CAT vs GRE: Decoding the Key Differences

CAT and GRE are the two most widely accepted admission tests that need to be cleared while applying to an array of top MBA programs and leading global universities. Both CAT and GRE are highly competitive entrance examinations that help educational institutes gauge the academic prowess of applicants and make admission related decisions.

While GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) scores are considered for admission into various graduate, postgraduate and doctorate courses at Indian and foreign universities, the CAT (Common Admission Test) percentile is for aspirants who wish to pursue MBA from prestigious B-schools in India. This barebone understanding of “who should take these tests and for what purpose” might undermine the objective of this article but as we progress, we will layer by layer, critically analyze them. In the process, we shall also comprehensively look at GRE vs CAT differences to enable our readers to decide on the one that will take them closer to their desired professional journeys.

CAT vs GRE: Key differences

	CAT	GRE
Eligibility	1 year	5 years
Max score	300 (228 in 2020)	340
Duration	3 hours (2 hours n 2020 due to pandemic)	3 hours 45 minutes (GRE General Test) 2 hours 50 minutes (GRE Subject Test)
Eligibility criteria	A graduate with at least 50 % marks (general category)	No as such requirement
Organizing body	Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Sections	Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing and Verbal Reasoning
Nature of test	Linear test: The questions are pre-decided and don’t adapt to a candidate’s ability.	Computer-adaptive test: It adapts to the ability of candidates and is dynamic.
When are the exams conducted?	Once every year	Round the year
Cost of exam	INR 2200 for general category, INR 1100 for reserved category	USD 213 (INR 15,670 for GRE General Test) USD 150 (INR 11,035 for GRE Subject Test)
Types of tests	No other type	GRE General Test: Knowledge of no specific field of study is measured.   GRE Subject Test: Knowledge of a specific subject such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and others is measured.
Key purpose of taking the tests	Admission to IIMs & other reputed B-schools in India	MS courses in the USA & also MBA courses abroad

Requirements to apply for CAT and GRE:

GRE eligibility

1. No specific age or educational qualifications are required to take the GRE.

2. Candidates have to produce their original passport as an ID proof at the test center. Therefore, a valid passport is required at the time of registration.

3.  Aadhar Card is also now being accepted as an ID proof.

CAT eligibility

1. A bachelor’s degree with 50% for general category (45% for reserved category) from a recognized university.

2. Professional degree (ICWA/CA/CS) with required percentage.

3. Aspirants who have completed bachelors in pandemic years (2020 & 2021) or are in their final semester/year can write a pass or promotion during their registration.  

GRE vs CAT syllabus

Quant section:

CAT	GRE
Twenty-six questions need to be attempted within 40 minutes. It is a mix of MCQs and non-MCQs.	40 questions need to be attempted within 70 minutes. It only contains MCQs.
Topics covered in the section include Geometry, Probability, Algebra, Work and Time, Logarithms, Time-Speed-Distance, Binomial Theorem, Quadratic and Linear Equations, Square Root and Cube Root, Ratio and Proportion, Profit & Loss, and others.   CAT’s Quant section is difficult in comparison to GRE’s Quant.	Topics covered include Word Problems, Coordinate Geometry, Statistics, Interpretation of Data, Angle Measurements, Algebraic Expressions, Venn Diagrams, Sets Theory, Equations, and Inequalities among others.
No negative marking  for non-MCQs and negative marking for MCQs.	No negative marking.

GRE Verbal Reasoning:  

Number of questions: 40

Time allotted: 60 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.

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.  

The application fees

The cost of the application fees for CAT is INR 2,200. The cost of GRE exam is INR 15,595.86

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 the 90% of the takers.  

GRE score is more absolute, i.e., if you score 320/340, it means you answered 20 questions wrong.  

Scope after the exam

The scope of CAT participants is mainly for MBA aspirants. If you are looking to study in the most prestigious colleges and get an MBA, then scoring a better percentile in CAT exam is the best way.  

GRE on the other side opens various options of other master’s degree courses which applies to colleges and universities out of India as well.