GRE vs CAT: Choosing between GRE and CAT can confuse many students pursuing higher education. Both exams serve different purposes—while the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is accepted globally for graduate programs, including in the US, UK, and Europe, the CAT (Common Admission Test) is primarily for admission to top business schools in India. Understanding the key differences in exam structure, scoring, and difficulty levels can help you make an informed decision. Whether you're aiming for an international degree or planning to stay in India for your MBA, this comparison will answer your queries and help you choose the right path for your career.
Table of Content
- GRE vs CAT: What are GRE and CAT?
- GRE vs CAT: Key Differences
- GRE vs CAT: Top Universities
- GRE vs CAT: Differences in Sections, Numbers, and Types of Questions
- GRE vs CAT: Eligibility Criteria
- GRE vs CAT: Syllabus and Marking Scheme
- GRE vs CAT: Fee Structure
- GRE vs CAT: Which One to Choose?
- GRE vs CAT: FAQs
GRE vs CAT: What are GRE and CAT?
Although they serve different purposes, both the CAT and the GRE are standardized exams used for graduate school admissions.
GRE | CAT |
|---|---|
Graduate Record Examinations | Common Admission Test |
Thousands of graduate and business institutions worldwide accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a standardized test that evaluates students' verbal and mathematical thinking abilities to determine their readiness for graduate-level work. | Many Indian universities, including all Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), require applicants to their MBA programs to take the Common Admission Test (CAT), a computer-based entrance exam. Every year, the CAT exam is administered by the IIMs in a rotational manner. |
The Educational Testing Agency (ETS) is responsible for creating and delivering the GRE. The organization is a private non-profit in the US. Internationally, the most prestigious business schools recognize the GRE as a prerequisite for admission. | For admission, candidates must receive a high score on the computer-based CAT at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and numerous other business institutes in India. |
GRE vs CAT: Key Differences
Although the CAT and GRE are graduate admissions tests, the GRE is accepted for a greater variety of master's programs across the globe, including business degrees. Conversely, the CAT is intended exclusively for candidates wishing to be admitted to Indian universities' Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.
| Factor | CAT | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Number of students who appeared in 2023 (approximate) | 2.2 lakhs* | Not available (global test) |
| Frequency | Once a year (usually November) | Offered year-round (multiple test dates) |
| Scoring Range | 0 to 100 percentile | 130 to 170 per section, 260 to 340 total |
| Computer Adaptive | No | Yes (section-wise) |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes | 1 hour, 58 minutes |
| Total No. of Questions | 100 (3 sections of 33–34 questions each) | Varies depending on the section (usually around 50 questions in total) |
| Exam Fee (as of 2024) | INR 2,300 | INR 22,550 |
| Validity | 1 year | 5 years |
GRE vs CAT: Top Universities
Although some universities in India and elsewhere may accept results from the CAT or GRE, these tests have different objectives. Do some study on the particular entrance examinations that your desired colleges demand before applying to master's or MBA programs.
Some reputable universities that accept both exams for master's degrees are mentioned below to assist you in choosing between the CAT and the GRE.
| GRE Accepting Universities Abroad | CAT Accepting Universities Abroad |
|---|---|
University of California, Berkeley | HEC Paris |
Stanford University | Singapore Management University |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Asian Institute of Management |
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | SKEMA Business School |
University of Washington | SP Jain School of Global Management |
Pennsylvania State University | Norwegian School of Economics |
GRE vs CAT: Differences in Sections, Numbers, and Types of Questions
The structure of the test questions is where the main distinctions between the CAT and GRE may be found. This covers the division of the exam into sections, the kinds of questions that are asked, and the allotted time for each portion. Now let's discuss these distinctions.
GRE Test Structure
| Sections | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing (One section) | One “Analyse an Issue” task | 30 minutes |
Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
CAT Test Structure
Section | Description | Number of Questions | Time Limit (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension passages, Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles, Odd one out, etc.) | 26 (18 RC MCQs, 8 VA Non-MCQs) | 40 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Data Interpretation sets, Logical Reasoning sets | 24 (14 DI, 10 LR) | 40 |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, etc. | 16 | 40 |
GRE vs CAT: Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility conditions of the GRE and CAT are one of their main distinctions. Let's dissect the requirements for every exam:
GRE Eligibility Criteria
- Must be at least eighteen years old (no parental permission needed).
- Obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited university; no particular major is needed.
- The exam can be taken by anyone above the age of fifty.
- Able to take the GRE five times a year, with a minimum of 21 days passing between each try.
CAT Eligibility Criteria
- hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any field.
- The minimum score needed varies depending on the category: 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates, 50% for General and OBC candidates.
- Applicants must be final-year bachelor's program students.
- The CAT exam is available to anyone at any age.
GRE vs CAT: Syllabus and Marking Scheme
GRE (September 2023 onwards) Syllabus and Marking Scheme
Section | Syllabus | Scores | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing | Analyse an issue and argue a position | 0–6 (in half-point increments) | No penalty for wrong answers |
Verbal Reasoning | Reading comprehension, text analysis, and GRE vocabulary in context | 130–170 | No penalty for wrong answers |
Quantitative Reasoning | Problem-solving using basic math concepts (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis) | 130–170 | No penalty for wrong answers |
CAT Syllabus and Marking Scheme
Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Topics Covered | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, Para Summary) | +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer (MCQs only) |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 60 | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer (MCQs only) |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 | Arithmetic (Number Properties, Percentages, Averages etc.), Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Probability | +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer (MCQs only) |
GRE vs CAT: Fee Structure
In India, the cost of the CAT and GRE exams varies. The base cost of the GRE General Test is ₹22,550. Rescheduled classes, late registration, and score cancelation incur additional fees. During registration, you can submit your scores to four universities for free; however, extra reports come at a fee of about ₹2,009 apiece.
The cost of the CAT exam is much lower. For general category students, the registration cost is ₹2,300; for applicants from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Persons with Disabilities (SC/ST/PWD), it is ₹1,100. The CAT cost does not pay for score reporting or rescheduling, in contrast to the GRE. For the CAT, these alternatives are just not available.
Also Read: GRE Exam Fees in India 2024
GRE vs CAT: Which One to Choose?
Which exam you take—the CAT or the GRE—depends on your academic objectives. The GRE is the test of choice if you want to pursue graduate courses overseas, especially in the United States. It is a common requirement for entrance to many graduate programs, and it is a standardized test. The GRE evaluates your analytical writing, quantitative, and verbal skills. It offers a comprehensive image of your intellectual prowess.
However, the CAT is the best option if you want to apply to MBA programs in India. This national admission exam assesses a candidate's linguistic and quantitative capabilities, as well as their ability to reason logically and comprehend data—all necessary for a successful career in business.
Therefore, the exam that is best for you will depend on your future academic goals. Think about your desired programs and thoroughly study the prerequisites for their entrance exams.
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