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The NMAT and CAT are two popular exams in India for getting into business schools, but they have some key differences. The NMAT, or NMIMS Management Aptitude Test, is used by several top universities, including NMIMS. It allows you to choose the date and time of your exam and even reappear it if needed. The Common Admission Test (CAT), on the other hand, is used by the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many other top business schools. The CAT is held once a year on a fixed date and is known for its high level of difficulty. While both tests cover similar topics like language, logical reasoning, and math, they have different formats and scoring systems. Comprehending these differences can help you decide which exam to take based on your strengths and preferences.
| Particulars | CAT | NMAT |
| Full Form | Common Admission Test | NMIMS Management Aptitude Test |
| Number of Attempts | Once every year | Thrice in the same window |
| Negative Marking | Yes | No |
| Application Fee | General category: INR 2200 | INR 2300 |
| Reserved category: INR 1100 | ||
| Conducting Authority | IIMs | GMAC |
Table of Contents
CAT vs NMAT Syllabus
Understanding the differences in their syllabuses can help you prepare more effectively for the exam that suits you best.
| CAT | NMAT |
| Fill in the blanks | Idioms, phrases, clauses |
| Sentence correction | Fill in the blanks |
| Sentence completion | Sentence error/correction |
| Jumbled paragraphs | Statement correction |
| Idioms | Para jumbles |
| Reading Comprehension | Reading comprehension |
| Antonyms | Synonyms & antonyms |
| Foreign language words used in English | Analogies |
| Grammar | English grammar & vocabulary |
| Different usage of the same word | Word meaning |
| Analogies | English usage |
| Contextual usage | – |
| Verbal Reasoning | – |
| One word substitution | – |
| Verbal Logic | – |
| Para Completion and inference | – |
CAT vs NMAT Syllabus: DILR
Comprehending these differences can help students prepare effectively for each exam based on their specific DILR requirements.
| CAT | NMAT |
| Coding-Decoding | Coding & Decoding |
| Series | Series |
| Assumptions Proposition | Strong Arguments and Weak Arguments |
| Data Arrangement | Multi-dimensional arrangements |
| Puzzles | Puzzles |
| Seating Arrangement | Arrangement |
| Family Tree | Family tree |
| Bars | Numeric Grid |
| Pie Charts | Critical Reasoning |
| Clocks and Calendars | Calendars |
| Syllogism | Syllogism |
| Statements | Statement Conclusions |
| Proposition | Course of Action |
| Data Structures | Grouping & Conditionalities |
| Direction Sense | Logical Consistency |
| Data Sufficiency | Sequential Output |
| Sets | Ranking in Queue |
| Caselets | Venn Diagrams |
| Venn Diagram | Decision Making |
| Binary Logic | Implicit Statements |
| Line Graphs | – |
CAT vs NMAT Syllabus: QA
Knowing these differences can help you prepare more effectively for each exam.
| CAT | NMAT |
| Geometry | Coordinate Geometry |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometry |
| Mensuration | Mensuration |
| Ratios and Proportion | Ratio and Proportion |
| Number system | Number System |
| Work and time | Work and Time |
| HCF & LCM | Probability |
| Algebra | Algebra (Linear/Quadratic Equation |
| Profit & Loss | Profit and Loss |
| In-equations Quadratic and linear equations | Simple/Compound Interest |
| Geometric Progression | Permutations and Combinations |
| Percentage | Percentage |
| Average | Average |
| Partnership (Accounts) | Line graph, Bar graph, Pie Charts, Tables |
| Time-Speed-Distance | Time, Speed and Distance |
| Surds and Indices | Mixture & Solution |
| Logarithms | Logarithms |
| Inequalities | Modern Math |
| – | 2D & 3D Geometry and Statistics |
| – | Quantitative Skills |
| – | Arithmetic |
Also Read: CAT Exam Appearing Students in Final Year Graduation
CAT vs NMAT: Exam Pattern
The CAT and NMAT exams both help you get into business schools in India, but their test structures and patterns are different. It’s more flexible because you can choose your exam date and even retake it up to three times. Both exams test similar skills but in different ways, so knowing their structures can help you prepare better.
CAT Test Structure & Marking Scheme
| CAT Sections with No. of Questions | Sub-Section/Question Category with No. of Questions |
| VARC (26) | MCQs (18) |
| Non-MCQs (8) | |
| DILR (24) | LR (14) with both MCQs & Non-MCQs |
| DI (10) with both MCQs & Non-MCQs | |
| QA (26) | MCQs (18) |
| Non-MCQs (8) |
NMAT Test Structure & Marking Scheme
This structure allows you to focus on your strengths and manage your time effectively during the test.
| NMAT Section | Number of Questions |
| VA | 36 |
| QA | 36 |
| LR | 36 |
Also Read: NMAT Notification 2024: Latest Updates, Registration Process (Live Link), Exam Scheduling
CAT vs NMAT: Section-Wise Time Limit
When comparing the CAT and NMAT exams, one key difference is the section-wise time limit. In the CAT exam, you have three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. In the below table you will find proper segregation of each section:
| Section | CAT Sectional Time (in minutes) | NMAT Sectional Time (in minutes) |
| QA / Quantitative Skills | 40 | 52 |
| VARC / Language Skills | 40 | 28 |
| DILR / LR | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
CAT vs NMAT: Participating Colleges
The CAT and NMAT exams open doors to different sets of colleges in India. Picking between CAT and NMAT usually depends on your preferred colleges, career goals, and exam-taking preferences, as they each cater to different segments of the business school in India.
Colleges Accepting: CAT Scores
These colleges look at your CAT score along with other factors like your work experience and academic record to decide if you get in. A good CAT score can open doors to some of the best business schools in India.
| Rank | College Name |
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2 | MDI Gurgaon |
| 3 | FMS Delhi |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur |
| 5 | IMT Ghaziabad |
| 6 | JBIMS Mumbai |
| 7 | FORE School of Management, Delhi |
| 8 | Christ University, Bangalore |
| 9 | TAPMI Manipal |
| 10 | Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai |
Colleges Accepting: NMAT Scores
By taking the NMAT, you get the chance to apply to multiple prestigious colleges with just one exam. This can make your journey to a great business school simpler and more efficient.
| Rank | College Name |
| 1 | NMIMS Mumbai |
| 2 | NMIMS Bangalore |
| 3 | NMIMS Hyderabad |
| 4 | K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai |
| 5 | SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Mumbai |
| 6 | Amity University, Noida |
| 7 | BML Munjal University, Gurgaon |
| 8 | IMI Kolkata |
| 9 | ICFAI Business School (IBS), Mumbai |
| 10 | UPES Dehradun |
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FAQs
CAT is generally felt more challenging due to elements such as intense competition, comprehensive syllabus coverage, strict time constraints, and the complexity of its questions. In difference, NMAT is perceived as relatively less difficult in these aspects
Both exams cover most of the same topics, with only a few little differences. Nonetheless, the main difference between the two tests is their approach to timing: NMAT highlights speed, whereas CAT does not. This difference is why some believe that NMAT by GMAC is more straightforward in its format.
NMAT stands out as a favoured exam for MBA hopefuls, marked by ongoing changes in its exam format over recent years. Gaining a clear pass in the NMAT within such a short timeframe is challenging but feasible. Candidates have the advantage of selecting an exam date that aligns best with their readiness and convenience.
This was all about the What is the Difference Between NMAT and CAT?. 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.