What's the difference between CAT, MAT & CMAT

With higher education becoming exceptionally competitive in India these days, higher education boards and institutions have opted for a more stringent policy towards college entrance examinations. Management studies have bee the latest sensation of the generation, with millions of students applying for management entrance examinations every year, with an aspiration of getting admissions to the top management colleges and B-schools in India. However, there often occur certain misunderstandings regarding the most prestigious management entrance examinations in India. As such, it is important to understand what the difference is between CAT 2012, CMAT 2012, and MAT 2012.

 CAT 2012, also known as Common Admission Test, is one of the most prestigious, all-India level management entrance examinations, conducted by Indian Institutes of Management. Based on the CAT percentile, the successful candidates are eligible to appear for the next level of selection procedure, which includes Essay, Group Discussion and Personal Interview. The candidates, who become successful in all the steps of selection procedures, are eligible to get admission in nay of the top 5 IIMs. From 2009 onwards, CAT has been conducted online as a Computer Based Test, with a total of 60 multiple choice questions to be attempted in time duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, exclusive of a 15 minutes tutorial. The core sections of CAT examination include Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Ability. .

 CMAT 2012 is also a national level management entrance examination, conducted by All India Council for Technical Education, with the aim of selecting the most eligible students for admission in 4,000 colleges offering a degree in MBA, and 500 colleges offering postgraduate diploma in management program. The eligibility criterion for CMAT is minimum 50% in graduation. Final year students of graduate courses can also apply. CMAT consist of total 100 multiple choice questions, with total marks of 400 and time duration of 180 minutes approx. There are four sections, including logical reasoning, quantitative techniques and data interpretation, general awareness, and language comprehension.

 MAT 2012 or Management Aptitude Test is conducted every year by All India Management Association, and is approved by Ministry of HRD as a national entrance test. The examination pattern and syllabus for MAT is almost similar to CAT and CMAT.

 All management entrance tests are vital, and it is imperative that you prepare hard for CAT 2012, MAT 2012, and CMAT 2012 in the best possible manner to earn a competitive edge over others.