Are you a recent graduate? Do you aspire to head a company someday? If you answered yes, opting to pursue a master's degree is a significant step. GRE and CAT are examinations used to evaluate the potential of prospective students applying to top business schools and colleges.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based entrance exam held yearly for admission to MBA programs at top B-schools in India, including IIMs and others.
The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is one of the world's most comprehensive assessment examinations, and it is used for admission to graduate programs at various worldwide universities/colleges. Hundreds of graduate schools accept GRE results all around the world.
Obtaining a professional qualification opens up numerous doors, but having a plan for approaching the examinations is the first and most important step.
Students who want to attend prominent colleges and business institutions in India must take the GRE and CAT tests. Both examinations measure your intelligence and spontaneity, so let's see how we can hit both targets with one shot.
GRE vs CAT: An Overview
The CAT and GRE are two of the most commonly recognised entrance tests that must be passed to be considered for admission to various top MBA programs and major worldwide institutions.
The CAT and the GRE are extremely competitive entrance exams used by educational institutions to assess candidates' intellectual abilities and make admissions choices.
To begin, the GRE focuses on applicants' eligibility for a wide range of master's programs by assessing students worldwide, including in certain regions of India. CAT, on the other hand, concentrates on Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs throughout India in Indian universities.
The GRE and CAT syllabuses are nearly identical, with mathematical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and writing portions included in both tests.
Furthermore, it should not be considered that GRE examinations are not required for MBA admissions. Some colleges accept GRE scores instead of GMAT scores, and candidates should thoroughly research particular admission criteria.
While GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) results determine admission to graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs at Indian and international institutions, the CAT (Common Admission Test) score determines access to top Indian business schools.
Eligibility
The qualifying conditions are the most significant factor when choosing between the GRE and the CAT. However, there are no eligibility requirements for the GRE.
Their application platform is accessible all year, and candidates can apply at any time based on their choices. However, program qualifying criteria may be required, and candidates are advised to review the requirements before using that program.
However, students must meet qualifying conditions for the CAT test to sit for the exams. The criterion has been established based on their graduation marks; for general applicants, 50% marks are necessary, while for SC/ ST/ PwD students, 45% marks are required. And candidates can apply once a year at a given particular time.
The qualifying requirements for the GRE and CAT are similar. Let us now go through the qualifying requirements for each of these tests, which are listed below.
GRE
To be qualified for the GRE application, you must satisfy the following requirements.
- For the GRE, you must have reached the age of 18 without the approval of anybody else.
- There are no particular upper age restriction parameters.
- Because this is a graduate program, you should have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
- You may retake the GRE 5 times yearly, with a 21-day break between each try.
CAT
The following are the qualifying requirements for applying to the CAT exam:
- A bachelor's degree from a recognised board is required in a related discipline.
- Students are allowed grade relaxation according to their category; for example, Gen and OBC students should have at least 50 per cent of bachelor marks, while SC and ST students may have at least 45 percentage points.
- Students in their final year are also able to take the test.
- There seem to be no age restrictions for the exam.
Difficulty Level for Different Sections
The parts for GRE tests are as follows: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
For CAT tests, however, the components are as follows: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Section, and a quantitative ability section. GRE Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning are both included in the Quantitative Reasoning portion.
Quantitative Reasoning/ Data Interpretation/ Logical Reasoning
The GRE and CAT syllabuses are similar in assessing a candidate's quantitative and mathematical ability through questions. However, their complexity or question pattern may change, with the CAT exam having a significantly greater difficulty level because it measures the candidate's problem-solving skills in a specific scenario.
When compared to GRE, the quantitative ability in CAT is comparatively tougher. CAT requires candidates to choose just one response to a question, but the GRE permits candidates to select multiple answers or type a solution in specific question categories.
Both examinations include Data Interpretation problems and assess the candidate's ability to evaluate data statistically,
The CAT is a computer-based test that is linear. Meanwhile, the GRE is a section-adaptable exam, which means that the difficulty of one part is determined by the candidate's total performance in the preceding section.
Verbal Ability/Reasoning
This is similar to how the layout of quantitative sections differs in the syllabus and problems, yet the verbal portions are nearly identical. The GRE tests have three sub-sections: sentence equivalence, text completion, and comprehension.
On the other hand, the CAT verbal reasoning part contains, among other things, problems with sentence correction, reading comprehension, fill-in-the-blanks or identification, acceptable word usage, and the odd one out. True, unlike the CAT, the GRE assesses intense concentration on the candidate's vocabulary.
Critical Reasoning: In recent years, critical reasoning was not a key topic in the CAT. The GRE Critical Reasoning is tested (albeit not designated as such) and is toned down.
Sentence Correction: The CAT emphasises contextual meaning, good writing, and use in addition to functional components of grammar. Sentence Correction questions are not available on the GRE.
Reading Comprehension: The CAT has reading and comprehension texts and question styles similar to GMAT. The GRE Reading Comprehension problem types vary. The applicant could be asked to choose a sentence from the text that answers a specific question from the screen.
Out-of-context vocabulary assessment has been mostly eliminated from the CAT. In 'Fill in the Blanks' questions or finding a synonym of a phrase in a Reading Comprehension passage, vocabulary is examined in context.
The GRE, while heavy on jargon, does not measure out-of-context language. Certain GRE questions require candidates to choose words that fit into a certain blank in a text, while others ask them to choose several response alternatives.
Other Verbal Ability: Other Verbal Ability questions examined specifically in the CAT include essay questions (formation, completion, summary, or odd-man-out) and proper usage of a term.
GRE vs CAT: Fee Structure
Concerning the prices for both GRE and the CAT tests. The CAT application cost is Rs. 2,300 for general students and Rs. 1,100 for SC, ST, and PWD students. There are no additional fees for the CAT exam because it does not allow you to postpone, cancel, or receive a refund.
GRE fees, on the other side, vary from nation to country:
- 230 US dollars for Australia
- 213 US dollars for India
- 231 US dollars for China
- Other regions in the world will pay 205 USD.
Aside from the application price, there is an additional charge for altering or rescheduling, time modification, slot, location, and exam cancellation.
GRE vs CAT: Top Universities & Business Schools
The GRE test is valid for all master's level courses in universities worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and many more.
The amount of Indian Institutes embracing GRE is growing, with ISB leading the way. CAT, on the other hand, is applicable in a wide variety of Central Indian universities like as IIMs, IITs, Delhi University, and various state-level and private colleges.
GRE vs CAT: Which One to Consider?
The GRE test is considerably simpler than the CAT since it has a well-defined kind of question and an organised curriculum. Achieving a high GRE score with a strong schedule and two months of rigorous preparation is possible.
However, while comparing the GRE vs CAT curriculum, the CAT includes more than the GRE test, requiring students to prepare for additional time.
Regarding CAT versus GRE components, the verbal reasoning element of the GRE is extremely tough for non-native English students. The quantitative component of the CAT exam is more difficult than the quantitative section of the GRE.
Overall, the decision between the two will undoubtedly be yours. If you want to study graduate programs, including MBA programs, at study abroad universities, GRE scores are recommended above CAT scores. In contrast, if you are looking for an MBA in India, you may acquire it by doing well in the CAT test.
Many students aspire to obtain a master's degree from a reputable educational institution, but many are conflicted about which is superior: CAT or GRE.
Conclusion
It is tough to choose between the two, but with a great understanding and knowledge of the distinctions between the GRE and CAT, it will be simpler for you. The distinction between GRE and the CAT exam is in how both evaluate a student's aptitude level.
