Difference Between MAT and CMAT: Overview, Eligibility Criteria, Application Process

Difference between the MAT and CMAT exam: The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) and Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) are both management entrance exams in India but differ in structure and focus. MAT, conducted by AIMA, includes five sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment. CMAT, conducted by NTA, comprises four sections: Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, and General Awareness. 

While both exams cover quantitative, reasoning, and language skills, MAT uniquely includes a section on the global environment, whereas CMAT has a broader General Awareness section. This results in differing preparation strategies for each exam. Continue reading the blog post below to know about the difference between the MAT and CMAT exam. 

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Overview Between MAT and CMAT

Here’s a table comparing the MAT and CMAT:

Particulars	MAT	CMAT
Conducting Body	All India Management Association (AIMA)	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Duration	2 hours 30 minutes	3 hours
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories); final-year students are also eligible
Exam Mode	Paper-based Test (PBT), Computer-based Test (CBT), and Internet-based Test (IBT)	Computer-based Test (CBT)
Frequency	Four times a year (February, May, September, December)	Once a year
Accepted by	Over 600 B-schools in India	Over 1000 AICTE-approved institutions across India
Exam Fees	INR 1650 for CBT and PBT; INR 2975 for both	INR 2000 (General category males), INR 1000 (General category females and reserved categories)

Difference Between MAT and CMAT Eligibility Criteria

The differences between MAT and CMAT are crucial for candidates to consider when deciding which exam to take based on their academic qualifications and preferences. Check the table given below to know the difference between MAT and CMAT eligibility criteria: 

Particulars	MAT	CMAT
Educational Qualification	Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized institution.	Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized institution.
Final Year Students	Candidates who are in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply.	Candidates who are in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply.
Minimum Marks	There is no specific minimum percentage required in the bachelor’s degree for MAT eligibility.	Candidates must have secured at least 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree (45% for reserved categories such as SC/ST/PwD).
Age Limit	There is no age limit for taking the MAT exam.	There is no age limit for taking the CMAT exam.
Number of Attempts	There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the MAT exam.	There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CMAT exam.

Also Read: How Can I Improve My MAT Score? Strategies and Tips

Difference Between MAT and CMAT Application Process

Here are the key differences between the application processes for MAT (Management Aptitude Test) and CMAT (Common Management Admission Test):

MAT Application Process

Briefly listed below are the MAT application process: 

1. Visit the official AIMA MAT website. Click on the “Register” or “Apply Online” link.
2. Fill in basic details like name, date of birth, email ID, and phone number.
3. Create a login ID and password and log in with your credentials.
4. Fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
5. Choose the mode of examination (PBT, CBT, or IBT).
6. Select up to five management institutes where MAT scores should be sent.
7. Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature as per the specified format and size.
8. Pay the application fee online via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
9. After successful payment, confirm the application submission.
10. Take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.

CMAT Application Process

Listed below are the CMAT application process for your easy reference: 

1. Visit the official NTA CMAT website.
2. Click on the “New Registration” link.
3. Fill in basic details like name, date of birth, email ID, and phone number.
4. Create a login ID and password.
5. Filling the Application Form:
6. Log in with your credentials.
7. Fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
8. Choose the exam city at your convenience 
9. Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature as per the specified format and size.
10. Pay the application fee online via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
11. General category male: INR 2000.
12. General category female and reserved categories: INR 1000.
13. After successful payment, confirm the application submission.
14. Take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.

Also Read: MBA Career Options

Difference Between MAT and CMAT Exam Pattern

This comparison should help you understand the differences between the MAT and CMAT exam patterns. If you need more specific information or have further questions, look at the table given below: 

Particulars	MAT	CMAT
Frequency	Conducted four times a year (February, May, September, and December)	Conducted once a year (usually in January)
Mode of Exam	Paper-Based Test (PBT)Computer-Based Test (CBT)	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration	2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)	CMAT is slightly longer (3 hours) compared to MAT (2.5 hours)
Number of Questions	MAT has 200 questions	CMAT has 100 questions
Subjects	Language Comprehension (40 questions)Mathematical Skills (40 questions)Data Analysis and Sufficiency (40 questions)Intelligence and Critical Reasoning (40 questions)Indian and Global Environment (40 questions)	Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation (25 questions)Logical Reasoning (25 questions)Language Comprehension (25 questions)General Awareness (25 questions)(Optional) Innovation and Entrepreneurship (25 questions)
Marking Scheme	Each question carries 1 mark.0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer.	Each question carries 4 marks.1 mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Score Validity	Scores are valid for one year.	Scores are valid for one year.

Also Read: MAT Selection Process: Important Points to Consider  

Difference Between MAT and CMAT Exam Syllabus

Understanding these differences can help candidates prepare more effectively for each exam based on the specific syllabus requirements. Refer to the table below for easy reference for MAT and CMAT exam syllabi: 

MAT	CMAT
Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles	Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles
Mathematical Skills: Arithmetic (Number Systems, Percentage, Profit and Loss, etc.), Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Probability, Data Interpretation (Graphs, Charts, Tables, etc.)	Logical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning (Syllogisms, Series, Puzzles, etc.), Critical Reasoning, Visual Reasoning
General Awareness: Current Affairs, General Knowledge (Economics, Business, Politics, etc.)	Indian and Global Environment: Current Affairs General Knowledge (Economics, Business, Politics, etc.)
Intelligence and Critical Reasoning: Critical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning (Analytical Reasoning, Syllogisms, Series, etc.)Visual Reasoning	Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Probability, Arithmetic (Number Systems, Percentage, Profit and Loss, etc.), Data Interpretation (Graphs, Charts, Tables, etc.)

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