Quantitative Skills – II) – 3 Subjects |
| Mode of the exam | Online exam | Online exam |
| Duration of the Exam | 180 minutes and +30 minutes for the optional paper | 180 minutes or 3 hours |
| Number of Exam Shifts | 2 shifts ( 9 Am to 12 Pm and 3 Pm to 6 PM) | — – |
| Total Number of Questions | 100+25 | 180 |
| Marking Scheme for CMAT | +4 for the right answer–1 for the incorrect one | +1 mark for each correct answer-0.25 for every wrong answer |
| Language of Exam | English | English |
Also Read: CMAT Exam Pattern: Duration, Marking Scheme, Subjects
CMAT vs ATMA: Best Preparation Books
A good preparation method involves practising with previous years’ question papers and taking mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam patterns and improve time management.
| CMAT | ATMA |
| The Complete Reference Manual for CMAT by SK Sinha | A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning |
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission Into IIMs | Objective General English – RS Aggarwal |
| Business English and Communication by John O E Clark | English is Easy – Chetan Anand Singh |
| Economic Times – The Financial Times | Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis |
Also Read: 15+ List of Colleges Accepting ATMA Score
MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT vs ATMA Exam Scores
These exams help students in securing for admission based on their performance. CMAT and ATMA are designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude in areas such as quantitative techniques, logical reasoning, language comprehension, and general awareness. Furthermore, this makes it easier for institutions to identify suitable candidates for their MBA courses.
| CMAT | ATMA |
| Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra | School of Management, Manipal University |
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai | International School of Management & Research, Pune |
| BIMTECH, Greater Noida | School of Management, Manipal University |
| Goa Institute of Management, Goa | ISBR Business School, Bangalore |
| KIIT School of Management | Jagan Institute Of Management Studies, Rohini |
| Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Hyderabad | ASM’s Institute of International Business & Research, Pune |
| Christ University, Bengaluru | Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship ( XIME), Bengaluru |
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FAQs
CMAT is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to MBA and PGDM programs in India. ATMA is conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) for similar purposes.
CMAT consists of four sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. Furthermore, each section has 25 questions, making a total of 100 questions, and the exam lasts for 3 hours.
CMAT has a total of 400 marks. Each correct answer earns 4 marks, and each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1 mark.
This was all about CMAT vs ATMA: Which Exam is Best for MBA? 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.