What is the Difference Between MAT and CAT Exam?
CAT VS MAT- CAT and MAT are two of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. CAT is tougher than MAT but is accepted by over 1200 MBA colleges in India. MAT is also accepted by over 800 popular private colleges. Read here the key differences between CAT and MAT.
CAT vs MAT - MBA admissions in India are based on entrance exams. There are a number of national and state level entrance exams through which aspirants realise their MBA dream. CAT and MAT are two of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. A large number of candidates apply for both evey year. Should you appear for both exam or choose one between the two. To make that decision, let's undertsand the difference between CAT and MAT exam.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.MAT is easier than CAT but it offers lesser option than CAT in terms of MBA colleges. About 1,300 MBA colleges in India accept CAT score for admission. These include the IIMs, MDI, SPJIMR, FMS, IITs, IMT, IMI and many more popular private and government management institutes. MAT is accepted by over 800 popular private B-schools in India. Some of these B-schools include Amity University, Dr. D.Y. Patil B School-Pune, ITM University, GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research, OP Jindal Global University, Christ University, JIMS Rohini, Jain University among others. So the choice between CAT and MAT is tough and must be made very carefully.
Q: What makes CAT tougher than other MBA entrance exams?
Q: Is MAT exam easier than other MBA entrance exams?
Yes, the difficulty level of MAT exam is lower than other MBA entrance exams. The question paper is usually of easy to moderate difficulty level. The exam is now held for 120 minutes. There are now 150 questions in the exam paper. There is no sectional time limit in MAT which allows the candidate to plan a strategy according to their strengths and weaknesses. The score of Indian and Global Environment section is not considered for percentile calculation thus candidates don't have the stress of fifth section. Also, solving 150 questions is not mandatory so candidates can choose to solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. Sectional difficulty level of MAT is also lower than other MBA exams. Candidates can attempt the exam multiple times in the same academic year to improve their score. They also have the option to choose the mode of test - CBT, IBT, PBT - which makes it the most student friendly exam. Also, the MAT cut offs for admission are much lower as compared to other entrance exams.
Q: Which is better MAT or CMAT?
CAT as everyone knows is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India. What makes MAT a popular choice is that it offers multiple attempts to candidates to improve their score in the same academic session. If one is not satisfied with their MAT score, they can reappear in the same academic year and improve the score but other entrance exams including the CAT does not have this option. Also, CAT is much tougher than MAT.
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What is the Difference Between CAT and MAT?
The major difference between MAT and CAT is the exam frequency. While MAT is conducted multiple times a year in four phases, CAT is conducted only once a year. In this article, we have discussed the difference between CAT exam and MAT exam. Knowing the main differences between CAT exam and MAT exam will help you decide which exam to opt for, in this academic year.
CAT vs MAT: Exam Conducting Body
CAT: The exam is conducted annually for admissions to MBA/PGDM courses. It is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on rotation basis. Every year, one of the top IIMs is given the responsibility to conduct the exam. CAT is a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode exam and the most popular of all MBA entrance exams.
Q: What is the difference between CBT and PBT modes of MAT exam?
Q: Which is better MAT or CAT?
CAT is conducted by IIMS for admission to their college. CAT is accepted in all colleges of the country. MAT is accepted by Private management colleges across the country but few colleges accept CAT only. Both the exams are for the taking admission in management course.
Common Admission Test CAT is conducted by one of the Iims, while MAT (Management Aptitude Test) is approved by MHRD and conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). Considering its reputation, the CAT is the most prestigious common entrance exam for an MBA.
To appear in a CAT exam candidates need a Bachelor's degree from a recognised board with a minimum 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA. The cut-off is 45% for SC, ST, and PWD or DA categories. For the MAT exam, there are no minimum percentage criteria and no minimum age limit.
Management Aptitude Test, popularly known as MAT is conducted by AIMA (All India Management Association). It is a National Level Entrance Test. As per MAT score, applicants need to score at least 95 percentile for admissions in top second-tier AICTE schools, whereas from CAT one needs to score at least 99 percentile for admissions in top Iims like Calcutta, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad.
The CAT is more difficult than MAT and its score is accepted by the top Iims and B schools across India. Comparatively, MAT is much easier, and around 600+ management universities in India accept the MAT result score.
Q: Which is better IIM Jammu or IIM Sambhalpur?
Both IIM Jammu and IIM Sambalpur accepts CAT score for admission to the Management courses. IIMs cutoff 2023 will be released after the CAT result. However, considering the 2022 cutoff, IIM Jammu CAT percentile was 90 and for IIM Sambhalpur, the percentile stood at 92 for the General ALL India category candidates. So, considering the previous year CAT percentile for both the IIMs, Sambhalpur is more competitive than Jammu.
