Hi,

These are the standardized admission tests and the score of which is considered for the admission in various graduate management/business schools. These tests evaluate candidates to check their quantitative, verbal, reasoning and analytical skills which are needed for one who seeks admission for management courses. The GMAT and GRE are internationally used for the admissions in business schools whereas the CAT is an Indian version of the aforesaid exams for the same purpose. Especially the IIM’s admissions for the graduate management courses are based on the CAT score; still, some other management institutions in India are also taking into consideration the CAT score while admitting the students for their Management Courses. When we come to Executive MBA course these tests are necessary but not all three at the same time. The Management Institutions specify in their admission notification which test is necessary and even the possibilities are that some institutions will be having their own standardized test for the admission purpose like XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) which is conducted by the XLRI Xavier School of Management. You may find other such personalized tests for the same purpose. Let’s know in detail about the above mentioned three tests.

Read Also: What is an Executive MBA and how to get admission for the same

CAT - Common Admission Test:

The CAT is a well-known admission test and is compulsory for post graduate management programmes in IIMs (Indian Institute Management). As this is the most important criteria to have a CAT Score along with other essential requirements like bachelor degree, etc., the candidates are invariably required to appear for the CAT test on specified dates to get admission in IIMs.

Eligibility Criteria for CAT and OIther Details:

• Bachelor degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PWD-Persons with disability categories)
• The Candidate who is in final year of degree or has appeared in the final year exam of bachelor degree and is awaiting for result can also apply for the CAT (if such candidate gets selected, he will be allowed to join the course provided he has to produce the recommendation certification from the institution authority of the bachelor degree)
• there will be 100 questions for 180 Minutes. one right answer will fetch 3 points whereas one wrong answer will cause to loose 1 point.
• There is no limit for an appearance in the exam.
• the admissions for IIMs will be based on the percentile system of marks.

Read Also: What is Percentile Systeme of Marks

GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test:

The GMAT test is recognized the world over and is used by the majority of management schools to make admissions for graduate and post-graduate management courses. The GMAC – Graduate Management Admission Council which is the international non-profit organization of the management schools all over the world is the coordination authority of the GMAT. It is a three and half hour test comprising four sections respectively for Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal abilities. 

Eligibility for GMAT and Other Details:

• As the GMAT is generally required for post graduate management programmes, the candidates are obviously required to have possessed a bachelor degree (but there are no any official eligibility criteria so far)
• One can appear for the GMAT for maximum 5 times in 12 months period with minimum 31 days gap between two GMAT tests.
• The candidates who achieve the total score of 800 must wait for 5 years to reappear in the test.

GRE - Graduate Record Examination:

The one more important test used internationally for the purpose of admission to various graduate/post-graduate courses and management graduate courses in English speaking countries. This test is conducted by the ETS – Educational Testing Service, a non-profit organization, at various centers spread in many countries. More than thousand business schools all over the world have been using the GRE score for the admission purpose.

Eligibility for the GRE test and Other Details:

• No particular eligibility is required.
• The test can be taken for up to 5 times a year with minimum 21 days gap between two GRE tests.
• The test will be conducted for 3 hours and 45 minutes for analytical, verbal and reasoning sections.
• The maximum score one can achieve is 340.
• For other such information, you can talk to the Experts at CareerGuide.

Read Also: Which IIMs offer EMBA course

Dear Aspirant, these above-stated tests are required for management admission in India and abroad. For other such information related to exam, eligibility, admission requirements and such things, you can talk to our Professional Experts at the CareerGuide. The Experts will be guiding you through out the process which will certainly help you get admission in the desired institute. Wish you all the best!