Introduction:
The CAT (Common Admission Test) and the NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) are two of the most prominent admission tests that candidates focus on seriously when pursuing an MBA. Both tests give entrance to esteemed business schools, but each has its own set of difficulties and distinctions.
In this article, we'll compare the NMAT and CAT in great depth, highlighting the differences between them.
Exam Patterns:
CAT: The Common Admissions Test (CAT) exam can be classified into three parts: quantitative ability (QA), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC). MCQs and Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions are both included in the exam's 66 overall questions.
NMAT: The NMAT can be classified into three sections: logical reasoning, quantitative, and language skills. There are 120 questions total on this test spread among these three divisions.
|
Components |
CAT |
NMAT |
|
Total number of questions |
66 Questions MCQs: 48 Non-MCQs: 18 |
108 Questions |
|
Number of Sections |
3 Sections VARC DILR QA |
3 Sections Language Skills Logical Reasoning Quantitative skills |
|
Sectional Timing |
40 minutes for each section |
Language Skills: 28 Minutes Logical Reasoning: 40 Minutes Quantitative Skills: 52 Minutes |
|
Total Marks |
198 |
360 |
The table above gives a perfect illustration of what the NMAT vs. CAT exam pattern looks like.
Difficulty Levels:
CAT: Greatly acknowledged for its difficulty level, CAT tests candidates' ability to solve multifaceted and intricate problems. It requires quick decision-making abilities and a thorough comprehension of subjects.
NMAT: In terms of overall difficulty, NMAT is less than CAT. The questions are made to evaluate both accuracy and speed, with emphasis on how swiftly the solution is answered. While this does not imply that NMAT is without difficulties, the focus on speed distinguishes it.
Question Types:
CAT: The three sections of the CAT contain a mixture of TITA and MCQ-style questions. It's important to note that with around 7–10 questions, only the VARC part has TITA questions.
NMAT: The questions on the NMAT are all in the MCQ format, making it a less difficult test overall.
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking:
CAT: Aside from TITA questions, which do not feature negative marking, the correct responses in the CAT exam are given 3 marks, whereas incorrect ones receive 1 mark negative.
NMAT: NMAT does not penalize incorrect responses; it awards 3 marks for every correct answer. Candidates are allowed to tackle any question without worrying about getting a bad grade because of this.
Strategy to Solve:
CAT: CAT calls for an approach that strikes a balance between accuracy and efficient use of time. Candidates must pick their questions wisely and focus on accuracy before trying all of them.
NMAT: The focus of NMAT's strategy is precision and quickness. To attempt a high number of problems in the allotted time, candidates must understand time management strategies, shortcuts, and quick calculations.
Conclusion:
In the CAT vs. NMAT argument, it's critical to understand that each exam necessitates a different strategy, even if NMAT is typically thought of as simpler than CAT. Which exam you choose ultimately depends on your choices, your strengths, and the business school you want to attend.
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