CAT vs GRE: Decoding the Key Differences

GRE Verbal Reasoning:  

Number of questions: 27

Time allotted: 41 minutes

The section contains three types of questions, namely Text Completion, Reading Comprehension and Sentence Equivalence.

It covers topics such as Subject-Verb Agreement, Tense, Idioms, Nouns-Adjectives-Pronouns, Pronoun Agreement, and others.

CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:

Number of questions: 26

Time allotted: 40 minutes

The section is a mix of MCQs and non-MCQs, with negative marking enabled only for non-MCQs. Topics covered include Para-jumbles, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Logic, Prepositions, Idioms, Tenses, Articles, Types of Clauses, Parts of Speech, Analogies and Antonyms among others.

GRE Analytical Writing:

Number of questions: 2

Time allotted: 60 minutes

The section measures a candidate’s ability to analyze and articulate a complex argument/idea while taking care of all the elements of written English. Thirty minutes are allotted each for the two writing tasks.

CAT Data Interpretation & Verbal Reasoning:

Number of questions: 26

Time allotted: 40 minutes

The section is a mix of MCQs and non-MCQs, with negative marking enabled for non-MCQSs. Topics covered include Binary Logic, Family Tree, Direction Sense, Proposition, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Data Sufficiency, Bar & Line Graphs, Coding-Decoding, Puzzles, Series, Venn Diagram, Pie Charts, and others.

GRE vs CAT Fees Structure 

The fees for taking the GRE and CAT exams also differ. Below is a comparison:

GRE vs CAT Level for Difficulty 

The perceived level of difficulty can vary among test-takers, but here's a general comparison based on common feedback:

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The challenges Faced to Prepare both Exams

There are many challenges that need to be addressed while preparing for both CAT and GRE exams. The subject of Math presumably poses a challenge. Another thing which is challenging is the grammatical mistakes that happen.

CAT Percentile to GRE Score Comparison

The two exams are beyond comparable when it comes to the calculation of the scores. CAT exam reports out percentile, which is used to measure your performance among all the other test takers. For example, 90 percentiles do not mean you get 90/100 marks. It means you did better than 90% of the takers. 

GRE vs CAT: Which One to Choose

Choosing between the GRE and CAT depends on your academic and career goals. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

• Intended Program: If you are aiming for business schools in India, the CAT is essential, especially for IIMs and other top B-schools. For international programs or a broader range of graduate programs (including business), the GRE is the better choice.
• Test Format: Consider which test format plays to your strengths. The GRE includes an Analytical Writing section and may be better suited for those with strong verbal skills. The CAT is known for its rigorous quantitative and logical reasoning sections.
• Preparation Time: The CAT often requires more intensive preparation due to its high difficulty level, especially in quantitative and logical reasoning sections.
• Application Requirements: Check the specific requirements of the programs you are interested in. Some programs accept both GRE and CAT scores, but it's crucial to verify this information.

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