Talking bout the NIRF Ranking 2023 under the Management category, IIM Jammu ranked 41, whereas, IIM Sambalpur secured the 58th position. Candidates can refer to the table given below to compare both IIM Jammu and IIM Sambalpur considering several aspects such as total MBA fees, highest package, NIRF ranking and CAT cutoff 2022 to make a clear decision:
| Parameters | IIM Jammu | IIM Sambhalpur |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF Management Ranking 2023 | 41 | 58 |
| CAT Cutoff 2022 | 90 | 92 |
| Total MBA fee | INR 10.5 L - INR 20.7 L | INR 10.5 L |
| Highest package 2023 | INR 64 LPA | INR 64.61 LPA |
MAT: The exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT exam is conducted several times in four months (February, May, August and December) in three modes - Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT).
CAT vs MAT: Eligibility Criteria
CAT eligibility criteria: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised board or university with minimum of 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA in the qualifying exam. Candidates belonging to SC, ST and PWD/DA categories must have obtained a minimum of 45 per cent aggregate.
Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024
MAT eligibility criteria: This exam is a boon for candidates who have scored below 50 per cent in graduation. Any graduate with passing marks can appear for MAT exam. There is neither age limit nor minimum percentage required for appearing in the exam.
Also Read: MAT Eligibility Criteria 2024
CAT vs MAT: Frequency of Exam
CAT: The exam is conducted on a single day in three sessions. Test slot is allotted to candidates by the examination body on the basis of receipt of application.
MAT: MAT is conducted multiple times in a year in four phases - February, May, September and December. Dates of IBT, PBT and CBT mode exams are different and candidates can choose one or more examination mode. CBT and PBT mode exams are conducted in single slot, while IBT is conducted in two slots. Candidates can choose IBT slots as per their preference.
CAT vs MAT: Exam Pattern
CAT: Candidates appearing for CAT need to solve questions from subjects like Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
Also Read: CAT exam pattern 2024
MAT: MAT exam paper consists of questions from Indian and Global Environment, Language Comprehension, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning. The Economic and Business Environment section has GK and current affairs questions.
Also Read: MAT exam pattern 2024
CAT vs MAT: Exam Duration
CAT: The duration of CAT is 120 minutes or two hours. There is a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Candidates have to follow the given sequence to solve the paper and as soon as 40 minutes of one section gets over, the computer screen jumps to the next section automatically.
Download: CAT Question Papers
MAT: Candidates need to solve 150 questions in 2 hours. There is no sectional time limit thus, candidates can solve the paper in a sequence they prefer. Scores of India and Global Environment section is not considered for MAT percentile calculation so candidates can attempt it in the end or leave it as per availability of time.
Download: MAT Question Papers
CAT vs MAT: Difficulty Level
CAT: Even though CAT has only 66 questions, it is regarded as one of the toughest MBA entrance exams. The question paper is usually of moderate to high difficulty level.
Also Read: CAT Exam Analysis
MAT: MAT has 150 questions but it is an easy exam. The questions in MAT are of easy to moderate difficulty level. A candidate who has prepared for CAT, can easily crack MAT. The Indian and Global Environment section is not taken into consideration for MAT percentile calculation so on can skip it in case of time crunch.
Also Read: MAT Exam Analysis
CAT vs MAT: Marking Scheme
CAT: Total marks of CAT is 198. For every correct answer, 3 marks are awarded and there is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect attempt. In case a candidate does not attempt a question, no marks shall be deducted. There is no negative marking for non-MCQs.
MAT: The total marks of MAT exam is 150. Every correct answer carries 1 mark, and 0.25 marks is deducted for every wrong attempt.
Also Read:
CAT vs MAT: Exam Fee
CAT: The registration fee is INR 2,500 for General and NC-OBC candidates. For SC/ST/PWD (DA) categories, the fee is INR 1,250.
MAT: The registration fee for MAT is INR 2,100 for one paper (either IBT, PBT or CBT).
CAT vs MAT Exam: Key Differences
To conclude, let us have a quick recap of difference between CAT and MAT:
| Parameters |
CAT exam |
MAT exam |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Full Form |
Common Admission Test |
Management Aptitude Test |
| Conducting body |
IIM |
AIMA |
| Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50% aggregate |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 50% aggregate |
| Frequency |
Once a year (November) |
Multiple times a year in February, May, August and December |
| Mode of Exam |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
|
| Exam Sections |
|
|
| Number of sections |
3 |
5 |
| Number of questions |
66 questions |
150 questions |
| Exam Duration |
2 hours |
2 hours |
| Difficulty level |
High |
Low |
| Marking Scheme |
3 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer |
1 for correct answer -0.25 for every incorrect answer |
| Exam Fee |
General and NC-OBC: INR 2,500 SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,250 |
All categories: INR 2,100
|
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score Apart from IIMs
Given below is the list of top 20 MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score other than IIMs. The list includes IITs offering MBA programme through their management studies departments and schools.
