Are CAT and GMAT scores both compulsory for admissions to IIM MBA programs
Author: Dhruv Post Date: 11 Jun 2023
Common Admission Test (CAT) and General Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) are similar kinds of exams used by business schools for admission to their management programs. Both tests assess the candidate's aptitude and analytical, quantitative, comprehension and verbal skills for suitability to admission to the management programs. Since both are similar in nature, any of the two will suffice for admission to a business school in India. As such, the IIMs seek a valid test score in any one of them, be it CAT or GMAT. One need not appear for both tests.
In general, it has been seen that for domestic applicants, the IIMs insist on a CAT score, whereas for international applicants, who may not be in a position to appear for the CAT exam, a valid GMAT score is fair enough for applying, on condition that rest all parameters are fulfilled. When I say domestic applicants, I mean those applicants who are either Indian nationals or even foreigners residing in India. As for international applicants, they are Indian nationals residing abroad or foreign citizens staying outside India.
Though either of the two test scores is mandatory for admission to an IIM, one needs to understand that they are not the sole criteria for admission. Every IIM in India and most other top business schools like FMS Delhi, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIFT Delhi, and NMIMS Mumbai too use multiple parameters for selecting the candidates. There is a strong belief that students who have been doing consistently well in their studies during their school and college level with interests in extracurricular activities as well are likely to be better learners and performers during their management programs and beyond. The CAT/GMAT score too counts as it helps identify students with high aptitude, which combined with their academic skills makes them potential winners in the management field. To further refine the selection process, the institutes also conduct an interview (PI) round and sometimes a group discussion (GD) round. At times work experience of the candidate also gets counted.
Thus we see that qualifying in both CAT and GMAT is not essential for admission to any of the IIMs in India. Any one will do depending upon whether you are a resident of India or residing abroad. However, CAT or GMAT alone cannot ensure your admission, as multiple parameters are taken into consideration before finalizing the selections.
Common Admission Test (CAT) and General Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) are similar kinds of exams used by business schools for admission to their management programs. Both tests assess the candidate's aptitude and analytical, quantitative, comprehension and verbal skills for suitability to admission to the management programs. Since both are similar in nature, any of the two will suffice for admission to a business school in India. As such, the IIMs seek a valid test score in any one of them, be it CAT or GMAT. One need not appear for both tests.
In general, it has been seen that for domestic applicants, the IIMs insist on a CAT score, whereas for international applicants, who may not be in a position to appear for the CAT exam, a valid GMAT score is fair enough for applying, on condition that rest all parameters are fulfilled. When I say domestic applicants, I mean those applicants who are either Indian nationals or even foreigners residing in India. As for international applicants, they are Indian nationals residing abroad or foreign citizens staying outside India.
Though either of the two test scores is mandatory for admission to an IIM, one needs to understand that they are not the sole criteria for admission. Every IIM in India and most other top business schools like FMS Delhi, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIFT Delhi, and NMIMS Mumbai too use multiple parameters for selecting the candidates. There is a strong belief that students who have been doing consistently well in their studies during their school and college level with interests in extracurricular activities as well are likely to be better learners and performers during their management programs and beyond. The CAT/GMAT score too counts as it helps identify students with high aptitude, which combined with their academic skills makes them potential winners in the management field. To further refine the selection process, the institutes also conduct an interview (PI) round and sometimes a group discussion (GD) round. At times work experience of the candidate also gets counted.
Thus we see that qualifying in both CAT and GMAT is not essential for admission to any of the IIMs in India. Any one will do depending upon whether you are a resident of India or residing abroad. However, CAT or GMAT alone cannot ensure your admission, as multiple parameters are taken into consideration before finalizing the selections.
Author: DR.N.V. Srinivasa Rao Post Date: 12 Jun 2023
Common Admission Test (CAT) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
The CAT will be conducted by any one of the 6 oldest IIMs in India on rotation. Generally, this test will be conducted once a year online. The exact dates will be announced by the IIM that is conducting the examination that year. The examination will be conducted either in July or August every year. The score obtained is valid for only one year. The duration of the examination is 120 minutes and there will be 66 questions in 3 sections put together. This score is useful only in India for obtaining a seat in MBA in IIMs.
The GMAT exam will be conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council. This examination will be conducted round the year online. The score obtained will be valid for 5 years and the score is accepted globally by all the institutes across the globe. There will be 80 questions in 4 sections put together. The duration of the exam is 3 hours 7 minutes.
If an Indian student wants to admit into IIMs in India CAT is required. But if an international candidate wants to get admitted to IIMs, he should appear for GMAT. If an Indian student wants to do his MBA abroad GMAT is required. His CAT score will not be considered for admission in other countries.
An Indian student who wants to get admitted to IIMs without CAT should appear and qualify for the GMAT. He should score the minimum required percentile to be eligible for admission to IIMs. He should qualify for both the sectorial and the overall cut-off GMAT scores. But the admission process will be the same for GMAT candidates also.
So I am of the opinion that either CAT or GMAT is required for admission to IIMs. Both are not required. Any one of the two is sufficient.
Common Admission Test (CAT) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
The CAT will be conducted by any one of the 6 oldest IIMs in India on rotation. Generally, this test will be conducted once a year online. The exact dates will be announced by the IIM that is conducting the examination that year. The examination will be conducted either in July or August every year. The score obtained is valid for only one year. The duration of the examination is 120 minutes and there will be 66 questions in 3 sections put together. This score is useful only in India for obtaining a seat in MBA in IIMs.
The GMAT exam will be conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council. This examination will be conducted round the year online. The score obtained will be valid for 5 years and the score is accepted globally by all the institutes across the globe. There will be 80 questions in 4 sections put together. The duration of the exam is 3 hours 7 minutes.
If an Indian student wants to admit into IIMs in India CAT is required. But if an international candidate wants to get admitted to IIMs, he should appear for GMAT. If an Indian student wants to do his MBA abroad GMAT is required. His CAT score will not be considered for admission in other countries.
An Indian student who wants to get admitted to IIMs without CAT should appear and qualify for the GMAT. He should score the minimum required percentile to be eligible for admission to IIMs. He should qualify for both the sectorial and the overall cut-off GMAT scores. But the admission process will be the same for GMAT candidates also.
So I am of the opinion that either CAT or GMAT is required for admission to IIMs. Both are not required. Any one of the two is sufficient.
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