Introduction
Choosing the right path after completing graduation is a crucial decision for every student. Higher education is a must, but choosing the right course and college makes all the difference. Many students aspire to pursue management education, and CAT and NMAT are two popular entrance exams everyone knows about. Both exams have different patterns, and understanding the differences can help students make an informed decision about which exam to appear for. In this post, we will discuss the differences between NMAT and CAT exams.
Section 1: What is NMAT?
NMAT is an abbreviation for “National Management Aptitude Test.” The exam is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and is accepted by a number of universities in India, South Africa, Nigeria, and the Philippines. The test aims to evaluate the abilities of candidates in language skills, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills. NMAT is a 120-minute exam that consists of three sections, namely Language skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
Section 2: What is CAT?
CAT stands for “Common Admission Test.” It is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) for admission to various postgraduate programs in management courses. CAT is a computer-based test that consists of 100 objective questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Section 3: Exam Structure Comparison
NMAT and CAT have different exam patterns. NMAT is an adaptive test where the level of the difficulty of the questions varies based on the candidate’s response to the previous question. CAT is a time-bound test where candidates have to answer questions within the given duration. NMAT is a 120-minute exam with three different sections, while CAT is a 180-minute exam with three different sections. The sectional timing in NMAT is different, while CAT has equal sectional timing.
Section 4: Exam Syllabus
NMAT and CAT syllabus differ significantly. NMAT covers language skills, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills, while CAT covers verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning, and quantitative ability. Candidates who are good at math and reasoning should go for CAT, while those who are good at language skills should go for NMAT.
Section 5: Exam Conducting Bodies
NMAT is conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council, while CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management. The institutes accepting NMAT scores are different from those accepting CAT scores.
Section 6: Accepting Institutes and Programs
NMAT scores are accepted by various management institutes, including NMIMS, ISB, SPJIMR, XIMB, and many others. CAT scores are accepted by various IIMs and other top management institutes like XLRI, FMS, IIFT, etc.
Section 7: Difficulty Level
NMAT and CAT have different difficulty levels. NMAT is relatively easier than CAT. NMAT tests the candidate’s speed and accuracy, while CAT tests the candidate’s logical reasoning and problem-solving ability.
Section 8: Which Exam to Choose?
The decision of which exam to choose between NMAT and CAT depends on the candidate’s strengths. If a candidate is good at language and conceptual clarity, they should go for NMAT. Those who excel in math and reasoning should opt for CAT. Candidates who cannot decide between the two exams can appear for both exams.
FAQs
1. Which exam is tougher, NMAT or CAT?
Ans: CAT is relatively tougher than NMAT.
2. How many sections are there in NMAT?
Ans: NMAT has three sections, namely Language skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
3. How long is the duration of CAT?
Ans: The duration of CAT is 180 minutes.
4. Which is better for language skills, NMAT or CAT?
Ans: NMAT is better for language skills.
5. Which test is accepted by a larger number of institutes?
Ans: CAT is accepted by a larger number of institutes.
6. Can a candidate appear for both NMAT and CAT?
Ans: Yes, a candidate can appear for both NMAT and CAT.
7. Which exam is accepted internationally?
Ans: NMAT is accepted internationally in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
Conclusion
Choosing the right management entrance exam can be a daunting task but understanding the differences between NMAT and CAT can help students make informed decisions about which exam to appear for. Both exams have different exam patterns, syllabus, conducting bodies, difficulty levels, and accepting institutes. Students must judge their strengths, abilities, and preferences to choose the right exam. We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between the two exams and choose the right one. All the best.
0 comments