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Difference between MAH MBA CET and CAT: When we talk about MAH MBA CET and CAT exams there are huge differences between them. MAH MBA CET is a state entrance exam and CAT is a national level in which lots of candidates participate each year. However, there are certain similarities that they have in terms of topics in the syllabus and that they are management entrance exams. CAT is an exam through which you can gain admission to IIMs which are the topmost and most reputable management institutes in India. Both MAH MBA CET and CAT are management entrance exams for postgraduate programmes that are conducted once a year. In this blog, we will discuss some of the differences between MAH MBA CET and CAT that will make it easier for you to make a better choice.
Table of Contents
MAH MBA CET Vs. CAT: Which is Better?
Choosing the better exam between MAH MBA CET and CAT depends on the college in which you want to get admission and how hard you can study. CAT is one of the toughest Indian management exams that is conducted by IIM. Through this, you can get admission to top IIMs and other reputed universities. However, MAH MBA CET is a state management exam of Maharashtra whose difficulty level varies from moderate to difficult. The state exam is conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell. Let’s compare some of the details to understand the similarities and differences between MAH MBA CET and CAT.
| Exam Detail | MAH MBA CET | CAT |
| Full form | Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test | Common Admission Test |
| Sections | Quantitative AptitudeLogical ReasoningAbstract ReasoningVerbal Ability | Quantitative Aptitude (QA)Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| Total Marks | 198 | 200 |
| Duration | 150 minutes | 120 minutes |
| No. of Questions | 200 | 66 |
| Number of Applicants | Nearly 1 lakh | 3.3 lakhs |
| Exam Fees | General Category – INR 1200 Reserved categories – INR 1000 | GEN – INR 2400 SC/ST/PwD – INR-1200 |
| Frequency of the Exam | Once a Year | Once a year |
Also Read: What is the Difference Between XAT and MAT?
Difference Between MAH MBA CET and CAT: Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the both the MAH MBA CET and CAT should be known by the candidates to apply for these examinations. For the MAH MBA CET, the candidates are required to have a Bachelor’s degree for 3 years from a recognized university. They should have 50% marks for the unreserved category which is 45% for the reserved categories. However, for the CAT exam candidates are required to have a minimum of at least 50% which is 45% for SC/ST and PWD from a recognized university. Additionally, for both exams, the candidates awaiting the results of the final year can also apply for it.
Also Read: KIITEE Management Eligibility Criteria
Difference Between MAH MBA CET and CAT: Exam Pattern
If you know about the exam pattern for the MAH MBA CET then you can easily find which one to choose. The exam patterns for both have some differences that put them apart from each other. Here, are some of the exam pattern differences between MAH MBA CET and CAT that you must know about.
MAH MBA CET Exam Pattern
The Maharashtra MBA CET exam pattern understanding is required when you are preparing for it. Here, is the exam pattern for the MAH MBA CET that will you know about it better and boost your preparations.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| Logical Reasoning | 75 | 75 |
| Abstract Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
The duration of the examination is around 150 minutes in which you have to solve 200 questions. One positive point about the exam is that there is no negative marking so you can attempt as many questions in it.
CAT Exam Pattern
CAT is conducted in the computer-based mode and questions are in the form of both MCQs and non-MCQs. Let’s take a look at the CAT Exam pattern for more details about it and how you can better prepare for it.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension(VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning(DILR) | 20 | 60 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 198 | 120 minutes |
The negative marking is present in the CAT exam for the MCQ questions where 1 mark will get deducted for every wrong answer. Additionally, for every correct answer, you will get 3 marks.
Also Read: ATMA Exam Pattern: Latest Paper Pattern, Syllabus
Difference Between MAH MBA CET and CAT Syllabus
The syllabus of MAH MBA CET and CAT plays a major role when you are comparing it for both exams. There is an extra section in the MAH MBA CET exam in comparison to the CAT. However, the difficulty level of CAT is higher as there advanced questions from each section.
| Exam | Syllabus |
| MAH MBA CET | Quantitative Aptitude- Number system, Averages, Arithmetic Progression, Simple interest, Compound Interest, Profit and loss, Quadratic and Linear equations, Work and time, Percentages, Pipes and Cisterns, Time, speed and distance, Ratio and proportion. Logical Reasoning/Abstract Reasoning – Analogies, Arrangements, Coding and Decoding, Clock and Calendar, Critical Reasoning, Blood relations, Puzzles, Directions, Syllogisms, and Sequence and series Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – General Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Fill In the blanks, Jumbled paragraphs, Synonyms and Antonyms, One-word substitution, Sentence Correction, Contextual usage, Odd one out, Syllogisms, Sentence Completion Idioms, Vocabulary |
| CAT | Quantitative Aptitude – Number system, Averages, Work and time, Arithmetic Progression, Simple interest, Compound Interest, pipes and Cisterns, Ratio and proportion, Quadratic and Linear equations, Percentages, Profit and loss, Time, speed and distance. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – General Grammar, Reading Comprehension, One-word substitution, Sentence Correction, Synonyms and Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Contextual usage, Idioms, Fill In the blanks, Odd one out, Jumbled paragraphs, Vocabulary, and Syllogisms. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning(DILR) – Tables, Venn Diagram, Line and Bar Graphs, Blood Relations, Calendar, Seating, Critical Reasoning, Matrix, and linear Arrangements, Pie, Line, Clocks, and Area Charts, Binary Logic, Coding-Decoding, Data Sufficiency, Assumption, Data Structure, Data Analytic Caselets, and Logical Sequence. |
Must Read: What is the Difference Between NMAT and GMAT Exam?
Top Colleges Accepting MAH MBA CET and CAT Scores
The colleges accepting the exam scores in the CAT exam are some of the top ones from India. However, for the institutes accepting MAH MBA CET scores are the best in the state of Maharashtra. Let’s check the top management institutes that accept the scores to understand the difference between MAH MBA CET and CAT exams.
| Top Management Colleges accepting MAH MBA CET Scores | Top Management Colleges accepting CAT scores |
| Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai. | Indian Institute of Management(IIM) Ahmedabad |
| Indira Global School of Business, Sheila Raheja School of Business Management & Research, Mumbai | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore(IIMB) |
| Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), Savitribai Phule Pune University | Indian Institute of Management(IIM) Calcutta |
| JBIMS Mumbai | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode |
| SIES College of Management Studies, Mumbai | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore |
| MET Institute of Management Mumbai | Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) Delhi |
| Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education, Mumbai | SPJIMR Mumbai |
| Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management, Mumbai | IMI New Delhi |
| Chetana’s Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai | SPJIMR, Mumbai |
| Xavier Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai | MDI Gurgaon |
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FAQs
CAT is a better exam if you are good at studying and can clear it as it is one of the toughest exams. However, the MAH MBA CET is a state entrance is good if you want to get top colleges in Maharashtra.
MAH MBA CET level varies from moderate to difficult. However, the CAT is a difficult exam which requires significant hard work to crack it.
MAH MBA CET is a state-level examination in Maharashtra where more than 1 lakh students appear every year. However, the CAT is a national-level exam in India where more than 3 lakh candidates appear every year.
This blog was all about the “What is the difference Between MAH MBA CET and CAT?”. For more information, do check out our Management Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.