| Top 20 CAT Colleges |
|
|---|---|
Also Read: List of all MBA colleges accepting CAT score
Top Colleges Accepting MAT scores
MAT scores are accepted by over 800 MBA colleges in India. Given below is the list of colleges accepting MAT score for admission to their MBA programmes.
| Top 20 MAT Colleges | |
|---|---|
Also Read: List of all MBA Colleges Accepting MAT Score
Check out free online mock tests for CAT and MAT, created by Shiksha
Free Shiksha CAT Mock Test
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Free Shiksha MAT Mock Test
| MAT_Mock_Test_1 | MAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| MAT_Mock_Test_2 | MAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Read More:
- Is XAT tougher than CAT?
- Difference between CAT and GMAT
- How difficult is IIFT exam as compared to CAT?
- How is NMAT different from CAT?
FAQs on CAT and MAT Exams
Q: How many times is MAT conducted in a year?
A: MAT exam is conducted several times in year. There are four phases of MAT exam – February, May, September and December. In each phase the MAT exam is conducted in PBT, CBT and IBT modes. The PBT mode is held once, CBT mode is held twice and IBT mode is held five to seven times. Candidates can appear as many times as they want.
Q: How many attempts can I get in CAT exam?
A: CAT is an annual, so a candidate gets single attempt in a particular academic year. However, there is no cap on number of attempts in CAT. Candidates can appear for it as many times as they want. Many students in fact appear for CAT twice to thrice to get the percentile they need for admission into their favourite MBA institute.
Q: Is MAT easier than CAT?
A: Yes, MAT exam is much easier that CAT exam. The CAT exam is usually of higher difficulty level and has sectional time limit, which makes it even difficult to crack. On the other hand, MAT is usually of moderate difficulty level and has no sectional time limit. Moreover, the Indian & Global Environment section is not included in percentile calculation so MAT candidates usually use 2.5 hours in solving the main four sections only.
Q: How many months are required to prepare for MAT?
A: Since MAT is an easy exam one can prepare for it in six to nine months if they study dedicatedly. Those who have taken any other MBA entrance exam such as CAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP, CMAT, NMAT, etc. They can crack MAT with high percentile by studying for even less than three months. For MAT preparation, candidates can take help from CAT books as well.
Q: Does CAT have General Awareness section?
A: No, CAT does not have General Awareness section. It only has three sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. MAT's General Awareness section is called Indian & Global Environment, but its score is not taken into consideration for calculation of MAT percentile.
Q: What is the difficulty level of General Knowledge section of MAT?
A: The General Knowledge or Indian and Global Environment section of MAT is of moderate difficulty. Most of the questions are asked from current affairs. However, since it is a memory based section, it is not too difficulty to either prepare for it or answer questions within 10 minutes. Candidates should solve this section at the end.
Q: What is the weightage of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning in MAT?
A: The weightage of all sections in MAT is equal, i.e. 40 questions carrying one mark each and negative marking of 0.25 for wrong attempts. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions. Thus, it is critical to choose the right questions to answer, those which you know are solvable in the given time limit. If you are not sure or the question is taking time, leave it and move on.
Q: Is there sectional time limit in MAT like CAT?
A: No there is no sectional time limit in MAT. Candidates can divide and use the 2 hours of exam duration as per their paper solving strategy. The time management plan should be practiced by the candidates during the preparation phase (while practicing mock tests) so that are habituated of solving a certain number of questions in certain amount of time.
Q: What is the registration fees of CAT and MAT exams?
A: MAT registration fee is INR 2,100 for all candidates. The fee was increased by INR 50 in 2023. CAT registration fee is INR 2,400 for General category candidates and INR 1,200 for Reserved category candidates.
Q: What are the three modes of MAT exam?
A: MAT exam is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT), Paper Based Test (PBT) and Internet Based Test (IBT) modes. In the CBT mode, candidates have to appear for the exam on a computer system at designated test centres. In PBT mode, candidates have appear for the test at an exam centre and mark their answers in a OMR sheet. In the IBT mode, candidates have to appear for the test from home on a laptop while being remotely monitored by invigilators. The candidates can choose the mode of exam in the application form.
Q: What are the modes of CAT examination?
A: CAT exam is conducted in only one mode which is Computer Based Test mode. CAT candidates have to visit the allotted test centre in the exam day to appear for the exam as per the exam timings. Each candidate will be given a computer system to take the test. CAT exam is conducted in 156 cities across India.
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