EXAMINING ISSUES :: CAT V/S GMAT

nick18_in

MP Guru
EXAMINING ISSUES


The CAT and GMAT are both preludes to the coveted management degree. How do they compare with each other? Amit Chanda analyses


WITH the CAT results out on April 12, the debate on whether CAT is the toughest exam in the world compared to even GMAT rages once again.The Common Admission Test (CAT) is for admissions into Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is for admission into top B-schools across the world.
In 2005, 1.55 lakh students appeared for the CAT that was held at 180 centres across 24 cities in the country. Of these only 1,500 will make it to the six IIMs.The applicant-to-seat ratio in CAT is as high as 100:1.
On the other hand, top Bschools in the rest of the world admit students in large numbers for example,Kelloggs (535), Stanford (371), Graduate School of Business Chicago (520), Columbia (502), INSEAD (887) and MIT-Sloan (374) every year. Moreover, it is held just once, as opposed to the GMAT that happens five times in a year.
Nikita Jain, final year, BTech student, who has got final admission calls from IIM Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Indore, feels that the CAT is hyped up because of applicant-to-seat ratio. “There can’t be any comparison as requirements for both the examinations are different. A fresh graduate can appear for CAT whereas you need to have at least a few years of work experience along with good GMAT score before your application is even considered for admission in the top US and European Bschools,”she says.
Another important aspect of both the tests is the scores.They are a major part of the admissions criteria in the institutes, which admit students through based on these tests. A high percentile is a must to make it to the group discussion and personal interview level (GDPI) from different IIMs. A high GMAT percentile or score, however, may not guarantee an interview call from a top Bschool in the US. Mansi Gupta, a final year, BTech student, who has got final admission calls from IIM Bangalore and Kolkata, agrees that one can score less in GMAT but still get an interview call from a top Bschool elsewhere in the world.“A brilliant sportsperson who has an excellent track record but with low GMAT score can get through a top Bschool in the US. Here, there is no alternative to a very high score to get a GDPI call from one of the IIMs,”she says.
Dr Harsh Vardhan Sharma, class of 2006 at Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, the only B-school in the country which admits students through GMAT, feels that it’s wrong to compare the tests.The GMAT, as Dr Sharma says,“is all about judging one’s aptitude and analytical skills to cope with a rigorous MBA programme.”In the case of CAT, the test is used to screen a large pool of applicants.
“Apart from GMAT scores, B-schools in US look for other qualities as well.This is judged from one’s statement of purpose, recommendation letters, work experience and essays.The GMAT score is just one among several criteria,”adds Sharma.The high test fees, which is $250 also deters large number of non-serious candidates from appearing for GMAT. In case of CAT, it’s just Rs 1,200.
Yugal Joshi, BTech, who has received final admission calls from IIM Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Lucknow, also feels that CAT is over-hyped because of the number of applicants. In CAT the actual competition begins at the GDPI stage.‘‘There you have only four applicants competing for every seat,” adds Joshi.

CAT vs GMAT

CAT:

Admissions for Bschools only in India

Test held once a year

Marking pattern based on percentile

Call for Group Discussion and Personal Interview based on CAT scores

Freshers along with those with work experience are admitted in IIMs

Test fee is just Rs 1,200

GMAT:

Admissions for Bschools across the world

Test can be taken as many as five times within a 12-month period.

Based on both score and percentile

Score is only one part of the selection process.Other factors include a good first degree;TOEFL score; reference and essays.

Top B-schools in the US ask for prior work experience

Test costs $250



(-TNN)



getimage.dll



Courtesy :: Times of India... Education Times.. dtd. 8th May'06
 
hey, wonderful info., nick_18.

these r well examining issues abt cat as well as gmat.

i am preparing for cat but i will give it in 2007. plz guide me how should study?

thanx very much for thiis post.
 
Top